Scotch College

Scotch has focussed on developing people of good character since its establishment as a school. We are focussing on the strengths our young people and staff already possess. Character strengths approaches assume each individual has unique qualities that can be readily recognised by one self and by others. Research by Dr Marty Seligman and Dr Chris Peterson tells us that character strengths can be used to enhance relationships, overcome challenges and are associated with physical health. When we use our strengths we feel authentic and energised. It is a way of thinking and feeling that guides our conduct. In many ways strengths align with our moral values. We encourage our students and staff to become more aware of their strengths and those of other people they know. We teach our students to appreciate the strengths in others and to understand that a team needs people with different strengths in order to thrive. Over time this will provide students and staff and parents with a common language to talk about aspects of their character. Conversations about character strengths will illuminate what we know about our students. It is our intention that the language of character strengths becomes pervasive at Scotch. We use character strengths to inform our mentoring of students, co-curricular activities, assemblies, chapel services and publications. Character strengths approaches are being used across the College. For example, Strengths Stories in the Junior School, Strengths Gym in the Middle School and as part of the Personal Learning Plan in the Senior School. The 24 universal character strengths underpin six virtues; wisdom, courage, humanity, justice, transcendence and moderation.