FAREWELL JOHN POYNTER

After over 31 years of teaching, coaching and mentoring at Scotch Oakburn College we farewell John Poynter who officially retires today 14 April 2022.

John’s experience beyond and within education is wonderfully extensive, encompassing working in the building industry prior to re-training as a teacher, which took him to lecturing at university, in Design and Technology teacher education, for a year in 2005.

John initially taught at George Town High, then Ravenswood High prior to commencing at Scotch Oakburn in January 1991. At Scotch Oakburn he taught Design and Technology in Years 7 to 12 for 30 years including pre-tertiary Housing and Design at TCE level for the past 15 years.

John also held the important pastoral role of Head of Fox House from 1999 to 2002.

After his own very successful rowing career, John coached rowing across a number of age groups from 1991 to 2004, winning three Head of the River titles with the Boys’ VIII in 1994, 1996 and 1997. Half of the ’97 eight then went on to win the National Schoolboy Coxed Four title. John also had two stints as Director of Rowing, 1998 – 2004, and again in 2009 – 2012. however, rowing was not his only co-curricular involvement. He was also PIC of Hockey from 2004 to 2009 and Athletics from 2012 to 2019.

Finally, John was involved in both junior soccer and cricket in the early 2000’s. Beyond sport, John ran the College Snow Skiing camp for many years and has been involved in many Education Outdoors camps in his 31 years, all experiences he has loved.

On the afternoon of Friday 9 April John’s colleagues, past and present, celebrated his outstanding career at the College and we all wished him well for the future. Bon voyage, John, and thank you.

Andy Müller
Principal