Scotch AGS Vietnam’s inaugural SACE graduates go global

The inaugural class of Year 12 students attending Scotch College Australian Grammar School Vietnam (Scotch AGS) are set to take on the world, with 46 SACE graduates receiving their certificates in Ho Chi Minh City last night.

In less than three years, Scotch AGS has grown to educate more than 350 students across Reception to Year 12, also becoming the school with the most students studying the SACE in the northern hemisphere.

Having studied across 26 SACE subjects as part of the SACE International program, the graduating cohort has so far received 68 early offers from universities in Australia, Asia, the US, Canada and Europe, with the success of Scotch’s Australian curriculum opening doors across the world.

Many early offers have been in STEM-related degrees including engineering, biochemistry and pharmacy, or in business, at notable institutions such as Boston University, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Tufts University and the University of British Colombia, along with 13 Australian universities.

Scotch College Adelaide was the first South Australian school to licence its brand to an international educational organisation in Vietnam when it opened Scotch AGS as a years 6 to 10 school in September 2022.

A second campus opened in July 2023, offering years 1 to 9. It then followed with years 1 to 5 and Year 11, with the first Year 12 cohort starting in mid-2024.

More than 90 per cent of the graduating group began at Scotch AGS as Year 10 students in its inaugural year.

Scotch AGS is a partnership between Scotch College Adelaide, and Trường Nam Úc Scotch AGS, Vietnam, working with SACE International to deliver the South Australian curriculum.

The school operates on a northern hemisphere assessment cycle and academic year, commencing in July of one year and concluding in March of the following year.

The partnership has been facilitated through Scotch International Education, Scotch College Adelaide’s special purpose entity for identifying, establishing and growing transnational education partnerships.

This has enabled Scotch AGS to leverage the reputation of one of Australia’s most prestigious schools and a highly respected secondary school certificate.

Scotch College Adelaide Principal Trent Driver said the program has been an incredible success, in more than just the offering of an Australian curriculum.

“This partnership has enabled us to share our educational and cultural values with students and teachers alike,” Mr Driver said.

“Our teachers have travelled to and worked at Scotch AGS Vietnam, and teachers have spent time here, sharing their experience and understandings of how children learn and develop. This opportunity has been invaluable for our students, their families and our teams in both countries.

“It has been an important learning journey for us all, particularly as it has allowed us to exchange information as our teachers have worked together and share our expertise on education and student wellbeing.”

Scotch AGS Principal Dr Hue Tran said the partnership had been invaluable, particularly as it worked towards building a global community.

“Our partnership with Scotch College Adelaide, which has included collaboration between teachers in Australia and Vietnam, has not only contributed to the success of our students, but is also helping to create a global community,” Dr Tran said.

SACE Board of South Australia Chief Executive Michaela Bensley travelled to Vietnam for the graduation ceremony.

“On behalf of the SACE Board, I would like to congratulate the inaugural Scotch AGS SACE International graduating cohort. These 46 graduates are now equipped with a robust and innovative qualification which is already opening doors around the world for them. I look forward to seeing where the skills and capabilities these students have developed through their SACE journey takes them” Ms Bensley said.

In her address to the students at the graduation, Her Excellency the Honourable Frances Adamson AC, Governor of South Australia, said the relationship between Scotch AGS and Scotch College Adelaide was an outstanding example of an international education partnership.

“I thank Scotch College Adelaide and Scotch International Education, along with the SACE Board, for working together to bring the SACE to Vietnam.”