Principal's Message

Welcome to 2021

Well done to all students, staff members and parents for making the start of the 2021 school year a very smooth one. I am sure we are all very happy to be back on deck again and we all hope we do not have to return to remote learning. We will achieve this if we do all the right things.

I would first like to extend a big thanks to everyone I have had the pleasure of meeting so far and for receiving such a warm welcome. I look forward to catching up with many of you over the next term.  My priority at this stage is to learn the names of 190 students and the almost 45 staff members, it’s quite a task and I aim to master the challenge this term.   

I understand that some parents may wish to speak to me but please understand that it is a priority for me to build relationships with students and staff at the moment. I am trying to spend as much time as possible in classrooms. I will, however, open up some times each week to talk and meet with parents. However, if there is an urgent situation, please contact me via the school office and Lorna will be able to schedule a time. I will start these Wednesday afternoon meeting times in week 4. 

Wednesday 17th February  1:45 – 3:45   Please  phone 54 943 011 to book a time slot. 

My Education Background

My educational background is one of varied experiences across the Wimmera and South West areas of Victoria.  I first worked at Geelong Grammar School as a teaching assistant and was a classroom teacher at Birregurra P.S. before been appointed as Principal to Watchem P.S. in 2000, then St Arnaud P.S. and Wendouree P.S. before commencing my 14 years at Donald P.S., as Principal in 2004. I did have a brief stint at Ballarat as Principal of Mount Clear P.S. (300 students) but the cold weather and my family commitments mattered more and I returned to Donald. I have recently spent 12 months as Acting Principal of Warracknabeal P.S. and the last 2 years as Principal of Mortlake P-12 College near Warrnambool.  As you can see I am in my 18th year as a Wimmera Zone Principal. I have also been a board member of the Country Education Partnership (a voice for rural education), and served on the Wimmera Education Cluster for a decade. I have coached hockey (Life Member at Donald) and football teams for the past 30 years and I am currently involved with Donald Football Club.  My other community role has been to lead a new stadium development, a $3 million dollar project at Donald.  

Personal

I am married to Rachel who is a teacher at Donald PS and we have three children; Will, Bella and Harry. Will is a second year apprentice electrician, Bella and Harry attend Donald High School.  I am proud to have grown up in Far East Gippsland (Buchan/Bairnsdale ) but I love the lifestyle of the Wimmera District. I barrack for the mighty Essendon Bombers.

In Conclusion

I believe that we can all look forward to a very  positive future at Wedderburn. I must thank Ms Lechmere and the team for the way the school has been set up for me to step into with ease.  Often it's hard to realise how great a setup you have if you cannot step back and reflect on what has been achieved over the past few years.  We probably don’t realise how lucky we are, as I honestly believe that Wedderburn College is ready to fly!  So please let’s keep working hard together in partnership and aim for us to be regarded as one of the best P-12 Colleges in the state.  Let's aim high for all students from Foundation - Year 12 to have a highly successful year! I look forward to sharing updates, information and my vision for Wedderburn College in the not too distant future.