The School Crest

Arms of The Scots School Albury

The badge of the School symbolically represents its two founding schools - The Albury Grammar School and Woodstock Presbyterian Girls' School which were amalgamated in 1972 to become The Scots School Albury.

The badge contains the arms created for the Grammar School and the Latin motto 'Fide et Literis' (Faith and Learning) taken from the Woodstock badge.

The School Crest is literally the School's Coat of Arms. It is separated into four quadrants, each linking the School with its heritage. It can be described in strict heraldic terms thus:

Arms - Murrey, a cross AZURE fimbriated Argent, charged with five mullets of the last. First quarter a bush flamant; second quarter a dexter hand couped at the wrist holding a sword erect; third quarter an ancient lamp surmounted by a quill in bend sinister, all OR; fourth quarter an open book proper.

To better understand the heraldic terminology a short glossary is provided below:

• TINCTURES Red (Gules); Blue (Azure);  Black (Sable);  Green (Vert) and Purple ( Purpure) are described collectively as 'tinctures'.
• MURREY One of the 'stains' as apposed to the tinctures - a reddish purple or mulberry colour.
• ARGENT The heraldic metal shown as white or rarely, silver.
• MULLET A star of five points - unpierced.
• DEXTER The right side of the shield as held by the bearer, but the left hand side from the point of view of the spectator.
• COUPED When the beast or monster's head or limb is cut off cleanly with a straight line.
• SINISTER The left side of the shield when borne by the owner - the right side to the viewer.

Symbolic Meaning

The symbolic meaning of the Arms for the School are that all quadrants are closely associated with a cultural and religious sentiment.

In the first quarter is the burning bush used especially by the Presbyterian Church.  Both founding Schools were Presbyterian Church schools.

The circumstances as to the call of Moses were these (Exodus, Chap 3, Ver. 2)

One day in the discharge of his regular duties, he came with his flock to the "Mountain of God, even to Horeb". Whilst there, he beheld a bush blazing with fire, yet showing no signs of destruction. Being astonished at this marvellous sight, he turned aside to examine it more minutely. On doing so, a voice was heard addressing him by name from the midst of the bush and bidding him beware of approaching irreverently the bush in which was the angel of the Lord.

The divine commission which Moses received from the voice of God in the burning bush authorised him in God's name to demand from Pharoah the emancipation of his people, and empowered him to authenticate his mission by impressive miracles.

In the second quarter is the sword which is an emblem of authority and power.  Swords of romance even received names as King Arthur's 'Excalibur' and Roland's 'Dorandal'.

The sword depicted is Excalibur, the magic sword of King Arthur, which only he could unsheath and wield. When he was about to die he requested his knight, Sir Bedivere, to throw it into a lake close by, who with some reluctance threw it, when a hand reached out to seize it, flourished it round three times, and then drew it under the water for ever.

In the third and fourth quadrant are all emblems associated with an educational and cultural sense.

The lamp which is usually of oval metal or earthenware description with a handle at one end and a burning wick at the other, representing active religious life, truth and wisdom.

The pen and book are traditional symbols of learning, guidance, wisdom, knowledge and enlightenment, all indicative to the educational and cultural sense of those who pass through the School.

The blue cross bearing the five stars represents the constellation of the Southern Cross, an emblem which appeals to all Australians.