Background
Le Couteur was born at Kyneton, Victoria, the only son of George, a pharmaceutical chemist, and his wife Fanny.
Le Couteur was born at Kyneton, Victoria, the only son of George, a pharmaceutical chemist, and his wife Fanny.
He was educated at Middle Park State School and Warrnambool Academy before serving a pharmacy apprenticeship. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in 1906 and was a triple blue in cricket, football and lawn tennis.
Both parents were Methodist and Australian born. He played regularly for Gentlemen versus Players and wrote magazines on the psychology of cricket. Le Couteur then studied experimental psychology at the University of Bonn, Germany until early 1913 when he was appointed lecturer in mental and moral philosophy in the newly established University of Western Australia.
In 1918 Le Couteur was appointed headmaster of Methodist Ladies" College, Melbourne.
The position proved difficult, as control of the school was shared with the foundation president, who was a bulwark against reform. Foreign ten years Le Couteur served on various university committees and school councils and captained the Hawthorn-East Melbourne Cricket Club.
Unsuccessful in applications for the headship of Sydney Grammar School in 1921 and the mastership of Queen"s in 1927, he became headmaster of Hale School in 1929. In 1931 he was appointed headmaster of Newington College succeeding the Rev Doctor Charles Prescott.
Le Couteur"s term at Newington covered the difficult Depression and war years, yet saw a remarkable increase in pupils and the opening of a preparatory school, Wyvern House, in 1938.
On retirement in 1948 he maintained an interest in the Fairbridge Farm School movement.
He was also a member of the Oxford String Quartette.