Scotch College

Eleven men whose lives Gordon Donaldson touched share their impressions

During his 25 years at Scotch, Gordon Donaldson has touched many lives. One of just eight Principals in Scotch’s 156-year history, he has made an indelible mark on the School. His name will always be raised whenever the subject of ‘greatest-ever Scotch Principal’ is raised. He has inspired, encouraged and educated boys; he has guided Scotch in a firm but humanitarian way for a quarter of a century.

Along the way, Dr Donaldson has made a lasting impression on those he has worked with in many aspects of School and extracurricular life.

Great Scot asked eleven men who have been closely associated with Dr Donaldson in a variety of spheres for their reflections on Gordon Donaldson – the man, the educator and the administrator.

Bruce Lithgow

Former Chairman of the Scotch College Council

I met Gordon Donaldson in May 1982 when I interviewed him in Belfast. We sat on a stool in his physics laboratory at Wallace High School, where he was one of three vice-principals. Wallace High is a well-regarded school with about 1,100 pupils, but quite unlike Scotch. It has little alumni activity, no boarders; parents are not too involved and it is co-educational. Although called a high school, it is a grammar school, which sounds a little Irish.

I talked with Gordon about his education philosophy. Certainly, there was something very impressive about this man. I decided to follow up his references, which were very positive. They referred to his ability as head of science, as an outstanding physics teacher, his involvement with curriculum development, religious instruction, pastoral care and concern for the individual.

The next day I made some cryptic notes to remind myself of the interview. ‘Talented, with high academic qualifications; has made a conscious decision to become a teacher rather than an academic physicist; young enough to start a new life in Australia; has a clear vision of a headmaster’s role; can enunciate his educational philosophy clearly; writes well; his bearing is impressive in a quiet and modest way; he has strong Christian beliefs.’ I wondered whether perhaps this man was the answer to our prayers – the rest is history!

Michael Robinson

Former Chairman of the Scotch College Council

Unquestionably, Gordon Donaldson is one of the really great Headmasters in our proud history. He arrived 25 years ago after the School had experienced some difficult years. He immediately provided new stability, and thereafter the School grew from strength to strength as each year went by. He recruited a highly professional teaching staff and encouraged their further professional development. Each boy was important to him. Gordon always had a great vision for Scotch and strove continually to fulfil the dream.

During my 20 years on the Council I felt always that I could trust Gordon Donaldson implicitly, and in particular at all times he showed integrity, high standards and good judgment. He retires from Scotch safe in the knowledge that the School is at an all-time high, and has the momentum for even greater levels of achievement.

Rob Logie-Smith

Former President of OSCA

Building the future, fulfilling one’s potential, quality, success, ethics, discipline, respect, teamwork, grasping new technology – all these terms clearly describe the outstanding leadership that Gordon gave everyone connected with Scotch – boys, staff, parents, Old Boys and the over-arching Scotch Family – during his 25 years of distinguished service.

Gordon encouraged all to achieve the highest standards and develop their full potential. He provided great support to Old Scotch in building ongoing success and future programs through his direct support for the OSCA business plans, OSCAnet, the coaching and mentoring program to support young Old Boys in the development of their careers, and the Old Scotch Square project.

We all applauded when Gordon was awarded the Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in recognition of his outstanding service to Scotch College, education and the community in June 2000, as we were about to embark on our 150th birthday celebrations.

Ian Savage

Vice-Principal

There are many facets to Gordon Donaldson’s leadership of Scotch College and the broader educational community over the past 25 years.

Internationally, his service on the council of the International Boys’ Schools Coalition, his encouragement of the Kapumfi project, connections to schools in the United States, United Kingdom and China and his encouragement of international cultural and sports tours have brought a global view to the School. At national and state levels, Gordon Donaldson served as the chair of AHISA, provided counsel to principal colleagues around the country, became a voice for independent schools to government, and encouraged new outlooks on drugs education and indigenous student development.

Above all else, however, it has been the interests of our students and School and the application of Christian values to our decision-making that have been at the basis of Gordon Donaldson’s work. His teacher’s mind and his compassion have sought the best from every student, and conversation soon reveals a delight in an individual’s academic success in relation to his ability, a group or individual performance on the stage, in the concert hall or on the sports field.

His strategic mind and his foresightedness have guided Scotch into the digital age, enhanced the pastoral structures of the School, broadened the curriculum, developed the academic standing, and ensured the appointment of a highly qualified and professional teaching staff.

Such is the ‘sure foundation’ that Gordon Donaldson has built for future years.

Graham Nowacki

Headmaster of the Junior School, 1987–1998

It was Dr Gordon Donaldson’s vision for the future that attracted me to become part of the Scotch College Junior School.

He gave all staff the opportunity to rebuild educationally and professionally in new and renovated facilities. He issued a challenge, which encouraged everyone to excel in enhancing the education offered to the boys. In his view, performance could always be improved, but he retained respect for tradition and innovation.

He was a global thinker, greatly concerned with broad and detailed activities and

the success and otherwise of boys and staff. Dr Donaldson gave exemplary leadership with the strongest moral and Christian attitudes. His appointment was the perfect one, with his achievements nothing short of magnificent. Gordon, Joyce and the Donaldson family became totally part of the School and its community.

His leadership and support have set a level of excellence that will ensure a foundation for Scotch into the future.

Robert McLaren

Head of Middle School

My lasting impression of Gordon Donaldson is that behind a shy and quiet exterior lies an intellect of the highest order and an extremely strong moral conviction.

He possesses an enormous work ethic and maintains an up-to-date knowledge and understanding of the educational needs of boys. He has worked tirelessly to provide facilities of the highest order, thus allowing all boys to be given an outstanding educational experience, both inside and outside the classroom.

In addition, he has had the confidence in his staff to appoint them to positions of responsibility, and then allow them to perform their job with a large degree of autonomy. In this way he has got the most out of his leadership team and has implemented enormous change during his time as Principal.

These changes, which have been both numerous and significant, have ensured Scotch College has remained at the forefront of boys’ education, and have guaranteed a healthy future. Gordon’s legacy will be evident for many years to come.

Doug Galbraith

Dean of Boarding

When it was first announced that a young man of 37 from Northern Ireland had been announced as Principal of Scotch College, his arrival on the Hill was naturally anticipated with a great deal of excitement.

I remember that his first speech at the staff dinner at the beginning of 1983 started with an apology about not being able to bring across any ‘ren’ from Ireland. Only a couple of weeks later, Victoria experienced some of its worst bushfires in 50 years. It’s an interesting twist that in his final year we are gripped in an even worse drought, and are still desperate for that Irish rain.

He came across to all of us as a very down-to-earth bloke who was eager to learn and took a keen interest in life on the Hill. Later we became neighbours for 11 years when the Galbraiths moved into School House. He and Joyce and Mark and Karen were always very friendly and approachable. We often shared a convivial chat, and we took a joint interest in our families growing up.

Joyce and Gordon were keen participants in all the life on the Hill. They enjoyed meeting the new boys and their families, getting to know their other neighbours on the Hill, and joining in all the major events, such as the Boarders’ Revue, the Valedictory Suppers, the boarders’ parents’ meetings, Boarders’ Chapel, Family Day and the Boarders’ Dance. Gordon always maintained a keen sense of humour, and was very much respected by the whole Hill community.

John Ferguson

Director of Music

Two lessons. Early in my career at Scotch, Gordon and I were processing a senior appointment in the music school. I had one particular application in front of me. I said that I’d interviewed the candidate and the application looked sound. However, there was something I was not happy with, but couldn’t identify. ‘Ah’ said Gordon, ‘I have a special way of dealing with those – you take up your red pen, you write “NO” in the top right-hand corner, and you put it in that pile over there! Right, who else have you got?’

I felt a bit cheated, but as I left his office I realised that there is nothing wrong with trusting your instincts! On another occasion when appointing staff, Gordon counselled me with the advice: ‘Don’t imagine that there is a “Scotch” type teacher. We need diversity, and the School is big enough to absorb unusual and even eccentric people who have something special to offer’. All that was more than 15 years ago – I have always kept those lessons in mind – thank you, Gordon!

Michael Evans

Former Head of Mathematics

I worked with Dr Donaldson as my Principal from 1987 to 2004. In that time I was Head of Mathematics. I consider that I was extremely fortunate to have such a person as Principal. His academic background gives him an understanding of the nature of learning and teaching mathematics.

In all schools, for the past three decades there has been a need to provide a curriculum which is ‘balanced’ in many different ways. The demands on schools and what is expected of them have become more complex. A principal must respond to the legitimate demands, and distinguish between the need for change and the call to follow fashion.

Dr Donaldson was able to do this. He valued excellence in academic achievement and fostered this in the School. As we know, Scotch College has prospered under his leadership. In particular the mathematics education of all students has benefited greatly from his support and encouragement.

Stephen Ritchie

Head of Drama and Communication Studies

I had been at Scotch four years when Dr Donaldson became Principal. I remember Wes Thomas wryly observing at his own retirement dinner that ‘Principals come and principals go…’ Wes had served under several in his 30 years at Scotch. His last five had been under Gordon who, at that moment, held up a white serviette in playful surrender.

Ostensibly, this was in salute to the illustrious past – but there must also have been deeper reflection about the future as one by one, the older guides and mentors were melting away into retirement. Here was a man being expected to continue as the eighth incumbent in a line of esteemed headmasters, and I speculated then just what he must have been thinking with such expectations gaining definition.

History will record that Gordon Donaldson created his own distinctive perspective from which he asserted a unique leadership style. He was conscious of Scotch as a School that must invest heavily in its own future. In particular, he encouraged his staff to plan for the next 50 years, and he supported them fully in this complex endeavour.

The legacy of this is that he leaves us not only with new and refurbished staff and class facilities, but most importantly for the performing arts, we have the James Forbes Academy for Drama and Music.

There has always been a calm, a restraint, a sense of individuality and reserve in Gordon that we all recognise and admire. Through the years, I have grown in awe of the man who, in February 1983 was able to say of his new job: ‘I see this as my life’s work’.

Bruce Brown

Staff 1985–2007

An important feature of Dr Gordon Donaldson’s leadership of Scotch has been his ability to guide the School in its response to significant events both within the life of the School as well as the world beyond. His relevant and succinct observations at Assembly – be they in celebration or sadness – invariably struck the right note and gave expression to the values of the school.

In 2005, for example, after back-to-back victories at the Head of the River, there was a triumphant mood in Assembly the following Monday. Delighted as he naturally was at Scotch’s success, Dr Donaldson cautioned the School against arrogance after sporting success. Drawing on the wisdom of the great Scotch sporting mentor Don Macmillan, he offered this timely advice to the School: ‘When you lose say nothing, and when you win say even less!’