With a career hallmarked by senior leadership positions in both state and independent schools in West Australia, David Scott became the 14th principal of Kingswood College in 1994.
At his induction at the Box Hill Town Hall, he spoke about the strength of Kingswood’s sub-school structure and how it had created a need for ‘a stronger whole College identity’.
This was to be one of his initial goals for in his first year and he proposed a vision of ‘our young people … accepting their place in an interdependent society’, challenging students to confront 1994 – and beyond – in a positive frame of mind.
Scott encouraged the development of staff leadership within the college which included the rotation of a senior staff in key positions and others taking up leaderships positions.
After assessing the curriculum and physical needs of the college, plans were also developed for the construction of an innovative technology centre to provide advanced facilities for visual communication, design and technology at senior levels. This also enabled students to work with wood, metals, plastics and fabrics in their design classes.
During Scott’s term, the pastoral care system was adjusted to a vertical house-based structure that incorporated a break between the middle and senior schools and he also adopted a strategic approach to the enrolment of international students – particularly at senior school level.
At the end of Scott’s four-year term, he remarked there had been few moments when Kingswood has not consumed his thinking and said he was honoured to have been its principal.
‘I will regard this time as a highlight of my professional life. This will, above all, be centred on a single aspect – the students. Their courage, wit, excitement, endeavour, firm passion, humour and achievements give strength to my belief that I work in the noblest of all jobs. The students of Kingswood demonstrate these characteristics in a way that is open, caring and unpretentious. And so, while I am sad to leave, I do so with pride in the students and school where I spent the past four years. ‘
David Scott left Kingswood College to become principal of Anglican Church Grammar School (widely known as ‘Churchie’) in Brisbane.
