NORTH FITZROY PRIMARY SCHOOL

Fergie St
North Fitzroy 3068
ABN

11 126 903 168

15th October 2015

To All the Parents and Students of North Fitzroy Primary School,

As you know, I have been on leave from my job as Principal of North Fitzroy Primary School
throughout 2015. After an outstanding Review and the successful production of our detailed four year
Strategic Plan, by the end of 2014 the school was in an excellent position, but I was not. The medical
advice I received was that I had no choice but to take time out from work to try and recover from the
state of physical and emotional exhaustion I found myself in after nearly thirteen years in the job.
Fortunately I had complete faith in my Assistant Principal, Pauline McGrath, to effectively carry out
the role of Principal until I returned. I met with Pauline yesterday, confirming that my confidence in
her capacity to ensure that the school continues to travel well has not been misplaced.
I have actually expected to recover, intending to return to my position at the school as soon as my
health would allow. I remain as committed to the school as the day I began and can barely imagine a
life without it. However, the most recent medical advice I have received is that it is not in my best
interests to return at all. As you would appreciate, it has taken me a great deal of soul-searching and
self-reflection to accept the wisdom of this advice.
Accordingly, after forty-six years as an educator, thirty six spent with the Victorian Department of
Education, I have finally taken the extremely difficult decision to retire from the Education
Department in Term Two, 2016. I will remain on leave until then.
This notification gives the school plenty of time to go through the due process for appointing a new
substantive Principal, to commence on a date determined by the Region to be appropriate in 2016. A
Regional representative will assist the School Council with this process. I wish them well in their
deliberations.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all who have supported me during my time as the
Principal of North Fitzroy Primary School. I will certainly miss you.
Yours Sincerely

Connie Watson

Email: fitzroy.north.ps@edumail.vic.gov.au
Web: www.fitzroynthps.vic.edu.au

Tel:
Fax:
Aftercare:

9482 4778
9482 4273

9481 5860