Our 4th Principal:

Mr. Graeme. D. McFadyen BA Hons, Dip Tchg, Dip Ed. Mgt.

(Principal 2003 – 2009)

Graeme is a proud Wellingtonian who attended Heretaunga College in Upper Hutt as a 3rd former in 1959, when the Spotswood College foundation Principal Mr McPhail was Assistant Principal. Secondary education was followed by four years at Victoria University, majoring in Geography, History and English.

Christchurch Teachers’ College led to teaching and Head of Department roles in the Hutt Valley, Kapiti Coast and Auckland at Northcote College. It was while Graeme was living in Auckland that he met and married Jan through their mutual involvement in the local Northcote Baptist Church. Their three children, Ryan, Jordan and Hannah were born on the North Shore.

This was followed by teaching and leadership roles in Northland, Otago and Waikato where Graeme served as Deputy Principal at Fairfield College in Hamilton prior to being appointed to Spotswood College. Graeme and Jan’s three children all attended Fairfield College during his years there.

Graeme’s teaching years were highlighted by the successes of a range of students in both the academic and sporting worlds. He successfully coached 1st XV Rugby and 1st XI Cricket teams in several schools, culminating in coaching Northcote College’s 1st XV in 1980 on a tour of Queensland.

Graeme’s teaching career was highlighted by his being awarded a Woolf Fisher Teaching Fellowship to Australia in 1991. This involved visiting a wide range of Australian schools and then sharing Australian teaching practices with New Zealand teachers.

Over Graeme’s teaching career in education since 1969 he maintained a strong focus on his family and their needs and interests. This was interwoven with involvement in local churches and a variety of sporting endeavours, especially in his University years where he was a member of the Upper Hutt Senior Rugby team and was nominated for the Wellington Colts.

Throughout all of Graeme’s teaching roles in nine schools, he has striven to encourage young people and staff to be the very best they can be and to enjoy their learning and teaching opportunities, while at the same time developing a well thought out set of values that best prepared them for a fulfilling and happy life.