Collie Senior High School’s new principal Dale Miller wants to make the facility better for staff and students throughout 2017.
Mrs Miller moved from Moora to Collie in 2009 to take over the deputy principal position.
“Since then, the community has been supportive of the school and if I ever needed some support the school community, anyone in town would help out,” she said.
“You can build relationships and friendships – I do a lot of walking and cycling around the town, you get to meet people and see where things are and I feel very accepted.”
Mrs Miller took on the position as she was proud of the school and Collie itself.
“I first of all made the decision to go for this position, because I loved Collie and believed in the school and where it was heading,” she said.
“I was very excited, I had to keep a secret for a little while until it was officially announced as per processes but was very excited and very proud and honoured to be named principal at Collie Senior High School.”
Mrs Miller said she regularly interacted with parents about their kids’s achievements or areas of improvement.
“There are lots of success stories, some times what the community doesn’t see – we have lots of great kids and they should be very, very proud,” she said.
Mrs Miller said, over the past eight years, the staff, students and parents have been her favourite parts of the job.
“The staff made me feel welcome, if I needed help at home, someone to come around with a trailer of wood chips or something for the garden they would help you out,” she said.
“The students, if they know you care they give that care and respect back.”
Mrs Miller said her focus as principal in 2017 will be on the classroom, developing staff strength, helping them to become leaders in the classroom and developing bonds with their students.
The students, if they know you care they give that care and respect back.”
- Dale Miller.
The school board will be working with the Shire of Collie to increase the level of mental health services available in Collie.
Six CSHS students picked up awards from Schools, Curriculum and Standards Authority in 2016, three certificates of merit and three for excellence.
Sixteen students also achieved apprenticeships or traineeships last year.
