STRATEGIC PLAN 2016–2020

A Strategic Plan for a World Ready School

Our PurposeAt The Scots School Albury we place our young people at the centre of their educational experience by providing challenges and opportunities that enable them to flourish as individuals, with others, and within the broader community.

Our Guiding Principles- The Scots School Albury will be

a K to 12 School.

- The Scots School Albury will have a boarding house.

- The Scots School Albury will have an operating maximum of around 700 students.

- The Scots School Albury is committed to a broad curriculum.

- The Scots School Albury is committed to offering a progressive and contemporary education.

Our ValuesA Scots student is:

Resilient: Students respond positively when things do not go as expected and adapt to changed circumstances. They have the capacity to tap into inner resources and reach out to external support.

Compassionate: Learners demonstrate empathy and concern for others without judging them. They understand the motivations and pressures which impact others and they have insight into their own emotions and behaviours.

WELCOME TO OUR WORLD 

OUR PURPOSE, PRINCIPLES AND VALUES

Ethical: Learners think and act within an ethical framework and are confident to make decisions and be accountable.

Creative: Learners think beyond constraints and boundaries to connect ideas and envision a myriad of possibilities. They freely and fluently express ideas and thoughts through different mediums.

Curious: Learners inquire about the world and the life they live. They seek knowledge and challenges that transform learning and personal growth.

Resourceful: Learners develop inner resources and seek solutions to unknown problems. They are effective collaborators who build connections and value relationships.

Inclusive: Learners recognise their own strengths and needs and accept one another. They explore differences and diversity and contribute to healthy communities.

Courageous: Learners take risks for the right reasons and put aside self-interest where necessary. They identify opportunities and innovate for transformative change.

Articulate: Learners communicate confidently and fluently across a broad register of media, situations and audiences. They are active listeners and expressive speakers who exert positive influence.

2 1

FROM THE BOARD CHAIR AND PRINCIPAL 4

STRATEGIC IMPERATIVES 6

SEVEN PILLARS 8

1. Governance and Accountability 10

2. Learning with Purpose 10

3. Learning Well 12

4. Leading Educators and Staff 12

5. Living Innovation 14

6. Engaged Community 14

7. Future Proofing 16

PRELIMINARY MASTER PLAN 17

CONTENTS

The Scots School Albury is a Uniting Church in Australia independent co-educational boarding school in the Albury-Wodonga region. Guided by its motto Fide et Literis (faith and learning) the school upholds values in the Christian tradition and embraces the broader goals for learning and community of the Uniting Church, in Australia. Our school is strengthened by people of different faiths and cultural backgrounds who share our core values and add to the richness of school life.

2 3

On behalf of the Scots Board and the School’s leadership team, it is our pleasure to present to you our plan for guiding the future of our School.

The Scots School Albury Strategic Plan 2016-2020 is an emphatic statement on how Scots will continue to prepare our students for living, learning and leading in a world full of possibilities.

The Strategic Plan is revised every three years. It is founded on the philosophies, values and priorities of our School community. Scots is defined by 150 years of history, Christian foundations, and an enviable reputation for values led people, quality, excellence and community service.

The Strategic Plan therefore:

- Commits the School to consolidating these strengths, to preserve and embrace what is authentic and unique to Scots, while actively pursuing a course which keeps Scots at the forefront of educational thinking, innovation and practice.

- Challenges every aspect of our School to deliver an exceptional, well-rounded and student-centred educational experience.

- Invests in the training, development and wellbeing of our academic staff and support personnel.

- Plans for the future development, use and better integration of our facilities and assets.

Above all, it strives to create an outstanding educational environment which encourages and supports our students, staff and parents to flourish by being the best they can as individuals, with others, and within the broader community.

We encourage all members of the Scots community to read this Strategic Plan, share in its vision and priorities, and be a part of our journey.

FROM THE BOARD CHAIR AND PRINCIPAL

David Beckingsale Board Chair

Peggy MahyPrincipal

Dear members of the Scots community:

4 5

OUR MESSAGE

Impro

ve & Sustain

Inspire

Create

Tran

sfo

rm

Consolidate

FlourishingSChool

Scots’ Strengths

Scots’ Life, Learning & Leading

Scots’ Growth, Innovation & Collaboration

Scots’ Leadership, Resilience & Community

Service

Scots’ Governance, Performance & Future

Security

Consolidate our strengths: celebrate who we are - preserve our values, history and principles - and showcase through our actions how we support our young people and their teachers, and ultimately strengthen our community.

Transform our School: by balancing our traditional strengths with new, well-designed learning improvements, which translate into better outcomes for our students and the School’s wider community.

Create an innovative, collaborative and flourishing School: where personal health, wellbeing, growth and success can continue to flourish.

Inspire our School community: we will continue to make Scots an inspirational place for all. We will encourage and inspire students to think for themselves, to discover for themselves, and to work with their strengths, weaknesses and passions in real-world contexts.

Improve and Sustain our future: Scots is committed to continually improving its physical environment, increasing the use of its facilities, future proofing its financial security, and adopting best practice governance policies and structures.

These five Strategic Imperatives provide a high-level narrative for articulating the values, philosophies and policies that define the essence of The Scots School Albury.

FIVE STRATEGIC IMPERATIVES

6 7

OUR GUIDING IMPERATIVES

SEVEN PILLARS

1. Governance and Accountability

2. Learning with Purpose

3. Learning Well

4. Leading Educators and Staff

5. Living Innovation

6. Engaged Community

7. Future Proofing

Impro

ve & Sustain

Insp

ire

Create

Trans

form

Consolidate

FlourishingSchool

Governance& Accountability

Eng

ag

ed

com

mun

ity

living Innovation

leading Educators

& Staff

learnin

g W

ell

learning w

ith Purpo

se

Future Proof ng

Collectively, these Strategic Pillars provide a framework for developing and initiating activities that drive the School’s future operational plans and deliver outcomes which are aligned to the School’s vision, imperatives and goals.

The core strategies and actions of our Strategic Plan are set out under seven areas:

8 9

OUR CORE STRATEGIES

2

GOAL:

A governance structure that seeks to improve educational outcomes and meet the current and future needs of the School through an engaged and committed School Board, clear and appropriate policy making, equitable and effective resource allocation, and transparent accountability for all School stakeholders.

STRATEGIES:

- Ensure the School’s governance policies and procedures are in line with best practice standards and are accountable and responsive.

- Ensure the culture across the School encourages ownership of deliverables, establishes effective decision making, and drives and sustains performance.

- Engender mutual commitment to financial responsibility and governance outcomes.

- Develop a collaborative approach involving the whole School community when it comes to strategy and planning.

STRATEGIES:

- Provide a learning environment that focuses on the holistic development of each student.

- Enhance academic achievement through personalised learning for each student.

- Deepen and enrich student engagement and connection with the broader world.

- Embrace global citizenship, community mindedness and collaboration.

- Leverage technologies to enhance student learning.

- Be a destination for learning and teaching excellence, leadership and innovation.

GOAL:

Enable our students to reach their full potential as independent, community aware learners, committed to academic achievement.

Governance and Accountability

Learning with Purpose

OUR CORE STRATEGIES

1

Wilson (Headmaster 1886–1928) moved the school to the present campus. The

original house was eventually remodeled in 1946 to become Sellars House.

Rosehill Girls’ School opened.Albury Grammar School was sold to

the Presbyterian Church of NSW. It had remained co-educational until this time when the last of the girls left the school

and it became an all boys’ school.

Rosehill Girls’ School became Woodstock Girls’ School, and remained in East Albury until its move to North Albury in 1961.

Albury Grammar School purchased the Albury Showgrounds and in 1948 the new

classroom block was opened.

Albury Grammar School celebrated its Centenary, and opened the new Dining Hall and refectory block in 1967.

Albury Grammar School and Woodstock Presbyterian Girls’ School decided to

amalgamate to form The Scots School Albury because of declining economic

circumstances nationwide.

The Scots School Albury will celebrate its sesquicentenary — 150 years of history. You are part of Scots’ history, join us in celebrating!

OUR HISTORY

Scots students become a part of 150 years of living history. The Scots School Albury has a proud history reaching back to the establishment in 1866 of Albury Grammar School. It is our living heritage, strong foundations, and our traditions that give us strength and stability.

Albury Grammar School operated in the Church of England Sunday School Hall

in Olive St. The Rev. Joseph Masters was Headmaster between 1878–1881. Some

years later this school ceased to function.

In 1881 Masters left the Grammar School and established a coaching school

called Albury High School in his home in Young Street. He sold the school to

A. Smith and G. Wilson in 1886.

Successful under its new owners, the school changed its name several times until once again it became known as Albury Grammar School.

1866

1902

1909

1929

1946

2016

1972

1966

1939

1926

10 11

OUR CORE STRATEGIES

GOAL:

Students to be happy, confident and feel engaged and cared for in everything they do.

GOAL:

To be a School which has capable and inspiring teachers and support staff - who bring imagination and passion for learning, use effective teaching methods, and are totally committed to meeting and exceeding best practice.

STRATEGIES:

- Provide a compassionate, inclusive, safe and caring environment.

- Enable a School culture that positively contributes to wellbeing, flourishing and spiritual growth.

- Provide wellbeing programs to help students have a positive sense of self.

- Adopt a healthy balance of curricular, co-curricular and community activities that promote educational, personal and professional growth.

- Nurture the importance of self-leadership, leadership of others and followership.

- Create opportunities for students to work with their strengths, weaknesses and passions in real world contexts.

STRATEGIES:

- Make Scots an ‘employer of choice’, both nationally and internationally.

- Continue to invest in leadership to ensure that our School has the best people in the right positions.

- Provide an outstanding organisational culture where professional learning, development and alliance opportunities are recognised and encouraged.

- Promote professional excellence that encourages a growth mindset, collaboration and shared practice.

- Lead the growth, development and status of education in the region and contribute nationally.

Learning Well

Leading Educators and Staff 4

3

12 13

OUR CORE STRATEGIES

GOAL:

Prepare students for a world that is constantly changing. Enable students and staff to think in new ways and become innovators themselves.

GOAL:

As a community, share in the meaningful work of raising children and helping them to flourish.

STRATEGIES:

- Develop learning spaces, facilities and environments that excel at educating for innovation.

- Promote new and critical thinking, reward entrepreneurialism in the classroom, and encourage risk taking and learning from mistakes.

- Introduce students, teachers and staff to new ways of thinking by connecting with others.

- Communicate effectively with our community to increase engagement, participation, feedback and enable innovation.

STRATEGIES:

- Strengthen engagement with the community through initiatives that educate, encourage meaningful dialogue, recognise history and tradition, and embrace diversity.

- Cultivate and celebrate the value and opportunities associated with being a member of a community that is inclusive and actively seeks out connection with others.

- Establish closer links with the local community by supporting programs and partnerships focused on collaboration, giving, service and care.

Living Innovation

Engaged Community6

5

14 15

OUR CORE STRATEGIES

GOAL:

Develop and implement policies and actions that will ensure the School has a vibrant, secure and sustainable future as a leading independent School in Australia.

STRATEGIES:

- Annually review Scots’ Strategic Plan to ensure it is achieving its educational, social, environmental and financial responsibilities.

- Develop the School’s financial and physical resources so that it can independently meet current and future educational needs, supporting a fee structure that underpins quality education at an equitable price.

- Create a culture and program of philanthropy and corporate giving within the Scots community.

- Invest funds into evolving School facilities in line with the Master Plan.

- Annually review School performance, parent and staff satisfaction, results and enrolment trends.

- Develop an Environmental Sustainability Strategy to move the School towards zero emissions.

Future Proofing7

PRELIMINARY MASTER PLAN

16

393 Perry Street Albury NSW Australia 2640

(PMB 6006 AMDC ALBURY NSW 2640)

P: +612 6022 0000 F: +612 6041 3210

enrolments@scotsalbury.nsw.edu.au

www.scotsalbury.nsw.edu.au