1. Coming together … Scots and All Saints’ College
Part 4: Reasons for your school of choice
The following feedback was gathered from staff and parents at the Integration Working Group forum on 24 February 2018

2. Your School of Choice
As a parent, what were the main reasons for choosing your current school?
The Scots School
All Saints’ College
Family history & Church heritage
OBU connections / OBU discount
Christian (Presbyterian) / Gospel focused
Scots Location
Central west / close to home / close to Lithgow
Education
All-rounder approach to education and individual
Middle business / practical education
Agriculture focus e.g. values in practice (steel cap shoes)
Small class sizes
Not KWS (too big)
Co-curricular activities
Cadets, Pipes & Drums, Highland Dancing, Agricultural team, Cattle team
Staff
Support from teachers
Familiarity from teachers / Teachers know students
Caring staff
Guidance from pre K / junior school staff re-early starter
Facilities / Boarding
Co-educational boarding / all age groups in the one
Superior boarding compared to competitors
Boarding facilities - taking children earlier in age than ASC
Grounds and facilities (indoor pool)
OBU connections / discounts / staff discounts 75%
Christian (Anglican) traditions
All Saints’ Location
Geographic Location: Links West / convenience
Academic excellence / Reputation
Perception of better focus in subject areas, influenced by the expertise available and the strategic direction of the school
Stepping into year 7 program / Facilities, year 7
Strong music department / program
Balanced approach to education
Staff engaged with students
Quality teachers are experienced
Staff are interested and caring
Gender balance in teaching staff, Pre-12
Facilities / Grounds / Technology

3. Your School of Choice
As a parent, what were the main reasons for choosing your current school?
The Scots School
All Saints’ College
School Values and Culture
Friendly / Family reputation (not pretentious)
Diverse education and students
Inclusiveness of enrolments
Life skills / grow with the School
‘We are about building a person’
Communication from School
Emotional safety
Kids say hello to parents
Compulsory sport / Inclusive attitude to sport
Fees
Lower fees and OBU discounts
Family values; pastoral care; caring environment
Holistic approach to education & the individual
Feeling of family and community
Strong pastoral care
Eye contact (of students)
Kids not on phones like Kinross
Kids eat together - boarders and day students
All round students
Strong tutor system
Great students and diversity
Other professional families from town

4. Future School of Choice
What are the key characteristics that you feel will cause parents in the future to choose the new school as a school of choice?
Family history & Church heritage
Christian (Presbyterian) / Gospel focused
Strong Old Boy and Old Girl connections (of both former schools)
Location
Two sides of Bathurst making it convenient for more parents
Education
All-rounder approach to education and the individual
Opportunity for excellence but also opportunity for having a go
Academic excellence / possible new curriculums / IB Program
Broader subject choices
Gifted and talented programs
Middle business / practical education
Agriculture focus e.g. values in practice (steel cap shoes)
Small class sizes
Not KWS (not too big)
Reputation as a school of choice
Co-curricular activities
Wide range of co-curricular
Cadets, Pipes & Drums, Highland Dancing, Agricultural team, Cattle team
Staff
Staff know the students and their families
Quality teachers are experienced
Staff are interested and caring
Gender balance in teaching staff, Pre-12
Values and Culture
Friendly / Family reputation
Diverse families from town and country
Diverse education and students
Inclusiveness of enrolments
Life skills / grow with the School
Strong pastoral care
Mental health / supportive environment
Strong tutor system
Emotional safety
Kids say hello to parents
Eye contact (of students)
Kids not on phones like Kinross
Compulsory sport / Inclusive attitude to sport
Facilities / Boarding
Co-educational boarding
Superior boarding compared to competitors
Boarding facilities - taking children earlier in age than ASC
Grounds and facilities (indoor pool)
Resources
Innovation
Pedagogy
Technology
STEM
Fees
Affordable fee structure