SAINT Martins Lutheran College’s longest serving principal Dianne Eckermann will say farewell to the school she has helped to transform as she takes on a new position in Adelaide next year.
Starting at the school in 2007, Ms Eckermann has spent the past 11 years developing greater opportunities for hundreds of students from across the region, leading them towards bright and successful futures.
From the addition of senior school years to new buildings and programs, she has helped to grow the school from 400 to 650 students.
After finishing off the year at St Martins, Ms Eckermann said she will start in her new position at the Lutheran Education National Office as director of learning in January.
“It was a hard decision to make – they gave me a few days to think it over, but I believe there is a time for change and this is probably it,” she said.
“Plus it is also a great change for the school – it is good to have reasonable turnover of staff and get new and fresh ideas coming in.”
During her first two years at St Martins, Ms Eckermann played an influential role in introducing Year 11 and 12 to the school.
“Getting the senior secondary established was a lot of effort and obviously a lot of new staff needed to come in,” she said.
“Apart from one person, all of the secondary staff have been appointed by me.
“The growth in this area and seeing the number of people coming here from so many different schools was a new thing.
“It is great to now have connections from Port MacDonnell to Naracoorte and Millicent over to the other side of the border – there is quite a range of students.”
Over the years, Ms Eckermann has brought in a student wellbeing program, leadership restructuring and a Christian leadership program, all of which have gone from strength to strength.
She also implemented the building of the trade training centre around 10 years ago, creating an alternative option for students who do not want to go to university.
“At the moment we’ve got probably 80pc of our students looking at tertiary study, but it’s really nice to have that other pathway for the rest of the students,” Ms Eckermann said.
However, the most recent project has been focused on improving the middle schooling area for students from Year 6 to 9.
A new two-storey building with four classrooms is currently being built and is expected to be finished by the end of November.
“It will be nice for students to have some modern, up-to-date spaces to learn in because we know now that there is not one size fits all for different year levels,” Ms Eckermann said.
“Sitting in a desk in rows just doesn’t work for everyone, students of all ages like different spaces and seating – the new building is going to be absolutely awesome.
“When I first started in 2007 there was just one class of Year 8s with 24 students and next year there will be 72 – that is a massive leap, hence the building program.
“The future planning you have to do when you’re not sure how many kids you’re going to have coming in in two years time is absolutely immense.”
Busy at work for the rest of the schooling year, Ms Eckermann said the process of looking for a new principal is already under way.
“They will be appointed by the start of next term and will do some visits until they begin next year, getting to know the people and the school,” she said.
“For me, work will continue as it has to to make sure everything is done by the end of the year.
“I am leaving a very good team of people and I have no concerns about leaving the school – it is in very good hands.”
