Ewen Neil McQueen (April 1889 – 1967) was an Australian headmaster, prominent educational innovator, scientist, psychologist and General Practitioner.

[3] McQueen was educated at his local primary school, performing so well that he received an open scholarship to the Scotch College, Melbourne.

[3] McQueen had originally wanted to study medicine at university, but was persuaded by his father to take up arts.

[3] The time spent in London was important for McQueen as it allowed him to come into contact with the latest British educational thinking.

[3] On his arrival back in Melbourne, McQueen intended on enlisting but was asked to assist at a state school in Gippsland.

During McQueen's first three years at P.L.C, he made only minor changes to existing policies and routines, preferring to do as Marden had before him.

His other change in these early years was to allow the pupils a greater say in the election of the School Captain and Prefects.

[3] By 1922, McQueen seemed to be established as the principal, and the school was prospering with its highest enrolments ever seen, and he obviously thought it time to introduce changes in line with his own philosophy.

[3] As McQueen said: The object of awarding the Certificate is to give a sort of hallmark of the school to those who are of a high grade of intelligence with backbone and grit and character.

McQueen believed that the teachers appointed to his school should not only have great ability in their chosen field, but also have imagination and be prepared to be innovators.

He reorganised the school along the lines of the Dalton Plan, an educational concept created by Helen Parkhurst.

This scheme originated in Massachusetts, and was based on the importance of experience and of allowing the pupil to be "free to continue his work upon any subject in which he is absorbed."

During the rest of the week, about half the periods, students spent their time in practical work, reading texts and other references under the direction of a teacher who was available for individual and/or group consultation.

The project method set out to "allow children to follow their own ways in purpose, planning and execution and judgement.

The other influence on McQueen was "The Play Way" of H. Caldwell Cook which stressed the importance of "original thought and fancy" in children's activities.

[7] The outcome of these two philosophies on the school was the use of drama (often in the form of pageant's) to aid self-expression and the introduction of lectures and self-government.

[3] In 1926 McQueen introduced some peer assessment, whereby girls' estimates of each other's work and worth was taken into consideration in the allocation of prizes.

[3]McQueen also introduced a house system, school camps to Mittagong, and a course in infant care that same year.

A number of school pageants and open days to show the Dalton Plan at work enabled McQueen to give practical demonstration of his theories.

He continued to advocate and suggest ideas and plans which he wanted implemented for the good of the school and the girls.

Council's concern at the "deteriorating" situation was manifest by further attacks on McQueen over the manner in which he was managing the school.

[3] McQueen's "resignation" agreement was that he would be paid £1,209 in lieu of notice and that his two daughters would be accepted at the college at the pleasure of Council, as day scholars free of ordinary school fees.

[3] When news of McQueen's "resignation" became known, a number of parents were said to be outraged by the council's action and withdrew their daughters immediately, thereby, incidentally, worsening the enrolment situation.

William Duffy, Minister at Wollongong and a parent of a P.L.C student, stood up and asked the chairman to be seated.