Principal's  News

I’d like to thank the staff, students and their families for making me feel so welcome in my first few weeks as Principal of Ballarat High School. As our Year 7 students can testify, it can be pretty overwhelming being the new kid as you navigate a multitude of new faces and names, buildings that seem to go on forever and a day that has a structure completely alien to you!

Like I hope our Year 7 students are now feeling, the initial uncertainty and confusion for me has subsided and been replaced by a real connection and a sense of belonging to Ballarat High School and its community.

I’ve been lucky enough to be given the opportunity to meet all students and staff in the opening few days of term; to be part of planning sessions of how we are going to make this the best school we can by being the best teachers we can be; I’ve sailed the Lake and seen first-hand the incredible sacrifice and commitment of our rowers;  I’ve met the Student Leadership group who are  going to change the world; held discussions with highly skilled school leaders and staff members who have the capacity to improve teaching and learning to the point that we become leaders in education; saw our musicians inspire the next generation of performers; got to address our pretty amazing Year 12s and their families as they commence what we intend to be the best stage of their educational journey; met the School Council and gained an appreciation of their drive, ambition and commitment to our community; and got to see House Spirit realised through the outstanding participation and support displayed at Swimming Sports…

That’s a pretty long sentence and the English teacher in me doubts it’s 100% grammatically correct, but it represents how much good I have experienced in only two full weeks of this term… and they are just the headlines!

This will be a year of great growth and development for all of us who belong to Ballarat High School. We are fortunate to be part of a school with enviable traditions and even greater opportunities. Ours is a school of high expectations, entrenched moral values and an ambition for our students that needs to be limitless, because their dreams and aspirations matter so much. The road to success is not a straight or easy one to travel and it requires direction, encouragement and support. There may be a few wrong turns along the way, but the end point is worth it. All I want for and from our students is a belief that they can achieve; that they can grow socially, emotionally and academically; and that they feel connected to each other and to our school.

Put simply, they are ready to come on this journey with us.

The idea that all students have the capacity to be the best version of themselves that they can be has to be a universal truth at Ballarat High School. For this to be our reality, we must insist upon high expectations around behaviour, effort, kindness and inclusivity. In order to thrive, our students need a learning environment that is safe and supportive where they can make connections, learn from mistakes and each other and seek to make a difference in the lives of others.

Even after such a relatively short period of time in this role, I know I am incredibly fortunate to lead a school with so much potential and a willingness from our community to create something special. I look forward to celebrating our students’ successes with you all as we move into the next exciting stage of Ballarat High School’s journey.

Stephan Fields

Principal