Monday 29 January • Year 7 Boarders arrive from 1pm; Welcome afternoon tea
Tuesday 30 January • Year 7 commence
Tuesday 30 January • Orientation session for new students (Years 8-12), 12noon-2pm
Tuesday 30 January • Year 8-12 Boarders arrive from 1pm; Welcome afternoon tea
Wednesday 31 January • Years 1-12 commence, 8.45am
Wednesday 31 January • Opening of the Academic Year Assembly and presentation of 2023 ATAR Medal, 9am Chapel Hall. Everyone welcome.
Wednesday 31 January • 2025 Scholarships close
Thursday 1 February • Kindergarten students commence
Thursday 1 February • Welcome to new Kindergarten families morning tea, 9am in Indoor Sports Centre foyer
Friday 2 February to Sunday 4 February • Boarders Big Weekend
Wednesday 7 February • Kindergarten Rest Day
Saturday 10 February • 2025 Scholarships ACER exam, Chapel Hall
Wednesday 14 February • Kindergarten Rest Day
Friday 16 February • New Principal Mark Hemphill's induction
Friday 16 February • Whole School meet the teacher, 3.30pm
Wednesday 21 February • Kindergarten Rest Day
Wednesday 21 February • Senior School Swimming Carnival
Friday 23 February • Years 3-6 Swimming Carnival
Tuesday 27 February • K-2 Swimming Carnival
Wednesday 28 February • Kindergarten Rest Day
Week commencing 4 March • Kindergarten commence full time schooling
Thursday 7 March • International Women's Day breakfast
Monday 11 March to Tuesday 12 March • Junior School parent teacher interviews
Monday 11 March • Year 11 parent teacher interviews
Friday 22 March • Albury Gold Cup half day holiday TBC
Saturday 23 March to Sunday 24 March • Scots Equestrian Interschool Challenge
Tuesday 26 March to Thursday 28 March • Year 3 camp
Friday 29 March • Good Friday
Monday 1 April • Easter Monday
Tuesday 2 April • Whole school cross country
Monday 8 April to Friday 12 April • Year 7-9 camps
Tuesday 9 April to Friday 12 April • Years 10 and 11 camps
Wednesday 10 April - Friday 12 April • Year 12 retreat
Friday 12 April • Term 1 ends
Thursday 25 April • Anzac Day march, Dean St, 8am
Monday 29 April • Pupil free day
Monday 29 April • Years 7-10 Parent/Teacher interviews
Monday 29 April • Boarders return from 1pm
Tuesday 30 April • Term 2 commences
Farewell • Principal Vicki Steer
It is barely 12 months since my appointment as interim Principal of The Scots School Albury was announced to the school community. The year that followed seems to have flown by and it is now time to say farewell.
My role has been to steadily lead the school forward, to continue with implementing the goals of the Strategic Plan, to support the school to continue along the path of consolidation and growth and to provide a bridge to the commencement of the new Principal, Mark Hemphill, in 2024.
There are two key priorities I have pursued this year: the first in teaching and learning and the second in facilities development.
So, on learning ...
There is a strong collective will for the success of Scots and we know that Scots has an important part to play in this region providing a high-quality education to its students. Clear purpose and good planning provide great foundations for this success.
Much can be assumed about what we mean by “quality education”. As educators we bring to Scots our personal histories of training, experience, the ways of other schools and the habits and beliefs we have formed along the way. If we are to work together effectively it is vital that we have a common understanding of our purpose and the educational practice we will use to enable our students’ learning. In so doing, we build our collective efficacy. To this end we have developed our Vision for Teaching and Learning.
Regarding facilities ...
We started the year with the fresh news that the school had been successful in obtaining a grant toward the development of a new Junior School building of accommodate the upper years of the Junior School. Such good news, but a plan for the development of the whole Junior School was needed. This year our architects have thoroughly refreshed our Master Plan and are developing new architectural plans not only for the first stage new building, but also a second stage involving the adaptive reuse of existing buildings.
The delays due to unforeseen site and planning problems in commencing the Senior Study Centre have been frustrating. Construction is now making rapid progress. Now, as we look at placing orders for new lockers the prospect of moving in during the new year is becoming very real. I look forward to attending the opening in 2024!
Thank you! I am so grateful for the support and affirmation I have received from the staff and students at Scots over the course of the year. This has made the year a positive and rewarding one for me personally and for the School.
I thank all of our committed teachers and the diverse groups of staff members who support the students and the School’s operations. Our boarding staff deserve a particular mention as they provide “home” for many students each term. Scots is wonderfully served by the executive team. I am most grateful for their dedication and professionalism and the support they have given me throughout the year. Thank you to Deputy Principal and Head of Junior School Kelly McKay, Head of Senior School Janine Haymes and Head of Business Operations Caroline Pooley.
Thanks also to the members of the Board for giving me the opportunity to be part of the Scots community this year and I would especially like to thank Board Chair, Dr Emma Scholz.
Thank you to each and every student of Scots for your willing approach to your studies and the contribution you have made to the life of the school over the past year. Thank you to all parents and other members of the Scots community for your continuing support of the school.
I bid farewell and extend my very best wishes to Scots and to Mark Hemphill as he takes on the role of Principal in 2024.
- Vicki Steer
Teachers and Learning Mentors for 2024
Executive Team Principal • Mark Hemphill Deputy Principal & Head of Junior School • Kelly McKay Head of Senior School • Janine Haymes Head of Business Operations • Caroline Pooley
Senior Leadership Team
Deputy Head of Junior School and Primary Years Programme Coordinator • Megan Dickins Director of Preschool • Adele Withers Director of Boarding • Elsa Kilgour Director of Teaching & Learning • Kym Armstrong Community Relations & Advancement Manager • Petra Barber
Junior School Teachers
Kindergarten • Shelley Byrt and Stacey Cooper Year 1 • Mel Cahill/Megan Dickins and Kate McNeil Year 2 • Erin Newton and Katie Smith Year 3 • Amanda Laycock and Lara Obbink Year 4 • Jason Carr and Maddie McLean Year 5 • Jacqui Turner and Jenni Zielinski Year 6 • Kate Herbert and Meaghan Ward/Emma Carter Inclusive Education • Erin Baxter and Kate Spargo Deputy Head of JS and PYP Coordinator • Meg Dickins
Senior School Learning Mentors
Year 7 Peter Schneider Andrew McLaurin Caoimhe McMillan Roger Barrows
Year 8 Stephanie McNamara Stephanie Clancy/Stacey Hartwich Chris Mitchell Kylie Robertson
Year 9 Jacob Hanna Nathan Tainton Amber Pope Shonetelle Toohey
Year 10 Thomas Hartshorn Doug Agar Paula Gleeson Simon Goss
Year 11 Kari Tainton Tammy Neilson Chris Torok Deeanne Sparkes Sarah Bowman
Year 12 Tim Kennedy Luke Cameron Jade Workman David Coughlan
Coordinator of Operations & Academic Administration • Rob Cowan
Head of Department • English & Modern Languages • Sarah Bowman Head of Department • Technology & Applied Studies, Design & Technology • Jim Papas Head of Department • Mathematics & PDHPE • Nathan Tainton Head of Department • Science & Agriculture • Thomas Hartshorn Head of Department • Humanities & Commerce • Paula Gleeson Head of Department • Music & Drama • David Coughlan Head of Sport • Tim Kennedy Stage 4 Leader (Years 7 & 8) • Melanie Davies Stage 5 Leader (Years 9 & 10) • Jane Mackinlay Stage 6 Leader (Years 11 & 12) • Matthew Patching Leader of Inclusive Education • Mary Laughton Head of Performing Arts Co-curricular • Chris Torok
Student Support School Counsellor • Jessie O'Donnell Head of Girls Boarding • Wilson House • Rachel Rapsey Head of Boys Boarding • Sellars House • Tom Mewett School Nurse • Elsa Kilgour Psychologist • Rebecca Artis
Speech Day prize winners
Congratulations to our 2023 Speech Day prize winners
Year 3 Humanitas Award • Eloise Rogers Spiritus Award • Beau Deverell Literis Award • James Robertson Auctoritas Award • Patrick Mason Proficiency Awards • James Robertson, Annabelle Staughton, Abigail Waller, Mujtaba Saleem Outstanding Diligence Awards • Neha Vivek, Maya Woonton
Year 4 Humanitas Award • Frankie Hurst Spiritus Award • Adelaide Phillips Literis Award • Alyssa Chinguwa Auctoritas Award • James Falconer Proficiency Awards • Matthew Gibson, James Grylewicz, Frankie Hurst, Georgie Barber Outstanding Diligence Awards • Oliver Jurevics, Alby Clark
Year 5 Humanitas Award • Samuel Mack Spiritus Award • Ava Bell Literis Award • Vinul Herath Auctoritas Award • Jasmine Fowler Proficiency Awards • Vinul Herath, Beatrice Staughton, Joshua Rutherford, Abigail Kennedy Outstanding Diligence Awards • Eden Hutchins, Darcy Baird
Year 6 Humanitas Award • Greg Newbold Award • Harriett Nickols Spiritus Award • Helen Begg Award • Annabel Moar Literis Award • Sophia Martin Auctoritas Award • Amelia Glover Proficiency Awards • Smyan Hegde, Annabel Moar, Alexia Franco, Oscar Kennedy Outstanding Diligence Awards • Kaitlyn Gissane, Thomas Cavagna Rosalind Smith Outstanding Diligence Award • Charlotte Hyde School Captains’ Award • Sam McDonald, Harriett Nickols Justin Clancy MP Award for Citizenship and Service • Arabella Smit Scotsonians Association Award for Dux of the Junior School • Patrick Sirr
Junior School Awards Ingrid Morgan Junior School Award for Musical Contribution • Vinul Herath Barbara Tasker Junior School Award for Musical Excellence • Amelie Skipwith Gay St Clair Junior School Choral Award • Amelia Glover Junior School Award for Excellence in Musical Theatre • Harriett Nickols
Year 7 Humanitas Award • Isaac Finlayson Spiritus Award • Poppy Smith Literis Award • Lachlan Baitch Auctoritas Award • Xavier Clancy Proficiency Awards • Heidi Toepfer, Ember Blackstock, Kendra Rahaley, Claire Shannon, Lila Mason, William Gibson Springfield Award for Outstanding Diligence • William Perkins Dux of Year 7 • Lachlan Baitch
Year 8 Humanitas Award • Billy Whitfield Spiritus Award • Millie Wilkerson Literis Award • Hector James Auctoritas Award • Isabelle Martin Proficiency Awards • Willam Paffen, Kirsten McLennan, Alexander Fraser, Millie Wilkerson, Lily Malone, Amy Hayes Glenair Award for Outstanding Diligence • Mutethya Cowan Dux of Year 8 • Emily Moar
Year 9 Humanitas Award • Bonheur Rusagura Spiritus Award • Audrey Haymes Literis Award • Lucy Bolton Auctoritas Award • Alexandra Gniel Proficiency Awards • Lucy Bolton, Georgia Perkins, Alexandra Gniel, Lacey Smith, Sara Butko, Samuel Maguire Rosehill Award for Outstanding Diligence • Kaylee Rule, Georgie Ledger Dux of Year 9 • Ammar Syed
Year 10 Humanitas Award • Christine Watson Award • Poppy Millgate-Kimball Spiritus Award • Georgina Sockett Literis Award • Tuscany Taylor Auctoritas Award • Finbar Bready Proficiency Awards • Poppy Millgate-Kimball, Syun Hegde, Jericho Ellao, Matilda Tainton, Samarth John, Anastasia McFarlane, Matilda Rahaley Albury Grammar Award for Outstanding Diligence • Georgina Sockett Rosehill Woodstock Scholarship • Matilda Tainton Albury Grammar Scholarship • Oliver Baitch Melbourne University • Kwong-Lee Dow Scholar • Oliver Baitch, Poppy Millgate-Kimball Monash University Scholar • Oliver Baitch, Jericho Ellao, Mia Sheather Long Tan Youth Leadership and Teamwork Award • Poppy Millgate-Kimball Noelle Oke Award for Excellence in History (Year 10 & 11) • Oliver Baitch Australian Defence Force Future Innovators Award • Joshua O'Brien Dux of Year 10 • Oliver Baitch
Year 11 Humanitas Award • Freya Gniel Spiritus Award • Archie O'Brien Literis Award • Claudia Alessi Auctoritas Award • Luke Pendlebury Proficiency Awards • Claudia Alessi, Madeline Perkins, Madelaine Hayes, Daniel Steer, Zoe Coughlan Woodstock Award for Outstanding Diligence • Ruby Ersvaer-Gotje Scotsonians Association Award for Dux of Year 11 • Ellenor Pretty
Senior School Awards Kent Hilton Pipe Band Award • Joshua Niuila Ingrid Morgan Choral Award • Tegan Forge Hazelwood Music Award • Amélie Pimlott Paul Tasker Award for Musical Excellence • Madeleine Steer Sportsman of the Year • Fraser Bennett Sportswoman of the Year • Audrey Adams Joy Todd Musical Theatre Award • Tegan Forge Fleming Muntz Public Speaking Award • Madelaine Hayes
Year 12 Humanitas • Robyn Rodd Memorial Award • Madeleine Steer Spiritus Award • Lily Lamond Literis Award • Georgia Scholz Auctoritas Award • Lara Diffey Dux of The Scots School Albury Parents & Friends Association Prize • Lara Diffey Proficiency Awards • Jonah Adams, Fraser Bennett, Ava Christie, Lylah Ellao, Lily Lamond, Radeshyam Kugathasan, Georgia Scholz La Trobe University Award for Outstanding Diligence • Tegan Forge William Schultz School Captain’s Award • Fraser Bennett, Zara Hiscock Lawrence Warren Award for Outstanding Citizenship • Madeleine Steer Justin Clancy MP Award for Citizenship and Service • Mackenzie Semmens Australian Olympic Change-Maker Award • Xylavene Beale, Charles Ledger Practical Application in Design Award • William Flahive Acquisitive Art Prize • Lylah Ellao Headlie Taylor Agriculture Award • Chloe Watson Long Tan Youth Leadership & Teamwork Award • Lily Lamond
Academic Awards
Jonah Adams First in Mathematics Extension 2 First in Physics
Fraser Bennett First in Biology First in Chemistry First in Economics
Bianca Blackberry Diligence in Biology Diligence in Chemistry
Emily Borrell Diligence in Mathematics Advanced Diligence in Mathematics Extension 1
Ava Christie First in Agriculture
Lara Diffey First in Drama First in English Advanced First in History Extension First in Modern History
Lylah Ellao First in English Extension 2 First in Society and Culture First in Visual Arts
William Flahive First in Design and Technology Diligence in Economics Diligence in Hospitality
Tegan Forge Diligence in English Advanced Diligence in Modern History Diligence in Visual Arts
Zara Hiscock First in Mathematics Standard Diligence in English Standard
Alexandra Jackson Diligence in Personal Development, Health and Physical Education
Radeshyam Kugathasan First in Mathematics Extension 1
Lily Lamond First in Hospitality First in Mathematics Advanced First in Personal Development, Health and Physical Education
Charles Ledger First in Business Studies
Olivia Maguire Diligence in Biology
Isabelle Martin Diligence in Agriculture Diligence in Legal Studies Diligence in Mathematics Advanced
Eliza McIntosh First in English Standard
Emily Murphy Diligence in Physics
Alexander Newman Diligence in Business Studies
Amélie Pimlott Diligence in English Extension 1 Diligence in Mathematics Standard Diligence in Music 1
Lewis Schubert First in Industrial Technology
Olivia Sheldrick Diligence in Design and Technology Diligence in Society and Culture
Madeleine Steer First in English Extension 1 First in Music 1 Diligence in English Advanced
Kaizen Taylor Diligence in Mathematics Standard
Imogen Ziebarth First in Legal Studies Diligence in History Extension
Helidrop, Carols fitting finale to 2023
We finished 2023 in style!
We invited grandparents into the Junior School classrooms for Grandparents' Day, Santa hitched a ride on Rotor Solutions Australia's helicopter to help drop 1000 golf balls over Wilson Oval for our major Helidrop fundraiser and our talented students wooed us with family-favourite Christmas Carols while we all enjoyed a festive atmosphere in the Quad.
To cap off a great afternoon and evening, Santa found his way from the Albury Airport to Scots to make an appearance along with some elves, who handed out candy canes. The bearded and bespeckled guy was a big hit with the youngsters, who clamoured to give him a High-5.
Midway through Carols, we announced the lucky winners of the Helidrop prizes, many of which were generously donated by Scots families. Now that we've had time to tally up all the avenues of fundraising, we are pleased to let you know we raised more than $45,000 towards building our new Junior School.
Thank you to everyone who supported the Helidrop and shared in the fun of Carols in the Quad. It certainly was a festive occasion!
Congratulations to the Helidrop prizewinners:
Zambrero Year Level Prize for highest average ticket sales: Year 1
Return helicopter flights from Albury Airport to All Saints Estate in Rutherglen for a long lunch for four adults. Valued at $3800. Thanks to Rotor Solutions Australia and JC Butko Engineering. TORI LOUGHNAN.
One night’s accommodation at The Loft Yarrawonga valued at $500 and donated by the Hawley Family. DIANNE LAWLER.
A full set of Falken car tyres, fitted and balanced - valued up to $1000, with thanks to Jappo Donks Tyres, Wheels & Batteries. DAN SCENEY.
2 x $50 APCO Fuel Voucher 1. SASCHA McCORRISTON. 2. ANDREW KETTLEWELL.
Four (4) tickets to any day of the 2023 Boxing Day Test in Melbourne, or the 2024 New Years Test in Sydney valued up to $800 and is courtesy of Cricket Albury Wodonga. OLIVIA & ANDRE ELLIS.
One night at the beautiful Circa 1928 in the heart of Albury. To the value of $595. KATE PARGETER.
Full vehicle valet, with paint and interior protection treatment. Baker Motors. COURTNEY ELLIS.
Voucher for two (2) adults to enjoy the “Pop & Fizz” Pizzini Winery Experience* - valued at $150, with thanks to Pizzini Wines: NEHA SOOD.
Computer courtesy of MicroTech DPS: STEPHEN McKAY.
The Tonkin Residential Care Package valued around $600: TONY BOON.
$5000 off your school fees or $2000 cash. OLIVIA & ANDRE ELLIS.
A special thank you to Olivia and Andre Ellis who generously donated their prize of $5000 off their school fees to the Scots Building Fund.
The lucky winners of the Zambrero Mexican Fiesta, for the year level which sold the highest average number of Helidrop Raffle Tickets per student, was Year 1. They enjoyed their treat on the last day of school. What a way to finish off the year!
Our School community injected a robust $45,000 towards our Junior School build through the Helidrop fundraiser a fortnight ago - perfect timing to coincide with the finalisation of concept plans for phases one and two of the new facility.
The architects are now working on the detailed design plans which should be completed by February. Tender documentation will be prepared for release in March/April, after which the tender period and evaluation will occur, through until about May.
In less than seven months, we hope to have a builder contracted, with construction anticipated from July 2024 - June 2025.
Phase One: The Junior School will be built in several phases, but the first phase is the new construction work of eight classrooms, a multi-purpose space, undercover decks and break out areas, toilets and a "Learning Street", where classes can collaborate outside the classroom in a central hub. Phase one is due for completion midway through 2025.Phase Two: Phase two will involve converting existing Senior School spaces, including the library, into classrooms and connecting the new with the old in a clever design process using courtyards, roofline and undercover areas to bring them together. Stage 1: A closer look at Stage 1 which is a combination of Phase One and Two. North, West and South Elevations of the new Junior SchoolLearning Street: An elevation of Section A Learning Street
Senior Study Centre update
Construction of the Senior Study Centre has progressed at a rapid rate since we turned the first sod earlier this year. These recent photos show how "finished" it is looking from the exterior. Much of the remaining work will be to the interior and fit-out, ahead of its practical completion around May.
Choirs sang, instrumentalists played, and the Infants Production performers presented their special medley of songs from their show No one’s Youer than You! in a special Junior School Musical performance for family and friends in the Chapel Hall on 21 November.
It was fantastic to see and hear so many students involved in performing ensembles including; three Stage Choirs, the Year 3 Violin classes, the Year 4 Strings classes, the Year 5 Instrumental program, and the Year 6 Instrumental program.
A great time was enjoyed by a full house and the event was a great way to conclude 2023.
With the ongoing high demand for places at Scots, we encourage families to submit sibling enrolment applications as soon as possible.
To ensure your child is on our list of applicants, especially for Kindergarten and Year 7 2025, please submit your enrolment form now by clicking HERE.
Class of 2023 student Lylah Ellao has published her first book and is now starting to sell her artwork; including cards, pet and people portraits, logo designs and custom art.
