“I am because of what we are”

GEELONG’s Andrew Augerinos says when everything else has been forced to close, schools have played a critical role for families and children’s mental health throughout the pandemic.

“Most places closed; churches closed, swimming pools closed, community sport closed, Scouts closed, (and) parents have struggled,” said Mr Augerinos, who is being recognised with a state award nomination for his role as Oberon Primary School principal.

“The only real touchstone for students and parents, the one social connection, has been the schools and even on an online platform they’ve always been there.

“Isolation is not good for mental health and schools have played a major role in our kids’ mental health strength and helping them feel safe and secure.

“I believe teachers, principals and schools have been just as important as our frontline workers.”

Mr Augerinos is one of four primary school principals from across Victoria vying for a 2021 Victorian Education Excellence Award, after leading his school “through periods of profound change”.

He said he is proud of being a finalist in the Outstanding Primary Principal category, however, he is also very clear that “it’s good recognition for the work we all did”.

“I am because of what we are,” Mr Augerinos said.

“It’s been a whole community at work, my colleagues, other principals at other schools… it’s all teachers and principals that have kept a hub in their community going and we have all played a major role in keeping that hub going.”

Mr Augerinos moved into a role this year as the Australian Education Union’s Professional Learning Centre manager to provide customised programs for principal networks and leadership teams.

His award nomination recognises his “leadership excellence” at Oberon where he has been integral in building positive school culture.

Mr Augerinos’ nomination explains his “implementation of a value-driven program to set a cultural benchmark for the school, which guides every aspect of school life and is evidenced in consistently high levels of student wellbeing, academic achievement and high approval ratings from staff and parents”.

“Building a rich culture of support for learning over many years, Andrew’s sustained investment in the professional development of his staff, his mentoring of others and fundamental belief that every student has the capacity to succeed, has created a school of influence highly-regarded in the South West region,” the nomination reads.

The Victorian Education Excellence Awards are the premier employee recognition program for staff in Victorian government schools and the winners will be announced at a live-streamed online award presentation ceremony on October 22.