School programs are enhanced by participation in relevant excursions and also incursions by professional performers and speakers from a wide range of disciplines. Scotch’s Outdoor Education/Camping Program begins in Prep with a breakfast, Year One stay at school for an activity afternoon and dinner, whilst Year Two enjoy a sleepover at school. Private music lessons in violin (by traditional or the Suzuki method), cello, piano and woodwind instruments are available at various entry points throughout the Junior Primary years.
The boys come together regularly to perform and participate in Junior Primary Assemblies and Chapel Services. Opportunities for leadership and positions of responsibility exist at all year levels, for example Year Two has two boys on the Student Representative Council. These boys are seen as the leaders of Junior Primary and are expected to set an example for the younger boys to follow. Junior Primary boys meet regularly with their Cross Age Senior Primary partners and engage in a range of educational and social activities.
Each staff member is committed to the development of independence, responsibility and a positive self concept in each boy and is involved in the teaching of a social skills program which covers topics such as rules, rights, responsibilities, consequences, relationships, acceptable social behaviour and conflict resolution. All staff are involved in providing pastoral care for the boys and welcome the opportunity to discuss a boy’s welfare with the boy and his parents. Additional support is available to boys, parents and teachers from the Deputy Head, the Pastoral Care councillor, the Director of Junior Primary and the staff of the Education Support Department. Open communication between home and school is seen as important, as is the active involvement of boys, parents and teachers in the boys’ development and the learning process. Parents are encouraged to communicate with their son’s class teacher whenever the need arises.
An extensive assessment and reporting system exists in the Junior Primary classes. The classroom teachers work closely with the Education Support Department to ensure that each student is working to the best of his ability, while specific testing is available and professionally administered to students of concern. Teachers and parents meet during Terms One and Three for Parent/Teacher interviews, while written reports are sent home at the end of Terms Two and Four.
