After seven years of hard work and dedication, Lithgow High principal Ann Caro had her final day at the school on Monday, June 15.
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Ms Caro accepted a Principal School Leadership (PSL) position in the Mount Druitt/Eastern Creek Areas and will commence the role full time.
Ms Caro has worked for over 30 years in disadvantaged schools in Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains and for the last seven years has been the principal of Lithgow High School.
Ms Caro was also the first ever female principal of the school and said she hoped not to be the last.
With the Lithgow High School team, led by Ms Caro, they have worked tirelessly to create responsive educational opportunities for all students.
As a passionate supporter of public education and of the need to rebuild the foundation of Australian education in equity Ms Caro wants every child to attend their excellent local public school.
Director Educational Leadership-Lithgow Network, Debbie-Lee Hughes said that as leaders they have benefited from this strong sense of social justice and pursuit of equity to bridge disadvantage.
"Ann was integral to the establishment of the Greater Lithgow Valley Group of Schools and together, worked toward creating the Community Oath of Kindness as part of the National Day of Action Against Bullying," Ms Hughes said.
Lithgow High School also hosted the 2019 School Development Day with over 220 staff from across the Lithgow Network focusing on Students' Brain Development with key note speaker Amanda Horton.
"Ann has been integral to leading the work for staff around Well-being, Mental Health, Trauma Informed Practice and understanding function based support and the ERASE Model, with the understanding that "When The Adults Change, Everything Changes", engaging with experts to build the systems and practices for whole school improvement," Ms Hughes said.
"Ann has been a strong change agent not only within Lithgow High School, but across the Network, the Region and the State.
"She has worked to ensure not only positive outcomes for students but also strong, supportive conditions for staff in doing the work they do.
"She has been pragmatic and innovative in her thinking, endeavouring to create the conditions by which all students succeed."
Ms Caro was named the Harvard Club of Australia Principals Scholarship recipient and travelled to Boston in July 2019.
This program brought educators from around the world together at Harvard University to strengthen their leadership skills.
Three outstanding principals from within the public education system were selected to receive the scholarship, which was supported by the Public Education Foundation, Teachers Mutual Bank and the Harvard Club of Australia.
Ms Caro was recognised for the positive changes she has achieved at Lithgow High School receiving one of 12 fellowships worth $45,000 handed out across Australia.
Ms Caro received the Commonwealth Bank Teaching Fellowship at a ceremony in Sydney in March 2019. The awards, which are held in partnership with the education not-for-profit Schools Plus, recognise teachers who are 'transforming' learning outcomes at schools.
Ms Caro said her her aim has been to raise the profile of Lithgow as a place where great things are happening in the community, with the support and cooperation of the wider community.
"Ann's leadership has always been about students, with decisions and resourcing for students, ensuring that every student is known, valued and cared for," Ms Hughes said.
"The school's successes, including the introduction of its well-being centre, had been created around the idea that well-being and successful learning lead to a successful life, with Ann asking what could be done to make every student successful."
Her focus on building the capacity of the staff has ensured sustainable practice and a strong vision.
Lithgow High School has worked with the local council to develop a Well-being Hub within the school grounds, where students are supported with up to 14 different services including occupational therapists, mental health services and social workers.
Ms Caro encouraged staff to soar with her dedicated support and guidance.
"Being a school leader is a challenging, testing and demanding role, but there is no more important work in our society and Ann has been one of the highest esteemed colleagues in the NSW Principalship," Ms Hughes said.
"When Ann Caro became the first female Principal of Lithgow High School seven years ago, the area's economic decline after a decade of job losses through mine and factory closures had affected the aspirations of students.
"Ann, with a track record of lifting students' performance over her two decades as a teacher, devised a plan to transform a culture of low expectations for children from disadvantaged backgrounds to a positive culture of hope and aspiration."
Some of Ann's notable achievements include:
- The introduction of the school hoodie
- Senior Tuition Program
- Well-being Centre
- Championed PB4L student well-being and recognition programs
- Library upgrade
- The coordination of the Support Unit
- Synthesised assessment across all years embedding ALARM
- Enabled the upgrade to the Common Room, Music, Dance and Drama facilities
- Business Breakfast
- Year 10 Work Experience Program
- Upgrades to the Canteen
- COLA Basketball Courts
- Classroom space refurbishment and modernisation
- Upgrade to the school hall sound and lighting
- Baby grand piano
- Established school bus - financially enabled through generous Phil Duncan Donations
- Her belief that all problems have a solution and by working together we resolve them.
- Her finest work was collaborating with students around their needs to support them in becoming the best versions of themselves.
"I thank you Ann on behalf of the Lithgow Network of Principals. I also thank you for your candor, challenge and commitment to Public Education," Ms Hughes said.
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