Wendy Caramarco
Location Sunbury, VIC
School Leadership Experience
Secondary School
Sector Experience Government
State/Territory Experience VIC
Professional Experience
Founding Principal Wallan Secondary College October 2005 –October 2014
Assistant Principal Gisborne Secondary College 2001- 2005
Teaching Appointments: Gisborne SC 1997 – 2001, Melton SC 1992 – 1996,
Preston Girls High School 1981 -1986
As a founding school Principal I have had the unique experience of establishing all aspects of a school environment.
The challenges included: curriculum development from scratch, the development and implementation of an extraordinary number of policies and practices as the school grew a year level at a time, building and growing a cohesive high performing staff, community liaison and stakeholder buy-in, establishing a culture of high expectations for all and setting up processes and supports for all students, from Year 7 to Year 12 and into tertiary studies, training and employment. Add to this a three - stage building project over several years and the reality is one of rapid growth and change. Leading and managing rapid growth and change in any school environment presents particular challenges and taught me a great deal. Looking after staff and students amidst a constant change agenda became my main concern and impacted my leadership style. New schools are vibrant and exciting places to work in; they attract energetic and aspirational teachers. The ability to nurture and stretch the capacity of talented staff is a leadership experience from which I learned a great deal.
I’m pleased to share and help develop fellow leaders from my leadership successes and challenges.
To do this within a coaching framework enables the development of a professional, supportive relationship with other school leaders in order to help nurture their growth: personal, professional and institutional (Bloom, 2005). It is an opportunity I welcome with enthusiasm.