Scotch College

Vale Richard Selby Smith

Principal 1953 -1964

With sadness we note the death of Richard Selby Smith, the fifth Principal of Scotch College and the Principal who broke the established mould in so many ways – sensibly, even with the hindsight of 50 years. The first of these he had little say in: he was the first Principal of the College who was not born in Scotland. Mr Selby Smith arrived at Scotch College, young in years but with a wealth of experience in education and its administration.

Other changes, however, had very much of his organisational imprint, although they must also have had the support of the School Council. For the staff he introduced a standard salary scale as well as a superannuation scheme and compulsory retirement at 65. It seems commonplace now, but in 1953 teachers planned to teach until they dropped, unless they had secured a comfortable retirement from textbook royalties. The school was generous to those staff members who had retirement thrust upon them. Mr Selby Smith also encouraged the formation of a Common Room Association, a forum for staff to meet together to discuss issues that affected them all.

In 1956 the numbering of class years changed. Hitherto for more than 90 years they had spanned from I, the most junior primary class, to IX, the matriculation class. This numbering was totally meaningless to people outside the School as three more years had been added to the curriculum in the interim.

Richard Selby Smith was blessed with an amazing memory, not just for names but faces too. Once he had met you, you were remembered.

Not only was he approachable to both students and staff, but often he did the approaching, almost invariably with a smile and an expression of concentration not wanting to miss a word you said. Hughie Aitken, our dour long-standing Scottish curator told a wonderful story against himself. Mr Selby Smith had asked him for a conducted tour of the grounds so that he could familiarise himself with the native flora. Hughie grudgingly took him on a lengthy tour, giving the common name and botanical name of each of the more than 200 species in the grounds. ‘Bloody waste o’ time’ said Hughie in his Scottish burr, ‘he dinna even take a note!’ Six months later he was asked for another tour. Grudgingly again Hughie complied. He returned dumbfounded and blurted out ‘I dinna say a worrrd, he rememberrr’d the lot!’ Richard Selby Smith continued to encourage boys to participate fully in all aspects of College life. Statistics show that the general standard of academic achievement improved during his time as Principal.

The Social Service activities had their beginnings and also the preliminaries for a major Building Master Plan and Fund Appeal were also among his legacies. Building had virtually stopped in 1939 and there had been no major projects since. The balcony was added in the Memorial Hall by the Old Boys in 1954. The Art and Biology Classrooms, with the gymnasium and changing rooms were opened just after he left Scotch College and long awaited new staff room and library, now the Randall Building, were then under construction.

In 1964 Richard Selby Smith left to take up an appointment as the Founding Professor of Education at Monash University.

He later became the first Dean of the Faculty of Education there.

He is fondly remembered by all those who were students or staff during his years at Scotch College.

Dick Brigg s
Curator of Ramsay Collection

Former staff member John Miles adds:

Richard Selby Smith’s great contribution to Australian education will stand forever. He made many innovative appointments, such as the late Colin Scott, Don Macmillan, Mick Eggleston, later to be Vice Principal, and others such as Bruce Moore, Bob Grant and Dave Burt. These are wonderful memories of a warm, innovative and friendly man of great intellect, humour, personal charm and strong leadership.

Richard Selby Smith’s sons, Christopher, an excellent First XI cricketer, and Peter, also made a fine contribution to Scotch and reflected the ability, integrity and personality of Dick and their gracious mother, Rachel.