Tuppy Diack (1930 - 2025)

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Tuppy Diack first started teaching at McGlashan in 1961, then became Deputy Headmaster in 1976. Upon his retirement in 1988 (after 28 years!) he had taught geography, social studies, English and physical education. Tuppy's wife, Margaret, also taught at McGlashan from 1976-2006. Across the family, as staff and their sons as students, the Diack family has had a connection with John McGlashan College of over 60 years.

Having played one All Black test and 100+ matches for Otago, it was no surprise that in in 1963 Tuppy was the coach of the 1st XV, however he also coached the 1st X1 the same year.

When he retired in 1988 the school had grown from 130 pupils to 350 - a period of significant change for the College. Tuppy remarked that;

"McGlashan people have always considered our College more than just classes. It has always provided the opportunity to take part in music, pipe band, speech, reading, drama, art, yachting, squash, woodwork, cadets, adventure group, and sport. In the early days, our sport took place on Bishops court...a far cry from the facilities our boys enjoy today".

At the time of Tuppy's retirement, the School magazine published a delightful article on Tup. "Many past and present students will remember the happy times at Mt Nicholas where Tup was one of the persons with a large input into the form 4 camps for many years." 

'We can never replace Tup, he is something special.'