Cohuna Consolidated School’s new principal is settling into his role nicely, and looks forward to a long and rewarding relationship with the school community.
Ben Hawthorn began at the school at the start of term 2. Prior to his appointment, he was assistant principal at Echuca East and has taught at several schools in the Echuca area. While he lives in Echuca with his wife and children, with family in the Cohuna area, he is familiar with our town and community; in fact, that had a lot to do with his attraction to the primary school.
Keen for a principal position, Ben wanted it to be the right school. Cohuna Consolidated ticked all the boxes – its size, its reputation, and located in a town where he knew people already.
“Since I’ve been here, it’s everything I’d hoped it would be,” he said, “mainly around the community and the people in it. We do have great facilities, and as a school, we can offer so much, being big enough to offer everything, and we have great specialist classes.”
The students have made a big first impression on their new principal, with Ben describing them as welcoming, courteous and well mannered, and says it is the most welcoming, friendliest place you can be. The teachers and parents also get a glowing report.
With committed staff who “live and breathe the school”, Ben aims to continue working with them to “make sure everything they do gives the kids the best opportunities they can, and the best opportunities to be the best they can be.” He says the community can look forward to continued growth over all areas.
With 17 staff, and 150 students across seven classes, Ben calls his new school the ‘Goldilocks school’ – not too big and not too small.
“It can offer everything that the big schools could offer in the way of opportunities for kids in the different specialist areas like PE, art and the like, but I think it can offer more in that sense of community.
“As a principal, I can know each and every kid, and most of the parents and families and the likes of that.”
And he isn’t shy when it comes to meeting his school community, heading to the front gate when he can, eager to meet people and build relationships with them.
“The best part of my day is getting out of the gate and having a chat to the kids or the families or the bus driver, whoever it is just getting to know people pretty quick, but just forming those relationships, which you don’t always get to do in the big, big schools. It’s my favourite part of the day.”
When it comes to plans for the future, Ben says he wants to build on the “wonderful facilities”, continue to upgrade the facilities and grounds, and continue to ensure the school provides best practice in teaching and learning.
“I want the school and for every person in the community to know that they’ve got a school that they can send their child and that they’re going to get the best possible opportunities. I think every kid in every community should have a school where they know they can go and they can get the best possible teaching.
“I think what we’re trying to do is develop a school that’s well known for being a great school, and having great opportunities for the kids, having great teaching and learning results. We’ve already got high results in the NAPLAN data and things like that. I want it to be highly trusted, highly respected and to have a good perception within the community.”
Ben is more than happy to share the benefits of the school. “If anyone would like to find out more about the great things we have to offer, they can contact the school to organise a personalised tour with myself.”
It might be Ben’s first principal appointment, but the school and broader community will be glad to know he is here for the long haul. “It’s probably the perfect sort of school to start as a principal, but I don’t look at it like that. I’m not here as a stepping stone. The way I look at it is I’m here to stay.”
This article appeared in The Koondrook and Barham Bridge Newspaper, 13 June 2024.
