Scotch Oakburn College exists to provide an education for our students, an education that will prepare them for their future, not our past.
Similarly, education today will inform the communities of tomorrow and with this dual responsibility, schools and educators perform one of the most important roles in society.
VISIT OUR SOC BLOG FOR UPDATES
Scotch Oakburn College exists to provide an education for our students, an education that will prepare them for their future, not our past.
Similarly, education today will inform the communities of tomorrow and with this dual responsibility, schools and educators perform one of the most important roles in society.
VISIT OUR STRATEGIC VISION BLOG
OUR
COMMITMENT
To prepare our students to be positive members
of their community, now and in the future, through
an excellent holistic education.
Director and Chairperson of the Board, David Finnigan
Principal, Andy Muller
OUR
COMMITMENT
To prepare our students to be positive members
of their community, now and in the future, through
an excellent holistic education.
Director and Chairperson of the Board, Andrew Gray
Principal, Andy Muller
OUR VISION
OUR VISION
Scotch Oakburn College is committed to ‘Creating the Future’ within a caring, supportive and inclusive community.
OUR MISSION
OUR MISSION
To provide an exceptional holistic education that enables every student to maximise their potential.
OUR VALUES
OUR VALUES
The actions and behaviours of all members of our community and the opportunities provided to them, model and frame the following values:
Commitment | Compassion | Courage
Respect | Responsibility
OUR VISION
OUR VISION
Scotch Oakburn College is committed to ‘Creating the Future’ within a caring, supportive and inclusive community.
OUR MISSION
OUR MISSION
To provide an exceptional holistic education that enables every student to maximise their potential.
OUR VALUES
OUR VALUES
The actions and behaviours of all members of our community and the opportunities provided to them, model and frame the following values:
Commitment | Compassion | Courage
Respect | Responsibility
OUR VISION
Scotch Oakburn College is committed to ‘Creating the Future’ within a caring, supportive and inclusive community.
OUR MISSION
To provide an exceptional holistic education that enables every student to maximise their potential.
OUR VALUES
The actions and behaviours of all members of our community and the opportunities provided to them, model and frame the following values:
Commitment | Compassion | Courage
Respect | Responsibility
WHY 15 YEARS?
Scotch Oakburn College’s strategic vision – SOC2035, is a creative and ambitious plan that sets out a vision for the evolution of the College over the coming 15 years.
Why 15 years? That is the time frame for our youngest learners in Early Learning 3-year-old, to graduate from Year 12; from 2021 to 2035.
WHY 15 YEARS?
Scotch Oakburn College’s strategic vision – SOC2035, is a creative and ambitious plan that sets out a vision for the evolution of the College over the coming 15 years.
Why 15 years? That is the time frame for our youngest learners in Early Learning 3-year-old, to graduate from Year 12; from 2021 to 2035.
INTRODUCING SOC2035
Our Principal, Andy Muller, announces the launch of SOC2035, our Strategic Vision and Facilities Masterplan for the next generation of Scotch Oakburn learners and our community.
This aspirational vision is the result of 18 months of research and planning by the College Executive and the Board of Directors, alongside extensive consultation with our community.
OUR STRANDS
Through research, aspirational thinking and community feedback, four Strands have been developed. The term Strand references the interwoven nature of the elements that comprise DNA. Similarly, these strategic Strands are linked and work in support of each other, thus creating the College’s own DNA.
These four Strands are: Learning, Wellbeing, Community and Capacity. Within each of these Strands are our Goals, along with Objectives to check progress and Strategies to focus our resources as required.
Listen to our College Executive discuss the four Strands and why they are so important to the future of the College.
Click on a video link to view.
Our vibrant and diverse learning community in a unique and compelling part of the world has evolved from our rich history. We are a learning community
and all members are learners. At Scotch Oakburn College we champion a dynamic paradigm of education that nurtures the whole child.
Our vision is one where students are architects of their own lives and learning so that they can thrive in this ever-changing world.
LEARNER
ATTRIBUTES
Our Learner Attributes form the platform for students to be architects of their own learning and are becoming common language as SOC2035 evolves.
AGILE
Adaptable, contributing to, and offering leadership in, a rapidly changing global world by solving problems using existing knowledge and skills in unfamiliar situations.
COLLABORATIVE
Valuing teamwork and the input of others, seeking opportunities for shared effort through well-developed communication skills.
COMPASSIONATE
Taking on the feelings and perspectives of others with humility and acting intuitively to support them through the development of emotional intelligence, EQ.
COURAGEOUS
Having the confidence, tenacity and commitment to take responsible risks to extend their capacity, persevere when presented with a challenge, and learn from mistakes.
CURIOUS
Inquisitive, asking questions to clarify their thinking, wondering about the world and looking for solutions.
EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATORS
Listening and responding respectfully; processing, organising and coherently expressing ideas.
ETHICAL
Acquiring and building moral judgement in order to think responsibly, independently and make informed decisions.
INCLUSIVE
Celebrating the diversity within, and including all members of our community.
INNOVATIVE
Inventive valuing originality and creativity in their thinking and seeking new opportunities to introduce ideas or ways of doing things.
SELF-REGULATING
Understanding one’s self and having the capacity to reflect and self-manage.
Our vibrant and diverse learning community in a unique and compelling part of the world has evolved from our rich history. We are a learning community
and all members are learners. At Scotch Oakburn College we champion a dynamic paradigm of education that nurtures the whole child.
Our vision is one where students are architects of their own lives and learning so that they can thrive in this ever-changing world.
LEARNER
ATTRIBUTES
At Scotch Oakburn College we are:
AGILE
Adaptable, contributing to, and offering leadership in, a rapidly changing global world by solving problems using existing knowledge and skills in unfamiliar situations.
COLLABORATIVE
Valuing teamwork and the input of others, seeking opportunities for shared effort through well-developed communication skills.
COMPASSIONATE
Taking on the feelings and perspectives of others with humility and acting intuitively to support them through the development of emotional intelligence, EQ.
COURAGEOUS
Having the confidence, tenacity and commitment to take responsible risks to extend their capacity, persevere when presented with a challenge, and learn from mistakes.
CURIOUS
Inquisitive, asking questions to clarify their thinking, wondering about the world and looking for solutions.
EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATORS
Listening and responding respectfully; processing, organising and coherently expressing ideas.
ETHICAL
Acquiring and building moral judgement in order to think responsibly, independently and make informed decisions.
INCLUSIVE
Celebrating the diversity within, and including all members of our community.
INNOVATIVE
Inventive valuing originality and creativity in their thinking and seeking new opportunities to introduce ideas or ways of doing things.
SELF-REGULATING
Understanding one’s self and having the capacity to reflect and self-manage.
STUDENTS
1. Develop the Scotch Oakburn College Learner Profile (through Learner Attributes and Service Learning).
We will inspire learners to equally value learning attributes, Values, skills and knowledge that sustain learning over a lifetime. Scotch Oakburn College learners will develop a positive mindset to consider global context, sustainability and ethics in decision making
2. Design a future-focused agile curriculum
Create opportunities for students to experience contextualised learning as it relates to the world beyond the classroom. Ensure high levels of literacy, numeracy
and communication skills (including the use of emerging technologies).
3. Create flexible and adaptive structures for learning
Offer an appropriate balance of age-based and stage-based learning.
Redefine the most effective learning structures to support stage-based learning, the year levels it encompasses and the pedagogy most appropriate.
- We will implement metrics that monitor and report on our Learner Attributes. These metrics will allow for the on-going development of each learner. Students will be empowered to be active and positive contributors to our society and to develop student agency that will action community benefit and environmental sustainability.
- Our curriculum will be agile and flexible, including project-based initiatives, student advocacy, entrepreneurial and inter-disciplinary learning. Student choice will maximise learning, leading to high engagement and continued academic excellence. Assessment will be dynamic and in real-time, continuous feedback will drive reflection and innovation.
- Solutions to ‘real world’ challenges will be met head on as students work with communities and College partners. These partnerships will further enhance the learning journey.
- We will fully embrace new technologies that further enhances the learning experience.
- Data will inform our decision making, processes and practices. Each learner will have pathways and planning appropriate for the individual.
STAFF
1. Continuous Agile Learning
Develop Scotch Oakburn as a Professional Learning Community (PLC), with a collaborative culture of continuous improvement and lifelong learning to drive improvement in student learning.
2. Ensure all staff have the opportunity to develop
Provide Professional Learning opportunities relevant to staff stages of professional and career development.
- Scotch Oakburn College will become a Professional Learning Community, data will inform our teaching and learning practices and we are committed to creating shared meeting and observation time to further develop teachers through continuous feedback loops.
- Professional Development for staff will be a priority and aligned to the strategic vision. The College’s Performance and Development framework will be reviewed, enabling the design and implementation of a best practice framework for teachers.
- Action Research Projects will be further embedded into the continuous improvement model, learning from these projects will inform improvements in pedagogy and programs.
- Staff will have the resources required to perform their roles to the best of their ability.
- Non-Teaching Staff will be engaged in the Performance and Development Framework to drive learning across the entire College.
COMMUNITY
1. Community Education and Support
Maximise community engagement and promote parental education forums that further increase the overall understanding of the College’s programs and vision.
- A robust and informative parent education program will be developed.
- Parental engagement will continue to improve through more flexible avenues for parents and carers to engage with the College.
- Keep the College Community informed of the development and implementation of metrics to report on and monitor the Scotch Oakburn College Learner Attributes, student profiles and the language of learning beyond content.
Education must do more than simply prepare young people for the world of work; we need to equip students with the skills and attributes they require to become active, responsible and engaged citizens.
Scotch Oakburn College accepts this challenge and responsibility and places student wellbeing at the core of all that we do.
STUDENTS
1. Implement a framework that positively impacts students’ wellbeing
2. Students are active and positive contributors
3. To provide a supportive and productive environment for students
4. Provide meaningful opportunities for students to engage in a holistic education, grow and flourish
- Our holistic education supports our students’ wellbeing. To achieve this, students will learn effective social, emotional and physical skills enabling them to regulate their behaviour, manage their wellbeing and mitigate risk. Meaningful, regular wellbeing opportunities will be tailored to meet the individual’s needs.
- We will create an environment where students contribute to society and are involved in decision making in matters that affect them. Our students will be interconnected as we apply a three school, one College ethos. Supporting this will be a College-wide wellbeing framework that acknowledges the onnection between personal and academic growth and achievement.
- No one person or place will be silo’d to be accountable for wellbeing – we will develop a culture that ensures everyone at the College is accountable for their wellbeing and that of their community.
- We will review the College’s pastoral care model, which will include auditing and developing the role of the Tutor and House Head. The College will seek to increase partnerships with Allied Health Professionals, while a focus on cyber safety and security will be a significant aspect of this review and development.
- A review of current behaviour management strategies, and upskilling staff in practices and procedures to ensure consistency.
STAFF
1. As role models, staff take responsibility for their own wellbeing
- We will attract and retain the best staff. Staff who are role models to the students through demonstrated acts of resilience, personal responsibility, balanced world-views and who commit to being curious lifelong learners.
- Capacity will be developed through delivering appropriate Professional Learning and development.
- Staff will be encouraged to adopt and demonstrate healthy behaviours in order to create a healthy work environment that supports wellbeing. A culture will be created where healthy choices are valued and encouraged.
- The environment we work in will be fair and equitable, people will feel valued, safe and free from discrimination, bullying and violence.
COMMUNITY
1. To build an interconnected College community
- Increase partnerships with the local community to support the collective wellbeing of the College and the community in which we live.
- We will open the doors of our College, extending the use of our facilities to the Community and create a dedicated parents’ seminar program.
- Introduce opportunities for the College Community to be engaged with programs and activities.
Our Community (students, staff, parents and Collegians) are the heart and soul of the College and our most important asset.
Community isn’t something we aspire to, it is who we are, what connects us and what sets us apart.
PEOPLE
1. Reimagine Scotch Oakburn College as a Community Hub
The College is an amazing facility and the community will be encouraged to see it as a focal point developing their sense of belonging and purpose; their sense of connectivity.
2. Students
Recognise that our students are the basis of our community and the College’s reason for being.
3. Staff Engagement & Connectedness
Ensure that, as the College’s greatest asset and resource, staff are our strongest advocates in the community.
4. Parent Support and Engagement
We will build our community to ensure inter-connectedness and support for each other and the College. Foster our parent community to be understanding of the College’s Mission, Vision and Values, achieving consistently outstanding parental engagement. Parents will be enthusiastic advocates within the community.
- We will develop a learning and co-curricular program that is extended to parents, Collegians and communities. Scotch Oakburn College will become a community facility, welcoming existing, and external groups and organisations.
- To strive to be recognised as leaders in education and the community. We aim to receive consistently excellent feedback around the levels of connection, information and service through the inquiry and enrolment process.
- Empower staff to be the College’s most informed and powerful advocates.
- Through a dedicated parent education and information program, we will foster an informed and engaged parent body who understand, support and are aligned to the College’s Mission, Vision and Values.
- Better understand the changing demographic of the College and its community.
PARTNERSHIPS
1. Strategic Partnerships
We will proactively seek out and form mutually beneficial strategic partnerships that have a positive impact on all areas of the College’s operations.
- Identify and develop connections with entities in the areas of:
– Cultural pursuits (e.g. music)
– Learning
– Service
– Sport
– Marketing and Community
– Operations
- We aspire to be recognised as a ’Learning Partner’ with leading institutions, for example; UTas, educational researchers, service and community entities.
- Increase the knowledge and understanding of Round Square and why we are a Round Square school, how it supports our curriculum and the value it adds to the education of our students.
PHILANTHROPY
1. Nurture a culture of giving, support and philanthropy amongst our community
- Further develop the community’s appreciation and desire to give back, both physically and materially, to assist the on-going provision of an outstanding education, growing a culture where everyone willingly works together in the support of others.
- Working together, identify and communicate ways in which students and our broader community can support:
– The local community
– The National and international community
– The College - To establish an Annual Giving Day that supports the delivery of the College’s Mission. Through connectivity and collegiality, establish a healthy bequest pipeline.
The capacity of the College is core to our ability to efficiently and flexibly resource our learning objectives. This ‘Strand’ exists to enable the longevity and sustainability of all aspects of Scotch Oakburn College’s education.
ECONOMIC
1. Enrolments
Grow to and maintain 95% student enrolment capacity.
2. Staffing
Ensure the College’s staffing structure is appropriate to achieve the goals of SOC2035.
3. Finance
This will underpin our agility, innovation and holistic educational offering.
4. Facilities
The development of our facilities will reflect the College’s educational philosophy.
- Fee increases will be kept below 2% annually to 2025. Beyond that they will be linked to CPI.
- Enrolment growth and therefore improved financial sustainability will enable the effective delivery of SOC2035.
- The College will undertake a robust review of its organisational structure with a focus on agility and adaptability aligned to SOC2035. We will increase our operational efficiencies, enabling the delivery of the strategic vision.
- The College’s debt levels will be maintained at a healthy level enabling the delivery of the College’s Facilities Master Plan projects.
- All new learning and community spaces will be flexible and agile to meet the changing needs of students, teaching methods and community needs. Our philosophies and principles will be modelled through our students and the values we subscribe to.
ENVIRONMENTAL
1. Sustainable thinking practice and facility development
Scotch Oakburn College will be recognised as a leader in sustainable thinking and practice.
- Our attitudes and practices will demonstrate our commitment towards environmental sustainability. We will model energy efficient practices that link to student learning through the curriculum.
- Through our community connections, we will investigate, explore and develop meaningful regenerative projects.
- The Wetlands at Scotch Oakburn Park will be integrated into our authentic learning practices. Also at Scotch Oakburn Park, a water catchment will be developed to enable self-sufficient small-scale usage.
PERSONAL
1. Staff Development
Our committed and passionate staff will be supported to develop their capabilities in the many facets of their roles.
2. Leadership
We are committed to developing leadership capability within our staff – we will challenge them to be the best version of themselves.
- Firmly aligned to the future focussed nature of this vision, our recruitment will align to our aspirational goals and outcomes. We will continue to employ committed, passionate, engaged and highly capable staff.
- Structured leadership programs will be implemented to further embed a coaching mindset.
- The staffing structure of the future will allow the College to respond to the ever-changing needs of our students and community.
“Education is the
kindling of a flame,
not the filling of
a vessel.”
Socrates (469-399 BCE)