Pittwater Life September 2020 Issue

Barrenjoey head to
make a new start
News
After 13 high-achieving
years as principal of
Barrenjoey High School, Ian
Bowsher will depart the hot
seat at the end of September.
The popular mentor, who
lives in the inner west, has
accepted a new role as College
Principal at Balmain Secondary
College – but he admits
he is leaving the Northern
Beaches with a heavy heart.
“It wasn’t an easy decision,
I will miss the sense of community,
staff banter and of
course the students,” Bowsher
told Pittwater Life.
“The culture here at Barrenjoey
is different to other parts
of Sydney, it can be perceived
as laid back. But in reality, the
students care deeply about
each other and the environment,
be it those who surf or
swim, or simply love a run on
the beach.
“Having that sense of pride
is valuable, you should always
appreciate your surroundings.”
Bowsher arrived at Avalon
in 2008 following a stint
in south-west Sydney and
quickly set about making his
presence felt.
“Initially I hadn’t heard
much about the school, but I
soon discovered it was part
of a tight knit community,”
he said.
“That was part of the
attraction, most definitely.
After settling in, I set up
an individualised program,
which the staff and students
quickly adapted to. I stressed
the importance of the welfare
of youth in a holistic sense,
and it was great to see everyone
really buy into what I was
looking to implement.”
An early cultural change
introduced by Bowsher was
that it is “okay” to succeed
academically.
“Achieving good marks in
the classroom is important,
but it is not the only reason to
be at school,” he said.
“I’m also very proud of our
work in the mental health
DIFFICULT DECISION: Outgoing Principal Ian Bowsher says he’s leaving Barrenjoey with a heavy heart.
space in recent years, it was
a society issue we needed to
urgently address.”
In recent years Bowsher has
driven several vital mental
health initiatives, with the
welfare of students at the
forefront.
“It was very pleasing to see
the Youth Hub become a reality,
the students now have an
avenue where they can seek
clinical support if need be,”
Bowsher said.
“Approximately a quarter of
our adolescent population are
“COVID has certainly had
an effect this year, but once
the pandemic eventually
passes, I am sure the Performance
Space will once again
be highly utilised.”
Away from school, Bowsher
enjoys hiking, riding his push
With youth suicide a taboo struggling with mental health bike as well as fine food and
subject for some, Barrenjoey’s issues. The majority are anxiety
or depression, but each With a wry smile, he said he
wine.
leader was keen to buck that
trend.
case is different.
won’t miss the daily car commute
from Drummoyne, but
“Following the third death “Suicide is the extreme version
of anxiety or depression.
of a teenager in the community,
I felt enough was enough,” “The key issue is the pres-
ultimately it was time for a
new professional challenge.
Bowsher said.
sure young people face in
“My partner, she is also a
“Geographically, the kids their lives, be it relationship
teacher, we both love what we
here are fairly isolated at the breakdowns or other forms of
do,” he said.
northern end of the peninsula…
access to professional “If they are not resilient, that
stress.
“When I started my career, I
felt I could make my greatest
help wasn’t easy.
is when problems can emerge.”
“So I looked to change that.” In addition to the Avalon
impact as a Principal, but if
Bowsher reached out to Youth Hub, Bowsher also
the people around you aren’t
the likes of Northern Beaches championed the Barrenjoey
on the same page, change is
Council (and the former Pittwater
Council), the NSW Govern-
has every reason to feel proud “I will miss many aspects
Performance Space, a feat he difficult to introduce.
ment, Northern Sydney Health
as well other service providers.
The result was the creation
of the Avalon Youth Hub as
well as an ongoing partnership
with Macquarie University
who now conduct annual
emotional health surveys of
the students at Barrenjoey.
of.
“The aim was to create
a first-class facility and
purpose-built space for our
students on their doorstep,”
he said.
“We successfully applied for
series of grants and then got
to work.
of the role here at Barrenjoey
– I’ve never experienced such
a sense of community pride
anywhere else, it is fantastic.
“Everyone looks after one
another and tend to embrace
success, it has been a fascinating
journey.”
– Andrew Prentice
22 SEPTEMBER 2020
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