The Scots School Albury is an independent

Independent school

An independent school is a school that is independent in its finances and governance; it is not dependent upon national or local government for financing its operations, nor reliant on taxpayer contributions, and is instead funded by a combination of tuition charges, gifts, and in some cases the...

, K-12, Uniting Church, co-educational, day

Day school

A day school—as opposed to a boarding school—is an institution where children are given educational instruction during the day and after which children/teens return to their homes...

 and boarding School

Boarding school

A boarding school is a school where some or all pupils study and live during the school year with their fellow students and possibly teachers and/or administrators. The word 'boarding' is used in the sense of "bed and board," i.e., lodging and meals...

, located in Albury

Albury, New South Wales

Albury is a major regional city in New South Wales, Australia, located on the Hume Highway on the northern side of the Murray River. It is located wholly within the boundaries of the City of Albury Local Government Area...

, New South Wales

New South Wales

New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...

, Australia

Australia

Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...

. It draws students from the local area and other parts of Australia.

The current principal of Scots is Mrs Heather Norton (Dip. Teach, B.Ed, M.Ed.Admin, MACE, MACEL).

The current deputy principal of Scots is Mr Scott Young (B.Ed, Dip. Teach, TTC, MACE, MACEL).

The School's history reaches back almost 143 years, to the establishment in 1866 of Albury Grammar School, the first independent co-educational school in the Albury area. In 1972 the Albury Grammar School was merged with Woodstock Presbyterian Girls School, assuming the new identity of The Scots School Albury.

Subject Departments and Key Learning Area Co-ordinators

• English - offers English (Year 7-10), English Fundamentals (Year 11), English Standard, English Advanced, English Extension, English Extension 2 (also Debating - ICCES, Eisteddfod and State level) - Head: Mr Dale Zawertailo (B.Ed, M.Ed)

• Mathematics - offers Mathematics (Year 7-10), General Mathematics, Advanced Mathematics, Extension Mathematics, Extension 2 Mathematics - Head: Mr Kyel Easey (B.Ed(Ma)

• Science - offers Science (Years 7-10), Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Earth and Environmental Science, Agriculture - Head: Ms Leigh Black (B.App.Sc.(Med.Tech.), Grad.Dip.Teach., Grad.Dip.App.Computing)

• Human Society and Its Environment - offers History (Year 7-10), Geography (Year 7-10), Modern History, Ancient History, History Extension, Geography (Year 11-12), Business Studies, Legal Studies, Studies of Religion 1, Economics, Commerce (Year 9-10) - Head: Mrs Sarah Spiteri (B.A, Grad.Dip Ed, M.Ed)

• Languages Other Than English - offers Japanese (Year 7-10), French (Year 7-10), French Continuers, Japanese Continuers, French Extension, Japanese Extension - Head: Mrs Jane Holland (B.A, Dip. Ed.)

• Personal Development, Health and Physical Education - offers Personal Development Health and Physical Education (Year 7-10), Personal Development Health and Physical Education (Year 11-12), Physical Activity and Sport Studies (Year 9-10) - Head: Ms Erin Gray (B.Ed, M.Ed)

• Technological and Applied Studies and Vocational Education - offers Design and Technology (Year 7-10), Design and Technology (Year 11-12), Industrial Technology (Year 9-10), Electronics (Year 8), Food Technology (Year 7-10), Hospitality (Year 11-12), Construction, Metal and Engineering, Textiles (Year 8), Computing (Year 7-8), Information and Processes Technology (Year 9-10), Graphics Technology (Year 9-10), Software Design and Development, Information Software and Technology (Year 11-12) - Head: Mr Kevin Turner (B.Ed)

• Creative Arts - offers Drama (Year 9-10), Drama (Year 11-12), Music (Year 7-10), Music Course 1, Music Course 2, Music Extension, Visual Arts (Year 7-10), Visual Arts (Year 11-12), Visual Design (Year 9-10) - Head: Mrs Alison Mitchell (B.Mus.Ed)

There are other subjects offered that can be taken after school hours. These include:

• Co-curricular Sport - organises afterschool sports such as basketball, softball, swimming, equestrian, cricket, fight gym, self defence, soccer, tennis, badminton, volleyball, athletics, cross country, inter-house competitions and Australian Football League - Head: Mr Geoff Coughlan (B. PE, Grad. Dip. Ed.)

• Co-curricular Drama - organises after school Drama and Dance sessions - Head: Mrs Elizabeth Heitmeyer (B.A, Grad. Dip. Ed)

• Co-curricular Music - organises after school Music groups, such as Jazzgang, Choir, Senior Choir, Concert Band, Cantible, B Flats, Strings, Orchestra, Dynamix, Chorale and Barbershop, and also organises private music tuition sessions from the Murray Conservatorium - Head: Mr Paul Tasker (B. Mus. Ed, A.Mus.A)

Year Co-ordinators

• Year 7: Mr Brant Whitsed (B.A, Dip.Ed)
• Year 8: Mrs Rowena Turner (B.A, Dip.Ed, Dip.Stud.Welf.)
• Year 9: Mr David Edwards (B.Ed(Hons), Cert IV Metal and Engineering)
• Year 10: Mr Neale Poole (B.App.Sc.(PE)
• Year 11: Mrs Penny Curran-Peters (B.A, Grad.Dip.Ed, M.A.M.Ed)
• Year 12: Mr Roger Barrows (B.Sc, Grad.Dip.Ed)

Curriculum Offered At Scots

The curriculum at The Scots School Albury complies with the guidelines of the NSW Board of Studies Curriculum.
Year 10 students sit for their School Certificate whilst Year 12 students sit for the Higher School Certificate (HSC).

Years 7 & 8 Curriculum

The Stage 4 curriculum includes the core subjects of:
English, Mathematics, Science, History, Personal Development, Health and Physical Education, French and Japanese.
All students study for 1 hour per cycle Christianity, Religion and Values Education.
In Year 7 students are introduced to the intelligent and critical use of different research facilities and communication tools through the Library. Geography is added to the curriculum in Year 8.
Students also study Music, Visual Arts and Technology.

Years 9 & 10 Curriculum

In Stage 5 students study the core areas (excluding French and Japanese).
In addition, three elective subjects are selected from:

• Agricultural Technology
• Commerce
• Design and Technology
• Drama
• Food Technology
• French
• Graphics Technology
• Industrial Technology
• Information and Software Technology
• Japanese
• Music
• Physical and Sports Studies
• Visual Arts

Students sit for the School Certificate examinations in Term 4 of Year 10.

Years 11 & 12 Curriculum

Stage 6 of the curriculum is divided into two years:

• The Preliminary Course (Year 11/Terms 1, 2 & 3)
• The H.S.C. Course (Year 11 Term 4) & (Year 12/Terms 1, 2, & 3)

An extensive range of subjects are offered to students sitting for the Higher School Certificate including:

• Agriculture
• Ancient History
• HSC History Extension
• Biology
• Business Studies
• Chemistry
• Design & Technology
• Drama
• Economics
• English Advanced
• English Extension 1
• HSC English Extension 2
• English Fundamentals (Year 11 only)
• English Standard
• French – Continuers
• HSC French Extension
• Geography
• Japanese – Continuers
• HSC Japanese Extension
• Legal Studies
• Mathematics General
• Mathematics
• Mathematics Extension 1
• HSC Mathematics Extension 2
• Modern History
• Music 1
• Music 2
• HSC Music Extension
• PDHPE
• Physics
• Software Design & Development
• Visual Arts

Vocational Courses

As part of the Higher School Certificate The Scots School Albury offers Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses as part of the Preliminary and Higher School Certificate programmes. These courses allow students to have valuable experience whilst gaining nationally recognised qualifications in a particular area of industry.
Students may use two units of a VET course towards their ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admission Rank) and subsequent entry to University or, may choose to use their qualifications to pursue a valuable apprenticeship within a trade.
During 2009 our students will be able to study:

• Hospitality in Years 11 and 12
• Construction (General) in the Preliminary Course (Year 11)
• Metal and Engineering in the Higher School Certificate (HSC) Course.

Alternatively our students may study at a local TAFE in a TVET programme that is not offered at Scots. These courses fall into 2 categories Framework (F) and Non-Framework (NF) and include - Automotive (F), Aviation Operations (NF) studied at Temora TAFE - block delivery during school holidays, Media (NF), Children’s Services (NF) and Business Services (F).
Non-Framework courses count towards Preliminary or HSC units but this group cannot count in the calculation of the ATAR because they do not have an externally set examination.

Learning Support

At Scots we cater for the individual interests and expertise of our students through the wide range of elective and extension courses available, and by differentiated instruction and tasks within the classroom.
Learning Support activities cater for and support students with special needs, offering both remedial and extension programmes.

Careers Counselling

Students in Years 10-12 receive career advice, support, and academic counselling on a regular basis.
In addition, Year 10 students complete a session of work experience and are given individual assistance when selecting their subjects for Years 11 and 12. This assistance provides students with the support and information needed to make wise and informed decisions about their future.
A curriculum booklet is available by contacting the School.

Overview / Philosophy

Scots supports the use of information and communication technologies to enhance the educational experience of our students. Development of computing facilities within the school is always undertaken with the educational value to students as the main focus.

ICT Facilities for Students

The school supports three specialist computer rooms – two located in the Information Technology area and one in the Primary Woodstock wing. The Senior Library has computers and laptops available for student use. A wireless network operates throughout the school. There are a number of mini labs in various departments.
Students in Years 5-12 have individual logins giving access to internet, email and a personal folder on the school network to which they may save school work files. The School Intranet enables teachers to provide class resources such as homework, assignments, and assessment tasks for students to access via the web.
Students in Year 4 and below use class logins for access to network resources. All internet access is supervised.

Software

Students have access to Microsoft Office Product Suite across the network and subject specific software in several areas of the school.

Multimedia Facilities

John Edwards Theatre has a full theatre projection system. The science building has a C-bus control audio visual system. All departments have access to data projectors, digital video and still cameras and speaker systems.

Internet & Email Use

Internet is available throughout the school network but only for school-related purposes. Each student has a school-based email address that can be used for sending work files to and from school. This means they can log on to their school email at school, home, and elsewhere. Use of external mail services such as Hotmail is banned. Students are encouraged to use a thumb drive to transfer large files and when email is not possible.
Students and their families receive and sign an Internet and Email Agreement outlining permissible use of both these facilities. This agreement outlines how students can access their school email from home. Without a signed agreement the school is unable to supply internet/email facilities to a student.

Instrumental and Orchestral Music

The Junior and Senior Orchestras provide a stimulating environment in which to develop the ensemble experience of young musicians, regardless of their level of expertise.
Smaller student ensembles in the form of The Concert Band and Jazz Gang provide the students with additional opportunities to further development individual skills and styles.

Private Music Lessons

A range of tutors, many of whom are staff from the Murray Conservatorium of Music, are available to provide additional private lessons on campus both during and after school hours.
All teachers are qualified and experienced performers who bring a wealth of knowledge to their craft.
Lessons currently available include:
Bagpipes, bass guitar, bassoon, cello, clarinet, drums, electric organ, flute, guitar, horn, keyboard, musicianship, oboe, piano, piccolo, pipe organ, recorder, saxophone, theory, trombone, trumpet, tuba, violin, viola, voice.

The Scots School Pipe Band

The Pipe Band holds a special place in the musical life of the School, where it leads many of the formal ceremonies held on campus throughout the year.
Members of the band are recruited from both primary and secondary levels. The calibre of the band places it in strong demand within the local community.

On average, The School Pipe Band gets around 50-60 Performance each year.

The current Band leader is Mr Rod Parker, who is making many beneficial changes within the band which will benefit us within the near future.

Choral Music

The Scots School choirs provide students with a variety of opportunities to perform choral music from a repertoire of sacred, modern and traditional pieces.
The current choirs on campus include Cantabile, Dynamix, Barbershop, Adelines, Chorale and Open Choir.

Musical Theatre

The Scots School is at the forefront of musical theatrical productions in the region. Each year the school presents a major production which often has casts up to and over 100 senior students.
Past productions have included Joseph and His Technicolour Dreamcoat (1999), The Little Shop of Horrors (2000), Les Misérables (2001), Godspell (2002), The Pajama Game (2003), A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (2004), Grease (2005), The Wiz (2006), Sweet Charity (2007), South Pacific (2008), 42nd Street (2009), How to Succeed in Business without even trying (2010) My Fair Lady (2011) and Oklahoma (2011).
These shows afford all students (regardless of their level of skill) with the opportunity to participate, whilst the lead roles provide opportunities for our strongest singers, actors and dancers to further showcase their skills.
As a mark of the success that these experiences provide, a number of past students have continued on to study musical theatre and drama at tertiary levels, some attaining performance on the national and international stage.

Drama Productions

Drama is an elective academic subject from Year 9 to HSC level. All drama classes are involved in public performances as part of their course.
Classes have performed well-known plays such as The Property of the Clan, The Small Poppies, Beaches-A Theatrical Fantasia, The Diaries of Adam and Eve and Year 9 Are Animals. Some plays have been specially written for the classes, who also successfully participate in local theatre festivals.
Performance of group devised pieces are a feature of the NSW curriculum and are a part of each year's program.
Students also have the opportunity to audition for roles in plays drawn from the traditional and contemporary repertoire as part of the School's extra curricular program, regardless of their level of involvement in curriculum drama.
Past productions have included Rhinoceros (2009), The Taming of the Shrew (2008), The Real Inspector Hound (2007), Cosi (2006), Kid Stakes (2005), The Crucible (2004) and Mother Courage (2003).
There are additional opportunities for the students to be involved in the mechanics of production - make-up, lighting, costume, set construction and stage management, also play an integral role in the entire performance experience.

Year 9 Production

The well established Year 9 Musical Production is presented over two performancea during Term 2 at Scots.
The aim of the production is to collectively draw all students (regardless of their abilities) into a combined creative endeavour, requiring a disciplined teamwork approach for success.
Because of its compulsory nature, involvement in the production ensures all students become actively engaged in a huge learning curve, with many discovering talents that would have otherwise remained hidden. It is a vital part of the process of creating confident, creative individuals and builds useful skills for the senior drama and musical productions.

Dance

The Scots School Albury provides a range of dance and movement classes for students both during and after school. The classes cater for beginners to advanced and incorporate styles such as classical ballet, jazz, musical theatre, funk, contemporary, neo-classical and tap.

Dance is also an integral component of the PDHPE syllabus and vital to the success of the four major musical theatre productions held annually on campus for students in years K-12.

Sport

Students are encouraged to play at least one sport. Students are encouraged to participate in the annual swimming, athletics and cross country Inter-House competitions.
Softball, netball and basketball are available to girls at all age levels, whilst boys have opportunities to compete in AFL football and cricket teams. Hockey is available to both girls and boys. The School competes across all grade ranges in local Association matches, with opportunities available for interested students as they develop expertise and confidence to learn the finer points of umpiring.
The School also has one of the largest clubs in the local tennis competition, where players can participate regardless of their degree of skill or experience.
Badminton, Primary Soccer and Touch Football provide further opportunities and add variety to our already extensive sporting curriculum.

Sporting Facilities

The Wilson Oval at Scots is one of the most striking playing fields in the area, and provides a picturesque backdrop for the cricket matches that take place there each summer. A short walk away on Gillespie Oval, the more physical game of Australian Rules football involves participants and supporters alike during winter.
In addition to these ovals which host a myriad of additional general sporting activities throughout the year, Scots also has a range of all-weather playing surfaces which are used for netball, hockey, tennis and softball.
There is also an outdoor swimming pool which is used extensively during the summer months.

External links

• The Scots School website

36°4′19.25"S 146°55′36.93"E