It was a 'no brainer' for Dapto High School principal Andrew FitzSimons to accept the invitation to be an ambassador for the #vaxtheillawarra campaign.
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Mr FitzSimons believes schools and teachers are a "powerful influence for good" so jumped at the chance to help his community.
"I felt honoured to be asked," he said.
"People take notice and give thought to whatever schools are on about and I think in a situation like this, the more we can do to convince Joe average to become vaccinated, it's a no brainer.
"I was asked if I would lend a hand and I'm honoured to do so. Schools of course have got innumerable communication mechanisms at their disposal to get this message out.
"Schools are respected and persuasive institutions and we can lend a hand to encourage students, their families, their friends and their neighbourhoods to get vaccinated.
"If schools can be a persuasive influence for good, in situations like this, it's all hands on deck."
Set to turn 70 by year's end, the "oldest chap on the block" is fully vaccinated.
The majority of Mr FitzSimons' staff at Dapto High are also fully vaccinated or have had at least one jab.
The principal said his teachers expressed no concerns with getting vaccinated.
"Their only issue is where can I get access, so it is a supply issue only and they're more than happy to get the jab," he said.
"I think all of us are so keen to return to what is familiar, face-to-face learning. Everything we know about our trade says the best learning, the best teaching happens in that context."
Mr FitzSimons added staff were comfortable to follow the health advice and return to school to welcome Year 12 students back on October 25.
"It is going to be a magnificent day. This cohort of Year 12 students have had it tougher than most," he said.
"Anything we can do to make their lives easier, we will do.
"We are all on a steep learning curve and there are so many moving parts at the moment. It is complex to think it through, especially for those doing their HSC. We'll help however we can."
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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.
