A FORMER Catholic Regional College Sydenham principal who died from skin cancer has been honoured during a visit to the school by Victorian Governor Alex Chernov.
Mr Chernov and his wife Elizabeth were given a tour by staff and students on June 1 as the college celebrated its 30th anniversary.
To mark the milestone, Mr Chernov joined the wife of former principal Bruce Runnalls in unveiling a set of classrooms which have been renamed Runnalls House.
Mr Runnalls was the school’s fifth principal and served in the role from 2002-06. He died in June last year.
Current principal Brendan Watson described Mr Runnalls as a passionate educator who left an “indelible and everlasting” mark on the school.
“He was passionate about mathematics and was respected by staff, students and parents,” Mr Watson said.
“He secured much additional funding to build up the school in the way of capital grants. He also introduced the current school uniform across all CRC schools. The uniform has made students proud to be part of CRC and it stands out in the public eye.”
The Chernovs were treated to a lunch prepared by hospitality students working at the college’s Quatrefoils restaurant. The
menu included shiitake mushrooms with duck in fragrant Chinese spices and hoisin sauce and an assortment of miniature desserts.
The Governor and his wife also visited the school’s trade training centre and handed out achievement awards to 120 students at the college hall.
Elders from the Wurundjeri tribe presented the school with an Aboriginal flag as part of National Reconciliation Week.
“It was great for students to receive awards from the Governor and many parents attended and were proud of their children,” Mr Watson said.
“We had year 9 students from CRC Caroline Springs taking part in a trade-taster day, so it was great for them to have the Governor and his wife come around to the classrooms.”
