Principals on the move

By Tania Martin
TERRY Simpson is hanging up his teacher’s hat after more than 26 years and looking forward to the quiet life.
The retiring Emerald Primary School principal said farewell to his school last year and is now getting ready to turn the page on a new chapter in his life.
Since 1981 Mr Simpson has wandered the halls at the primary school as both a classroom teacher and a principal.
Over the years he has taught a range of children from grades three, four, five and six to physical education and a remedial maths class.
But Mr Simpson said the highlight of his career was to be named as principal in 2002.
“It’s been great to see the students develop from prep right through to graduating grade six,” he said.
Originally hailing from Traralgon, Mr Simpson said becoming a teacher was never a dream but something he fell into.
“I had finished high school and a lot of my mates where coming down to Melbourne to attend Toorak Teachers’ College and I though I would give it a go,” he said.
“I was coming to Melbourne anyway to play football but once I started college I found I really loved teaching.”
Mr Simpson had been drafted to play for Footscray in the seconds and said that teachers’ college seemed like a viable alternative to a football career.
“Once I started teaching I realised it was something that I really loved to do,” he said.
“It wasn’t something I had always dreamed of doing but I have loved every minute of it.”
Mr Simpson is now looking forward to a quieter life after more than 26 years of teaching.
He plans to travel with his wife overseas and around Australia and take the time to rest and relax.
“I am going to take the time to ride my bike, get fit and spend more time with my family,” he said.
Fellow principal Mark Carver is also making a big move swapping his job at Gembrook Primary School for the new opening at Emerald.
Mr Carver, who has also been teaching since 1981, is looking forward to the change.
He said after six years in the top job at Gembrook and seeing the school’s major redevelopment project achieved, he said it was time to move on to bigger challenges.
Mr Carver is now looking forward to joining the Emerald school community, which is known for its good spirit.
“This is an exciting opportunity for me, the students and the school,” Mr Carver said.