To The POINT
With
Judy Goodsell

It’s a privilege to lead at such a great school

I WAS delighted to be appointed Principal of Hunters Hill Public School at the beginning of Term 2, just two short weeks ago.

My first impressions were, what a beautiful looking school with the grandeur of the sandstone buildings, the landscaped grounds, the panoramic harbour views, and history and nature in abundance.

Hunters Hill Public School is unique. It is steeped in history and tradition having served to educate children living on the Hunters Hill peninsula since 1870.

“Where waters meet and jacarandas bloom” is the first line of the school song sung at assemblies each week. What a privilege it is to lead this fine school. But schools are more than buildings. It’s the teachers and the teaching that make a difference. I know from the basic skills test results that the teachers teach literacy and numeracy exceptionally well at Hunters Hill.

Now I am learning how they achieve this. In my first weeks I have been greatly impressed by the hard work and dedication of the teachers and clerical staff at the school.

I can see that my leadership over the coming years will be ably supported by the school’s highly skilled and capable executive staff.

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I AM also impressed with the many extra-curricular activities on offer for the students. They learn French, which connects them to the past when the French community settled on the peninsula. There is a specialist music teacher, senior and junior bands, choirs, drama and dance groups, debating and tournament of minds teams.

Children can learn yoga, art, percussion and construction during “interest group” time. There is also a specialist visual arts teacher and children learn sport skills and compete in the local PSSA sport competition.

It is my intention as principal, to build up technology, gifted and talented education and focus on quality teaching in the classroom.

The values of public education which underpin my leadership are those of integrity, respect, responsibility, fairness and co-operation. These values fit in well with the school philosophy summed up by the school motto “Amity”, which means friendship, harmony and understanding.

The children have been very friendly and the school community has warmly welcomed me. I am greatly looking forward to working with the SRC, the student leader body of the school, and listening to their ideas on how the school can continue to move forward.

Moving around the classrooms over the weeks I can see the students motivated and engaged in their learning and accepting challenges.

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FINALLY, WHAT really impresses me are the close connections families have with the school. There are many families who have attended the school for generations.

They are an extraordinary community. Parents devote their valuable time, energy and passion to raise funds to improve school facilities and resources. They organise arts and crafts activities after school including fencing, pottery, photography and sport.

The social committee “Amity” organises functions to strengthen family connections with the school. It is this parental commitment that supports the school to achieve great outcomes for the children.

What strong foundations I have to build on.

* JUDY GOODSELL is Principal Hunters of Hill Public School.

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