Scotch College

Vale Spencer ‘Spotty’ Sayers

Vale Spencer ‘Spotty’ Sayers
1915–2005

It was with sadness that we noted the death of Spencer Sayers, just a fortnight after he celebrated his 90th birthday. For more than 42 years Scotch College Senior School was graced with Spencer’s presence. He started as a junior resident housemaster in a very new Arthur Robinson House. Appointed to teach Mathematics and Physics, he rapidly settled to teaching Mathematics and Geography, mostly at what is now known as the Year 10 level. He enthusiastically entered the co-curricular program, coaching the U14 football and later the U16 cricket for many years. He was always an official: timer. judge or marshal at the swimming and athletics sports.

Spencer also participated in both the Scouting and Cadet programs, simultaneously for a time, and he was the Quartermaster of the Cadet Unit for some 17 years as the unit grew in strength to almost 600. Spencer was a religious man: an elder of his church for almost three decades and at Scotch College he was a leader in the ASCM – a Christian movement for students.

During the summer holidays in the early war years Spencer ran forestry and firewood-collecting camps at Noojee and Anglesea. During other school holidays he ran activity programs for less privileged children at Scotch College.

Following the retirement of the dour Scotsman, Robert ‘Nutty’ Wilson (1911–1956), at the end of 1956, Spencer took on the role as Group Master (Head of Year 10).

He was admired by his Principals, his colleagues and the parents of the boys that he taught or led, but most importantly he was loved by the boys themselves. He was so selfless in his expenditure of energy and time; it was never too much trouble to spend extra time with a slower learner, to offer words of encouragement or to give praise for a task done well. He was always so positive in thought, word and deed. Discipline was never a problem when Spencer was in charge, for the boys respected him too much.

It is as if Spencer modelled his life on St Paul’s advice to the Philippians ch. 4 and particularly vs. 8 and 9: ‘Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.

Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, do. And the God of peace will be with you.’

DICK BRIGGS
Co-Archivist