Mr Dowdy arrived at a school which was much changed from the one he knew was one of the senior masters 15 years before. At that time the school’s enrolment of 300 was bursting out of its accommodation at Osmond Terrace and building work only just starting at the Marryatville site.

"I clearly remember the day, about thirteen years ago, when I discovered the first surveyors pegs among the scrub and trees which then covered the site of our present school buildings. As I lived nearby, I frequently wandered through the the woodlands and along the creek, keeping a sharp look out for the first signs of these small pegs which indicated that work was soon to begin on the new school."

The school Mr Dowdy took over in 1965 had grown to over twice the size of the one he had known, with 720 students, 6 first year classes, 6 second year, 6 third year and 4 fourth year. To cope with the increasing enrolments, 16 new staff joined the school that year. An indication of the shortage of available teachers to meet the ever growing enrolments was the appointment of the school’s first female teacher. "In an all male school, Mrs Patterson may well be described as a "Rose among thorns!" she is already making a fine contribution to our art classes".( 1966 year book)

Mr Dowdy loved the school and his positive attitude echoes from the pages of the year books in spite of the spiralling numbers and problems of overcrowding. He reluctantly retired in May 1969 due to ill health and died in November that year.

Sue Speck
Marryatville High School web site 2002