Scott Diamond waves goodbye to Surf Coast Secondary

Scott Diamond took on the role in 2011 when the school broke away from Torquay P-9 College, with SCSC officially coming into existence in 2012.

He has since become highly regarded in the school and wider community for having a genuine interest in his students’ development.

While having his photo taken, a student approached Mr Diamond to give him some slice as a goodbye gift. Vice-principal Erin Wright joked that he will start gaining weight with all the farewell treats students were bringing him.

She said he was a unique principal in that “there is never a day where Scott is not with students”.

Mr Diamond said he was proud of the students at the college for, among many things, all the awards they had received.

This included the Student Voice award they received earlier this year which acknowledges the agency the school gives its students, something Mr Diamond said was very important to him.

“Our school was built with a modern take on pedagogy, and so we implemented team teaching programs which have benefited us in so many ways. They’ve allowed us to differentiate for students, they’ve allowed teachers to work with more experienced colleagues and  enhance their craft, and they’ve allowed students to have multiple adults in the classroom, meaning students can build relationships with more than one of those adults.”

While the region’s growth was part of what prompted the birth of SCSC, Mr Diamond said the community has maintained its values and he had subsequently looked to make the school part of the community.

“What has stayed the same is the ability of people in the Surf Coast to connect with something bigger than themselves.

“My experience with this community has been great and allowed me to recognise how important it is for a school that’s central to the community to really foster the links with the community.”

The school moved into its new campus in 2014. This year Mr Diamond saw the first cohort of students to begin Year 7 at the new campus graduate from secondary school.

He said he felt “privileged to work with an amazing group of students”.