John Hunter – Longest Serving Headmaster
In an unusual move, when Michael Aikman resigned in 1973, his replacement was appointed from within the school. Born in England, John Hunter rose rapidly through the ranks of the Royal Navy. Promotion, however, meant leaving his wife and young family behind while he was stationed overseas. John’s duties in the RN included supervising cadets on HMS Belfast, and it was here he discovered a passion for teaching that saw him attend Cambridge University. After teaching in Britain, John and his family moved to Australia, where he worked at Tudor House at Moss Vale, and was appointed to The Scots School in 1971 to teach Geography. He became Housemaster of Bulkeley House and Senior Master before succeeding Michael Aikman at the beginning of 1974.
New buildings continued to loom large in the school, and indeed, the Hunter Building Boom outdid Michael Aikman’s. An appeal and government grant allowed the completion of the Assembly Hall in 1975, with Michael Aikman being invited back in 1976 to open the building named in his honour. A second story was constructed on the Science Block at the same time to provide one additional laboratory and a Maths room. With enrolments increasing, Thompson House was built in 1979. In 1981, a new Dining Hall replaced the old one in a long-overdue move. Early 1982 saw the opening of the brick section of The Kennel (now Ives House), which increased the capacity of the House by half. No sooner had the mortar dried on that than construction began of the upper level over The Dougan Wing, which continues to house the Maths Department. Major renovations to The Kennel at the end of 1983 resulted in two new staff flats and larger dormitories.
The Maths block was the first stage of a three-point building appeal. It was followed by the Tennis and Basketball courts, and the most ambitious project, the Technics Block. There were also additions to the Library in 1985. Construction of the Technics Block released the old Technics area to be renovated and have three extra classrooms added. It became the English/History area. The last major project from John’s time was Galloway House. When enrolments peaked at 386 in 1986, the junior boys were all accommodated in double bunks, and a fifth boarding house was seen as a way of relieving the pressure.
John Hunter presided over a number of successes. Academic results were very impressive, and John regarded them as of great importance to maintaining enrolments. Scots also began to make their mark for the first time in local sporting competitions. John was a hard-driving, but very successful, rugby coach who led the way in this. Hockey and basketball were introduced to open up a variety of sports for the boys.
Music was strongly encouraged, along with other performing arts. Helen Geddes was appointed to the Music Staff with a brief to create a school orchestra. Stuart Partis and Bob Harris staged plays and musicals. Bruce Holmes presented a Year 7 Drama Festival every year. John maintained that “Every activity has to have its day”, and they did. The Cadet Unit had bivouacs, camps and the annual Ceremonial Parade. The Pipe Band continued to distinguish itself, especially with its results at the Australian Championships in 1984. John B. R. T. Mackenzie had been appointed Pipe Band Instructor in 1979
Over such a long career, John Hunter made a number of staff appointments. Gilleian Wilbow was the first woman appointed to a full-time teaching position at Scots. Many more followed. One notable appointment was Julie Walters, who was the first specialist computer teacher appointed to the school. Teachers whom John appointed who went on to have long associations with Scots included Martin Coyte, David Crofts, Ian Doney, Simon Dundon, John Garretty, Geoff Hayward, Andrew Maher, Brian Mair, Steve Marshall, Richard Mottram, Tim Richards and Geoff Wilbow.
John Hunter was a charismatic figure. He had a great influence on the boys and staff with whom he worked. Old Boys reported that he was a tough character but always fair, consistent and courteous. He expected a very high standard of the boys’ uniforms, promoted good manners and courtesy, setting an example himself. Winning gratefully and losing gracefully was a motto. Not giving up on a task was a tenet that he promoted. One of his other sayings was “that nothing succeeds like success”, and he felt that Scots was best promoted by what it did rather than advertising. There was an expectation that any activity would be carried out to the best possible standard. After the Higher School Certificate results came in each year, he would analyse them and discuss them with the teachers involved.
John Hunter left Scots at the end of 1990. He spent some time as State Secretary of the National Party, then returned to teaching at Kinross-Wolaroi. After retiring, he was often back at Scots to cover classes while teachers were on long-service leave or other absences. He maintained a high level of interest and care for his students regardless of his role to fill in. Under the tutelage of his wife, Vicky, he developed a new career as a dog trainer. In later years, John and Vicky moved to Moss Vale, their home not very far from Tudor House. John and Vicky continued to take an active interest in Scots and Scots All Saints with a number of visits to the school. A very large gathering of Old Boys attended his funeral at Moss Vale in 2025.
Mr Andrew Maher
Archives
Photo 1: John and Vicky Hunter and family in a photograph from 1972 with sons Michael, James and David. Andrew would arrive later.
Photo 2: 1974. Aikman Hall under construction. With runaway inflation in the 1970s, construction was halted because the cost of building had rapidly exceeded the available funds. An early task for John Hunter was to raise the extra money from appeals and government grants to complete the hall.
Photo 3: 1976. The three Headmasters. For the opening of Aikman Hall in 1976, Alan Mitchell, John Hunter and Michael Aikman gathered for the occasion. Of the first two Headmasters who preceded Alan Mitchell, Rev. Bruce Galloway died during 1976, and Alan McLucas had died suddenly in 1967.
Photo 4: After years of being the underdogs in the local Rugby competition, in 1979, assisted by John Hunt’s rigorous training regime, Scots had some successes in the sport. This uncaptioned photo is from 1979.
Photo 5: The Commander should always be ready to do anything expected of the commanded! John Hunter tries out a cadet activity in 1982.
Photo 6: Rear Admiral K. A. Doolan and John Hunter reviewing the 1990 Cadet Ceremonial Parade.
Photo 7: 1993, Michael, Andrew and John Hunter at the naming of the Hunter Sports Centre.
Photo 8: 2002. John and Vicky Hunter at the Highland Gathering, accompanied by their canine family. Whilst Headmaster, walking the dogs, presented John with a reason to be out, keeping an eye on what was going on around the school!
Photo 9: 2015. John Hunter visited Bathurst to celebrate Betty Ives’ 90th birthday. John on Betty: “She was the person who really ran the school”.
Photo 10: 2016. Chieftain of the Highland Gathering.
