New BSSC principal creates history

BENDIGO Senior Secondary College has announced the appointment of its first female principal in the school’s 118-year history.

Kylie Hand, who’s been an assistant principal at BSSC since 2010, will take up the position after the retirement of current college head Dale Pearce in April 2025.

She started teaching at BSSC over 20 years ago and has been a member of its leadership team for the majority of that time.

“It’s an honour and a privilege to be trusted with the responsibility to lead our wonderful college on the next step in our journey,” she said.

“I look forward to supporting our community to continue on our already strong positive trajectory of providing outstanding learning and wellbeing outcomes for all students, while being open to new initiatives that will see our college grow even stronger.”

Upon announcing his plans to retire earlier this year, Mr Pearce said it’s been an “enormous privilege” to lead the college – having been first appointed principal in 2006.

“There will be ample time to reflect on all that has transpired across those years,” he said.

“I can assure our college community that we have substantial internal leadership capacity and are well placed to continue to provide outstanding teaching and support for our students. I also have no doubt that the college will benefit in some ways from a change in leadership.”

With more than 1700 students, BSSC is the largest provider of VCE, VCE Vocational Major and Vocational Education and Training in Schools in Victoria.