Primary Program

Home Room Teachers

In the Primary School at Scots, every student is placed under the personal care of a Home Room teacher.

These teachers supervise students in four core subject areas - English, Mathematics, H.S.I.E. and Science. This enables a close and trusting relationship to develop between the student and the teacher.

Tutoring time is allocated at the commencement of each day, for teachers and students to discuss and share issues relevant to their learning needs.

Transition Programs

Kindergarten and Middle Years (Years 5-7)

At Scots we recognise the special requirements that students have in their transition from Pre-School to Primary, and Primary to Secondary schooling.

Our support programs are aimed at helping to prepare students for the special challenges associated with transition periods within the School.

With both Primary and Secondary schools located on the same campus and with single year level classes, Scots creates an environment that ensures that the transition for our students at all levels is a smooth one.

Orientation Programs

Our orientation programs provide a range of opportunities that enable children to familiarise themselves with school surroundings, fellow students, classroom teachers and general expectations prior to the commencement of the school term.

Orientation days for incoming Kindergarten, Year 5, Year 6 and Year 7 students take place in Term 4.  These provide an opportunity for new and existing students to meet and establish new-found friendships and associations, prior to the commencement of the new school year.

Our Student-for-a-day program is an exciting initiative that enables incoming or prospective primary school students to spend a day in the Scots classroom with their fellow pupils.

Buddy Program

The Buddy Program operates in two main areas within the Primary School.

Firstly, the Year 4 students are "buddied" with a Kindergarten child for reading and playing sessions in the Scots Pre-school.  This enables the students to form supportive relationships prior to the pre-schoolers commencing at Scots as kindergarten students.

For those students who continue at the school as kindergarten students, their "buddies" are on hand during the first weeks of the school year to share lunch and provide friendship, leadership, a familiar face in the playground and a helping hand where required.

Most importantly, the Buddy Program assists the new kindergarten children at the School to settle in and become familiar with faces outside their everyday classroom environment.

It also helps the senior primary students to have a greater sense of responsibility and awareness towards the younger students within our school environment.

The Buddy Program has also been adopted within the Literacy and Numeracy Program.  Students from cross-age classes work together in the classroom on a regular basis in subjects such as arithmetic, spelling and reading.  This provides a two way advantage for the students - the older students are able to provide a mentoring role to younger students, whilst the younger students are exposed to the capabilities of the more senior students.

Primary/Secondary Program

A program that enables classes from the Secondary school and the Primary school to conduct joint sessions together has been instigated, to provide another dimension to learning and to reinforce the special qualities inherent in an inclusive Pre-school - Year 12 campus.

Aspects of this program have included our Year 10 science students conducting joint sessions with the Year 5 & 6 science students in the secondary school Science Centre.

In addition, our Year 11 drama students have had the opportunity to assist with the Infants Drama Production which is held each year, whilst the primary students have also assisted secondary students in PDHPE and Design and Technology classes.

Middle Years

The differentiation of middle schooling from primary and secondary, is an exciting initiative being pursued at Scots in conjunction with Charles Sturt University.

Middle Years (for 11-15 year olds) recognises that students in the upper primary (years 5 & 6) and lower secondary (years 7 & 8) are better classified as “young adolescent learners” with a learning style unique to their age group.

Middle Years is being recognised separately within the curriculum at Scots to provide students in this age group with a greater sense of identity, and to ensure the best aspects of Upper Primary and Lower Secondary teaching can be further combined with modern educational thinking.

Primary Student Leaders

The range and variety of leadership roles available to students at Scots, helps to develop self confidence and an ability to lead by example.

The Primary School appoints a total of fourteen Student Leaders consisting of two School Captains, four Prefects and eight House Captains. An equal balance of male and female students are appointed to these roles.

Students can also adopt additional leadership roles through their sporting, music and community service pursuits.

Many opportunities are provided for these students to interact and socialise with the younger members of the primary school - to offer support, leadership, friendship and encouragement, and to provide a positive role model for the other students to follow.

The criteria for selection is varied. However, students are expected to: -

• demonstrate a courteous and polite manner
• set a fine example to their peers
• provide a role model for younger students
• participate with enthusiasm in many aspects of school life
• display self-discipline and initiative
• be reliable and responsible
• endeavour to perform to the best of their ability
• encourage positive social situations between peers
• uphold the values of tolerance
• support the culture of learning & achievement
• be a positive ambassador for their school

At Scots, in essence, leadership is demonstrated by action.

Year 6 Primary Portfolio Ambassadors

The creation of four portfolio opportunities for students in Year 6 commenced in 2009. This is similar to the Secondary School where students receive portfolio positions.

The aim of the Primary Portfolio positions is to develop authentic leadership opportunities based upon student’s personal interest and motivation. Students elected to each portfolio are known as Ambassadors who endeavour to advance the profile and awareness of their portfolio through assemblies, special events, fundraising initiatives, increased community awareness, equipment and resource development.

Interested Year 6 students nominate for a portfolio of interest and prepare a speech to present to the Year 6 classes, teachers and Head of Primary. A student may nominate for more than one portfolio. Two students are then elected as Ambassadors for each portfolio. Each Prefect is also allocated to one of the four portfolios.

The balance of the Year 6 students are encouraged to become Associates of a portfolio. An associate will be able to attend meetings and help to increase awareness of the portfolio and to assist with planned events.

The four portfolios are:

• Community
  Will cover topics, issues and events that are particular to the school, local, national and global communities.
• Environmental
  Will be responsible for environmental issues and sustainable planning practices within the Primary School.
• Health & Fitness
  Will be responsible for events and activities that promote positive, healthy lifestyles within the Primary School.
• Arts
  Will promote and coordinate activities, events and items related to visual, creative and performing arts.

Community Service Programs

The C.S.C. is a school fundraising group consisting of students from Year 6.  The Committee nominates charities, community groups and local organisations as the beneficiaries of fund- raising activities conducted at the School.

Organisations such as Drought Relief, The Mercy Hospital, The Rural Fire Service, Red Cross and local cancer charities have all benefited from the activities run by the students.

Community involvement:

Students throughout the School have been involved in organised visitation programs to residents of the Riverwood and Borella House Retirement Villages.

Year 6 Scots students also take part in the local Meals on Wheels Program, whilst our choirs have provided entertainment for patients and staff at The Mercy Hospital as well as a variety of aged care facilities in the Albury area.

House System

All students are allocated to one of four Houses - Robertson, Sellars, Simpson or Wilson, for the duration of their school life at Scots.

Houses comprise students from all year levels. Family history and sibling associations are taken into account when allocating students to their Houses.

Houses participate in a variety of sporting carnivals, some musical events and fundraising at the school.

The inclusion of the House system for school sporting events helps to foster a feeling of teamship and mateship within the Houses, as well as a strong sense of belonging for all.