Honouring our history, inspiring our future

September 4 is a special day on the SCOTS PGC College calendar as we honour Founders’ Day, a tradition that pays tribute to our founding fathers — BT DeConlay, RJ Shilliday and WR Black. Their vision, resilience and commitment to education more than a century ago laid the foundation for the College we are proud of today.

As we reflect on their legacy, we are reminded of the values that continue to guide our community – spirit, authenticity, excellence, tenacity and respect. These principles shape not only how we teach and learn, but also how we prepare our students to make meaningful contributions to the world.

2025 also marks 150 years since our College Chapel was first established.  It was originally the Wesleyan Church, which stood on the corner of Guy and Grafton Streets in downtown Warwick.  When plans were made for the Rose City Shopping Centre to be expanded during the 1990s, the property developer arranged for the church to be relocated to our College.  It was a mammoth task which involved numbering each brick, taking it apart, and then rebuilding the Chapel like a jigsaw puzzle.

150 years is a significant milestone, worthy of celebration, and we are proud to be the custodians of this historic and special building that now sits at the heart of our College.

Founders’ Day is not only about looking back — it’s also about looking forward with gratitude, purpose and ambition as we continue to be Always Aiming Higher.