The Scots College Archives - Bellevue Hill News

Scots College Snaps Up Queensland No. 8 in Roosters-Linked Move

Scots College has pulled off a major coup in the GPS rugby scene with the signing of rising Queensland star Agapetos Lote-Felo.

The 16-year-old, who previously played for The Southport School on the Gold Coast, joins Scots as part of a unique dual pathway that also links him to the Sydney Roosters through a development deal.

Lote-Felo, a powerful No. 8, has drawn attention for his athleticism and impact at the schoolboy level. His arrival is seen as a statement by Scots College, which continues to invest heavily in top-tier rugby talent to bolster its First XV program.

The Roosters development contract allows Lote-Felo to train with the NRL club on a weekly basis while remaining eligible to play schoolboy rugby union. That arrangement, though rare, has been carefully structured to ensure that the student-athlete meets school and sporting commitments without breaching existing competition rules.

This cross-border move is significant for a few reasons. First, it involves a direct transfer between two elite GPS rugby programs — The Southport School in Queensland and Scots College in New South Wales — which is uncommon at this level. Second, it signals a potential shift in how elite rugby and league pathways intersect at the school level, particularly when driven by NRL club development interests.

Scots has not made public comment on the signing, but the news has drawn attention across school rugby circles, particularly in Queensland where rival GPS schools have taken notice of Lote-Felo’s departure.

The arrangement reportedly allows the young forward to remain focused on his education and his rugby union development, with the Roosters offering a supporting role that doesn’t conflict with Scots’ rugby program.

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As rugby league and rugby union continue to compete for emerging talent, moves like this one — blending schoolboy union with NRL development — could become more visible in the seasons ahead.

For now, Scots supporters can look forward to seeing Lote-Felo in action when the First XV season resumes, with expectations high that the Queensland recruit will make an immediate impact.

Published 08-July-2025

The Scots College Celebrates Opening of Long-Awaited John Cunningham Student Centre

The Scots College in Bellevue Hill officially opened the John Cunningham Student Centre—a new facility that blends heritage architecture with contemporary educational design. The building, years in the making, represents a major addition to the Bellevue Hill campus and a key milestone in the school’s long-term vision for student learning and wellbeing.

Read: The Scots College Issues Warning About ‘Stranger Danger’

The Centre’s architectural style draws inspiration from the 16th-century Scottish Baronial tradition, chosen specifically to reflect both the heritage of the College and the evolving needs of modern education.

John Cunningham Student Centre — Photo credit: The Scots College/Facebook

“It has stood the test of time,” the school stated, referencing similar structures found across Scotland, Canada, Ireland, and New Zealand. Designed as both a visual landmark and a functional space, the building serves as a modern-day castle for learning and connection.

“This Scottish design style highlights significant traits of the proposed student support programs within. The original concept of this style was as a fortified building, a defensible structure, a safe stronghold; in short, a sanctuary,” said Scots College.

Inside, the Centre offers a wide array of facilities, including activity-based workspaces that support collaborative learning, quiet ‘deep zones’ for independent study, and open social areas that encourage relationship-building and peer support.

It also houses consultation hubs, where students, families, educators, and allied health professionals can come together to provide integrated care. Conference rooms and advanced observation classrooms further support teacher training and global engagement.

The project was formally launched with a sod-turning ceremony in March 2020, symbolising the start of a vision that would take shape over several years. Following planning approvals—including support from the NSW Department of Planning and Environment despite objections from Woollahra Council and local residents—construction officially commenced nearly a year later.

With reported costs reaching $60 million—almost twice the original estimate—the development has attracted public criticism, with some questioning the necessity and scale of the undertaking, particularly in the context of broader educational and community needs.

Photo credit: The Scots College/Facebook

Read: Planned Construction of Bellevue Hill Scots College Library Objected

Despite the debate, the completed Centre was celebrated with a series of events in March 2025, including a Tattoo performance honouring the College’s Scottish heritage.

From its ceremonial beginnings to its grand opening, the John Cunningham Student Centre now stands as both an architectural landmark and a symbol of Scots College’s commitment to nurturing well-rounded, globally minded students prepared for life beyond school.

Published 11-April-2025

The Scots College Issues Warning About ‘Stranger Danger’

Parents and carer of students from The Scots College in Bellevue Hill are being urged to be extra vigilant following reports of a child being approached by a stranger outside school grounds.

Read: Cranbrook School to Start Accepting Girls in 2026

A Prep School student from The Scots College was allegedly approached by a tattooed man at the bus stop on Victoria Road at around 4:00 p.m. The man, who was said to be driving a black sedan, offered the child a ride who eventually refused the gesture.

Mt Graham Pattison, deputy principal at the boys’ school, and preparatory school head Mr John Crerar, immediately informed parents of the incident, by sending an email to them.

The school reminded parents to teach their children not to accept lifts or alternative travel arrangements from strangers or people they don’t know.

One parent who wishes not to be named appreciated that the school immediately informed them about the incident, adding that they will discuss it with their child for them to remain vigilant.

Besides alerting the authorities about the incident, The Scots College assured parents that they are taking extra precautions around the school grounds.

Teaching Kids to be Smart Around Strangers

Community Early Learning Australia, the peak body for Australia’ early childhood education sector, believes in empowering children in all situations with all types of people, be it a stranger or someone they know.

Parents should be reminded about the importance of teaching children “body awareness and autonomy” and learning “how to say no.”

Body awareness includes understanding emotions and recognising body clues. When a child can name and understand his feelings, it can give him the emotional vocabulary needed to talk appropriately about them.

This leads to recognising physical clues when they are frightened or uncomfortable around certain people. Body clues that they are scared or nervous may include sweaty palms, heart pounding, and an unusual feeling in the tummy.

It’s also okay to say no, CELA noted. The non-profit organisation highlighted the importance of teaching children about saying no firmly with voice control and body language if another child or adult is not listening.

Read: Planned Construction of Bellevue Hill Scots College Library Objected

There are adults who tell children that it’s rude and disrespectful to say no, which becomes the reason why children find it difficult and scary to do so. However, when it comes to their bodies, children should be taught that there’s nothing wrong in saying no to hugs, kisses, touching or any invasion of personal space.