Vale Bruce Hillgrove

It was with great sadness that we learnt of the passing on Friday 1st September 2023, of well-respected Maths and Science teacher, Mr Bruce Hillgrove. 

Bruce made a significant contribution to Ballarat High School and public education throughout his 40-year career. 

Bruce is sadly missed, both professionally and personally.

Bruce graduated from Melbourne State College in 1983, with a Bachelor of Education majoring in Science. Biology in particular was a keen area of interest for Bruce in his studies.

Bruce first started teaching in 1984 at Watsonia High School. In 1987 Bruce and his wife Janet moved to Ballarat to both teach at Ballarat East High School.

Bruce experienced the school merger, which formed Ballarat Secondary College in 1994. While working at East Campus, Bruce undertook the significant leadership role of Leading Teacher-Community Development, aimed at bringing the new merged school and the local community together. He later became Leading Teacher-Campus & Student Services Coordinator.

In 2001 he moved to Ballarat High School. Bruce came to BHS as a Leading Teacher but soon evolved into one of the first staff members to teach in the then new Year 9 ARCH program. Bruce was a valued member of this ARCH team. His creativity with curriculum creation and his patience with students who were experiencing new things for the first time, were greatly appreciated.

After the Year 9 program, Bruce became a Year Level Co-Ordinator, always exhibiting calmness, patience, fairness and logic. He generously passed his experience on to the next generation of teachers, with quiet ease and modelling.

Sport was a big part of Bruce’s life both personally, with his family and at School. He was an avid and passionate coach of the BHS soccer team. He delighted at team wins and was supportive when losses occurred. He was very proud of the students that represented their coach and BHS. 

Bruce was an outstanding teacher, whose kind and compassionate support for students earned him the highest respect from all who knew him.

The Ballarat High School community was fortunate to benefit from 23 years of Bruce’s teaching and friendship. 

RIP Bruce

If you wish to leave a tribute, please follow this link to an online Memorial Book. 

https://forms.gle/SvZ4JYhXsoT339oy8

All tributes and messages will be passed on to Bruce’s wife Janet and family.