Vale – Philip Anthony Vere Roff
Philip Anthony Vere Roff was born at the Queen Victoria Hospital, Launceston, Tasmania, on 13 September 1938, the son of Norman Hollingdale and Katharine Isabel( nee Hodge) Roff. He was born into education, as his father was then the headmaster of Launceston Grammar School. The family did not learn of the death of Philip’ s father in action in Timor on 23 February 1942 until after the war, and it profoundly affected Philip.
His education was varied, due to family circumstances and international turmoil. Philip briefly attended a West Australian pre-school, then boarded with his brother at Pembroke House School in Kenya. With Kenyan conditions volatile by 1948, they were sent to a Sussex boarding school, but at the end of 1949 their mother decided Australia was a better place to raise children, and they boarded at Launceston Grammar School without charge. Although Philip matriculated in 1953, his young age ensured he remained at school, and he matriculated again in 1954, and in 1955, in which year he was School Captain.
In 1956 Philip commenced studying electrical engineering at Trinity College, Melbourne University, and rowed in the Melbourne University eight several times. In 1957 he met and wooed Barbara Edgley with talk about rowing, and they became engaged in 1958. Philip was 1960 Rhodes Scholar for Victoria, which delayed his marriage( at Oxford) until 14 July 1962. He undertook post-graduate studies in mathematics, and rowed in the winning Oxford crew against Cambridge.
When applying for the Rhodes Scholarship, Philip knew his future was in education, and he briefly taught at Melbourne Grammar School in 1960, which – as a reluctant disciplinarian – he found difficult. At Oxford he did further study in European history and taught at Radley College( 1963-65). Returning to Australia, Philip taught Mathematics at Melbourne Grammar School( 1966-69) before taking its headmaster Brian Hone’ s advice to apply for the role of headmaster at Scotch College, Adelaide. There, as its youngest-ever headmaster( 1970-75), his startling and innovative changes, including introducing co-education, were considered a‘ second founding’ of the school.
Philip returned to Melbourne as the first Australian-born Principal of Scotch College, commencing on 1 May 1975. He was installed as Principal in a service in the Chapel on 29 May 1975.
The fears of some that he would introduce co-education were unwarranted, but he did bring many changes to what was a very conservative school. Staff members were given greater opportunities – through formal and informal meetings – to provide input into the way education was delivered, and to play a role in decision-making. He sought to bridge a perceived gap between the Junior and Senior School by increased interaction between staff
1938-2017
and boys. Philip created the role of Registrar in 1978, relieving the Principal and Principal’ s secretary of an increasing burden. He also appointed Scotch’ s first counsellor.
The House system was expanded with the addition of Selby Smith House and a system of Minor Houses, to practically implement Philip’ s concern that boys in such a large school receive proper pastoral care. Tutors were appointed with responsibility for boys on their journey through Scotch.
Philip had an open-door policy for both boys and staff. He created staff-parent meetings, and enabled parents to meet him before school on Thursdays. Across Junior and Senior Schools, Philip expanded remedial education. The role of Careers Master was also developed. Philip encouraged staff members to further their education and training, particularly through implementing teacher exchanges with English and American schools. He pursued a policy of employing more female teachers in the Senior School to diversify the staff.
The Scotch College Foundation, established in 1973, received strong support from Philip, who strengthened it with an office within the Senior School, and by appointing a full-time Development Officer in recognition of its importance to Scotch. He pushed hard for the construction of the Glenn Centre, which opened in 1983.
At a time when some schools closed their boarding houses, Philip gave boarding his full support. Boarders were allowed weekend leave, and to wear casual clothes at weekends, among other changes that improved boarders’ lives, including increased social opportunities. The waiting list for boarding grew longer, perhaps helped by Philip’ s drive to create smaller dormitories to give boys more privacy and comfort.
Many boys recognised that Philip’ s main concern was the welfare of every boy at Scotch. He would make time to speak with a boy experiencing difficulties at school. He took their concerns seriously.
Philip ' s time in office coincided with the disquiet emanating from the struggle for ownership of the school. This matter – coupled with other issues – took a heavy toll on him and his family, and he formally resigned on 31 January 1982.
Philip started a successful school management consultancy, with his publication, Creative School Management, becoming widely used in independent schools. He enjoyed time with his wife, children and grandchildren, including his sons Jonathan( SC 1975-78) and Ben( SC 1981-82). Philip also served on the Epworth HealthCare Human Research Ethics Committee for more than 20 years.
He was a regular on the high table at the Old Scotch Collegians’ Association’ s Annual Dinner until 2011, after which Parkinson’ s disease began to take its toll. Scotch’ s seventh Principal died at Beleura Private Hospital, Mornington, on 27 April 2017. Many Old Boys and past and present staff attended his funeral at Mornington on 8 May 2017.
10 Great Scot Number 151 – September 2017