In December 2001, Alfred Mellor, Peter Bucknill, Brian Spicer, and Keith Farrer (all Old Carey Grammarians with staff or Council involvement during Francis’ tenure) were interviewed by Arthur Sandell about the short and troubled period of Vivian Frederick Oden Francis as Carey’s second Headmaster (1945–1947).

Appointment and First Impressions

• Francis, previously at Scotch College (NZ and Wellington), was well presented and initially impressed the School Council.

• He arrived at Carey with high expectations, drawing comparisons with the better facilities at Scotch, and pushed for rapid improvements.

• His impatience for change clashed with the Council’s limited resources post-war.

Leadership and Administration

• Staff and students recalled that Francis was courteous and gentlemanly, even during conflict.

• However, he was often disorganised: late with exam marking, reports, and inconsistent in classroom teaching. Students joked about betting on whether he would turn up to class.

• Discipline declined compared to the strict standards of his predecessor, H.G. Steele.

Conflict with Staff and Council

• Tensions grew as Francis avoided consultation with staff on educational matters.

• Dissatisfaction with exam results (1945) and poor sporting performance compounded the unease.

• In 1946, a group of seven staff members bypassed Francis and took their concerns directly to the Chairman of Council, Dr. Harold Moore. This unprecedented move signalled a collapse of confidence in Francis’ leadership.

• Though courteous in manner, Francis was unable to regain authority.

Resignation and Aftermath

• Francis resigned quietly in 1947, without hostility, and later built a successful career at Knox Grammar in Sydney, where he became Deputy Headmaster before retiring in 1968.

• His failure at Carey was attributed to the difficulty of succeeding Steele, a revered figure, and his inability to balance teaching with administrative leadership.

• Some speculated that Francis was more suited to being a strong deputy (“a first-class second-in-command”) than Headmaster.

Other Reflections

• Staff felt the episode was directed at Francis personally, not at Council.

• The departure of Science Master Mark Stump in 1946, partly connected to the tensions, was remembered as a great loss to Carey.

• Mrs Francis was recalled as a gracious presence, possibly a moderating influence during the crisis.

Overall Assessment
The Francis years are remembered as a low point in Carey’s history. Yet, despite the turmoil, Francis remained courteous to the end, and the School endured without permanent damage.