WELCOME news broke out last week for Hamilton North Primary School in their announcement of their new Provisional Principal, Ms Kellie Hatherell.

Ms Hatherell lives in Hamilton with her husband, Simon, and her three children, two of them attending Hamilton North Primary School themselves.

Growing up in Tarrington, Ms Hatherell has become a well-integrated member of the community, where she attended Primary School at Good Shepherd College, and then high school at Baimbridge College.

Following graduation, she attended Deakin University in Geelong, where she pursued her passion for primary education, that eventually lead her to commencing her teaching role at Hamilton North Primary School in 2004.

Ms Hatherell said that her passion for education was a long-term dream of hers that developed through a love for learning and a caring disposition. 

“I think I was just one of those children that always knew what I wanted to do,” she said.

“As a student myself in primary school, I loved to help others.”

Ms Hatherell said that her guidance from Hamilton North’s former principal, Lizzie Tout, led her to be able to take on such an honoured position.

“I’ve had a great mentor in Lizzie, who really supported and mentored me to become a leader,” she said.

Ms Hatherell said she began her role as acting principal last year in June, that transitioned into a permanent role from last week.

It was a role that she knew she was able to fulfill graciously through her long-term service and admiration towards the school.

“I’m really excited to take on the role,” Ms Hatherell said.

“I love our school and I want to see it be as successful as it can be.

“I think it’s just getting that sense of community and us all working together to make this a safe and happy environment for the kids to learn and be the best that they can be.”

Ms Hatherell said that the overwhelmingly positive response she received from the community following the announcement has been deeply encouraging and allowed her to approach the role with even more enthusiasm.

“It was very lovely to read all the messages of support, it makes me excited to move forward and continue to build on the work of the past principals, knowing I’ve got the support of the community will make the job all the easier,” she said.

She is already kicking goals in her new role as principal, with the school’s current installation of a bike track around the playground.

The track was designed with the idea of it being used as a part of the school’s Runner’s Club track as well as the Bike Education program that is offered in term two and three, a plan that Mrs Hatherell said was initiated by the students of Hamilton North Primary School.

“A big focus at the moment is getting all of us to work together as a community, and giving everyone a voice is really important to me, the students, the staff, the families,” she said.

“Because it’s not my school, it’s our school and we all want to work together to make it the best place it can be.”