Vale: Mr Douglas Wallace Stott

Many old scholars would have known Mr Doug Stott, who was Principal of St Peter’s Collegiate Girls School 1976-1996, a teacher and Housemaster at St Peter’s College 1961-1971 and an old scholar, who was a boy at Saints 1943-1954.

They will be sad to know that he passed away at the age of 88 on 25th August 2025.

He was at St Peter’s College from February 1943, when he joined Grade 2 at Palm House, until 1954, when he was Captain of the School. Headmaster Colin Gordon said of him in his Speech Day Address at the end of 1954: “I have never known a Captain of the School who surpassed his combination of strength, stamina and complete devotion to his job, or who was better supported by his team of prefects”.

He was House Captain of MacDermott House in 1953 and 1954.  

In his time here he won a large number of prizes and scholarships. These included a Commonwealth Scholarship; the Neville Swift Medal for the most improved cadet of the year in 1953; the John Creswell Memorial Scholarship; a St. Peter’s - St. Mark’s Bursary; the Berkeley Sunter Muecke Prize and the Bruce Coulter Medal.

He played in The First XVIII Football Team and represented the School in Intercollegiate Athletics, where his strength was in middle distance running. He also played in the Second XI cricket team as a fast bowler.

Quoting from the 1971 St Peter’s College magazine: “Doug showed his flair for leadership and his concern for the well-being of others in his final years at school, when he became a School Prefect and Captain of MacDermott House in 1953 and Captain of the School in 1954. In each of these positions of responsibility he not only carried out his duties with efficiency but he took great pains to get to know the boys over whom he had authority and did his best to foster their best interests. It became very clear that he had a personal interest in all the boys of the school”.

After gaining his science degree, majoring in Chemistry, at the University of Adelaide in 1957, when he lived at St Mark’s College, he went to England for two years, completing his M.A. degree in Theology at Jesus College, Cambridge.

In 1961 Doug was back at St. Peter's College as a member of the Science staff and he taught Science, mainly Chemistry, with efficiency and distinction at all levels up to Matriculation. He also regularly taught Divinity to Intermediate classes. He became Housemaster of Hawkes House in 1965, and transferred to Athelney House, a boarding house, in 1967.

He had a passion for teaching and for Chemistry that many of his former students remember.

The 1965 Hawkes House report recorded: “We would like to thank Mr. Stott, who, in his first year as Housemaster, has gained the respect and admiration of every boy in the House, and under his continued guidance the future looks full of promise”.

The 1971 Athelney House report said: “It is a very sad occasion as we lose Mr. Stott. Mr. Stott has performed the role of House Master in the fairest, most enthusiastic and ablest fashion. He has always been extremely fair and realistic in his dealing with boys and their various problems. He has never failed to encourage boys of all types and abilities to develop in the directions most suited to them. We as a House would like to thank both Mr. and Mrs. Stott for the magnificent way in which they carried both boys and House through their respective developments”.

The 1971 magazine also reported: “Mr. D. W. Stott leaves temporarily for Pangbourne in England. He has been a leading member of the Chemistry Department and Housemaster of Athelney, and as master-in-charge of Rowing, he has reorganized the Boat Club. I am especially grateful to him for all he has done as Warden of the Chapel and Secretary of the Board of Management of the School Mission” .

He taught at Pangbourne College, UK in 1972. He attended the London St Peter’s Old Collegians Dinner in September 1972.

In 1973 he was appointed Vice-Principal of Geelong College with particular responsibility for the community life of the College. The newsletter of Geelong College for September 1976 comments: “The value of his work is reflected in many areas of the boarding houses today”. He became Deputy Principal in 1974 and in 1976 Head of the Senior School.

At the end of Term 1 1976 he was appointed Principal of St Peter’s Girls' School, Stonyfell. He held this position for over twenty years until he retired in 1996.

He returned to St Peter’s College for the 75th Hawkes House Anniversary Dinner in August 1995.

He also returned for the 175th Anniversary School Captains and Vice-Captains Dinner in July 2022. This event saw around 60 Captains and Vice Captains from previous years attend. He was the oldest School Captain in attendance.

He enjoyed the 70 year reunion of 1954 leavers in 2024.

The following comments have come from St Peter’s Girls' School in recent days: “Doug was our beloved Principal from 1976-1996 and will be fondly remembered by decades of students and teachers for his transformative leadership at St Peter's Girls' School. During his 20 years as Principal, Doug's vision brought us many facilities we still enjoy today - the gym, pool, Humzy Theatre, St Michael's Wing, IT Centre, and much more. As a Chemistry teacher, he continued teaching Year 11 and 12 classes throughout his principalship, staying connected with students while leading the School. Doug was a true pioneer, making Saints Girls one of the first SA schools to embrace computer technology and introducing computer science ahead of its time. His commitment to STEM education laid the foundation for our strong science programs today. His philosophy was simple but powerful: every girl should have choices, chances, and the facilities to do her best. That belief shaped our School for generations. Doug Stott's legacy lives on in every corner of our campus and in the lives he touched. He will be greatly missed but never forgotten”.

Doug was also an outstanding golfer, winning a Golf Blue when at Cambridge University. He was Captain of the Royal Adelaide Golf Club 1985-1987, Vice President 1990-1996, and President 1997-1999. In retirement he played golf regularly.  

He also found time for Community Service. He worked with Meals on Wheels for over 10 years and at the Anglican Community Services Drop-in Centre for over 20 years.

He leaves his wife Adrienne, and five daughters Catherine, Hélène, Alison, Amanda and Fiona. He had 13 Grandchildren and 17 Great-Grandchildren.

Doug had an enormous affection for our School and visited St Peter’s College on many occasions in retirement. Our condolences go to his wife Adrienne and his extended family.

Researched and written by David Docwra

David Docwra retired from St Peter’s College in December 2015 after 37 years’ service and is fondly remembered by many as a dedicated teacher, a committed coach of squash, cricket and soccer, and most especially as a passionate Head of Hawkes House for 21 years. David remains connected to St Peter’s College and regularly provides historical articles for the St Peter’s Old Collegians’ newsletters. In 2023 David was made an Honorary Member of the St Peter’s Old Collegians’ Association.