Julian Bickersteth lifts standards, on English public school model and earnest Christianity, at St Peter's in Adelaide
Headmaster Julian Bickersteth reinforced the English public school model at St Peter's college in Adelaide (top right: the college's big quad, Jury fountain and classrooms with cloisters) and was a prime mover in getting Adelaide University's St Mark's College (bottom right) at North Adelaide started.
Kenneth Julian Faithfull Bickersteth brought a landmark era to the Anglican Collegiate School of St Peter, Adelaide, as headmaster 1919-33, with leading roles in starting Adelaide University’s St Mark’s College and the first headmasters' conferences for independent schools in Australia. Born in 1885 at at Ripon, Yorkshire, England, the son of an Anglican minister,
Born in 1885 at at Ripon, Yorkshire, England, the son of an Anglican minister, Bickersteth was educated at Rugby School and Christ Church, Oxford (bachelor of arts 1907; master of arts. 1912). After visiting India and attending Wells Theological College, he was ordained in 1910, and accepted a curacy at Rugby Anglican parish church. The chaplain at Melbourne Church of England Grammar School 1912-15, Bickersteth returned to England to be senior chaplain in the 56th (London) Division in France and Flanders in World War I and was commended for his care of the soldiers. Bickersteth was awarded the Military Cross in 1918 and was twice mentioned in dispatches.
In 1919, Bickersteth was appointed headmaster of Adelaide’s St Peter’s College, with an English advisory committee recommending him for his impeccable clerical background, public school education, colonial experience, war service, earnest Christianity and “social qualifications … beyond dispute”.
Before Bickersteth arrived in Adelaide in 1920, his help was sought by those wanting to set up an Anglican residential college, based on English models, at the university. Bickersteth joined the university council in 1921 and soon persuaded the Anglican synod to form a committee to plan for a college. When it lapsed, he formed another committee of former members of such colleges and enlisted the support of leading citizens and raised funds. St Mark's College at North Adelaide opened in 1925 and Bickersteth was elected to its council and next year a foundation fellow.
At St Peter's college, Bickersteth built up pupil numbers, especially boarders, and improved academic standards, reflected in excellent public examination results by 1930. Bickersteth also introduced the English house system and compulsory games. He exercised a strong spiritual influence, centred round the chapel, and guided many boys to Anglican ordination. Bickersteth was controversial in his definite and uncompromising churchmanship, leading to some difficulties with the college council, particularly on the question of confession.
Bickersteth organised the first of the headmasters' conferences for the independent schools in Australia.
In 1926 and 1931, Bickersteth visited England, and in 1933 returned there as head of Felsted School, Essex In 1943, Bickersteth became archdeacon of Maidstone and a residentiary canon of Canterbury Cathedral. He came to South Australia in 1948 seeking funds for the cathedral to be restored after World War II. From 1953, he was a chaplain to the Queen and retired in 1958. Two years later ,he visited Adelaide again where he stayed with Anglican Bishop T. T. Reed, an old pupil and friend. At that time, he was made one of the first three honorary fellows of the Australian College of Education.
Bickersteth, a bachelor, died at Canterbury in 1962 while preparing a sermon.