Pittwater Life November 2020 Issue

News
New principal to make his Mark
Some of Mark Robinson’s youth was
spent riding a bodyboard at Mona
Vale Beach but nowadays the selfconfessed
sports tragic is more enamoured
with English Premier Football,
motorsport and tennis.
“There were a few ‘boos’ when I mentioned
to the students that I supported
Manchester City,” he said.
Importantly, the new Principal of
Barrenjoey High is also obsessed with
education, describing himself as a
holistic educator who fully supports the
school’s directive to produce “life-ready
students”.
“I believe in physical and emotional
wellbeing which allows students to grow
and develop,” he said.
The new principal is married to Tania,
who is also a teacher, and they have a
young daughter. Currently the family
lives at South Turramurra.
Mr Robinson, who is in his early 40s,
said he was inspired by the work which
had been done by the previous principal
Ian Bowsher, and that he was confident
of being able to continue in that vein.
“While also adding some of my own
flavour,” he said.
“I think leadership means having high
expectations. But is also means having
compassion and empathy. Ultimately,
you want what’s best for the community.
“I feel privileged to be in this position.
It comes with much responsibility.”
His last school was Ku-ring-gai High
where he was Deputy Head; prior to that
he was Deputy at Asquith Girls’ High
School, following a stint as Humanities
teacher at both Chatswood and North
Sydney Boys’ high schools.
He said he liked the balance of the
sexes in education. This also drew him to
this comprehensive co-ed school.
“I knew a fair bit about Barrenjoey
before applying,” he said. “I could see
it was a school with a strong sense of
community and one that valued learning
– for students and teachers.”
Mr Robinson said he prided himself in
creating a workplace culture of high expectations,
rigour and academic success.
“It’s a great time to begin at Barrenjoey
as it’s the start of our vision for the next
four years,” he said. “This is the Strategic
Improvement Plan (SIP).
“SIP involves the whole school community
including staff, students, parents
and relevant stakeholders. It’s a working
document that details the steps the
school will take to improve outcomes,
achievement and growth for all students.”
NEW HEAD: Principal Mark
Robinson with 2020 Year 11
students Eliza Cutrie, Ewan
Coles and Hannah Hopkins.
The principal recognised the strain
the community had been under following
the relative spate of recent suicides,
particularly felt hard by the school.
“I’ve been at other schools where this
has happened and it’s always awful,” he
said. “It’s something where we need to
continue to improve.
“Both physical and emotional wellbeing
is important. For instance, we now
have a team of teachers who go around
at lunch and encourage kids to be active
– to get them off their phones.
“It’s not just an issue for our school
but it’s across the northern beaches, and
Sydney. It’s a community issue.
“We have the kids between 9am and
3pm. Beyond that, we have to work with
the community.” – Rod Bennett
12 NOVEMBER 2020
The Local Voice Since 1991