By Tricia Mifsud
WALLAN Primary School will be led by a new principal in 2022, welcoming Tanya Kirkright to the role.
This will be Ms Kirkright’s first time as principal of a whole school. She has previous experience as a campus principal and has spent 20 years in total in teaching and education.
“My mum was a principal so I know the role and understand the demands that come with it and I also have previous experience as a campus principal at Epping Primary School,” she said.
“Some things are similar and some things are different in the role … but overall it is going to be a new challenge.”
It was the prospect of a new challenge that enticed Ms Kirkright to the role, as she realised she wanted to take the next step in her career.
She is looking forward to continuing the work of previous principal Ann Stevens and begin focusing on her own goals for the school, with a focus on inclusion.
“I was ready for the next challenge but I needed to find the right fit. I don’t live in Wallan but know the area … I looked into the job a little more and this was [the job for me],” she said.
“What Ann and the team have done for Wallan primary has been amazing, and I am looking forward to continuing on the work.
“Some of the things I want to focus on are communication and what other means of communication we can implement to keep connected with families. I’d also like to increase the use of technology and the different ways we use it.
“As a school, we are really focusing on inclusion and celebrating all at Wallan primary and its wider community.
“We’re beginning this with a celebration of Harmony Day, and we are encouraging the students to get dressed up in a cultural dress that reflects their families heritage or to wear orange in line with Harmony Day, and the students will all bring in a flag to contribute to a display.”
In line with the school’s inclusion goals, this is the first year the school has selected two vice school captains as part of the leadership group.
Ms Kirkright said what stood out most in the application of all four students was they all wanted to focus on inclusion at the school and make everyone feel as welcomed as possible.
“It has been absolutely amazing so far. The community has been fantastic, the students are wonderful and the teachers are just as amazing,” she said.
“It’s made the transition so much easier, and I am looking forward to what’s ahead during my time at Wallan Primary School.”
