There are six new principals at Illawarra public schools this year.
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Anissa Rajendra is the new principal at Unanderra Public School, having previously served as assistant principal at Corrimal East Public School.
There's also a new face at Warilla High School following the retirement of long-serving principal John Hambly.
Michelle Brook, the school's former deputy principal who was acting principal for most of 2019, takes the top job on a permanent basis in 2020.
Nareena Hills Public School's former assistant principal Simone Brett has taken over the principal role at Austinmer Public School.
Kieren Corbyn is the new boss at Lake Heights Public School following his assistant principal spell at Kiama Public School.
Former Yenda Public School principal Belinda Wallace has left the bush to take up the principal's role at Tullimbar Public School.
Christopher Klein takes over as principal at Shellharbour Public School, following his assistant principal role at Illaroo Road Public School.
Meantime there are also new principals at Calderwood Christian School, Shellharbour Anglican College and St Mary's Star of the Sea College.
Darren Hutton has made the move from Queensland to take the top job at Calderwood Christian School.
He indicated connecting with the school community and becoming familiar with the rich heritage and culture of his new school was important
"It is wonderful to witness the school come back to life as teachers and students return enthusiastically to reconnect with a community that is incredibly precious," Mr Hutton said.
St Mary's new principal Tony Fitzgerald is looking forward to continuing the good work of his predecessor Dr Frank Pitt.
"I'm really mindful that St Mary's is 147-years-old and that I'm just a small player in that history," he said.
"I'm really grateful to Dr Pitt for the school that he has endowed to me and I hope to just play a small part in continuing the wonderful work he has led here in the last 10 years."
Mr Fitzgerald has spent most of his professional and personal time in the Macarthur.
"I had 25 years teaching at St Gregory's College Campbelltown in various roles and for the past 10 years I've been at Mater Dei Special School in Camden," he said.
"Funnily enough following Dr Pitt, because he was at Mater Dei before I was, so there is some nice synergies there."
Mr Fitzgerald said it was very obvious to him that staff and students were tremendously proud of their college.
"It is very clear to me that the community here is very proud of Wollongong and the Illawarra. I just hope to be able to make a contribution to continue all of that," he said.
Agron Latifi
Wollongong born and bred. I love reporting about the Illawarra region and have been doing it for more than 20 years. I've moved into sport recently after covering the education round for the last five plus years for the Illawarra Mercury. It's been a great pleasure.
Wollongong born and bred. I love reporting about the Illawarra region and have been doing it for more than 20 years. I've moved into sport recently after covering the education round for the last five plus years for the Illawarra Mercury. It's been a great pleasure.
