From pollie to principal

By Emma Sun
NARRE Warren North MP Luke Donellan was principal for a day at Narre Warren North Primary School last Tuesday.
School principal Connie vanderVoort said the Principal for a Day program aims to give community members an opportunity to experience firsthand how schools operate.
“It was a good opportunity for him to talk about what his role is and see how a school is run as well,” she said.
“He went on the roof to retrieve a shoe, as you do in the job. You just have to do those jobs that aren’t anyone’s role, and he did very well – he did that in his suit and all!”
Mr Donellan said he had an enjoyable time and learned a considerable amount about what it takes to be principal of the school.
“One of the highlights was how complicated the job is, because it’s not just about education, it’s about managing large cohort of parents and students,” he said.
“I realised how demanding it is, both intellectually and physically to get it right.”
Ms vanderVoort said she would grade him an A for his performance, but Mr Donnellan wasn’t as lenient with his self-critique.
“I think I got a C, if not for ignoring OH&S alone,” he laughed.
“You get into the class and you realise it is very difficult to engage children in what you talk about.
“It’s being able to communicate with children, which is a skill in itself, a skill I don’t have at this stage.”