By JESSE GRAHAM
YARRA Glen Primary School will lose one of its key assets as principal Joe Pacquola announced his plans to retire at the end of the year.
Mr Pacquola started teaching at the primary school in 1982, with 2013 marking his 31st year teaching there and his 20th year behind the helm as principal.
He said that his five-year contract had come up for renewal and he decided that this year would be a good time to step down – he will finish up at the school at the close of the school year.
Mr Pacquola said that his time at the school hasn’t “felt like a long stint” and that his main driver for staying in the education system for so long was the idea of bringing quality education to children.
“I think the notion of social justice and equality for education for all kids has been an important driver,” he said.
“I’ve always been conscious of providing all kids with the best opportunities they can possibly have because now, in these times of change, the learners will inherit the world.”
Mr Pacquola said his most memorable time at Yarra Glen Primary School was the part both he and the school played for the community in the Black Saturday bushfires in 2009.
“Those times were traumatic, and the fact the school was able to continue to operate and provide that sense of stability for kids and parents – the legacy of that time would stand as being the most memorable for me,” he said.
“I really believe that I have been fortunate to have been in this job, particularly in Yarra Glen, as it has been very kind to me and allowed me to bring my family up in an environment that is unequal to any – I’ve had tremendous enjoyment and satisfaction.”
He said he has seen education change rapidly in the past 20 years and that the integration of the internet and electronic media had transformed the way children learn and the ways they are taught.
Though he will be finishing up at the end of the year, Mr Pacquola said he plans to stay heavily integrated in the Yarra Glen community and that he hopes he is remembered fondly at the school after he leaves.
