Scotch College

Senior School Farewells 186 Years of Staff Service

David Paul, Colin Christie and Pat Holdaway after the Torch Ceremony

Fortunately it is not often we lose a dozen teachers and even more rarely that we lose such a bank of experience and expertise from Scotch. Seven of these teachers take with them 179 years of teaching at Scotch. A number of teachers are retiring.

I well remember David Paul arriving from England in 1968, hiding his face behind a hirsute hedge. The beard did not last, but David has for 36 years. He has contributed so much other than his outstanding teaching in his role as Head of History, as a Head of Years 7 & 8 (Group Master) and more recently as Head of Social Education. David has always had an interest in Curriculum Development. Throughout these years the boys, and indeed girls from other schools, have benefited from David's love and ability at theatrical productions.

Colin Christie came next in 1970 to teach Geography, English and History, also arriving from England having spent his early years in Gippsland. Colin is a talented musician and two generations of Scotch Collegians have known that they were to have a special lesson when Colin arrived with his guitar. Colin has been a House Tutor and has coached junior sports teams. I have always enjoyed my interactions with Colin in the Staff Room for his common sense approach to matters.

David Baillieu started in 1972. David came to teach Geography and German and has done so for 32 years. He has always shown passion in his work and in his own research too. He is currently completing a trilogy of three histories on his family, which has a considerable overlap with Scotch College. I sincerely hope that he takes the last step and finds a publisher. David has also had a passion for rowing and sailing which goes back to his teenage years. He rowed for Melbourne Grammar three times in the Head of the River and has always enjoyed sailing. His knowledge of seafaring meant that he spent time at Scotch in the Sea Scouts and in coaching rowing. His work has been appreciated by many.

Patricia Holdaway was the first woman to be appointed to the Senior School Teaching Staff since the demise of Miss Violet Woolcock, the Senior Biology teacher almost two decades before. Patricia has been as much beloved by the boys: it was only last term that a year 10 boy told me how upset he was 'that Mrs Holdaway was not at our class today'.

Appointed in 1977 to teach English, Patricia has done much more. She has always been vitally interested in the pastoral care of the boys in her charge. Patricia too has taken a keen interest in dramatic productions, winter tennis and for some years has helped the boys with Satura. Over the last two years she initiated and followed up in the research which culminated this month in our celebration of our Vietnam Veterans.

Tim Hurst started his working life as a meteorologist in New Zealand and his work included a trip to Antarctica. He came to Australia in the early 1980s and taught for a year in the Eastern Suburbs before coming to Scotch in 1983 to teach Physics and Junior Science. He was soon to be appointed Head of Physics. Tim has contributed much outside the classroom as well. He has coached Cricket and Basketball and participated widely in Adventure activities. He practices what he preaches. In stages he has ridden around Australia on his bicycle! Tim leaves us to move to a country school for a change in lifestyle. Our loss is very much their gain.

Graham Parkin was appointed Head of German in 1987. He is a linguist of rare talent and is retiring at the end of this term, having spent this final term on leave.

It is typical of Graham not to want any fuss. He does a lot of listening and is very frugal in his use of words, but then is always well worth listening to. He has a very droll sense of humour. In his time at Scotch he has coached Tennis, Cricket and particularly Soccer and has participated in the Adventure Program.

We wish each of our retirees peace, health and happiness in their retirement.

We also recognize the contribution to Scotch of the following staff who are moving on to other teaching appointments: Rev John Buchanan who joined the Chaplaincy in 1992, Chris Nelson, Michele Quayle and Irene Ritchie who each joined the staff in 2000, Damian Hess, who has taught Physics since 2002, Dr Tass Barkatsas and Tom Purcell who have been with us just this year.

We thank them all for their contribution to the School.

Dick Briggs