Mrs Dorothy Crothers: 25 years of service and an everlasting impact

Born and educated in the UK, Dorothy Crothers had been in Australia for just over a year when, in 1965, she was invited to teach part time at Girton. At that time, it was a small Church of England school for girls with around 150 students – mostly boarders from farming communities. Dorothy could not have foreseen that this role would mark the beginning of a 25-year journey that would profoundly shape both her life and the school’s history.

Over her career at Girton, Dorothy’s position evolved significantly. She served as Chief of Staff, Head of Senior School and Deputy Principal, twice stepping in as Acting Principal. Her tenure coincided with some of the most transformative years in Girton’s history, including three name changes, the transition to co-education, and the relocation to a new campus in Kennington. She played a pivotal role in supporting these changes and the four Principals who spearheaded them, always keeping the school’s ethos and community spirit at heart.

Dorothy recalls that she began at Girton under the leadership of the indefatigable Jean d’Helin, who cultivated the close-knit family atmosphere that remains central to Girton’s identity today. In the 1970s, she supported Shielagh Hardy in the successful introduction of co-education, marking a new era for the school. She fondly remembers the “brilliant educationalist” Robert Bickerdike, Girton’s first male Principal in 90 years, who expanded the student population and welcomed boarders from Indonesia and Hong Kong. Dorothy concluded her career in 1990 under the headship of Micheal Whiting, during a period of growth that culminated with Girton’s move to its new campus in Kennington.

As an English teacher and school leader, Dorothy was known among the students for her strong sense of discipline, which they soon discovered was tempered with her humour and wise counsel. Despite the demands of her role, she always made herself available to students seeking guidance on everything from schooling to career aspirations and personal challenges. Among the students’ fondest memories of Mrs Crothers were the humorous stories she occasionally shared during assemblies, including a particularly amusing incident that involved her family abandoning a houseboat on the Murray. 

Among her colleagues, Dorothy was renowned for her quick wit, intuitive teaching and unwavering commitment to the school’s values. She served as both a friend and mentor, generously sharing the wisdom accumulated through decades of navigating the complexities of running a school. Dorothy also organised many social events for staff and enthusiastically contributed to school activities, demonstrating consistent success at GPA Trivia Nights, prowess at the Cross-Country, and culinary versatility that extended from Aussie sausages to Indonesian satays.

Above all, Dorothy was admired for her total devotion to Girton and its students, and to this day she continues to follow the school’s growth and achievements with pride. Her advice for today’s generation of Girtonians is to plan for the future while remembering the past – sage guidance for an institution that is as committed to progress as it is rooted in tradition. Reflecting on her 25 years at the school, Dorothy declared that “Girton was a significant part of my life, providing me with challenges, opportunities and great rewards. For me, it lived up to its motto – Per Aspera Ad Astra”.