2018 - an exciting year ahead

Rather than use the final instalment of The Thistle in 2017 to look back and consider all that has been accomplished this year, I felt it would be a good opportunity to look at some of the exciting teaching and learning initiatives developing in 2018.

Senior School Campus Development

In 2018, we will start construction on a new Teaching and Learning facility in Senior School. We are currently working with our College architects Taylor Robinson to design a three-storey facility to drive the future of learning. The building is being designed to incorporate the latest developments in teaching pedagogy as well as a contemporary space in which students thrive.

Delivery of the new Year 9 Programme

In 2018 the hard work of Senior School staff will come to fruition with the redevelopment of Year 9 courses while the College begins to phase out delivery of MYP in Years 9 and 10. These programmes will see a range of innovative learning opportunities delivered to engage the boys and set them up for success in Years 11 and 12. More information will soon be released via the teaching and learning page and accessed via this link.

Launching the 2018 Reconciliation Action Plan

As part of the College's commitment to Indigenous education members of our community are working to deliver an updated reconciliation action plan. This plan will detail how the College is developing relationships, respect and opportunities for Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians in the classroom, the School and the community.

Going Pro

As an Apple Distinguished School we are always looking for ways to incorporate the latest technology with high quality teaching and learning programmes. In 2018, we will be investigating how we can best utilise the mobility of the iPad Pro, coupled with the stylus to deliver lessons previously inconceivable in a range of ways across K-12. More information about these programmes can be found via this link.

Building Partnerships - FORM

One of our most adventurous programmes is partnering with FORM to deliver a platform for creative learning across K-12. This partnership is based on five pillars including:

• Cultural Strategy: A bespoke cultural strategy for Scotch College to engage students with arts and culture in a meaningful way
• Professional Development: Professional Creative Learning opportunities for Scotch College educators
• Customised Workshops: Custom-designed workshops and community projects at The Goods Shed that nurture the creative habits of mind and tie in to curriculum.
• Thought Leadership: Together, FORM and Scotch College will raise awareness about how Creative Learning helps students develop skills necessary to thrive in the future.
• The Scribblers Festival: We are delighted to be hosting in May the 2018 Scribblers Children Literature & Arts Festival in partnership with FORM.

Approaches to Learning- embedded across the School

As part of the College's Curriculum delivery all sub-schools during 2017 have begun explicitly to teach the skills found within the IB Approaches to Learning.

In 2018, across the College staff will continue to develop the ways we are teaching these skills to ensure students are prepared for life beyond the College.

This is just a snapshot of the year ahead, of course the solid foundation laid by our outstanding teachers each day allows us to explore these possibilities whilst continuing to educate your son.

Thank you for your support and I hope you and your family have a fantastic Christmas.

Mr Peter Allen
Director of Teaching and Learning