This interview with new principal Ms Jennifer Green was conducted via a questionnaire designed by Boorowa Central School students Teagan Simpson and Joshua Carmody of Year 10.
First of all congratulations on your appointment as new principal of Boorowa Central School.
Questions
1) How long have you lived in Boorowa?
I have worked at Boorowa Central School for 12 years and lived in Boorowa for the past ten and half years.
2) Where were you teaching before you came here?
I started teaching at Dunedoo Central School then was promoted to Head Teacher of Science at Coonamble High School in the mid 90s.
3) What area/subject did you teach before you became deputy of our school?
I teach sciences specialising in Chemistry and Biology. I have also taught Agriculture for eight years at my previous schools.
4) Why did you decide to move to Boorowa?
I had driven through the town travelling to the snowfields and liked the town. I am a country person and wanted a small country town to raise my family in.
5) Where did you go to school?
I attended school in Roma until the end of year 10 then my senior years were spent in Toowoomba, Queensland. I completed my Degree in Applied Science in Queensland then my post graduate studies in Armidale in NSW.
6) What are some of the things that you have enjoyed about our town?
I have really enjoyed my years in the Garden Club and Scrapbooking with a lovely group of ladies in town. I like that the town is small and a great place to raise a family.
7) I know you enjoy gardening. The Principal’s residence is looking spectacular and so is our new Stephanie Alexander garden. Is this something you would like to continue?
I do enjoy gardening and think it is vital for young people to learn how to grow and prepare healthy fresh foods and make healthy choices for their future health and well being. I also like to raise natives from seeds and am an avid seedsaver for natives and vegetables.
I put effort into making improvements in the physical environment of our school grounds as I believe that students in rural and remote centres have as much right as metropolitan students to have access to pleasant and challenging learning and playing environments.
8) Do you have any special and exciting plans for the coming years that you would like to share with the readers?
In 2012 we are refurbishing both of our science laboratories and preparation laboratories to bring them up to current industry standards. This will provide our senior science students with an advantage for practical components of their courses.
We will continue to develop the Stephanie Alexander program and build an outdoor pizza oven. We are exploring options for upgrading our Food Technology kitchen to full commercial capabilities to expand our Course delivery options for students.
We are very excited about our relationship with the University of Canberra that has provided our students with significant advantages in pursuing tertiary studies. The Country Education Foundation University experience also provides an invaluable opportunity for students who may not be considering university. One of the major barriers to students attending university is if families have not had someone attend before, these programs offer real advice as to how students may be able to afford and attend even if the family does not believe it has the capacity to do so.
Our teachers are committed to working to allow all students to realise their educational potential. Boorowa Central School has a strong tradition of individuals achieving outstanding results and gaining honours lists in the HSC and at universities, as well as gaining quality apprenticeships and traineeships. Our growth for students in external assessments is strong and we will work to continue to improve this level of growth achieved by students.
9) Are there any changes that you plan to make now that you are the principal of Boorowa Central?
Boorowa Central School is part of the largest educational system in the world. Much of the change we experience is determined by our system in response to results driven decision making within the state and national education departments.
Over the next three years we shall implement the new national curriculum and also the Leading and Managing Business Reform suite for administration and management of schools. This will be a significant change in how we provide and document information.
Our priority will always be to continuously improve the educational opportunities provided to our students with curriculum on offer, teaching quality and well being programs to enhance student outcomes.
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