New challenge

Former Kambrya College principal Ian McKenzie joins acting principal Michael Muscat in reminiscing about times spent at the Berwick school. 21398

By Liesel Rickarby
SURROUNDED by well wishers, Kambrya College principal Ian McKenzie bade farewell to the school last Friday night.
As the college’s inaugural principal, Mr McKenzie has seen the Berwick school develop from empty buildings to a vibrant community and a school recognised by the state as a leading educational institution.
The farewell party was held at the school in the Ian McKenzie Learning Centre, which was dedicated to a surprised and thrilled outgoing principal on the night.
“You don’t dream of these sorts of things,” Mr McKenzie said. “You say ‘is this a dream or is it real?’”
Those who came to share the evening with Mr McKenzie included the teachers college council members who started out at Kambrya in 2001, current teachers and college council members, a number of last year’s college graduates and the current school captains and leadership team.
Mr McKenzie said to look back at what he’d achieved over the past six years, as principal was “momentous”.
“It’s only when you leave the school that you realise what the school has achieved.”
The school’s achievements in its six years are quite remarkable. It has been recognised by the education department as a leading school and a school of innovation and excellence.
Representatives from more than 100 schools have visited Kambrya’s Professional Development Centre from Australia and around the world. Of last year’s 103 graduates, 101 are placed in tertiary courses or apprenticeships but the biggest validation of the college, according to Mr McKenzie is that 14 of its staff send their own children to the school.
As he leaves for his next challenge as the inaugural principal of the new Casey Central Secondary College, Kambrya’s ex-principal reflects on what he will miss most about the school.
He calls it “ubuntu,” a South African word, which communicates a sense of belonging to a greater whole.
“The college prides itself on the notion that is based on values and relationships. The sense of community or ubuntu is very strong and alive at Kambrya.”