Senior School (Year 11-13)
Scots College Senior School offers students in their final years of secondary education the best start for their futures. Our core purpose is to develop all-round character and students are provided with a variety of opportunities in the areas of academia, sport, culture, service, and spirituality.
Scots has a tradition of academic excellence with results ranked among the top nationally. It is our vision to equip each student with the skills they need to succeed now and in their future. We believe the true measure of educational success may not be seen until much later in our life-long learners.
In our Senior School, you will find a huge range of opportunities to challenge yourself academically or otherwise. This is a supportive, caring environment in which you are encouraged to realise your potential and strive for quality.
Christian Zachariassen
Principal, Senior School
Curriculum
We view our Curriculum holistically at Scots College. It is more than simply academic study – and, as such, we expect and encourage all our students to be involved in the wider life of the College through cultural, sporting, and service committments.
Years 11-13 at Scots should be viewed as a three-year course – it is the qualification from Year 13 that each student should be, in general, striving towards. Although new options are available each year, most have prerequisites and build on prior knowledge. To ensure that Seniors have the advice and support they need to make good decisions, we provide course counselling along with regular review and advice in tutor groups. The key staff who work with our students on these decisions are the House Deans, the Assistant Principals Curriculum (IB and NCEA), and the Careers Advisor.
Year 11
Scots College moved away from delivering NCEA Level 1 some years ago, and in its place, we introduced a unique Year 11 programme that broadened student learning, decreased NCEA assessment, and introduced both Future-Focussed Skills and a collaborative project. In doing so, we have created a course that provides a better foundation of learning for students intending to study either an NCEA or IB Diploma pathway in Years 12 and 13, and one that better prepares them for life after secondary school
At the end of Year 11, our students will receive a Tohu Award. The award is based on the College’s coat of arms and, in particular, the symbols that represent academics, co-curricular, and special character. The final Tohu Award level will be based on academic achievement, co-curricular engagement and achievements, personal development, a collaborative project, special character, and service.
Years 12-13
Students moving into Year 12 have a choice between studying the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) or the National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA).
Facilities
In addition to the usual range of classroom and laboratory facilities, there is a specialist arts centre, technology spaces, graphics suite, drama suite, and music centre. The College has numerous flexible learning environments suited for both individualised and collaborative group study and teaching. We provide a Careers Centre, Common Rooms for senior students, and a tiered Lecture Theatre. There is also a gymnasium, a weights room, science laboratories, the Creative and Performing Arts Centre, and the Hodge Indoor Sports Centre.
House System
The Middle and Senior Schools are divided into eight vertically arranged Houses with students from each Year Level (Years 7-13). Each student becomes a member of a House and works and develops as a member of a closer community structure. Students stay with the same House for their time at Scots, giving continuity and a sense of belonging.
Senior students organise many of the activities in which the House is involved, and watch over the Junior members in a mentoring role. Those in Year 12 receive training to prepare them for their leadership roles in Year 13.
Student Leadership
Students in the Senior School are role models for the rest of the College. In addition to their everyday responsibilities, Senior School Students have a variety of opportunities for leadership, both within their Houses and in wider positions throughout the College.