Fr David Strong SJ, The Australian dictionary of Jesuit biography 1848-2015, Second Edition, 2017:
Brennan, Peter

Teacher and administrator; born Manjimup, Western Australia, 23 February 1929; died Melbourne, 14 January 1992, aged 62.

Peter Brennan was one of the foundation students at St Louis School, Perth, and entered the Society, 1 February 1946. His Jesuit studies were in Australia and he taught religion and French during regency at Xavier College, Kew. After theology he spent two years at St Ignatius' College, Norwood, South Australia, 1962, and 1963-4, as sports master and teacher of French and ancient history. He was in tertianship in Oude Abdij, Dorngen, Belgium, during 1962-3.

In 1965 Brennan began his long association with Xavier College, first as prefect of studies and then as its first headmaster. It was during this time that he sustained his first heart attack at the age of 49. In 1981 he moved to Burke Hall as headmaster until the end of 1985, when his health began to deteriorate with Parkinson's disease. He moved again to the senior school. He was assistant to the headmaster of the senior school, Christopher Gleeson, as an elder statesman, and was the provincial delegate for education. His long experience of education and wisdom was much appreciated in this position. He was a popular figure among the staff in the Xavier common room. One major work of his at this time was an evaluation of the Jesuit schools in Australia. It was an important work. Brennan was a dedicated administrator.

As headmaster of Xavier College, 1974-80, he introduced the tutor system, established the Xavier Foundation, and was one time chairman of the headmasters’ conference of Victoria. He led Xavier through its centenary celebration, developed Xavier as a family school, believing that parents should be part of their son's education, and he integrated the lay teachers into the College. He committed himself to professional education in important ways. His speeches and papers at conferences were strong and confident. He believed that Xavier had something to offer a wider world of education, and expressed his desire for lay Catholics to be more involved in political life and in the life of the Church. These years of his leadership were times when younger Jesuits were not convinced that secondary education was a viable future for their ministry. Brennan counteracted this attitude by being a great advocate of Jesuit schooling, but was realistic enough to prepare for this eventuality by appointing lay teachers to positions of authority.

He was a shy, private and sensitive man, but with a fine mind, and a wicked sense of humour among those who knew him well. He hated any form of sham. His love of art was a good form of recreation for him, and he painted himself, exhibiting paintings in the annual Burke Hall art show. He cultivated flowerbeds of roses overlooking Plunkett field for 27 years. He enjoyed playing golf, and would practice daily on the Plunkett field while he was physically able. He also had a great love for the Sport of Kings, and was regularly seen at the racetrack. He showed great fidelity to his friends, especially the Roche and Wallbridge families, and was highly appreciated by those close to him.

(Reproduced by permission of Fr David Strong SJ.)