Tara Murray
New Ardeer South Primary School principal Andrea Markham was unaware she was making history when she accepted the role.
Having been acting principal in term three, she was appointed to the role permanently at the start of term four.
With it, she became the school’s first female principal.
“I had no idea at all,” she said. “A lot of the staff told me about it.
“We have a school board with the previous principals the school had on it and the students would come up to me and say that I was the first lady principal.
“The school community is so excited about it.”
Ms Markham’s start to life at the school was an interesting one. She was at work for four days before the first lockdown.
It meant many staff, parents and pupils didn’t meet her until term four. She was then back one day, before having to isolate for 14 days due to being a close contact of a confirmed COVID case.
“Coming into a new school during a pandemic comes with its own challenges,” she said.
“Getting to know people and building that rapport with people online.
“It wasn’t until last week we had a whole school assembly. There’s so many fun things we take for granted.”
Ms Markham, who was born in Footscray and grew up in the western suburbs, said there was something about teaching in the Brimbank area that she really loves.
“Our school community is extremely culturally diverse and we celebrate and acknowledge the traditions and cultures of all of our families.
“I have a personal passion for working with underprivileged and disadvantaged children with an aim to empower them to be successful in their own futures.
“I want to be a role model for all children so that they can achieve success regardless of circumstances.
Grade five-six teacher Olivia Sinclair-Thomson also started at the same time, with the two extremely excited to be heralding a new era for the small school community in 2022.
