Message from the Chairman of Council and the Principal
Wednesday, 20th August, 2020
Dear Parents and Guardians,
SCOTCH TEACHING, FEES AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
Since the communication of 15th April, the School, with the wonderful support of its community, has been working to ensure all boys continue to benefit from a Scotch education amidst very challenging and changing circumstances.
The College is most conscious of, and immensely grateful for, the significant, far reaching support it receives from parents. We want to do all we can to assist families, while, as a community, acting to ensure the Scotch education and Scotch life we all cherish continues to flourish when this cloud passes – as it will.
The resurgence of the pandemic over the school break saw all, except the boys of Years 11 and 12, commence Semester 2 in remote form. The subsequent Stage Four restrictions announced by the Victorian Government again required the entire Scotch learning programme to be offered only by remote learning, and emptied the campus of all but essential staff.
Throughout the changes and challenges, our outstanding Scotch staff have shown great resourcefulness and adaptability in meeting the School’s commitment to maintain its high standards of education.
As you are aware, in the remote setting, teaching and academic and pastoral care are delivered through Canvas and Zoom, while most other activities for the boys are run through the platform they devised: Scotch Streams. For parents, in addition to direct contact with members of staff, the key touch point for learning and wellbeing resources is the Directory of Resources for Remote Learning platform on the website, while the Keeping Scotch Connected platform provides connection with broader Scotch life.
Learning, on-campus supervision and boarding
Under the Stage 4 restrictions, daytime supervision of boys is restricted to those in Prep to Year 10 considered vulnerable against certain criteria or whose parents have been issued ‘Permitted Work’ permits.
In consultation with the School Doctor, Dr. Hurley, and after careful consideration of the necessary restrictions and their impact on the wellbeing of boys, particularly in the event of a positive COVID-19 test within a Boarding House, the decision was made to close boarding until further notice. This decision is under continual review against changing guidelines. The School is committed to bringing boarders back to the Hill as soon as it feels it can implement its responsibilities to the wellbeing of the boys in the context of the imposed restrictions.
The School remains conscious of the increased demands being borne by families in these times. In recent days, further guidance for parents regarding learning and wellbeing in the remote environment has been distributed and placed the Directory of Resources for Remote Learning, and the School Psychologists have begun conducting a series of webinars for parents. Many of the themes addressed in these communications emanated from responses to the surveys administered to parents, boys and staff in Term 2, and the valuable process of feedback continued with the round of surveys sent to the same groups last week.
Events, celebrations and the boys of Year 12
The consequences of imposed restrictions extend to the events and gatherings that mark the passage of a Scotch year for all in the community.
In all activities and celebrations, the School endeavours to keep doors open for as long as possible, while planning, in cascading fashion, from maintaining the traditional form of major gatherings, through consideration of outdoor settings to options in the virtual world.
The disruption is felt keenly by the boys in Year 12, who are confronting changing learning conditions and shifting assessment regimes whilst longing for key rites of passage: the last bow in the Ian Roach Hall or Geoffrey McComas Theatre, the final whistle on the Main, the concluding refrain of the Foundation Day Concert massed choir. The School is working to ensure that the talents and industry of the senior boys is best placed to receive just reward whatever the final system of analysis, while seeking to mark aspects of their final year in fitting manner and style.
Fees and Charges
The Council seeks to ensure that its decisions are fair to all, provide support for those in need, while ensuring that the Scotch we love continues to flourish into the future.
The finances of the School remain sound, enabling us to meet ongoing operating expenses, maintain our solid foundations and continue the delivery of an excellent education to the boys.
It is very regrettable that there are aspects of Scotch life, including boarding and Cadets, that cannot continue at this time. As in April, while suspended, fees and charges for such activities will not be levied, and any pro-rata credit, where applicable, will appear on your August 2020 billing.
The School continues to seek cost savings during this time of uncertainty. Increased costs, including those related to fee assistance, will again be borne by the School, while all savings identified on day school operations will again be returned to all full fee paying families by way of a credit, against your August 2020 billing for boys currently at the School.
As noted in the communication of 15th May, recognising that the impact of the pandemic will continue to affect all Scotch families into next year, there will be no increase in the annual tuition and boarding fees for 2021.
Fee Assistance
The Council is aware that all in the community are feeling the pressure of these times. We are also acutely aware that, for some, there is significant hardship. In acting for the community, the College believes it is both fair and responsible to continue to direct greatest support to those most in need.
Where families are experiencing financial hardship, the School will continue to make fee assistance available from its own resources on a case by case basis. Assistance is targeted at helping those in hardship navigate difficult times and families experiencing such stress are encouraged to contact fee.assistance@scotch.vic.edu.au. The generational support of the Scotch family has been crucial to the growth of the School, the rich education it offers and its success. It is support that has been, and remains, greatly valued. In times of challenge such as these, the College strives to support families’ efforts to maintain their connection with Scotch and urges families in need to avail themselves of the fee assistance facility.
This pandemic presents circumstances unprecedented in our lifetime. Throughout the challenges posed, the School has sought to be true to its values of personal responsibility, respect for the dignity of others and belief in communal support of each other. Throughout its 169 years, such values have seen the School and its community weather storms and emerge wiser and stronger for the next test.
On behalf of the Council and all staff ,we thank you for your continuing understanding and support, wish you and those you care for continuing good health, and look forward to welcoming you and your sons back to the campus and a more familiar Scotch life.
Yours sincerely,
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The Hon Dr David Kemp AC
Chairman
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Mr I Tom Batty
Principal
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Previous correspondence from the Principal on this issue is available through this link.
