Longley Scholarship

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Scholarship History
The Stephen Longley Scholarship has been presented by TOPSA (The Old Peninsula School Assocation) for over 20 years. The Scholarship is awarded to a Year 11 student going into Year 12 to offset their Year 12 fees.  The aim of the scholarship is to help a student who exhibits the qualities and attitudes of Stephen R. Longley to continue their
schooling at Peninsula.

Stephen Roger Longley was educated at Monkton Coombe School in Bath, England, where he was Senior Prefect, Captain of Boats and Captain of Rugby Football.  He gained an open award to Cambridge University for History then proceeded to do an Honours Degree followed by a Diploma of Education at Bristol University. He joined The Peninsula School in 1963 where he taught History, English and French.

Stephen left Peninsula in 1967 to take up a position at Choate School,
Connecticut, U.S.A., where he taught senior history for several years, he was then appointed Headmaster of the Webb School, Claremont, California.  As Headmaster, Stephen served with distinction, without losing any of the personal flair that those who knew him here admired and valued.  Those of us at Peninsula who knew Stephen were inspired by him, as were those whose lives he touched at the Webb School where a Stephen R. Longley Award is also presented annually.

Stephen’s teaching was marked by careful preparation, wide reading and an academic integrity second to none.  He also played a very full part in the
life of the school, coaching football and athletics, conducting a number of
other co-curricula activities. Stephen was also the driving force in the
establishment of the school’s campsite at Glenmaggie. 

During his last year at Peninsula he was Head of the Boarding House, a
position which he filled with flair. To this day he is remembered and
spoken of in glowing terms by those who knew him.  It is therefore no
surprise that a year or so after his untimely death in 1979 at the age of
40, Robert Lyon (who had been a boarder when Stephen Longley was at
Peninsula) proposed that the Old Boys Association, as it was then,
establish a scholarship in Stephen’s memory. The idea was
enthusiastically embraced.

Although Stephen was only at Peninsula for a few short years he had a deep and lasting impact on those who knew him as both teacher and friend. The Stephen Longley Scholarship was established in his memory nearly 30 years ago because of this. Stephen showed a consistent and unflinching adherence to the highest standards of personal integrity and conduct; he showed outstanding leadership; he actively fostered excellence in academic achievement; he encouraged good spirit and good sportsmanship in his students; he promoted and embodied high
ethical and moral values.

Today the Stephen Longley Scholarship is still awarded at the end of Year 11 for a student of excellent character who demonstrates honesty, integrity,
enthusiasm, Christian commitment, leadership and is a role model to their
peers. The recipient is chosen by the Principal in consultation with
senior staff and awarded annually at Celebration Evening.

The Scholarship covers the cost of one terms fees. TOPSA is delighted to be able to present this annual award and hopes to continue to increase its value in the coming years.