After a year-long wait for a long-term principal Mount Gambier High School has appointed Annette Ryan to the role for 12 months.

Ms Ryan said she was interested in the role long-term provided the school community had confidence in her role as principal.

“It is 12 months at this stage, but it is likely to be advertised for a longer tenure during the year,” she said.

Ms Ryan brings with her a wealth of experience from previous roles in the education industry.

She is a qualified Senior Secondary Specialist who first started teaching in 1988 at Whyalla.

Ms Ryan’s journey into leadership started as a student counsellor at Smithfield Plains High School.

Ms Ryan has also previously been a deputy principal at Hamilton Secondary College, led a continuity of learning project in a department at Flinders Street and most recently been in a curriculum lead position with a local education team at Para Hills.

Ms Ryan said she was at the stage in her life where she had the freedom to pursue what she wants to do.

“My heart is in schools and I love it, so it was always about going back into a school and doing that as a principal,” she said.

“I grew up in the country at Broken Hill, attended the University of New England in Armadale, New South Wales which is about the size of Mount Gambier and started teaching in Whyalla, so I like the country lifestyle and being part of the community.

“When you are in a school in a rural location you are very much part of the community which I am looking forward to.”

Ms Ryan said the changes made in her position will be done in consultation with the school community.

“Consultation and working collaboratively are very important to me. I think the best decisions in schools are made when it is a collaborative effort,” she said.

“I will be listening to the school community about their aspirations for the school and what they think needs to be kept and what we do need to change and improve as well.

“It is not about me as an individual, it is very much about what kids, parents and staff want for the school.”

Ms Ryan said she was excited about the role in the school.

“Your first principal position is enormously exciting and I am also happy that it is in Mount Gambier,” she said.

“I am looking forward to seeing the country and being part of the community. I am just really eager about starting and getting stuck into the role.”