A Half-Century of Heart: Celebrating Stuart Brambley’s 50 Years at GNS

If there is one thing to know about Stuart Brambley, it is that when he commits to something, he commits for life. By his own admission, he has supported the Southampton Football Club since his father took him to his first game seventy-three years ago. He and his wife Brenda have been married for fifty-two years and have lived in the same home for forty-seven years. So, when looking at his track record of loyalty, it is not entirely surprising that Stuart has dedicated fifty remarkable years to Glenlyon Norfolk School.

To put his extraordinary tenure into perspective, Stuart is quick to point out exactly what was happening in the world when he first walked through the doors at 1701 Beach Drive. “1976 was the founding of Apple Computer, Canada hosting its first Olympics in Montreal, Ebola first appeared in Africa, and it was the debut of the VHS tape, and the Bee Gees were topping the charts.”

His journey to GNS is a story of excellent timing. Stuart spent his youth as a competitive swimmer and concluded his career by representing Great Britain at the 1970 World Student Games in Turin, Italy. Following this incredible achievement and completing college, Stuart set off on what was meant to be a one-year trip. He landed in Canada, planning to visit Australia and South Africa before heading home. His plans changed when he fell in love with the West Coast and has lived in BC ever since!

By the spring of 1976, he had met and married Brenda, settled in Victoria, and they were expecting their first child. Stuart was substitute teaching as well as coaching swimming and playing a fair bit of golf. It was then that his mother-in-law gave him a gentle but firm nudge, suggesting it might be time to get a “real job.” Taking her advice, Stuart stopped by the then all-boys Glenlyon Preparatory School, on his way to the Victoria Golf Club. The timing was excellent as the Grade 4 teacher had just informed the Headmaster, Mr. Hamish Simpson, that he was leaving and Stuart walked out with a job offer.

For his first two decades at the school, Stuart was a beloved Grade 4 and 5 teacher. The classroom landscape of the late seventies was vastly different from today. To create a worksheet for his students, he had to hand-write or type a stencil and run it through a messy, alcohol-filled Gestetner machine, a far cry from the instant gratification of modern technology. Through all the changes both in the world and at GNS, he believed in pouring his energy into his work and found his niche in building school spirit.

In the mid-nineties, Stuart took on the role of Assistant Director, which evolved into the Vice Principal job, a position he would hold at the Junior School until 2018. Tasked with nurturing school spirit in particular, he created the recognition system that still exists today. He wanted to ensure every single child felt seen and valued, recognizing that standing up in front of the whole community could be terrifying for a young student. By creating a warm and supportive environment for these celebrations, he helped generations of students find confidence. He also inspired the creation of Brambley Ball and Conkers, iconic games that generations of students have played at the Beach.

His colleagues remember a leader who never took himself too seriously, blending deep professionalism with an unmatched sense of humour. Ms. Leanne Giommi, IB PYP Coordinator, notes that “Stuart was the heart of the school, but never over the top about it. He was always very low-key and could go unnoticed, which I think sometimes is what he wanted. He was such a community builder, but so quiet about it.”

Retired GNS teacher Ms. Kath Wild remembers Stuart putting together the entire school timetable on a massive corkboard, long before the convenience of digital scheduling software. “Stuart loved to dress up for every occasion and had a hat for everything. He loved to perform for Friday Morning Live assemblies.” As retired Junior School Principal Ms. Jean Bigelow ’71 perfectly sums it up, “he was the most amazing colleague I ever had the pleasure of working with.”

Through his decades here, Stuart served as a stabilizing force during some of the most significant transitions in the school’s history. He was a steady force for the amalgamation of Glenlyon and Norfolk House, which ultimately ensured the survival and flourishing of the institution. He also watched and helped the physical Junior School Campus transform, from what he called “band-aid” fixes to the breathtaking, purpose-built facilities that we enjoy today.

When Stuart turned 70, most people assumed he would step into a well-deserved retirement. Instead, he transitioned into a part-time role as the school’s archivist, a role that he officially picked up a decade earlier, assisting Mr. Keith Walker. From his desk in the archives room, he ensures the school never forgets its roots. In 2021, he launched the Gryphon Gallery series, captivating the community with deep dives into GNS history.

When asked what has kept him at the school for half a century, his answer is characteristically grounded. “I have been really very happy being here. I had lots of different opportunities that appealed to me. Why would I want to move?” He also credits the surreal beauty of the Beach Drive Campus and admits that “I still tear up sometimes when I look out over the water and I see Mount Baker back dropping this beautiful Oak Bay waterfront.”

Above all, Stuart remains incredibly humble, deflecting praise to the colleagues he worked alongside and to his wife Brenda and his children, Richard ’94 and Katie, who have been by his side through it all. During a recent all-staff celebration of his fifty years of service, Stuart received multiple standing ovations.

As Head of School Mr. Chad Holtum notes, “Stuart exemplifies the exact kind of good human we want every GNS student to grow up to be.” Stuart recently reflected that when we complete a particular part of our journey, it is natural to hope that someone, somewhere, might simply say, “Good Job.” 

For fifty years of unwavering dedication, laughter and magic, the entire GNS community is standing up to say thank you, Stuart, for an absolutely incredible job.