School in shock after leading educator dies suddenly
Richmond High School founding principal Colin Simpson has been remembered as a visionary school leader following his sudden death, which has shocked the education community.
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Students, teachers and parents at Richmond High School embraced and cried at school pick-up on Monday after learning the school’s principal died suddenly at the weekend.
Founding principal Colin Simpson was regarded as a visionary school leader in the government sector.
Having been principal at the Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School from 2004 to 2016 he moved to Richmond as the founding principal of the innovative vertical school.
The school was part of an Andrews Government commitment to seek to redress the loss of secondary schooling for boys in Richmond after the Kennett Government closed the original Richmond Secondary College in 1992.
After lobbying, the Kennett Government did a backflip and opened the Melbourne Girls’ College, however, there was always disquiet that Richmond boys struggled to access a comparable school.
Richmond High School, which will enrol its third intake in 2020, will eventually have 650 students on a compact site near the town hall.
Tributes have flowed for Mr Simpson, who attended the original Richmond High School, and whose appointment was considered a masterstroke.
He was seen as an inspired choice, bridging the disappointment of the loss of the original school with building a new school.
The school is coeducational and Mr Simpson was a leader in student voice, having students on employment selection panels.
Mr Simpson was instrumental in setting up a network of inner city schools to help each other and share resources, and professional development.
Victorian College of Arts Secondary School principal Hilary Bland said she had a heavy heart as she shared his death with the school community.
Melbourne Girls' College principal Karen Money said she was shocked to learn of Mr Simpson’s death.
“Colin exemplified dedication to students and high-quality education throughout a long career as a teacher and school leader, culminating in his appointment as foundation principal of the new Richmond High School,” she said.
“This news comes as a shock, and we extend our deepest sympathy to his wife, family, friends and the Richmond High School community at this difficult time.”
Local primary schools, many with grade 6 children transitioning to the school next year, were informed of Mr Simpson’s death.
Mr Simpson’s daughter is a former student at Melbourne Girls’ College.
Families were advised to keep an eye on their children as they dealt with the death.
A broader communication was sent by the Education Department.
“This news has come as a shock, and on behalf of the Department of Education and Training we extend our deepest sympathy to Colin’s wife Cathy, children Lewis and Ava, and his many friends,” the department said.
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“Colin’s impact on our education system is broad and profound — most notably as principal of Richmond High School and the Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School.
“Colin was a man universally respected for his educational vision, authentic leadership of school communities and personal support of colleagues across Victoria.”
In 2009, Mr Simpson was awarded the Outstanding Leadership Award at the Victorian Education Excellence Awards.
In 2012 he was nominated by Victoria through The Australian Awards for Outstanding Teaching and School Leadership as Australian Secondary Principal of the Year.
Mr Simpson is understood to have died of natural causes.