Shine Magazine, Issue 3, April 2010 - Department of Education and ...
Shine Magazine, Issue 3, April 2010 - Department of Education and ...
Shine Magazine, Issue 3, April 2010 - Department of Education and ...
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ReGIonAL Network leADers<br />
10 questions for<br />
Joanne Levey<br />
Cappuccinos seem to top the list <strong>of</strong> life’s little<br />
pleasures for regional network leader (RNL)<br />
for the Highl<strong>and</strong>s City network in the<br />
Grampians Region.<br />
1. What do you think makes a good principal?<br />
The thing that all good principals have in common is the ability<br />
to develop good relationships with their school community <strong>and</strong><br />
a strong belief that the bottom line in any decision is what is best<br />
for the learning <strong>and</strong> wellbeing <strong>of</strong> the students.<br />
2. When you were a student who was your most<br />
inspirational teacher?<br />
Mrs Murray my HSC biology teacher. She was passionate about<br />
her subject <strong>and</strong> had high expectations <strong>of</strong> all her students. She<br />
conveyed her enthusiasm for the subject to me.<br />
3. What are you reading at the moment?<br />
I don’t like sitting still for very long so most <strong>of</strong> my reading is<br />
on a ‘need to’ basis. I do read the Age every day to improve my<br />
general knowledge so that I can beat my husb<strong>and</strong> in the quiz –<br />
which I have achieved. I still wonder at why anyone would care to<br />
remember that a quogga is an extinct relative <strong>of</strong> the zebra.<br />
4. What is your idea <strong>of</strong> the perfect weekend?<br />
I love all weekends because they are an opportunity for a change<br />
<strong>of</strong> pace <strong>and</strong> routine. I particularly enjoy getting a lap lane at the<br />
pool to myself, a c<strong>of</strong>fee with friends <strong>and</strong> catching up with my<br />
three children when they come home from working <strong>and</strong> studying<br />
in Melbourne. Weekends are also a chance to appreciate the<br />
superb Wimmera l<strong>and</strong>scape, which I miss since shifting <strong>of</strong>f our<br />
farm into town.<br />
5. What do you love to eat?<br />
I love mangos <strong>and</strong> anything my husb<strong>and</strong> cooks. His cooking is so<br />
much better than mine <strong>and</strong> I will make sure that he reads this.<br />
6. What was your main motivation for becoming<br />
an RNL?<br />
I received a little push to take on an acting RNL role. The timing<br />
was right <strong>and</strong> the school improvement focus appealed to me.<br />
7. What were you doing prior to this role?<br />
I was principal <strong>of</strong> Horsham 298 Primary School <strong>and</strong> loved<br />
working with the great students, staff <strong>and</strong> community that made<br />
it a very special place.<br />
8. What are some <strong>of</strong> the key projects you are<br />
working on?<br />
This year Wimmera West network has a number <strong>of</strong> projects<br />
including the Wimmera Virtual School, the Wimmera Trade<br />
Training Centre, a focus on improving student achievement in<br />
writing, <strong>and</strong> planning for the implementation <strong>of</strong> a developmental<br />
curriculum approach to early years learning.<br />
9. What do you do to relax after work?<br />
Swim, play with my two clever <strong>and</strong> energetic sheep dogs <strong>and</strong><br />
sleep when I sit down to watch TV.<br />
10. What is your all-time favourite movie?<br />
The Piano because I love its haunting story <strong>and</strong> music.<br />
44 <strong>Shine</strong> APRIL <strong>2010</strong>
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