Scott Olsson admits after nearly two decades as principal at Yeoval and then Peak Hill he wasn't overly familiar with schools in Orange.
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But the new principal at Bowen Public School has been impressed with what he's seen so far.
Mr Olsson took on the top job at Bowen at the start of term two and has helped staff, families and students negotiate the tricky, staggered return to classes following the coronavirus lockdown introduced by the NSW Government.
Schools will return to full-time, face-to-face learning from Monday, but he says the support the staff has offered students in the meantime has been immense.
"Any teacher here I'd be happy to have teach my kids," Mr Olsson said.
"I couldn't believe the resources, the support for the kids really is second to none and it's a fantastic school."
Mr Olsson takes over from Rob McPherson, who spent 13 years at Bowen before taking on the principal's job at Bletchington.
Marianne Pankhurst was the relieving principal throughout term one, but she'll now revert back to her previous position as instructional leader.
Mr Olsson's previous job was running the Peak Hill Central School, with 160 students from kindergarten through to Year 12.
He says negotiating the High School Certificate while also running a primary school was a challenge and being able to focus on just the primary aspect of education was an attractive point of difference in his Bowen move.
The 41-year-old says his goal at Bowen is to "make staff and kids better".
"I think some of my biggest strengths are my open communication and personable skills," he said, with 260 kids currently enrolled at Bowen.
"This is a great-sized school and the kids are always at the centre of any decisions we'll make and I really enjoy working with the community.
... the things we have in the works here will be pretty special. It's a great little school.
- New Bowen Public School principal Scott Olsson
"I've known Rob (McPherson) for a while and he said to me 'you're going to love it', and I do.
"I can't thank everyone enough for making me feel so welcome."
As he did during his time as principal at Peak Hill, Mr Olsson will continue to live in Molong.
"Certainly being 15-20 minutes away from home rather than an hour-and-a-half is great, but every school you attend there's challenges and the things we have in the works here will be pretty special. It's a great little school," Mr Olsson added.
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