Hamish Ian Fisher Simpson – An Icon in GNS history

Hamish Ian Fisher Simpson, former headmaster of Glenlyon School, passed away peacefully during the morning hours of May 31, 2025. 

He was born on July 31, 1936 and spent the first 14 years of his life living at the Glenlyon Preparatory School in Victoria. The son of the founder of the school, he grew up on the school’s Beach Drive campus through his Grade 9 year – the ‘graduating’ year offered by Glenlyon at the time – living and breathing the values of a private school culture that was so highly respected within the community. He completed his high school years at University School, and throughout his school days he was an outstanding athlete, a keen tennis player and joining as a junior, became a long time member of the Victoria Golf Club.

 After a year at Victoria College, Hamish transferred to UBC and graduated from there with a BA in History and Mathematics, finally obtaining his Diploma of Education from Oxford University in 1960.

He returned to Glenlyon as a member of the staff in 1960 and in 1964, at 28 years of age, he assumed full responsibility for the running of the school as headmaster. Hamish showed early on that he was determined to introduce new ideas, like starting the first edition of the School Yearbook, while at the same time, retaining the principles of truth, courage, character and service which were the hallmarks of his upbringing.

In the early 1970’s he spearheaded the transformation of the school from family ownership to a non-profit society with a Board of Governors, which then employed him. This move allowed for a strenuous building and upgrading programme to be completed. Thanks to his leadership, Hamish doubled the enrolment and broadened the grade and curriculum offerings to include grades 1, 2 and 10. He saw the school achieve fine results in academics, arts and sporting activities preparing the students for further successes and scholarships at prestigious schools across the country.

Hamish’s success did not go unnoticed and in 1982, after 18 years at the helm of Glenlyon, he accepted the post of Director of the Lester B. Pearson World College of the Pacific at Pedder Bay. This is Canada’s only United World College, dedicated to uniting cultures and countries around the world through education.  During the first few months that Hamish was Director at the College, he ‘got his feet wet’ [figuratively] when honoured by a visit from Charles, then Prince of Wales, as the royal patron, who got his feet wet [literally] on the Pearson College dock, October 29th to 31st, 1982.

His reputation as a fine administrator spread across the country and he was hired by the prestigious Upper Canada College as its Preparatory School Headmaster. Hamish spent fourteen years inspiring the boys to make a lasting and positive impact on the world, while leading a multi-million dollar school building programme.

However, his heart was always on the West Coast. His old alma mater had now become Glenlyon Norfolk School and he always remained in close contact with many former governors, staff, and alumni. In 1995, the newly built senior Math Block was officially named the Simpson Building, in honour of the Simpson family and their long and close relationship with Glenlyon and their continued commitment to the now expanded school. In November 2024 the main building at the recently transformed Beach Drive Junior School campus was dedicated as the Simpson Centre. This was his last public engagement, shared by him with his wife and children.

Apart from his extraordinary contribution to these elite educational establishments, Hamish always had a strong interest in community service. He was a past president of the University of Victoria Alumni Association that encourages a lifelong relationship between UVic alumni and their university through a variety of events, services and communications. He served as a trustee on the Committee for the Lewis Perinbam Award in International Development, which provides significant Canadian volunteer opportunities to improve people’s lives in developing countries and identifies new ways of thinking and addressing difficult development challenges. He was a regular attendee at the Oak Bay Rotary Club that makes a difference with support of local and international initiatives and he served as its President for a period of time.

After retiring from UCC, Hamish resided on Salt Spring Island, being an active member of the Development Committee for the Island Arts Centre, while also chairing the GNS Foundation trustees between 2002-07.  He continued to support GNS through attendance and advice whenever it was asked of him. Throughout his iconic life he served with distinction.  He has left a lasting legacy appreciated and applauded by many, many members of the GNS community, British Columbians and Canadians across the country.