Front centre, Casey Central Secondary College’s newly appointed principal Ian McKenzie joins local parents, from back left, Tracy Jackson and Matthew Bell, prospective students Grace and Harry Bell, local MP Judith Graley, and prospective students Megan Jackson and Emily Jillings at the site of the Narre Warre South college. 21066 Picture: Meagan Rogers.By Callan Date
IAN McKenzie is the inaugural principal of Casey Central Secondary College.
Mr McKenzie relinquished the principal role at Kambrya College in Berwick last month and immediately took charge at the soon-to-be built school.
The education specialist is now based at Hillsmeade Primary School, the temporary site of the college until it is ready for students in 2010.
“This college will be of the community, for the community, and in the community,” he said.
“It will not just open its doors only at 9am and shut them again at 3.30pm; it will be an integral part of the fabric of the community.”
The school was originally planned to open in 2009, but the State Government failed to deliver on a pre-election promise to have the college ready in time.
A makeshift campus was put in place after months of campaigning by a group of local parents who hoped to see the school ready for next year.
More concerns were raised in March this year when the Government announced Casey Central Secondary College would be built through a public private partnership (PPP).
But Mr McKenzie believes the PPP will be a boon for the school.
“I’m very excited about it. It will create a state-of-the-art school for the students.”
Mr McKenzie said he had been involved with the selection of the consortia bidding for the contract to build the school.
He said the winning tender would be selected in early October. Works are then expected to start in 2009.
Local MP Judith Graley announced the new principal during a visit to the school’s Narre Warren South site last week.
He was “the ideal candidate” to lead the school, Ms Graley said.
“Ian has high expectations for his students and his staff. He is one of Victoria’s leading educators and I am excited that Casey Central Secondary College will benefit from his experience.”
A public information session for parents of prospective students will be held at Hillsmeade Primary School hall on 13 August at 6.30pm
