‘ Number one carers’ need support

A TOWNSVILLE principal says educators in regional schools need as much support as possible to minimise rapid staff turnover.

Annandale Christian College principal Daniel Clarke believes there should be as much support as possible for principals who work in regional or rural schools.

“My only experience in a regional school was when I worked for four years in a remote north east part of Arnhem Land called Nhulunbuy,” he said.

“For me one of the issues with rural schools, is that the turnover of staff is really high.”

Mr Clarke said principal vacancies can have an impact on even the best schooling systems.

“Individual teachers do great jobs in the classroom but they need to have someone looking out for them,” he said.

Mr Clarke said it was important to support principals because they were the “number one carer” of students and staff.

“The unique thing about a principal is that they have the ability to use their discretion to ensure the best outcomes,” he said.

Mr Clarke would “strongly encourage” anyone in the education sector to consider working in a regional area.

“In regional communities principals play a much bigger role than simply running the school, often championing local footy clubs or getting involved in charity,” he said.

“You can actually make a difference.”