For every day, a new challenge

Simonne Goodall stepped into the role of Randwick School principal at the beginning of 2013 and loves the community spirit within and around the school. This week she took some time out from her busy schedule and answered some questions about her life and work.

IF YOU WERE A PUPIL AT YOUR SCHOOL TODAY, WHAT WOULD YOU LOVE ABOUT IT?

Everything - the diversity, the great community spirit, the opportunities to have a say about our learning choices and to use technology regularly to help us with our learning (our school has one-to-one devices in the senior school and at least one-to-two in the junior school). I’d love the fact that we are a small school where everyone knows each other and looks out for each other. I love that I’d be valued for who I amand what I want to be and that I’d be challenged to reach my potential and follow my dreams.

WHAT HAS BEEN A HIGHLIGHT OF YOUR TEACHING CAREER?

Being a principal is the highlight. It is a privilege to work alongside such a dedicated, hard working staff who care deeply about the children they work with and their whanau. To come to work every day and be surrounded by children who have such strong hearts and personalities is a real buzz. I love that every day is different - from property and finance management to working with a range of agencies to support our children, to working with our student leadership team to get their voice on what their schooling should be but what I absolutely love is spending time in classrooms getting to know children and talking to them about their learning and their goals and dreams.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT THE HUTT VALLEY?

The physical environment with the hills on either side of the valley and the river that runs through to the harbour - it almost feels like you’re surrounded and protected by nature. I love the diversity, the green spaces and the strong passion that Hutt people have.