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A GENTLEMAN AND A

SCHOLAR

David Bean concluded his formal career as an educator at the end of 2022. Over 38 years
he has touched the lives of so many boys, parents and staff in a way that has been life
changing for us all. In turn, this has allowed them to make an even greater and more
profound contribution to our society.

The values that David Bean represents are the values of this roles while being at Hale. None more signficant than Deputy
school. The values role-modelled by David mean that there Headmaster and his most recent combined role of Director
are many men in the world now making good decisions for of Curriculum. In this latter role, David has masterminded,
our society at a time when there are sometimes few external role-modelled and compelled the School to equip itself with the
markers to guide people to do the right thing. Indeed, it’s my very best programs and staff to deliver them. This has resulted
experience in speaking to so many people who have been in Hale consistently being one of the highest-performing
touched by David that they feel they have made good decisions academic schools in WA and, at times, across Australia.
as a consequence of simply knowing him.
David’s role in Hale’s cultural change from a ‘traditional’ boys’
David Bean’s legacy will continue because of his work in these school to one that embraces the arts cannot be underestimated.
four areas: While successive Headmasters have come and gone, it’s David’s
1. As an educator. steady hand and broader understanding of the value of the
David has been an outstanding teacher of Literature and English arts that have ensured boys from Hale receive the broadest of
for 38 years. educations. In any normal year now, there are over 700 boys
taking music tuition, as well as eight different performing arts
Awarded a Rhodes Scholarship in 1976, David may be one of productions. The design and construction of key buildings to
the few Scholars to become a school teacher. support these programs are also a result of David’s work, and
David has provided outstanding teaching to students at this have helped encourage even more boys into the arts.
school. Old Boys speak of David’s passion for his subject, Another area of the School where David has provided significant
brilliance in his understanding, and willingness to do anything leadership is in the library. In a time where many schools have
he can to support.
moved to ‘learning hubs’ and ‘information resource centres’,
David has mentored hundreds of students to apply successfully David has championed the importance of a library with books.
to universities, for scholarships and postgraduate places all 3. Indigenous affairs.
over the world. The care and effort he has put into helping boys At the beginning of 1997, David commenced the groundwork to
gain a place at Oxford, Cambridge,and just about every major establish an Indigenous Scholarship program at Hale School.
university in this country and the world are incredible.
David believed Hale should provide opportunities for Indigenous
2. As an educational leader. boys to experience a first-class education, broad co-curricular
Perhaps not surprisingly, David has had many leadership activities, quality pastoral care, leadership skills and mentoring.

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