Scotch College

The School Council - how it works

Michael Robinson AO

The Council of Scotch College comprises 17 people who are selected variously by the Presbyterian Church of Victoria, the Old Scotch Collegians' Association and the Council itself.

Council members have a widely based and keen interest, knowledge and understanding of Scotch College. They also have a variety of professional, educational and business backgrounds.

Scotch is a substantial institution and the School Council ultimately is responsible for its success. The School has an annual budget in excess of $30 million and employs a total of about 250 people, of whom over 150 are teaching staff.

Well over 60% of the expenses at Scotch are for salary and related costs. The remainder is for a variety of expenses including cleaning, property maintenance, power and other utility charges, computers and supplies.

Over the past 15 years, the School has embarked on an extensive program of capital works, starting with the Junior School development in the late 1980s. When the James Forbes Academy has been completed later this year, Scotch will have spent over $60 million on capital works over this 15-year period. This money has come from the generosity of the School community and from the prudent management of the School's financial resources. There have been no borrowings whatsoever and no part of the cost has been provided by government assistance. There is no interest cost or debt repayment provision passed on to parents in fee accounts.

The School Council undertakes a number of specific responsibilities through a variety of committees which are listed in the following column.

Property Committee

Responsibilities include the supervision of new building works and annual maintenance of all parts of the School's property.

Investment Committee

To oversee the proper investment of the School's trust and other funds which have been provided to the School over many years for scholarships and other purposes.

Finance Committee

Responsibility for the preparation of the annual budget, recommendation of fee levels and monitoring the School's financial performance throughout the year. The committee is also responsible for the preparation and update of the School's 10-year funding model to enable decisions on capital works and other matters of expenditure to be planned on a proper basis.

Fees Assistance Committee

In conjunction with the Principal, responsible for determining assistance for parents who have difficulty meeting School fee obligations.

The Promotion of Boarding Committee

Nominating Committee

Responsible for identifying potential Council members and making recommendations to the Council.

Remuneration Committee

To oversee the School's remuneration practices including recommending to Council the specific salary levels for senior staff.

Freeway Committee

Over the last 10 years, to manage the School's response to the intrusion of the widening of the South Eastern Arterial, its extensive impact on School facilities, managing the School's compensation claim and endeavouring to improve the acoustic outcome.

The Council meets on six occasions each year and the Executive Committee meets between Council meetings on five occasions. The other Committees meet as required.