More than Teaching

As we move into the final term of the school year, a significant signpost being our leaving Year 12s having commenced their final International Baccalaureate and WACE exams, it is timely to reflect on the valuable contribution by our incredible teaching staff that got them there. It is important to remember that the journey to Year 12 includes significant touch points from many teachers across many years.

World Teachers' Day

We know there are many great things that go together to make Scotch a great school and community. In Australia we celebrate World Teachers' Day on 31 October, on this day we acknowledge the valuable work of teachers in classrooms and other educational environments.

This year, like every year at Scotch, we acknowledge and thank the work of all teachers across the globe for the role they play in shaping the bright future of the next generation.

Utilising the opportunity to remember just how important our teachers are to the development of our students in Pre-Kindergarten through to when they graduate in Year 12.

A Scotch educator

Scotch is a school with world-class facilities, the latest technology, a strong parent body and a dynamic curriculum, but the real jewels in the crown are our teachers.

The level of personal and professional commitment is as high as I have witnessed throughout my own professional career.

Everyday 1,600 students are entrusted into the care and leadership of over 220 teachers here at Scotch College. I am proud to lead some of the finest teachers in the country at our very own school, whose expertise and dedication to their field is second to none.

But it is what our teachers do beyond the classroom that makes them invaluable.

The extra mile – knowing the boy

At Scotch, our teachers don't just teach. They build relationships and trust. They empathise. They show compassion, care and respect for the individuals they teach every day. Most importantly, they shape lives.

I'm sure everyone can cast their minds back to school days and recall a favourite teacher and I bet that teacher did more than just teach you the fundamentals of history or maths. That teacher inspired you, cared for you in times of challenge and inspired you to be a better person. That teacher created a safe space for you to learn and explore the world.

Beyond curriculum, framework and textbook.

On World Teachers' Day, Friday 31 October, I read something about the memories of great teachers. In essence, it came down to one simple fact: they brought the subject to life and made it fun. So, what does it mean to be a teacher?

The answer goes far beyond any curriculum framework or textbook. Not only are our teachers teaching fundamental skills to our students, but also inadvertently acting as role models, leaders and people to aspire to. That is what makes a great teacher, and in turn, a great school.

On the home stretch

I mentioned earlier about our Year 12s having commenced their exams.

As the graduating class commence their second week of exams, I ask all families to keep our boys in their thoughts and prayers over the coming few weeks. We know they have been well prepared and will perform well.