Principal Report

Hello students, staff and parents of Edenhope College. It is with mixed feelings that I announce my resignation from the principal position at Edenhope College. I have been offered a position as a Campus Principal at Greater Shepparton Secondary College, a role where I will be responsible for the wellbeing and learning of over 1000 staff and students.

I have spent my entire professional career (apart from my six months working at DET in 2019) at Edenhope College. I came to this school straight out of university at the age of 25. I leave now, having begun a family here, at the age of nearly 47. The best part of my working life has been spent committed to the education of students in Edenhope and the surrounding district. I have watched many of my students succeed in all walks of life, and I remain in contact with many of them today. I've watched them start careers, begin their own businesses, and raise families of their own. They, and the staff members alongside whom I have worked, are, in a way, family also.

Our children have all attended Edenhope College from day one. Almost literally. With both parents working at the College, this great school quickly became a second home for them. They all had their first visit to the College within days of being born. They have all played on the staff room floor, some of them have even had to attend staff meetings. They are true Edenhope College kids, and will miss this place terribly.

As principal of the College, I have had many dreams and visions, some successes, and, admittedly, some failures. I have tried to achieve much, and havent always succeeded. At first, perhaps I bit off more than I could chew, and then I chewed like hell. But I am proud of the College as it is now. The crisis of 2020 (which, of course, is not yet over) has truly shown the real capabilities of the staff of the College. I have never been prouder of them than I have been over the past six months. They have worked together in ways I would not have expected when I began this role four years ago. In short, I am very confident that Edenhope College has the right people in front of our students.

I will take up my new position in Shepparton in Term 4. Kat will continue at the College for the remainder of 2020, ensuring that her Year 12 class (a group of students who have already had too much turmoil in their final year) are prepared for their exams. 

We will remain connected to the College through our family, our friends and our colleagues on staff. There will always be a part of me that remains connected to this school. 

I will continue my work on the School Review, and will work with Trevor to ensure an efficient and effective handover of responsibilities. But I wish to take this moment to thank all of you, the staff, students and parents of Edenhope College. The true credit for where this school is right now belongs to you, and I thank you for giving me the opportunity to guide and lead you over the past four years.

Thank you

Jon Neall

Principal