Scotch College

The Aims of Scotch College

In the original prospectus published on 9th October, 1851, it was stated that

"the objective contemplated by this seminary is to impart a superior education to young men".

It could be said that the aims have not changed since 1851. However, with the incorporation of the College in 1980 the aims received a fuller statement.

The College exists for educational purposes in connection with the Presbyterian Church of Victoria.

Its aims, as set out in the Memorandum and Articles of Association, are:

a) To provide for the students of the College an education of a humane, scientific and general nature consistent with the teachings of Christianity including religious instruction and education in the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments interpreted not inconsistently with the Westminster Confession of Faith, the 39 Articles of Religion of the Church of England and the Basis of Union of The Uniting Church in Australia.

b) To encourage each student to achieve the highest standard of which he is capable in all his activities and the full development of the personality and sense of responsibility of each student and respect for others and capacity to work with them so as to promote the development of Christian ideals of citizenship, personal character and a spirit of reverence in the entire life and work of the College.

c) To provide for the students of the College regular opportunities for religious observance and worship - which in form shall be not inconsistent with the usages of the Presbyterian Church of Victoria from time to time.

Personal Achievement

The school tries to enable each student to achieve a level of scholarship as close to his potential as possible. It is concerned to promote a high level of literacy, numeracy and skill with the spoken word.

The academic courses offered by the school lead, in general, to study at tertiary level though it is recognised that not all students will undertake tertiary study. The school offers advice to help students choose an appropriate course and guidance to enable them to do as well as possible in this course.

The school encourages achievement in areas other than scholastic. Students are expected to participate to the best of their ability in sports of their choice and to undertake one of the service activities. They are encouraged to take a full part in Music, in Drama, in Art, in clubs and in outdoor activities.

The school believes it important to impel students into experience, that a student profits by undertaking a broad range of activities, by persevering with and doing as well as he can in each.

Personal Development

The school is concerned with the development of each student's personality, intellectually, emotionally, spiritually, morally, aesthetically and physically. The school tries to achieve this by encouraging in each student:

• an enquiring and perspicacious mind
• an appreciation of his own worth
• a capacity for loving and being loved
• the development of a knowledge of right and wrong and the capacity to
• choose between them
• an appreciation and enjoyment of his full physical capabilities

It is acknowledged that these aims can only be fulfilled in a life of obedience to God and with the desire to serve Him in all aspects of life. The school motto expresses both this priority and the ultimate goals of the education provided at Scotch College in using the words Deo patriae litteris - "For God, country and learning".

Responsibility to Others

The school encourages students to see that a life can only be lived fully if it is lived in service to other people. It is concerned that service should be seen in the wider community context and not only in the smaller community of the school.

It is concerned to provide leadership opportunities for students and encouragement to students to avail themselves of these opportunities.

It endeavours to encourage in students sound standards of personal conduct, consideration and respect for others.

In keeping with the idea of service to the community the school is keen to encourage the use of its facilities by groups other than students of the school.