OUTGOING Hastings Public School principal Grant Heaton has left some big shoes to fill, but parents and students should have confidence in the appointment of Jodie Paterson.
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Jodie has left her post as the principal of Kendall Public to bring her wealth of knowledge to a much larger student base than she is use to.
Growing up in the Penrith area, Jodie specialised in special educations for kids with disabilities.
Her first teaching experience was in Mt Druitt and her first position was with children with a mild intellectual disability. She has been working for the department of education for more than 20 years now.
In her words it was a very tough but extraordinarily rewarding experience that has helped shape her into the principal that will walk into Hastings in term two.
Grant left his post to retire after 15 years with Hastings. He was fare welled at the end of term by all students and staff after officially handing over the school keys, so to speak, to Jodie.
“Listening to the staff I know that they hold Grant in very high regard and that is a good sign,” she said.
“I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Grant and working with him within our network, so I had an understanding of the type of leader he was, which gave me an idea of whether I was a good fit for this school.
“Obviously I wouldn’t have taken the job if I didn’t think I was suited to it. I hope I will continue to work with the great things that are already happening.
“My personal philosophy is always around looking after kids and making kids the centre of everything I do.”
Jodie also believes in a vision so and says she is not coming in with any grandiose plans.
“It will be about talking to people, meeting lots of people and getting to know the kids, the parents and the community,” she said.
“I’m a very much growth minded person and I believe we are all life long learners. We can always improve and things can always be built upon so I hope to do that here.”
Changing from a small student base at Kendall to a 700-plus student base in Hastings does not worry Jodie one bit.
“I’m looking forward to the change, but like Kendall this community is very close knit. I would like the community to know that my door is always open. I love talking to people,” she said.
“The way I see it, I am a mother as well and I know what it’s like to be a parents and to be awake at night worrying about your children.
“I love kids, I love working with people and I love supporting, I love empowering and enabling people to be successful.”
Matt Attard
I was raised in Port Macquarie and consider myself a true Port local. I'm a die-hard rugby league fan and don't mind taking a photo or two. I'd love to hear from you, so please contact me at any time.
I was raised in Port Macquarie and consider myself a true Port local. I'm a die-hard rugby league fan and don't mind taking a photo or two. I'd love to hear from you, so please contact me at any time.
