Principal’s departure all class after 18 years at Rollins helm
GEELONG principal Steve McGarrigle has walked from the gates of Rollins Primary School for the final time after 18 years at the helm.
It was an emotional farewell for the 58-year-old who ended his stint as leader of the school with a surprise assembly.
“We’re talking almost a third of my life. It’s a significant amount of time and I’m really proud of what we’ve been able to achieve as a community,” Mr McGarrigle said.
“I love the kids, we’ve got a really supportive parent community and I've just got the most amazing staff team you could ever wish for.
“It’s a wonderful place to come to work everyday so it’s difficult to leave.”
Along with many successes, he has had to deal with a number of challenges including falling enrolments, which dropped as low as 230 but are now back at almost 300.
He hopes his legacy will be the sense of community between students, parents and staff.
“It’s a really nurturing environment to be a part of,” Mr McGarrigle said.
“The role of the school has changed a lot over the years, it’s more than just an educational institution nowadays, we’re supporting families, we’re supporting children, we’re supporting local services and agencies.
“We deal with a lot more welfare issues these days than in my early days . . . I think we have very strong connections between school and home.”
Mr McGarrigle will take up an executive position with the Department of Education, mentoring principals.
“I actually get the opportunity now to go from school to school and help other principals with managing finances and budgets and staffing and so on,” he said.
“It’s something I’m looking forward to and with the experiences that I’ve had at Rollins over the last 18 years, it’s really put me in a good position to take on that role.”
Deputy principal Jennifer Hassett will fill the role of acting principal until a permanent replacement is found.