Academic
Academic Expectations
Often students coming from other schools, especially smaller schools, at first may find the academic program of a bigger school difficult or daunting. It helps if both you and your son have discussed, and agreed upon, appropriate expectations and goals before they commence their studies at Scotch.
Prep (Homework)
Prep times are as follows:
- Year 7: 6.30–8pm
- Year 8: 6.30–8pm
- Year 9: 7–8pm
- Year 10 to 12 House: 7–8.30pm (first prep) and 9–9.45pm (second prep)
For the above times to be effective all students need to be organised and exercise the necessary self-discipline and determination to complete all assigned homework, and in the case of senior secondary students, extra study and note-taking in preparation for future assessments. The establishment of good study habits and skills requires personal effort and a positive attitude. The boarding staff and others will aid the students in learning these habits and skills; however, the students must be motivated to succeed in reaching their potential in this most important area.
Students must:
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- Be personally responsible for their efforts in prep
- Conduct themselves in a manner which does not disturb others
- Follow established routines and expectations
- Limit movement to an absolute minimum
- Seek assistance from staff and academic tutors when required
Laptops
Laptops are a necessary part of modern education and their appropriate use is encouraged. They may be used for both academic and recreational purposes. All boys will be provided with a School laptop and boys should not bring other computers to school. These will be collected in each night before bedtime (Years 7 to 11).
Contacting Your Son’s Teachers
You should first contact your son’s homeroom teacher (Middle School) or House Head (Senior School) to discuss any concerns you may have. They are then able to contact other staff members for you and have them contact you directly. This will normally save a great deal of time. If you wish to contact your son’s teachers, it is best to make contact through email. It is very hard to contact the academic staff by telephone as they are normally teaching. A message can be left through the receptionist for them to make contact.
Your son’s homeroom teacher (Middle School) or House Head (Senior School) will also arrange meetings with teachers if you are visiting Perth and/or if you have any concerns regarding your son’s academic progress. Your Head of Residence can also be at those meetings so that any plan moving forward is well supported by all relevant stakeholders. There will be the opportunity to meet your son’s House Head mid-year to discuss your son’s progress. There is also the opportunity to meet with academic staff to discuss reports.
If your son needs assistance with his academic work, there are a number of options available to him:
- The Assistant Head of Residence organises the academic tutoring roster and any targeted tutoring that is required for boys as well as running goal setting and reflection workshops for boarding students.
- Within each House there are academic staff that can help with many of your son’s subject areas. Your son can book a time during prep to seek assistance with problems he may have. The Boarding Mentors in each House are usually university students doing a range of courses from Medicine to Human Movement. Boys are able to seek help from the Boarding mentors at any time.
- Academic tutors, most of whom are recent Scotch graduates who excelled in their WACE or IB Diploma results, also assist the boys each evening. Every evening there are tutors on roster whereby all boys are able to access help whenever they encounter difficulties with their homework, assignment research or study. This has proven to be very beneficial in helping boys overcome any areas of concern as they arise, and in supporting them during examination periods.
- Teaching staff also work during prep on weekday evenings to assist boys across a range of subject areas including Mathematics, English and Science.
- Academic Support staff are also rostered to work with junior boarders who need individual assistance or specialised support during prep. Particular attention will be given to working with those students who have an identified learning disability. Similarly, small group sessions designed to improve organisational skills as well as literacy and numeracy skills are also being facilitated.
- Your son’s teachers are always willing to give extra assistance when asked. It is important that you encourage your son to seek help from his teachers.
- There are before-school and after-school programmes in the day school that provide a range of academic support services, ranging from peer tutoring to group tutoring and individual specialist help for boys in years 9 to 12.
- Parents are encouraged to talk to the Head of Residence or the Assistant Head of Residence before making a decision to engage an external tutor. These are normally expensive, and it may be that your son’s concerns or difficulties can be dealt with successfully by one of the options available through the school. The Head of Residence can assist parents in organising an appropriate external tutor if it is still deemed to be desirable.