The Girton community was saddened to hear of the passing of Mr Les Evans, former Senior Master and teacher of Mathematics, on 18 August 2025. We offer our deepest condolences to his wife, Leonie, his daughters, Brigid and Laura, his son-in-law, Chris, his granddaughter, Melody, and their families and friends.
Mr Les Evans commenced at Girton as a teacher of Mathematics in 1998, having taught previously in Catholic Schools around Victoria and in the Northern Territory.
Following his appointment, Mr Evans’ intellect and organisational ability were soon evident, and he was appointed Head of Curriculum in 1999. He was appointed Senior Master in 2004 and remained in that important role until his retirement at the end of Term Four in 2019.
During his 22 years at Girton, Mr Evans proved himself as an outstanding teacher of Mathematics. His students enjoyed his teaching style and dry sense of humour. He was always willing to help a student who struggled with a subject, and his students performed very well at VCE level.
As Senior Master, Mr Evans drove curriculum development and was responsible for the complex task of timetabling. Ever the mathematician, Mr Evans made extensive use of data and statistical analysis to assist in ensuring that student learning was tracked and monitored appropriately. His ability to extrapolate information from data was crucial in helping the school’s curriculum leaders understand the learning styles and learning needs of the students in Senior School.
In 2011, Mr Evans led the school’s adoption of Yale University’s RULER program, introducing the development of emotional intelligence throughout the school community. Teams of teachers were sent to Yale for intensive training in the RULER approach based on Mr Evans’ recommendation. RULER is now part of the fabric of Girton’s Junior School thanks to the leadership and vision of Mr Evans, with Girton having been named a RULER Spotlight School for 2025.
One of Mr Evans’ most important roles was to advise students and their parents about learning pathways and subject selection. This was a task that Mr Evans took very seriously, and his advice was greatly valued. Ever an understanding and logical thinker, Mr Evans was an intelligent problem solver who could always be relied upon for clear analysis and sound advice.
Girton Grammar School was lucky to know and have Mr Evans, and to benefit from his calm, professional manner, his care and precision, and his bottomless reserves of good humour.
A funeral service for Mr Les Evans will be held at 1.30pm on Friday, 29 August 2025 at The Conservatory, All Seasons Bendigo.
