SYKES: LESSONS FROM THE PRINCIPAL

Nationals Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes, gained an insight into the day-to-day management of a school when he was Principal For A Day at Mansfield Secondary College this week.

Dr Sykes said, “Spending the day with Principal, Peter Baddeley, highlighted to me the wide range of issues which school principals have to deal with.

“With a budget of over $3.5m, 60 staff, several hundred students and a major capital works program on the go, Peter Baddeley faces many of the same challenges of other managers of (no so) small businesses in country Victoria.

“Some of the key issues to which I learnt included:

• The impact on Mansfield Secondary College school-based trainees of La Trobe University’s decision to withdraw from providing TAFE and ‘hands on’ training at Mt Buller.

Around 30 of the Mansfield Secondary Colleges’ 120 school-based trainees currently do some of their training at Mt Buller.

I am optimistic that alternative arrangements will be made as a result of the strong commitment of the college, local employers and trainers.

• The college is going to benefit from an injection of over $1m into facilities and resources as part of the Leading Schools initiative.

However, the existing college building, which was built in the 1960’s, needs significant maintenance and upgrading –the current budget for this work is less than $30,000.

• Mr Baddeley and his staff are very committed to the education and general well being of students, adapting courses to meet the range of learning needs and interests of the students.

Mansfield Secondary College is a leader in Victoria with its strong commitment to the School-Based Traineeship Program.”

Dr Sykes continued, “Mr Baddeley leads by example at senior management level but also with the little things. As we walked around the school, he frequently stopped to pick up litter and placed it in a bin.

Dr Sykes concluded, “My experience at Mansfield Secondary College reinforces my observations from visiting and working with the 50 or so schools in the Benalla District – our young people are in good hands.

Footnote

Editors – On a lighter note – the best part of my day at Mansfield Secondary College was having a kick of the footy with three students at lunch time!

Media contact: Bill Sykes (03) 5762 2100 or 0427 624 989