PRINCIPAL'S REPORT

A Significant Contribution

How fortunate we have been at Kew to have a person of the calibre of Ian Greenwood in the Principal Team. Ian came to Kew as an Assistant Principal in 2001 and he has now decided that the time is ripe for him to retire. His shoes will be hard to fill.

Ian’s value set is very much in alignment with that of our school which made him a perfect fit for the Leadership Team. Those of you who have had interactions with Ian will attest to the fact that he is fair, insightful, respectful, diligent and has enormous enthusiasm. Ian makes connections and builds relationships. He is considered, listens intently to others and takes their opinions on board.  He engages with all members of the community, is easy in conversation and injects humour into the day.

In Ian we have had a positive role model for our students. He saw each one as an individual and approached them with compassion, understanding and empathy. However, he was fearless in his pursuit of the truth and students knew not to equivocate in any discussion.

Ian played a key role in the planning of our facilities. He has worked alongside our Maintenance Managers over the years to ensure the school has been well maintained. Because of his drive and energy, his eye for detail and his ability to see opportunities and new solutions, we have been able to make substantial improvements to our grounds and buildings. Under his guidance as the leader of the Facilities’ team we have established several cooperatives which enabled us to build the Drama and Music spaces, upgrade the car park, alter the gym, replace the shipping container with storage, rejuvenate the Library to incorporate the Language centre, Archives, Careers Centre and Media equipment. The VCE centre is a hive of activity and has provided a hub of learning for our VCE students. He negotiated an ongoing contract which ensures the school is repainted over the holidays. The signage has been modernised and updated and the centre stairs enclosed. Of course the upgrade of our grounds with the soccer pitches and turfed quadrangle has also made a significant difference.

By working closely alongside our Overseas Coordinators, Ian has ensured the program has gone from strength to strength; that students are mixing with the local cohort and that they are included and engaged in the life of Kew. It was because of his vision that the Language Centre was set up on site. Ian has been to Vietnam on several occasions, linking with parents and agents and as a result of these visits we now have a sister school in Ho Chi Minh City, with the number one school, Le Hong Phong.

Over the years the ICT component of the school has grown so that all levels next year will have laptops and there is more reliance on Compass and ICT in our classrooms. Ian’s forethought, awareness and perceptiveness, his practical suggestions and hands on approach will be sorely missed. 

Ian has worked with all levels, but  in particular Year 10, 11 and 12 students have often interacted with Ian as he oversaw all that was happening - from formals, subject decisions and future pathways for individual students, to VCE break up and information evenings. Some may have been in his Economics class and will know him as an extremely knowledgeable and competent teacher who kept his subject lively and relevant.

With Ian in the team you believe you can do anything. He encourages you and bolsters your confidence.  He has clear purpose and a determination to achieve.

I will personally miss his outstanding leadership, his persistence, his perspective, his positive outlook, his friendship, his passion for education, his belief in our students, his concern and consideration and his determination that students at Kew will have excellent facilities and every opportunity to achieve their best.

Ian’s significant contribution to Kew High School is exemplified in Stephen Covey’s message that to live a life of fulfilment we need: “to live, to love, to learn and to leave a legacy”.

Thank you, Ian Greenwood.

Clare Entwisle