Long-serving Grant High School educator Fleur Roachock has stepped down as principal as she prepares to take on the role of Education Director in Murray Bridge.

In her new role Mrs Roachock will overseeing principals and preschool directors in the region.

“I do a lot of driving, talking on the phone and a lot of talking,” Mrs Roachock said.

Mrs Roachock believes it was the next step for her after 10 years as a principal.

“It was the natural progression from what I have been doing here,” she said.

“Working as a principal as I have for 10 years, COVID sort of wore me out and this opportunity came up so I thought I’d have a go and see how I liked it.”

Mrs Roachock work in the role last term in an acting position, but after enjoying her time in the position she won the role of education director for the next three years.

“Over 30 years there are obviously lots of highlights, but watching how the school has developed and how very different it is physically from how it was when I started eight years ago, has been quite amazing,” she said.

Over her time as principal Mrs Roachock saw a great deal of changes to Grant High School, many of which proved to be highlights of her time in the position.

“The STEM upgrade then of course the Prawulu building being built and replacing the old performing arts centre, that was a highlight, as well as the fact that we have done such a good job now that we cannot fit everyone in and the fact the we have built the reputation of the place to such extent is a massive highlight,” she said.

Mrs Roachock is also proud of the restructuring of the school under her watch which helped reduce the workload of the staff .

“The restructure of the school, which from a kid’s perspective did not mean much, but for the perspective of the people that work at Grant, changing into the communities made a big difference administratively and then the timetable also made a big difference for staff and students for how the day works and reduced workloads for teachers,” she said.

However, Mrs Roachock will miss her time in the classroom.

“Just being able to teach has been a highlight, I miss that part of the job and being around the kids all the time,” she said.

“I have had some great classes, some great experiences, and I have seen kids go on to do great things in all walks of life and it’s been so wonderful to be part of how they developed into functioning adults.

“I started off as a contract teacher for six months teaching English and Society and Environment and specialising in History, then I won permanency as an English and History teacher.

“As I worked through I eventually became year level manager, I was in charge of the Year 9s, then I was a VET coordinator, then HASS and literacy coordinator, then I incorporated English into that.

“After that I was deputy principal and then I went to Penola as principal for two and a half years and then I came back to Grant as principal in 2015.”

Mrs Roachock has found having a broad teaching experience was cruicial.

“It’s really important to have a strong understanding of all facets of the school, and knowing what everyone is doing and how difficult that is, as well as how to create efficiencies,” she said.

“I miss the busy-ness with the constant adrenaline of decision making, as well as the interactions with kids and the staff. But I’m really liking what I’m doing and I think it was time.”

Mrs Roachock was teaching up until term two last year as she wanted to be able to maintain her empathy with teachers.

“When you stop doing something it is quite easy to forget how hard it is, so I wanted to keep doing it so that I would remember how tricky it was,” she said.

“Physically and financially the place is much better off than when I took over, in terms of enrolments we have increased by over 300 kids, I feel proud with what I have achieved here.”

Caroline Wakefield has taken on the role of principal for the remainder of the 2023 school year.