The Adelaide High School community is deeply saddened by the passing of old scholar and former Principal, Mr Colin Brideson OAM, on January 8, 2012.
Colin was Principal at Adelaide High School from 1978 until his retirement in 1987 and was previously at Adelaide High School as a student studying Leaving Honours in 1946.
As Principal of Adelaide High School, his initial task was to oversee the completion of the amalgamation of the two Adelaide High Schools, with the closing of the girls' school in Grote Street and the development of a new co-educational Adelaide High School on the West Terrace site.
During the amalgamation process there were decisions to be made on policy and curriculum for the new Adelaide High School co-educational school, new facilities had to be provided and an up-grade of the old school was required.
At the time that the two schools were amalgamating, Adelaide High School was developing as a Special Interest Language School. This meant special intakes of students, as well as curriculum issues. Under his leadership, Adelaide High School became a model for other schools and a leader in the development of language teaching methodology in the State.
Upgrades to the buildings were extensive during Colin’s time as Principal. Not only was the main building upgraded, but a new northern wing was officially opened in 1983 which provided the school with a Languages area, Art rooms, Music Suite, Drama Centre, Home Economics, Year 12 area and Resource Centre. Under his guidance, the inevitable disruptions the amalgamation and subsequent building and upgrade processes caused were minimised, as he and the staff strove to ensure that students received their education unhindered by the lack of ideal facilities or building work.
Another enduring feature of Colin’s leadership of the amalgamation process was the development of the vision and ethos of the new co-educational Adelaide High School. Both the amalgamating schools had developed their own traditions and curriculum strengths and it was from these roots that the new Adelaide High School evolved. Colin saw building upon these foundations in a new school situation as a constant challenge, but as he wrote in the 2008 Adelaide High School Centenary Book, “On the few occasions that I visit the school now, I am always encouraged to see that many decisions we made during that amalgamation period are still being practised today.”
Colin's contribution to education and the community was immense. Colin was respected and will be remembered for his passion for learning, his gentle and generous nature, his compassion and genuine support of others and his leadership of Adelaide High School. He has left a legacy of scholars who contribute to society and who are leaders in many fields. Colin embodied non scholae sed vitae and will be sadly missed.
Our sincere condolences to Pat and family.
Anita Zocchi
Principal