Graduating from Hastings Secondary College Port Macquarie Campus in 1988, Meaghan Cook's dream of returning as principal will come true later this month.
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Recently appointed to the role of principal, Meaghan is excited to get back to where it all began but said she is conscious of the legacy left by former principal, Lorraine Haddon, who tragically passed away in December 2018.
"I am very excited about my new position at Hastings Secondary College Port Macquarie Campus because growing up in these classrooms I knew teaching was what I was going to do for the rest of my life," Meaghan said.
"Since I was a little girl I have always know I was going to be a teacher and while it is a bit surreal at the moment, it really is a dream come true to come back here as principal."
After graduating high school, Meaghan studied at the University of Newcastle before taking positions in Morree and Tamworth.
From there she moved back to Port Macquarie and has been working at Camden Haven High School as deputy principal.
"Throughout my teaching career I have been drawn to PDHPE (personal development, health and physical education) and that has taken me all over, teaching students and working with the department of education," she said.
"For a number of years I also helped write the child protection policies for the department and spent time in a number of schools rolling out those policies.
"When I moved back to the area I began working again as a PDHPE teacher and moved to Camden Haven High School when it first opened."
Meaghan said she hopes her passion for ensuring students are cared for and supported in their learning shines through when she officially takes over after the April school holidays.
"When I applied for the job they were looking for a compassionate, agile leader and I hope that through my diverse experience I can bring that to the school," she said.
"My focus when I start will be on trying to ensure that Hastings Secondary College Port Macquarie Campus is the school of choice for young people to come to.
"I want to continue to strengthen those connections between our school and the wider community and build on existing partnerships.
"I want every student to be known, valued and supported at school and I want the same thing for our staff.
"It is an exciting time ahead."
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