Issue 2 2025 - Principal

Principal

Wayne Austin

Term 2 Wrap Up

The end of the term has come around very quickly. There have been a number of highlights this term, including Wagin Woolorama, Gate to Plate, the Peaceful Bay camp and students have attended the Biology camp with students from North Albany SHS. In the last two weeks of term a group of students will attend the University Tour to Perth and the year 10 group will be off on the Industry Adventure Tour. A very busy term indeed.

Moving forward, the College has now been advised of the new principal commencing in term 2. Mrs Michele Walker will be coming from Tom Price SHS to take the role. Starting in 1996, Michele began as a senior woods and hospitality teacher at a large Catholic boys school in Sydney, where she developed her passion for practical education. After moving to Western Australia in 1999, she embarked on a journey that would see her work across a spectrum of educational settings - from alternative behaviour schools to prestigious institutions like Prendiville Catholic College and Peter Moyes Anglican Community School.

Her transition into public education marked the beginning of an impressive leadership trajectory. Michele’s experience spans metropolitan schools including Canning Vale College and Kinross College, before stepping into her first Deputy Principal role in 2010. Her leadership capabilities saw her serve as Deputy Principal across multiple schools including Lynwood Senior High School, Ballajura Community College, and Ocean Reef Senior High School, before accepting the challenge of Principal at Tom Price Senior High School.

While Michele’s professional life has been dedicated to education, her connection to agriculture runs deep through her family’s background in sheep and cattle farming. This personal link to the agricultural sector, combined with her extensive experience in educational leadership, positions her uniquely to understand and support the distinctive needs of students at WA Agricultural College Denmark.

Michele will commence in week 4 of next term and Mr Alf Mungioli will hold the reins for the first three weeks in the principal role. I will be returning to my position at Denmark SHS at the beginning of the term. I have my deputy position to return to and need to get back into that position and commence working on some new initiatives and I need to be there in the early implementation phase.

I have sincerely enjoyed my nine months working at the college and have forged friendships that will stay with me. The support I have received from the staff making the transition into the Ag College environment has been incredible. I have enjoyed every minute working with the staff at this place. I have learnt a lot about the way the agriculture colleges prepare young people for the challenges of working in the agriculture industry and it has amazed me that we can provide so many opportunities across such a wide range of enterprises for them. They leave the college not only with transferable skills, but with networks of friends that will enhance their working lives and ensure the continuity of agriculture in our society.

I will miss the camaraderie and dropping into various enterprises, trades, and classrooms on campus. I will particularly miss having my lunch made for me each day! I will miss the amazing students who attend this college and are working towards leaving here to work in agriculture. I believe that the efforts of all the staff will come to fruition as our agriculture industry receives these well-resourced and trained young people.

Thank you to the School Board and Agriculture Advisory Committee for your input into the college and supporting me in the principal role. Having your voice when choosing school captains, being present for orientation or supporting our enterprises and providing industry insights shows your commitment to the college. It has been a pleasure working alongside you all.

I look forward to catching up with you in Denmark and hearing of the successes you will have in the future. As a long time Denmark resident, I will be sure to see you somewhere around town.

Enjoy the holiday break, stay safe and return ready and willing next term.

Wayne Austin
Principal
WACOA - Denmark