As I write my first contribution for The Thistle I would like to share some of my history with the Scotch College community.
I was born in Windsor Ontario in Canada. Windsor is located across the Canadian/ US border from Detroit Michigan. When I was five my family moved to Thunder Bay so my father could take up his first Principal position. My mother, also a teacher, taught French in schools around Thunder Bay. Thunder Bay is located at the top of Lake Superior, the largest of the Great Lakes. While the summers are lovely, the area is better know for the winters, when you can ski, snowmobile and ice fish as long as you do not mind the cold. I do not miss the times when I have been home in the -40 to -60 degree Celsius temperatures.
After graduating from Lakehead University I travelled to London England on a holiday. I stayed for 17 years. In the UK I taught in two intercity schools, became a Deputy and was eventually appointed to my first Head Teacher position at St Mary Magdalene Church of England Primary School in Islington. Our school was in an interesting area, not far from Emirates Stadium, home to Arsenal FC. We became one of the top 50 schools in the country and achieved some wonderful accomplishments in my time there.
In 2004 we began the process of setting up the new St Mary Magdalene Academy, a semi- independent state school and the first to be Kindergarten to Year 12. I was appointed as the Academy's first Vice-Principal. Our specialism was Humanities and International Mindedness and we offered both the International Baccalaureate Diploma and the Primary Years Programmes.
In April of 2008 I travelled to Perth to establish a partnership with John Wollaston ACS and in September of that same year I applied for and was appointed as the new Head of Primary at John Wollaston. My wife was originally from Perth and she was very happy to be coming home. Once back in Perth further good fortune met us. Both of our children have been born since we arrived. Our daughter Inaya is now three years old and our son Blaise is two. They have changed our lives and Perth and Western Australia is a wonderful place to raise our children.
As a member of the executive of the Independent Primary School Heads Association I worked closely with Mrs Gamble. I had some association with Scotch College and heard about how wonderful a school it was. When the opportunity to apply for the position of Head of Junior School arose I jumped at it. I am very pleased to be the new Head of Junior School at Scotch College. The history, traditions and success as an outstanding educational establishment greatly interested me. I am committed to the Primary Years Programme and the opportunity to lead a school of outstanding educators in the PYP was too good to resist. I look forward to a long and successful association with this fine school and to getting to know the boys and families.
I realise that change can raise some concerns for staff, students and families. I aim to use this year to get to know the school, its boys, families and staff. I want to learn about Scotch's traditions and history. I look forward to building upon the dedicated work the staff have accomplished to date. I am committed to ensuring the education each boy receives is of the highest quality and that his needs are met. Thank you all for making me feel welcome and I wish you all the best for the remainer of this academic year.
John Stewart
Head of Junior School
