That was until he picked up the Sydney Morning Herald some 54 years ago to see he had been successful in gaining a teacher's college scholarship.

"In those days when you were finishing school you applied for those sorts of things," he said.

"That was the process. You applied and made your mind up when you saw your name in the paper."

He took up the scholarship and studied to be a secondary science teacher. His first position was at Hurlstone Agricultural High School in 1964.

The aim was to be a "very different" kind of teacher, to do so in a way that felt "less oppressive" than sitting in front of a text book.

He also set himself a credo: "live with integrity and make a positive difference in the lives of others".

He has lived by that in all his positions - from Hurlstone to Macksville, Bourke, Orange and Barham high schools.

Mr Elliot was deputy and principal at Barham High School before he became the Hunter region's inspector for school science in 1988.

In November 1995 he became principal of Irrawang High School.

"I certainly believe in areas where you see the full spectrum of students," he said.

"It goes back to my credo. I see places like this where, with a bit of positive input, you can improve student outcomes."

Mr Elliot has seen plenty of change during his 51 years in education, especially in how technology is improving the education experience.