The green light for the building of our Wellbeing and Sports Centre last week was a true highlight of the year for the Scotch community. We now enter that transition period where we make provision for the build over the coming months.

Our plans to deal with this change have been developed over the last 2 years and we are well placed to ensure minimal disruption to our programs. The new courts development on the northern perimeter is progressing well and we expect them to be fully operational for the 2021 academic year. I will give greater insight into how we will be going about things at the start of next year.

Like you I am excited for this next stage of our campus redevelopment and what it will bring to our students learning journey.

Schools are places of transition. On Friday we hosted new students who are joining us for next year in Years 8-11. There was a warm welcome and our freshly minted Scotchies had, by all accounts, a great day. At the end of the day I waited with a new student for his parents to collect him. Upon enquiring about his experience, he burst with pride, ‘it was great. I can’t wait to start next year!’ This sentiment was echoed as I farewelled some of our 26 new boarders. Their broad smiles as they lugged their gear to the car knowing that this was to be their new routine said it all. Of course, I asked the mandatory question about the food. The kids loved it but as one parent chimed in, “not as good as mums!” It reminds us that transition for some is about the significant family changes which come with leaving home to pursue opportunities. Thanks to Kelly Sharp for her organisation and the Torrens Park Campus team for their efforts to make this a successful day.

Transition continues for students new to Year 7 over the coming weeks with the Immersion and Orientation days. Our Middle School Student Leadership transition is also being finalised this week. The Student Leaders Induction Service is on Monday 16 November (5.45pm Fisher Chapel) and we will recognise the formal commencement of all roles for TPC and leadership that the Class of 2021 will provide.

The Year 10 transition into Year 11 is punctuated by their SACE Integrated Learning Project. This unique project will have our students learning online and also engaging in service activities over their final 3 weeks. Year 10 are keen to complete examinations this week and cannot wait to have their time on Goose Island. 

Year 11 are focussed on finishing the year well. Their first impact project as the Class of 2021 is to get around Movember. They have organised a “Mo Day” and activities to raise awareness and funds for this great cause. Once again, the boys have challenged the males on staff to a “Mo off”. Needless to say, the efforts are predictable and likely many will resort to raiding mum’s mascara to give the fluff a much-needed depth of colour!  

Yet in all these moments of change as we transition, we do not lose sight of Scotch being a destination of learning. Each program and student experience over these final weeks are intentional by design. We know at the nexus of learning and wellbeing is connection. Research highlights the importance of belonging to communities at school as vital to life success. Creating community in schools whilst not unique to Scotch is one of our hallmarks.  For us it’s not about just having the framework or experience. It’s about how you plant the seeds of connection, the nurturing and growth of the experiences beyond the moment that enable us to harvest the success for individuals that comes with creating a place for people to belong and thrive. 

To our new families you have all but arrived. I know you will have found our embrace welcoming and supportive. This will continue over the coming weeks for you and importantly, your children, to ensure that you know this destination is a place of great learning and connection. 

As we all journey through life, we must remember to pause and reflect that whilst the next stage is exciting the past year has offered great richness in our development. We will reflect often with the students over the final weeks to ensure they know that they have positively grown as people and learners at #destinationscotch.

We have a lot to celebrate as we head into the festive season and I look forward to you joining with us to end well.

Have a great week.

Dale