Sarah Keating -

Principal Intern

Principal Internship at McClelland College

Thank you to everyone for welcoming me to McClelland College as an Intern Principal. I have loved the entire 7 weeks and likened myself to a human sponge – absorbing every opportunity that I could. The internship has certainly been a unique experience, particularly undertaking it alongside transitioning to flexible and remote learning with the McClelland College community. The extended leadership team was wonderful, including me in as many opportunities as presented themselves throughout that period. 

During my time at the College, I was fortunate to be involved in many aspects of the McClelland College community. Examples of these highlights included an invitation for me to attend the AIME lunch where it was fantastic to see the students come together to take ownership of the program trajectory by sharing their ideas and experiences. This was all whilst enjoying a fantastic lunch provided by the Food Technology students and staff. We sampled everything from Bush Tomato Kangaroo sausages to Davidson Plum ice cream. It is clear, this educational program provides students with the skills, opportunities, beliefs, and confidence to make things happen! Thank you to Lisa Carroll for extending the invitation.

I was also able to attend McClelland’s biggest Careers Expo. The students were fantastic representatives of their respective industries, showcasing their interests and career aspirations through interactive and informative displays. I do not doubt over the years these students have demonstrated exponential growth in their skills, knowledge, and attributes, enabling them to make informed choices around employment and their educational pathways. Further to this, the expo emphasised how highly regarded the VCAL program is within the wider community with local industry discussion forums highlighting both gender equity and diversity in the industry along with new and emerging technologies.

 Upon returning to Beaumaris Secondary College, which is about to embark upon its first applied learning pathway, I will certainly be taking many learnings back with me and the McClelland College VCAL program has set the benchmark very high. Congratulations to Dave L’Huillier and the VCAL team for leading such an amazing event. 

Something which became clear to me, very early on during the internship, was the moral purpose that runs through the college community. It is an innate sense held by everyone, as to why they are all at McClelland College and understanding the value of their contribution, including staff, students, families, and the wider community. I am very grateful for the opportunities and experiences McClelland College has provided me. I know I will return to Beaumaris Secondary College a much more well-rounded leader, with a true sense of what community, ownership, and growth looks like, sounds like, and feels like when exemplified by a whole school community.