A DOZEN fresh-faced Foundation students walked onto the Mil Lel Primary School grounds yesterday for their first official day in class, only to be met by another new member of the rural school’s community.
After working in the Limestone Coast for almost 20 years, educator Tamarin Condon has been appointed principal of the facility, filling the vacancy left by the departure of Suze Ricketts.
Raised in the Limestone Coast before moving to Warrnambool for university, Ms Condon said returning home to forge her career was something she always had in mind.
“I am very much grounded in my family,” she said.
“I wanted to come home – home is where the heart is and Mount Gambier is certainly that for me.
“I also wanted to work in my local community and give back.
“I was blessed to have many great teachers and I hoped to make an impact on children and their learning here as well.”
Starting her career at Mulga Street Primary School, Ms Condon was awarded a position at Gordon Education Centre where she worked for four years before ultimately returning to her roots at Mulga Street.
After working as an integral part of the teaching staff for many years, Ms Condon was appointed the school’s deputy principal, a position she held until her arrival at Mil Lel this year.
“I think it does show there is room to grow your career in country areas,” Ms Condon said.
“Our regional director Adam Box and the regional team support staff and we have plenty of opportunities to grow and develop which is great.
“I was fortunate that I had a great mentor and that person taught me many things which I was able to share.
“I think mentoring for new teachers is the key and essential to their success and certainly I would not be where I am now without that.”
On top of her arrival to the new facility, Ms Condon is one of many educators around the region easing the transition of the Limestone Coast’s Foundation students.
The new generation at Mil Lel is well cared for according to Ms Condon, with student mentors supporting the process.
“We have a Foundation and Year 1 class so that allows the older ones to sort of help them a little bit like helping them find the toilets and the drink fountains and those little things they may forget when they become overwhelmed,” she said.
“We send a lot of information home with parents so they know everything that is going on.
“When the students come on those first transition days, they meet their teacher and they get to know the other students and some of the routines.
“I think the loveliest part of all of it is when they come out and have that really great day at school.
“Away from school, I think it is crucial they get good sleep and plenty of rest and that mums and dads do all those things mums and dads do like nurture, love and support them because it is a transition time for them.”
