and Tom ( Class of 2021 ) were born . Seeing them journey through Scotch , as both their dad and as a teacher at the school , has certainly been one of the greatest highlights of my time at Scotch .
Could you tell us about your current role , and the activities in which you have previously been involved at Scotch ?
During my 42 years of teaching at Scotch I have obviously had the pleasure of doing many different roles . But the ones that I have treasured the most are my 10 years as a Head of Year , my Maths teaching across all six year levels , the countless camps and tours I have been part of ; but in particular managing four England Cricket Tours and 10 Year 10 Outback Trips , and my involvement in the cricket program . My current role is Head of Gilray House .
INTERVIEW :
JOHN PRIOR
HEAD OF GILRAY HOUSE
Let ’ s start by finding out about your background prior to working at Scotch . Would you mind telling us a bit about yourself ?
I grew up living on a sheep farm near Bathurst in NSW . This enabled me to have an amazing childhood of helping my dad with work on the farm while also attending school in Bathurst . I would not change a thing about my childhood , especially not having any screens in the first 18 years of my life , including not even a television ! Just an old valve radio was our only connection with the outside world .
After leaving school I attended the University of Sydney where I studied Mathematics . This was then followed by my teaching qualification . Having just turned 22 I was extremely lucky in getting my first teaching job at Scotch , thanks to Ron Bond ( Acting Principal in 1982 ) and Ken Evans ( Head of Mathematics ). In 1999 Virginia started work at Scotch as a French teacher , and within a year we were deeply in love , and I proposed to her as we strolled along Cable Beach in Broome during the Term 3 school holidays . Within the next few years our two sons , Sam ( Class of 2020 )
What generally constitutes some of the highlights of your week and keeps on motivating you ?
The main highlights of each week include seeing a boy master a skill in Maths who had no clue about it until I taught him the process . But probably the greatest highlight of each week is playing my small part in helping to turn each boy that I encounter at Scotch into a fine young man by the time he departs Scotch and heads out into the world beyond the Monash Gates .
My motivation to come to work every day is not only arriving at a school with great physical beauty but , more importantly , knowing that I have the honour and privilege of working at one of Australia ’ s truly great schools .
Another aspect of teaching which I find highly motivating is the variation across a day of what the job entails . One minute teaching Maths , the next minute listening to a boy with a real problem in his life , and the next minute coaching a boy in cricket . The final motivating factor , and a very powerful one indeed , is working with a group of colleagues who are all amazingly talented teachers in their own unique ways , and many of whom have become very valuable friends .
On a personal note , would you mind sharing some of your passions and hobbies ?
My greatest passion is travel . Over the past 25 years Virginia and I have been fortunate to travel around much of Australia and Europe , most of these trips being shared with Sam and Tom , creating wonderful family holidays and memories . A close second is eating out at many of the fine restaurants and cafes around Melbourne . My current favourite hobby is reading crime thriller novels . A great way to unwind after a long day at Scotch !
How does your work at Scotch help to forge the character of the boys ?
I am a great believer in , and hopefully a great exponent of , relational learning . I do my best to get to know the boys in my care and to engage with them in conversation about their interests and life beyond the classroom . I do my best to role model what it is to be a good man . In my current role as Head of Gilray House I have the significant job of being responsible for the pastoral care of the 86 boys in Gilray . This involves helping them to make good decisions and learning to understand , accept and respect the differences in others .
www . scotch . vic . edu . au Great Scot 59