Scotch College, Adelaide

Reunion marking the 50th Anniversary of the wartime use of Birralee and neighbouring Brierly Lodge by Scotch College. (May 1992)

Scotch College is an independent, Uniting Church, co-educational, day and boarding school, located on two adjacent campuses in Torrens Park and Mitcham, inner-southern suburbs of Adelaide, South Australia.

Founded in 1919, and incorporated under an Act of Parliament in 1922, Scotch currently caters for approximately 850 students from early learning to year 12,^[2] including more than 100 boarders in Years 7 to 12.^[4]

Scotch College is affiliated with the Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference,^[5] the Association of Heads of Independent Schools of Australia (AHISA),^[6] the Association of Independent Schools of South Australia (AISSA),^[7] the Australian Boarding Schools' Association (ABSA),^[8] the Junior School Heads Association of Australia (JSHAA),^[9] the Independent Schools Sport Association (ISSA) and the Independent Girls' Schools Sport Association (IGSSA).

On 4 September 2014, it was announced that Dr. John Newton, headmaster of Taunton School in the UK, would become the new Principal, succeeding Tim Oughton.^[10]

History

An enduring myth associated with the College is that it was founded in the memory of the "Sons of Scotland who fought and died in The Great War of 1914–1918". However, a review of contemporary documentation indicates that the College was in the process of being established prior to the outbreak of war and that the "memorial" was an idea seized upon in a time of peace.

Scotch College was founded in 1919 and officially incorporated under an Act of Parliament in 1922. At its foundation, the college was an independent, Presbyterian school for boys. During World War II, the property was used by the U.S. Army and then the RAAF, and the school was forced to move to Birralee, Belair and Brierly Lodge from May 1942 to February 1944. "Gratton House", now the Middle School, was built as a memorial to 57 Old Collegians who were killed in World War II.

In 1972 the College became co-educational, and the Middle School began the following year.

Today,^[11] the College is administered by a Council of Governors in connection with the Uniting Church in Australia.^[11]

Campus

Scotch College is situated on two neighbouring campuses, covering over 20 hectares in the Torrens Park area of Mitcham, about 8 kilometres south of Adelaide, in the foothills of the Mount Lofty Ranges.^[12] The two campuses of the College are:

• Torrens Park Campus, catering for the Middle School (Years 7 to 9) and the Senior College (Years 10 to 12).
• Junior School Campus catering for students from Reception to Year 6 in connection to an Early Learning Centre for children from three years of age.

Facilities

The Torrens Park Campus includes the following facilities:

• The Barr-Smith Theatre, a historic theatre where plays and productions are staged
• Fisher Chapel
• Rosevear Boarding Precinct
• Drawing room which is used to host various functions
• Agricultural farm
• 3 dance studios
• The Soundhouse, a multimedia recording studio
• Private music tuition rooms, and larger rooms for ensemble work
• Two fully equipped gymnasiums
• Heated swimming pool
• 11 tennis courts
• Two large ovals with facilities for football, soccer, hockey and athletics
• Two computer labs providing access to CAD and PhotoShop
• Design and technology classrooms with access to various machinery
• Eight fully equipped science laboratories
• Fully equipped classrooms for various subjects
• Carparks
• EFM Health Gym

ICT

The school has a strong focus on the use of information and communication technology (ICT). Every Middle and Senior school student is required to have a laptop, and most school work is done electronically, helping students to develop independence and organisational skills.

Junior school students learn basic robotics, clay-mation and film making.

Performing arts

Scotch College has traditionally had a strong Performing Arts emphasis with many students excelling in the area such as actress Sarah Snook. Students can elect to study dance, drama and music as either a curriculum subject or as a co-curricula activity. The Scotch Performing Arts Co-Curricula Enrichment (SPACE) program delivers an opportunity for students to be involved in major productions. Performing Arts facilities at Scotch include three dance studios, the Barr-Smith Theatre, extensive drama classrooms, private and ensemble music rooms, the Chapel and a multimedia recording facility, the "Soundhouse".

Boarding

Scotch College has provided boarding facilities for students since the school’s establishment in 1919. In 2011, the College opened a new Rosevear Boarding Precinct to significantly enhance facilities, which include spacious individual and shared bedrooms, large common rooms with kitchenettes, laundry and storage areas, study spaces, a tutors’ suite, and a large outdoor barbecue area.^[4] Managed by a Director and Deputy Director of Boarding, the College’s boarding house currently accommodates more than 100 students each year from Years 7-12, both male and female.

Positive education

Scotch College is committed to “positive education” and has adopted various programs and principles from US psychologist and educator, Dr Martin Seligman, as part of the school’s overall education offering. In 2011, Scotch became the first school in South Australia to formally implement positive psychology programs as part of the school’s curriculum.^[13]

Caledonian

The name Scotch College reflects the school's Scottish heritage, which is most powerfully expressed through the Caledonian Corps. Although the College was founded in 1919, there was no caledonian band until almost 40 years later. Not until the advent of the Cadet Corps, and the need this generated for a band that could provide suitable marching music, was a band founded and funded. At present the band continues despite the cadet corps not having existed for over 30 years.

Scotch College pipe band and highland dancers at the City of Adelaide clipper's 150th anniversary at Port Adelaide, 17 May 2014

Notable alumni

• Peter Barbour – Director-General of ASIO (1970–1975)
• Tom Brice – Professional baseball player (Right-Field), competed in Sydney 2000 Olympics, SASI Graduate.
• Brian Croser – One of Australia's top winemakers.
• Legh Davis – A member of the South Australian Legislative Council.
• Liza Emanuele – prominent fashion designer.
• Amy Gebhardt – Award winning filmmaker.
• Juliet Haslam – Dual Olympic gold hockey player, see Hockey at the 2000 Summer Olympics.
• Brendan Hewitt – Australian runner and state record holder for 3000m Steeplechase.
• Robert Hill – Australian Ambassador to the United Nations and former Senator for South Australia, Minister for Defence and Leader of the Government in Australian Senate, longest serving leader of the Liberal Party in the Australian Senate.
• Sam Jacobs – A South Australian Supreme Court Judge, who was inquirer into the BankSA collapse.
• Tim Jacobs – son of Sam Jacobs, head of the Victorian Arts Centre and former head of the Sydney Opera House.
• Rory Laird – AFL footballer for the Adelaide Crows.^[14]
• Peter Lehmann – winemaker from the Barossa Valley.^[15]
• David Lutterus – Notable rising golf star, turning pro in 2004, currently participating in the US PGA Tour. Competed in the 2008 Sony Open in Hawaii.
• Tara Morice – Actress.
• Ben Nelson – A former Carlton and Adelaide Crows footballer.
• Wayne B. Phillips – Former Australian Test cricketer.
• Victor York Richardson – An Australian Test captain and grandfather of Ian, Greg, and Trevor Chappell.
• James Seppelt – Silver medalist in the 1994 Rowing World Championship.
• Sarah Snook – stage, television and film actress.
• Penny Wong – ALP Senator for South Australia Australian Commonwealth Government

See also

• List of schools in South Australia
• List of boarding schools
• Scotch College Old Collegians Association

References

External links

• Scotch College website