Welcome to
Term 3, 2025!

A heartfelt welcome to all families, both returning and new, as we start Term 3, 2025 at Scotch Oakburn College. Whether you are continuing your journey with us or joining our vibrant community for the first time, we’re thrilled to have you on board.

This page is your go-to resource for everything you need to prepare for the start of Term and to make the first few weeks seamless.

Ross Patterson, Principal, welcomed our community
to the start of 2025

Preparing for Term 3

From staying connected to essential updates about uniforms, policies, and procedures; make sure you’re ready to go for the start of Term 3.

STAY CONNECTED WITH THE dAsH
AND THE COLLEGE APP

We’re excited to share updates about our communication tools – The Dash and the College App – designed to help keep you informed about your child’s College life. 

The Dash

  • Easy Access: Centralised access to timetables, due work, results, and much more, all in one place.
  • Stay Updated: Receive a daily email digest summarising the news and updates you need to know, with clickable links for more details.

Logging on to The Dash

How to login: New families – you will receive an activation email with instructions for linking your Microsoft account or how to create an account. Here’s how to get started.

Trouble logging in? Find support here.

The College App

Download the College App for easy access to College information.

Clipboard: Quick access to co-curricular schedules, event locations, and real-time notifications for updates or changes.

NEW IN 2025 Report an absence: See below.

Calendar: View the College Calendar quickly here.

News: Keep up to date on news and updates you should be aware of.

Learning: Check your child’s timetable, due work and results.

Excursions: A link to complete permission forms.

The Dash: A quick link to the full browser version of The Dash is also available.

Contacts: Find out how to contact the College.

Make a Payment: A quick gateway to paying your account.

Make sure you enable push notifications when you download the App so you can be notified in real time of important information.

Download the App:

NEW IN 2025

REPORT AN ABSENCE USING THE APP!

A quicker and easier way for you to report an absence. Using the app, click on ‘Report an Absence’, select your child and enter the reason they will not be at school. No need to call or email – our systems will automatically update so your child’s class teacher/s are aware.

 

Managing bus bookings with RollCall

Over the past 18 months, the College has implemented the RollCall bus management system, with students now routinely using the tap on/tap off card system.

We are now moving into Phase Two — enabling parents / carers to manage student bus bookings directly via the RollCall Parent App or Web Portal.

Phase Two Features

  • Live Bus Map
    Track the College bus in real time when it’s running.

  • Seat Booking
    Reserve your child’s seat on any route.

  • Booking Changes
    View, edit or cancel trips whenever you need.

  • Alerts & Notifications
    Receive updates when your child taps on or off the bus.

Getting Started

All parents/carers with a login to The Dash have access to RollCall. All you need do is download the app or access the web portal and login.
For detailed instructions on how to download the app and/or access the web portal visit the Bus Routes page on The Dash via this link. Here you will also find links to short video tutorials.

Important Reminders

  • Your child must carry a valid bus pass / student ID card to travel.

  • Both a booking and the card are required to board.

  • Fares apply for every booking, even if the student doesn’t travel.

  • All charges are billed to your College account.

Need Help?

If you have any questions or need assistance, email our Bus Coordinator at buses@soc.tas.edu.au or call (03) 6336 3455.

Download the App:

Uniform and Student Expectations

Term 3 = WINTER Uniforms!

We take great pride in how our students represent the College, and wearing the uniform correctly is an important part of our identity. Before Term 3 begins, please ensure uniforms are in good condition and align with College guidelines.

How to Prepare:

Keeping your details current

It is essential that we have up-to-date medical and personal information for every student in our care. This information is critical for safety, camps, and excursions.

You can do this on The Dash using the link on your home page “Update Parent/Student Details“; check your details and advise any changes.

Should you encounter any issues, email your updates to:
Junior School:
Junior.Reception@soc.tas.edu.au
Middle School:
MiddleSchool.Reception@soc.tas.edu.au
Senior School:
Student.Reception@soc.tas.edu.au

This information is also used for camps and excursions and as such it is very important that it remains current and accurate for the welfare of your child(ren). 

College Policies

Make sure you’re familiar with our College policies.

Both our Student Code of Conduct and Parent Code of Conduct policies set the standard for behaviour for our students, as well as our staff and community.

  • Mobile Phone Policy: Students’ phones must remain ‘off and away’ during school hours unless specifically permitted by a teacher for a learning task.
  • Technology Policy: Students in Middle and Senior Schools are provided with Microsoft Surface laptops as a device for learning.

View all student policies and expectations here

If there is an urgent need to communicate with your child(ren), this is done by contacting the appropriate College Reception and the message will be passed on.

Student Behaviour Support Framework

We believe in fostering a safe, respectful, and supportive environment where all students can thrive. Our Student Behaviour Support Framework is designed to guide students in making positive choices, while addressing challenges through a clear, consistent, and restorative approach. By focusing on relationships, accountability, and tailored support, we aim to nurture growth, learning, and wellbeing for every child.

View the Student Behaviour Support Framework here.

COLLEGE TUCKSHOPS

Our tuckshops operate on a cashless system. Families are encouraged to order in advance through My School Connect, which also allows you to top up balances linked to Student ID cards (Penquite Campus) for over counter purchases. Please note that payment over the counter using mobile phone payment options is not available.

Login to My School Connect to pre-order or view the updated Dash pages when students return on the following links for more tuckshop information.

Elphin Tuckshop

Penquite Tuckshop

ASCA - Better Buying Power For Schools

Your My School Connect account allows you to purchase uniform items online and order lunches for your child/ren, ready to be collected.

Activating your My School Connect Account

Transferring your account to another family member

Forgotten your password?

Welcome to Campus

Find out where students need to be on the first day and other important information from your Head of School.

Welcome to the Junior School

We are excited to welcome new and returning families to the Elphin Campus for the start of Term 3. Your Term 3 Elphin Leadership team are available should you need anything:

  • Head of Elphin Campus – Teaching & Learning: Simone Ralph
  • Head of Elphin Campus – Wellbeing: Renee Hodgetts
  • Deputy Head of Junior School (P–2) and Deputy Head of Teaching & Learning (EL–5): Becca Biggs
  • Deputy Head of Junior School (3–5) and Deputy Head of Wellbeing (EL–5): Pip Robinson
  • Director of Early Learning: Casey Reid
  • Head of Inclusive Education: Manda Wilson

New Year 5 and Year 2 Learning spaces

Find out where to go on the first day

Pick up and Drop Off

Find out where and what time

Connecting Home and School

Find out who to contact

Welcome to the Middle School

Kiran Oates Pryor, Head of Middle School, welcomed our community to campus for 2025.

Arriving on the first day of Term

Find out where to go and what time

Connecting Home and School

Find out who to contact

Welcome to the Senior School

Stuart Walls, Head of Senior School, welcomed families to the start of  2025.

Arriving on the first day of Term

Find out where to go and what time

Connecting Home and School

Find out who to contact

Welcome to the Boarding House

Deputy Principal – Penquite, Ben Marsland and Head of Boarding, Lionel Randall, welcomed our boarding community to 2025.

Arriving and settling in

Find out when you are able to arrive

Connecting Home and Boarding

Find out who to contact

Important Dates – the first few weeks of Term 3

BEFORE TERM BEGINS

Check The Dash Calendar for all events.  Download the College App to have the calendar close at hand.

View 2025 Term Dates here

  • Monday 21 July is a Professional Learning Day for staff.
    Our College receptions will be closed until 10:00 am on this day to ensure all staff are able to participate in important sessions.  We thank you for your understanding.

  • The College Shop will be open from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm on Monday 21 July should you need last minute purchases.

Checklist

  • Contact Details: Have any of your contact details changed? Does your child/ren’s medical details need to be updated? Make sure you update before the first day of Term.

THE FIRST FEW WEEKS OF TERM

Checklist

  • Upcoming events: Are there any upcoming events you need to be aware of?

  • Coffee@Laneway
    Thursday 24 July from 8:00am
    We invite Elphin families to join us for a coffee catchup.

  • TCE Parent / Student / Teacher Conferences
    Monday 28 July from 4:00 pm

  • Parent Consultative Committee Term 3 meeting
    Tuesday 29 July

  • 2026 TCE Subject Choice Information Conferences
    Thursday 31 July, 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm

  • 100 Days of Prep Celebration
    Friday 1 August – 8:45 am to 11:00 am

  • Science Week @ Elphin
    Monday  4 August to Friday 8 August

  • Harry Potter Trivia night
    Friday 8 August 7:00 pm to 9:30 pm

  • Year 10 STEAM Program
    Monday 11 August to Friday 15 August

  • Year 9 and 10 Parent / Student / Teacher Conferences
    Monday 11 August from 4:00 pm

  • Year 6 and 8 Parent / Student / Teacher Conferences
    Monday 18 August from 4:00 pm

  • 2026 Year 9 and 10 Subject Choice Information Conferences
    Thursday 21 Augsut 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm

  • Middle and Senior School Inter-House Singing Carnival
    Friday 22 Auugust

STUDENT FREE DAYS IN 2025

To ensure you have plenty of time to plan, please make note of the following:

Friday 14 November – no classes for Years 7 and 8

  • Curriculum Assessment Day