CHAIRMAN
MR ALEX SLOAN (' 71 ) SCHOOL COUNCIL CHAIRMAN
PLANNING FOR A STRONG AND BRIGHT FUTURE
Over the last 18 months a process of strategic planning has been unfolding in the lead up to , and subsequent to , the appointment of our 10th Principal Dr Scott Marsh . With Scott now more than halfway through his first year in the role , the School Council feels confident that planning for a strong and bright future is nearing completion and will be in place to guide our initiatives in 2024 and beyond .
The strategic planning process was commenced in 2022 as the Principal transition process began to unfold and involved extensive stakeholder consultation with all branches of the Scotch community , including boys , parents , staff ( both teaching and non-teaching ), OSCA and the Foundation . This process continued throughout 2023 and has enabled a comprehensive understanding of key considerations for future planning .
As we formulate our strategic response to the key considerations , there are three straightforward
headings into which the responses are being categorised . Those headings are ‘ Our Boys ’, ‘ Our People ’, and ‘ Our Community ’. It is hoped that the adoption of this approach will provide clarity and meaning to the plan when it is ultimately communicated .
With respect to ‘ Our Boys ’ the considerations concerning their care and their teaching and learning programs have been central , as would be expected . In addition , character formation has also been very much to the fore , with great emphasis in people ’ s minds on co-curricular programs capable of developing resilience , leadership skills and a service orientation .
Clearly ‘ Our People ’ are the foundation to a rewarding Scotch education and attracting and retaining the best quality staff underpins many of the key considerations coming from our consultations . While this is not an unexpected theme , the challenge in fulfilling career aspirations demands us to continue
2 Great Scot Issue 169 – September 2023