From the Principal: A message for our school community

A time for leadership renewal

I write to advise the school community of my intention to resign as Principal of Northcote High School effective 28 January, 2018.  

Carefully planned leadership renewal is a mark of good organisations and I would like to give the school as much time as possible to recruit a new Principal. This is my eleventh year working for the school, the last nine as Principal. It has been incredibly satisfying to be a part of an organisation that has the support and trust of its community to innovate and enrich the learning experiences of students. I have thoroughly enjoyed working with the dedicated and professional staff who are key to the school’s success. 

Young people are at the centre of our world and the decisions and actions we take as a school are focused on developing student capability and equipping them for life beyond Northcote High.  Over the past decade, Northcote High School has grown, programs have expanded, and our quality of courses across faculties and rich co-curricular offerings are the envy of many schools. Our students consistently report high levels of confidence in their learning, school connectedness and safety. Students achieve academically and their results consistently place Northcote High in the top 10 open entry public co-ed schools in the State. These results are a reflection of the fantastic work that happens within the school buildings, supported by parents and families.

Northcote High School remains a beacon in public education; a neighbourhood school committed to positive change and meeting the needs of its current and future students. I am proud to have led the school over the past decade and feel incredibly privileged to have had the opportunity to contribute to its ongoing success.

The school is in a strong position with exciting changes to curriculum, teaching and learning experiences and buildings well underway. It is now time to welcome a new Principal to lead the school through the next phase of contemporary learning. 

Continuity for students and staff is central to Principal transition. Hence, the leadership team have begun planning for 2018 with programs and data review. The Annual Implementation Plan (AIP 2018) will articulate goals, targets and actions to support progression in student learning, wellbeing and teacher development.  Workforce planning and recruitment of additional leadership and teacher roles is also underway.

The leadership team have already met to lead planning and transition over the next 6 months.  Staff and students will be part of the conversation. Continued intentionality in our work will focus effort on the students and teachers leading learning in our classrooms.  Curriculum innovation and design remains focused on the implementation of The Northcote Model at Years 9 and 10 and 2019 program planning for the junior years.

The Principal Recruitment Process will begin in the next few weeks led by the Department of Education representative, Graham Stevenson, who is the Darebin School Education Improvement Leader. Graham will brief School Council and staff in the next week. Staff and School Council are involved in the selection of school principals so that the views of staff and parents are represented. It is anticipated the process with take approximately 3 months, with the appointee commencing in 2018. Graham will keep the school community informed of progress. 

I look forward to continuing to work closely with staff, students and families throughout 2017 to ensure the success of Northcote High School in to the future.

Kate Morris

Principal