Rotary Narooma's meeting last week featuring the presentation by Fiona Jackson, new Principal at Narooma High School Wow her journey in teaching has been 26 years and she is still passionate and positive about her profession . Lots of challenges and changes along the way with being a mother to two children ,wife, with a very supportive husband and now coming to Narooma High School, that has three times the student population of her last school in Tumbarumba.
She is so positive about giving every child the opportunity of being the best they can be . She said it is not all about university as each student now could have up to 8 different careers.So education has a responsibility to get children ready for this challenge of many career changes .
Fiona told us about her life as a teacher and growing up in Tamworth being a Brownie then going on to Girl Guides and this gave her some great women role models in her early life in Netball water polo team sports and Guides. She went to Oxley High School as did our Frank, small world .
Her first posting was Barham NSW near Koondrook VIC initially her plan was to Stay 3 years and move back to the city but love got in the way and she was there for 17 years, even teaching 2nd generation students . Then an opportunity arose to teach at Tumbarumba where she was there for 4 years as Deputy Principal and then as Principal for 5 years.
Some of her goals are
To get children building each other up
Have a welcoming fun friendly environment in the school even the toilets are getting an overhaul .
Include more in the curriculum about Marine Education and the amazing surrounding environment we are so lucky to live in .
Develop a sense of belonging among the students and give them opportunities .
She is planning this ten year journey and wants to include the local community and evolve and improve the students in her care. She believes that attitude is 90% .
She wants her students to feel safe in their school.
Very impressed with the SRC and enjoys having chats with them and including them in planning improvements for the school.
Above: Fiona and Charmaine, Rotary Chair
