Principal’s Update | July

I feel honoured and humbled to join the Mac.Rob community as the Interim Principal for Term 3. I have received such a warm welcome from students, staff, and School Council, and a great handover from Anne and members of the school leadership team.

Developing relationships, connection, and a sense of belonging are important pillars in any school and are key elements of my educational vision. To help you get to know me, here is a little snapshot of my journey thus far. 

I have held a range of positions as an educator for the past 29 years. Originally a Biology/Science and Mathematics teacher, I began my career in the Kingdom of Swaziland (now Eswatini) with an Australia aid organisation. I have been an educator and leader in a vast array of educational settings – remote, rural and urban settings, K-12, senior secondary and tertiary, big and small, neighbourhood and selective entry. Since 2018 I have had the privilege of being Principal of the high-performing Northcote High School community in the inner-northern suburbs of Melbourne, and prior to that I was Assistant Principal at Nossal High School. I have had 12 years of experience at the Principal Class level.

My passion for education and learning has its origins in my own high-quality government school education – one that nurtured curiosity and inspired me to think beyond my own small country town and experiences. It fostered a sense of belonging, worth, aspiration and growth. My moral purpose is to ensure we create the conditions for at least a commensurate experience for all learners in my care – the young people in schools, and the staff who work with and for them. My commitment to growing and extending school cultures that facilitate an unerring focus on growth, care, agency, inquiry and community is resolute.

Over the next term I am most excited about the prospect of getting to know what makes the many branches of MacRob ‘tick’, finalising the plans for the 2022 launch of the International Baccalaureate, admiring the outstanding performances and achievement of students across all aspects of school life, and moving the school another big step closer to realising a new school building. 

I wish everyone all the best for Term 3 and look forward to getting to know as many people as possible.

Ms. Sue Harrap, Interim Principal
BSc, GDipEd, GDipAdolHlthWelf, MSchLrshp, FACEL