Orange High School principal Maree Angus will put down the chalk duster at the end of the year despite having a few misgivings about her decision.
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Mrs Angus said she was disappointed she would miss out on being part of the school funding reforms. Under the state government reforms principals will have a greater control over staffing and funding allocation.
“I went to a meeting recently and thought oh no I am going to miss all of that,” she said.
Mrs Angus said greater autonomy over spending would mean schools can be more flexible. She said the reforms would attract different types of people to the top job.
“I think being a principal is a fairly sought-after career and I think the changes would appeal to different people, more divergent thinkers.”
Mrs Angus said anyone who is frightened about the reforms hasn’t checked the guidelines properly.
“The guidelines are very specific and I think people really haven’t looked at them a whole lot,” she said.
“There are a lot of myths out there but the guidelines mean there is still a lot of accountability.”
Mrs Angus said she will miss seeing the current year 10 students through their HSC.
“I wake up occasionally and think am I doing the right thing,” she said.
Mrs Angus became a teacher 26 years ago and has been a principal for 13 years, the last seven at Orange High School. She said the highlight of her career was coming to the Orange school. She said she is amazed at the capability of students.
“Kids these days have jobs, they all have amazing social lives and they are involved in extra curricular activities,” she said.
“The time they put into it is phenomenal and yet they are all still highly academic.”
Mrs Angus has taught in Gunnedah, Nyngan, Brewarrina and Walgett.
She said she appreciated the community spirit of Orange.
“I go shopping and am constantly stopped by parents telling me what their child has done, they are so proud,” she said.
Mrs Angus will officially finish up as principal at the end of the year but it won’t be the last we will see of her. She said she hopes to stay on at Orange High School as a casual English, history and drama teacher.