Strategic Plan 2025
“School is ... a most important engine, not only for the imparting of knowledge, not only for the propagation of intellectual light, but for the formation of character, the inculcation of principles, the regulation of habits.”
To the glory of God for the good of one’s country and for the advancement of learning
As we enter our 174th year, it is right that our continued development draws from our rich history.
Scotch has always looked to the future, as we believe that ‘school does not consist merely in work and games, but is a training for life’. In embracing these words from former Scotch Principal William Littlejohn, we commit to preparing our boys for a future that is characterised by uncertainty yet great possibility. This history provides an inspiring foundation from which our future will be informed, as we continue to be a leading school committed to the formation of good men.
Our purpose statement demonstrates that we remain dedicated to developing ‘enlightened learners of good character, committed to shaping a better future’. In training for life, we believe that character formation is the foundation of an enlightened learner.
An enlightened learner is curious, and is able to think critically, to apply their knowledge as an entrepreneur, innovator, problem solver or leader amongst peers. An enlightened learner also understands their responsibility to apply their knowledge ethically and with a disposition that looks outwards to serve the needs of others.
Within this Strategic Plan we deepen our commitment to character formation. Our founder Reverend James Forbes maintained that ‘the moral character of man needs cultivation, as well as understanding’ and that ‘any system of instruction which merely conveys knowledge is grievously defective’.
Over the coming years, we desire to become a beacon for the formation of good men, where the values of respect, responsibility and reverence orientate our boys’ hearts and relationships, and guide their efforts to contribute meaningfully to society.
For generations, Scotch men have looked to shape a better future. Within this Plan we commit to reinvigorating our Service Program, expanding the opportunities for boys to experience positive challenge in the outdoors, and to think about their lives beyond the school gates.
Academic results have always been – and will continue to be – an intrinsic and valued priority of a Scotch education. Yet, a Scotch experience is so much more than our boys’ academic success.
The course of the path we pave for future generations of Scotch boys builds on the legacy of those before us. As you read through our plans in the coming pages, I hope you feel excited about what lies ahead. As we continue on our journey, may we always be guided by our school motto; the torch that lights our way, ‘Deo Patriae Litteris ’.
Dr Scott Marsh Principal
At Scotch College, we are dedicated to providing our boys with an enriching education that equips them to live purposeful and fulfilling lives.
Our new Strategic Plan marks the next chapter in this endeavour. It is not merely a vision for the future; it is a commitment to excellence in providing a holistic education that is dynamic, engaging and deeply rooted in our Christian values and Scottish heritage.
At Scotch, we take great pride in our rich history and heritage, but we recognise the need to stay acutely aware and responsive to the evolving wider world, and seek inspiration in balancing tradition with innovation. As such, working alongside the College Executive Team, Council has developed a set of guiding beliefs to ensure that as we pursue this new strategy, we remain steadfast in honouring our foundational intentions whilst navigating the new roads that we must travel.
This Plan sets a bold course to ‘form enlightened learners of good character, committed to shaping a better future’. We will look to do this through a focus on character formation and inspiring boys to aim high in all endeavours, empowering them to discover their interests and passions, find their strengths, be accepting and generous towards others, and value leadership and service.
Through new challenges and opportunities, we will continue to foster a culture that encourages independent thinking and learning, and the importance of personal and collective responsibility and achievement.
To achieve these goals, we must invest in our future. This Plan outlines key initiatives to continue to attract and develop outstanding educators, enhance our facilities and ensure Scotch is a place of belonging, and safe, for our boys, staff and wider community.
It also reinforces our broader commitment to serving the nation by building meaningful partnerships in education and engaging with the wider community, including through providing opportunities for boys from a range of backgrounds to attend the College.
The School Council commends this Strategic Plan to you. We invite the entire Scotch community to join us in ‘lighting the way’ forward: For the glory of God, for the good of our country, and for the advancement of learning.
“A system of education, properly presented as at Scotch, sets in a young man an attitude and tendency that will serve him well for the rest of his days, and moreover is the basis of a proper functioning society.”
Mr Hamish Tadgell Chairman of School Council
Scotch College was founded in 1851 by the Presbyterian Church on the initiative of the first minister in Victoria, Reverend James Forbes.
As a Christian leader and scholar, Forbes was passionate about education and the opportunity for the Church to lead in the formation of young people for the betterment of society. Indeed, in addition to his Christian leadership, Reverend James Forbes continues to be renowned as an influential educational leader for his significant advancement of school education. Furthermore, the School was part of a global movement that understood learning and knowledge as the keys to solving humanity’s most complex problems – the Scottish Enlightenment.
Reverend Forbes, like many of his contemporaries, believed that by helping young people understand the world, they would contribute to its improvement.
The Scottish Enlightenment was characterised by a surge in advancements across various fields such as philosophy, politics, engineering, architecture, medicine, sociology and law.
During this time, philosophers and scientists wrote about the power of education in shaping better citizens. They illuminated the links between egalitarian education regardless of background, and the progression of social justice and equality.
Since its establishment in 1851, Scotch College has grown from these principles. Today, more than ever, they remain at its core. Within the nurturing embrace of the wider Scotch Family, our boys are encouraged to think critically, act with integrity, be curious about the world and live a life of purposeful contribution.
This Strategic Plan is our commitment to embedding and deepening the core beliefs of our heritage within the ever-evolving modern context. It aims to ensure our legacy of producing young men of good character continues in an unbroken ‘Cardinal Thread’ to our future.
Our guiding beliefs provide the core principles and attributes that define Scotch and shape its identity. Importantly, they are inextricably linked to our Memorandum and Articles of Association, Christian values and our Scottish heritage. Indeed, our guiding beliefs seek to uphold our traditions and culture. They set out our core commitments and motivations, ensuring that our purpose remains clear and meaningful. In turn, they help shape our strategy by guiding how decisions and actions are taken, and driving alignment and consistency with our objectives.
We believe...
Boys thrive in a single-sex environment
Aiming high is essential in all endeavours
Learning is best understood as a holistic and lifelong endeavour
The Christian worldview offers hope and purpose
Our heritage and traditions frame our future
We are committed to...
– Offering a Prep to Year 12 day school for boys and boarding for Senior students
– Advancing scholarship in boys’ education
– Empowering boys to find their interests and passions
– Embedding a culture of continuous improvement
– Creating opportunities and homes for learning and mastery
– Attracting and developing outstanding educators
– Providing a humane and scientific education
– Pursuing academic excellence
– Developing the whole boy through artistic endeavour, physical activity, and exploring the natural world
– The teachings and traditions of the Christian faith
– Forming men of character through our values of respect, responsibility, and reverence
– Cultivating a commitment to a life of service to others
– Being accepting and generous towards others
– Respecting the legacy and sacrifice of those who have passed before
– Cultivating the ideals of the Scottish Enlightenment in building a better society
The strength of the Scotch Family comes from caring for others
Our Hawthorn campus creates belonging and community
– Fostering a sense of belonging within our community
– Strengthening the Cardinal Thread
– Looking beyond the Scotch gates and cultivating opportunities to partner with others
– Building meaningful relationships and a sense of community
– A united Prep to Year 12 team, providing a place for staff where they are deeply valued
The development of Scotch College’s new Strategic Plan was a comprehensive and inclusive process, involving extensive consultation with students, staff, parents, and Old Boys. Over a period of more than two years, the Council and the Executive worked diligently to shape this Plan. The process began with a crucial step; clarifying the School’s core values of respect, responsibility, and reverence.
This clarity was essential in developing a clear purpose; who we are, what we stand for, and what we want for our boys.
Through this process, the school’s purpose was resoundingly defined as ‘ forming enlightened learners of good character, committed to shaping a better future’
With this foundation, strategic aspirations were identified, and specific goals were assigned under each aspiration, further detailed into actionable steps. The below diagram provides a visual framework for the Strategic Plan and its key components, with further details on strategic priorities outlined on the following pages.
Our purpose Forming enlightened learners of good character, committed to shaping a better future
1
Forming men of good character
2
Advancing learning that appreciates beauty, pursues goodness and discerns truth
Our values Respect Responsibility Reverence Strategic aspriations
3 Championing progress, inspired by our past
Grounded in our Christian heritage, our values provide a guiding light for every member of the Scotch Family, and are the qualities we seek to reflect in our daily lives.
By fostering and instilling these values in each boy, we desire to see them become men of character, ready for a life of flourishing.
We believe in the inherent value and dignity of every person. We encourage each boy to listen to, understand and appreciate the needs and views of others, and to forge lasting relationships regardless of religious, cultural, and social background.
We believe that every person is responsible for their life, actions, and decisions. We encourage each boy to make the most of every opportunity and to use his gifts and talents in the service of others.
We believe we are part of something bigger than ourselves. We encourage each boy, through our Christian traditions and the example of those who have gone before us, to embrace a spirit of reverence that awakens awe and wonder.
Our purpose is the singular vision that drives our every action – a definition of why what we do at Scotch matters, and how together we will contribute to a better world.
Forming enlightened learners of good character, committed to shaping a better future.
Our strategic aspirations outline the specific goals we must achieve to deliver our purpose. They are supported by key projects that provide concrete steps we will take to ensure we remain accountable to these goals.
Here, you will find an overview of the full breadth of projects we have planned for the coming years, with some exciting highlight projects explored in more detail on the following pages.
Boys flourish when they cultivate respect, responsibility and reverence.
We aspire to cultivate boys of good character who value service to others; boys who aim high but keep their feet on the ground. Our education model is focused on developing the whole boy. This extends beyond the classroom, acknowledging the valuable development that takes place through sport, outdoor education, service and co-curricular activities.
We aim to provide an environment that allows each boy to: – Be the best he can be
– Embody our values of respect, responsibility, and reverence
– Experience learning where virtues such as honesty, gratitude, forgiveness, humility, restraint, personal responsibility, and others are explored to drive moral growth and nurture character formation
1/ We will develop a holistic approach to character formation through:
– A transformational Character Education Program
– Improving our camps and Outdoor Education Program
– Further embedding a culture of service
– Developing our new Fairhaven Outdoor Education Program
2/ We will strengthen ways for the Scotch Family to engage with our Christian Foundations through the following programs:
– Christian education programs
– Community engagement
Boys find purpose in a relationally rich environment that cultivates powerful learners.
This aspiration seeks to advance a far more expansive and exciting orientation of learning; one that is well beyond the narrow goal of attaining an ATAR. Today, many scholars lament that schooling has become ‘less human’ and in many cases, merely a means to an end. Indeed, increasingly, the goals or purposes of education are being conceptualised as preparation for university which has led to a hyper-standardisation of school environments. Significantly, scholars claim that this conceptualisation is directly counter to the healthy and holistic development of students.
In prioritising beauty, goodness, and truth we are committed to creating learning experiences that:
– Inspire our boys to love learning through experiences that engender wonder
– Foster creativity and curiosity, whilst challenging our boys to think critically
– Cultivate the skills and dispositions that underpin the qualities of sophisticated learners
1/ We will improve learning experiences by:
– Developing a Teaching and Learning Framework
– Creating challenge and growth programs
– Improving our sporting programs
1 3
2/ We will enhance our systems and structures to ensure each boy is known and valued through:
– Optimising our technology systems
– Implementing data-informed practices
– Improving our pastoral care programs and structures
3/ We will establish new opportunities for boys to explore and be prepared for life beyond Scotch by:
– Strengthening our Future Pathways and careers programs
– Gathering and utilising graduate data
Our pursuit of excellence in boys’ education is borne of our Scottish Presbyterian heritage.
This aspiration focuses on our long history of upholding an ethic of excellence. Inspired by our Christian heritage and the ideals of the Scottish Enlightenment, this Plan reaffirms our commitment to ongoing improvement.
As such, we are committed to:
– Further building the capacity of our staff so that we maintain Scotch’s reputation as a place of teaching excellence
– Further uniting the Scotch Family as a community committed to service and contribution
– Ensuring practices, plans and programs are thoroughly developed and scrutinised to ensure wise stewardship of all activities and resources
Key areas of focus and associated projects
1/ We will invest in our people and structures to champion progress through:
– Developing a professional learning program
– Implementing a People and Culture strategy
– Founding a research institute
2/ We will provide facilities and systems that align with and enable our strategic aspirations by:
– Developing a Master Plan
– Optimising our outdoor education properties
– Establishing a robust IT infrastructure
– Implementing a communications strategy and platforms
3/ We will advance Scotch through a culture of ongoing improvement and stewardship by:
– Continuing our responsible financial stewardship
– Implementing a fundraising strategy
– Future-proofing our boarding operations
– Optimising our admissions process
– Strengthening our creative and performing arts program
– Committing to environmental sustainability
4/ We will elevate the influence of the Cardinal Thread within and beyond the Scotch Family through:
– Improving our organisational culture
– Building our First Nations relationships
– Expanding our community engagement
Within our Strategic Plan, each aspiration will be realised through a series of projects, keeping us accountable to our goals and ensuring each goal is planned, measured and achieved. While there are many projects currently underway and to be undertaken in the future, some of the most impactful outcomes being delivered in the coming years are outlined below.
Introduce a transformational Character Education Program for every boy
In pursuing character we intentionally prioritise who our boys are over what they do. As such, in the coming years we will create and embed a purposeful program designed to foster the core qualities of character such as empathy, humility and integrity within our boys.
Importantly, our focus on character formation will underpin everything we do. Whether in the classroom, on the sporting field or participating in an outdoor adventure, our boys will be challenged to understand the importance of good character in all aspects of their lives.
Establish a sequential Outdoor Education Program from Prep to Year 11
Outdoor education is already an essential and unique part of Scotch’s approach to holistic development. We believe that by taking learning outside of the classroom and into the natural world, where technology and the ‘noise’ of daily life is removed, boys find the space to reflect and engage more deeply. Our Outdoor Education Program provides our boys with the opportunity to engage with nature, learn about the environment and foster good mental health.
Scotch will build on its Outdoor Education Program, developing camps and activities that progressively support skill development and character formation. The Program will be aligned to the needs of boys at each year level, guiding them through important times of transition in a meaningful, practical and enriching way.
In 2023, Scotch College announced the purchase of Fairhaven, a 175-acre property near the picturesque coastal town of Mallacoota. Nestled on the border of a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and with direct water access, it is our intention that Fairhaven will redefine outdoor education at Scotch in a way that is truly world class.
It is our goal that the property will become the epicentre of Scotch College’s Outdoor Education Program, offering an immersive and transformational experience for Year 9 boys. While the project is in its early stages, our new facilities on the property will complement the natural surroundings and are hoped to become an integral part of the Mallacoota community.
We still have much work to complete to ensure the viability of this initiative. A Year 9 pilot group will be attending the site in 2025, and we will start learning more about the potential of Fairhaven so that a full program can commence within the next five years.
Scotch will further embed its culture of service through an expanded, more meaningful Service Program for boys across all year groups from 2027. Additionally, we will be reviewing our Christian Education Program, to ensure our provision is engaging, practical, and research-informed. It will inspire, support and challenge boys.
“ The purchase of Fairhaven represents our desire to focus further on forming the character of our boys. At Fairhaven, boys will be challenged in the great outdoors, they will learn about farming and land management, conservation and sustainability, bushcraft, and a host of other new skills.
Most importantly, they will be inspired to think about life, the type of man they wish to become, and how they might best utilise their many talents and gifts to serve others.”
Dr Scott Marsh, Principal
and implement a Scotch Teaching and
Scotch embraces a holistic approach to education, recognising that learning thrives in the complex interplay of people, place and pedagogies. At the heart of this is relational learning – the understanding that deep, meaningful learning emerges through relationships.
The quality of boys’ learning experiences is deeply connected to the expertise of their teachers, as well as the trust, respect and dialogue that shape their interactions. In our context, learning experiences evoke wonder and reverence for the world around us, fostering connections that extend beyond the classroom. Our programs inspire an appreciation of the beauty of learning and instil a respect for truth and the inherent dignity of each individual.
We will develop a Scotch Teaching and Learning Framework that encapsulates these fundamental principles and provides a unified school-wide language for teaching and learning.
Its implementation will be supported with targeted resources and ongoing professional learning opportunities for our staff.
As we continue to improve the learning experiences for our boys, ultimately, it is our desire that each boy is known, challenged, supported and well-positioned to shape a better future.
Improve our capacity to provide high-quality sporting experiences for
Sport and physical activity is central to Scotch’s culture, and challenges boys to develop teamwork, resilience and good habits around caring for their bodies and minds.
To ensure our extensive sporting program offers opportunities for all boys to receive the expert coaching and training they need to excel, regardless of their chosen sport or level, we will be undertaking a comprehensive, external review. Key recommendations will be implemented in the coming years.
Ensuring boys are well-supported in navigating both their school and post-school pathways is a vital aspect of their educational journey. This initiative will involve the expansion of our Year 11 Mentoring Program and provide further opportunities for collaboration between Future Pathways, the Old Scotch Collegians’ Association (OSCA), and our Research and Curriculum leaders. Together, they will review and formalise existing programs, ensuring they are robust and effective. Additionally, they will identify new opportunities, such as Vocational Education and Training (VET) pathways, to broaden the options available to our students.
By measuring the effectiveness of these programs, we aim to provide tailored guidance and support, helping each boy to make informed decisions about their future and achieve their full potential. This collaborative approach will ensure that our students are well-prepared for the diverse challenges and opportunities they will encounter beyond their school years.
A key goal in our Strategic Plan is to enhance opportunities for our staff to provide more targeted care for each boy. To achieve this, we will be conducting a thorough review of our pastoral structures, identifying areas for improvement in our understanding and support of each student.
By refining these structures, we aim to foster a more personalised approach to pastoral care, ensuring that every boy receives the attention and guidance he needs to thrive. This initiative will help us create a more supportive and nurturing environment for all our students.
We know that the quality of our teachers and education staff is the greatest predictor of student outcomes – and that investing in our people means investing in the best educational program possible.
Scotch strives to be a school that all education professionals want to work at, where professional learning drives constant improvement for our students.
Underpinned by cutting-edge research, we are working with staff to develop a comprehensive Employee Value Proposition. Alongside a new People and Culture Strategy and Teaching and Learning Framework, it is our desire to establish Scotch as the school of choice for professional growth and a place renowned for our contribution to research, teaching and learning.
Our new weekly Staff Learning Program, established in 2025, is one example of our desire to support teaching excellence that ultimately, seeks to improve learning experiences for our boys.
Scotch endeavours to offer boys the best learning environments possible, equipped with the facilities and technology to give students every opportunity to aim high and flourish in their academic and personal pursuits.
To ensure we continue to grow and improve our facilities with strategic foresight, this Plan brings our stakeholders alongside experts, to collaboratively establish a long term, integrated, and responsible plan for all future developments to our campuses.
A key priority for the school is to improve its IT infrastructure and associated communications platforms to better support students, parents, staff and Old Boys. A new communications platform and highly-requested parent phone app is under development to complement our new public website, and we will continue to streamline the way we communicate with our parent community.
We will ensure our new systems align not only with best-practice digital communication standards, but also maintain our policies to be clear, reliable, and consistent.
We are dedicated to progressing equal educational opportunities and outcomes for Indigenous peoples, and creating a school community that understands and respects Indigenous histories and voices.
As part of our ongoing work to further our relationships with Indigenous communities, locally and across Australia, we will finalise and implement our Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP).
We will also continue to develop opportunities to strengthen our longstanding support of Tiwi College through the Yadha Muru Foundation and our recently formalised partnership.
Latest update – March 2025
In developing this Plan we have reaffirmed what is important to us. The process has offered many opportunities to reflect deeply on what we cherish and envision the type of school we desire to be in the future.
This Plan demonstrates our commitment to our values and heritage, and also challenges us to grow. Our continued evolution is both necessary and essential.
This document is the first step in sharing our vision and we are committed to providing regular updates on our progress against the aspirations as communicated within these pages. As a community, we will celebrate our progress and work together to further explore ways by which we can bring our strategy to life.
Importantly, we are committed to this Plan. If we are successful, Scotch College will continue to be a place where boys become good men; a community that values learning and service; and, a place that is ready to flourish for future generations.
