Pakenham Consolidated School’s new principal, Tanya Evans, with Grade 3 students Bailey, Zack, Euan, and Jasmine. 26643 Picture: Meagan Rogers
By Jade Lawton
A NEW school year means a few new faces at Pakenham Consolidated School.
Ms Tanya Evans is sitting in the principal’s seat for the first time, and 52 new Prep students are sitting in somewhat smaller seats down the hall.
But there were no tears on Monday, with most Prep students having already been to school several times through the transition program.
Ms Evans is also familiar with the school, having been there for the past four years as a junior school co-ordinator and assistant principal.
“I’m just like a kid – I am so excited,” she said on Monday.
“I’ve been going around asking people if they have seen my new badge.”
Ms Evans said that despite some new schools opening in the area, Pakenham Consolidated School had started 2009 with higher than expected student numbers.
“I am biased because I am principal, but we have some great programs and amazing teachers here,” she said.
“We have a lot of students whose older brothers and sisters have all gone to the school. We even have a teacher who went here, along with her husband and children.”
Ms Evans attributed the school’s success to support from the community.
“Although Pakenham is growing, it still has a rural feel – you can see it in the families,” she said
