I started working for DET in 1992 as a library officer at Montrose Primary School in Girrawheen after being redeployed from the Department of Land Administration at the end of the 80’s boom. In 2000 my current registrar, Ann Lockett, mentored me into the workings of the front office, firstly as a relief school officer which became my permanent position in 2002 together with my library officer position. I then went on a steep learning curve to all the duties of a registrar so that I could relieve Ann while she was jaunting around the world.
I applied for and won the substantive position of Registrar at Balga Primary School in July 2004 which is where I can still be found.
I became a member of the WASSRA committee in 2005 and I am still enjoying the challenge of being a voice for our members with the Department, organising our conventions and working with a great bunch of colleagues on the committee who continue to surprise me with their expertise and enthusiasm.
I have worked for the Department of Education and Training for almost a lifetime! I started, as relief Registrar in 1983 and worked full time for 3 months while the substantive officer took leave. I then won the position of Library Officer at Narembeen DHS and worked in that position until 2000. In 1997 I commenced as part time School Officer and combined the two roles giving me full time work.
In 2000 my husband and I moved to Williams and I have worked in Narrogin in a variety of roles since then: Clerical Officer at Narrogin District Education Office; SIS Project Support Officer; Registrar at East Narrogin Primary School, District Finance and Administration Officer and Corporate Services Officer. Life is always busy and there is always so much to learn! My current roles are Registrar at East Narrogin Primary School (0.8) and Corporate Services Officer based at the Narrogin District Education Office (0.2).
I have been a member of WASSRA for many years and thoroughly enjoy being on the Management Committee. We are lucky to have such a great group supporting our needs.
I began working with the Department of Education in 2008 at Kojonup District High School as the Registrar. Prior to working with the Department I spent 10 years in the hospitality industry as an Assistant Manager and 3 years as Coordinator Customer Service with the City of Subiaco. Both of these previous positions have given me the finance and HR skills needed to do my job. I am keen to see our Registrars, Business Managers and School Officers getting the support and acknowledgement we deserve from others within our school system. As one of the VERY few male Registrars in Western Australia I feel privileged to be representing you and being part of such a fantastic network of people.
I commenced working with the Department of Education and Training in 1988 part time in a small country town called Gnowangerup. I applied for the position of school officer in 1989 and was appointed for two days per week.
I commenced full time in 1993 and continued to work as a school officer at Gnowangerup District High School until 2003 when I took up the acting position of Registrar at the Gnowangerup Agricultural School, which was very different from working in a main stream school.
I returned briefly to Gnowangerup DHS as a school officer, but decided that I aspired to be a registrar and so decided to become a relief registrar in the country area. I worked at Narrogin Primary school for three months whilst the registrar was on Long Service Leave and then at Woodanilling Primary for six months while the registrar was on leave.
I returned to Gnowangerup District High School in October 2004, but decided to move to Perth and was merit selected to the position of registrar at Redcliffe Primary School in January 2005 where I am today.
I commenced work with the Department as a PCAP officer in Southern Cross. I then moved to Kalgoorlie in 1996 and worked doing relief at different schools as a library officer, EA and a school officer.
I commenced work in the office at O’Connor PS in Kalgoorlie, a day here a day there, and eventually started full time work there in 2000 and stayed until 2006.
Since moving to Perth, I have worked at a couple of schools on fixed term contracts and I also worked for 7 months as an Administrative Assistant to a District Director.
I am now permanently working at 2 schools, one in the Cannington District and the other in the Fremantle-Peel District.
I commenced working for the Department in 1986 at Dalwallinu DHS as a school officer and then Registrar. This was using the ledger cards for accounting. I can remember when we got our first school computer and how we were all too scared to turn it on. In 1990 I then shifted to Moora and worked as a school officer at Central Midlands SHS.
In 1998 I shifted to the city, did relief work at various primary schools and worked at Kewdale SHS for 2 years helping in closing the school. I then shifted to Como SHS as a school officer. Eventually I ended up at Lesmurdie SHS where I am the Business Manager there since 2001. In the past 3 years I have undertaken relieving positions in the finance branch at head office. Presently I am working 4 days per week in my school and 1 day at Financial Services and Support Directorate in Bennett Street. This is proving a challenge but I am enjoying the stimulation of solving problems and finding solutions. (Still a long way to go mind you!!)
I enjoy working in the school system and enjoy mixing with my fellow staff. Every day is different and a new challenge! Our roles have changed so much over the years, however often we are the only people who realise that fact. I was a committee member on ASSIRA (WAMBE) for 4 years – I joined WASSRA in 2007 and became a member on the management committee in 2008.
I have enjoyed working for the Department of Education (and under its many name changes) since 1996 where I was ‘tapped on the shoulder’, as is often the case in small towns, to relieve as a School Officer at Wyndham DHS. That appointment was for one day only but I am still here 15 years later! From not even knowing how to turn a computer on to experiencing all the implementations and changes with IT has been a welcomed journey in itself and a fantastic learning opportunity.
Leaving my home town in 2000, my family and I decided to give city living a go and moved to Rockingham where I won a substantive position at Singleton PS – great school and very supportive staff! After a few stints at relieving Registrar positions I won substantively the Registrar role at Hillman PS where I happily worked for 5 years – until we decided city living really wasn’t for us.
So in 2007 we moved to Geraldton where I applied for and won the substantive position of Registrar at Pia Wadjarri Remote Community School which is another challenge as I am based in Geraldton at District Office and my school is 320kms north east.
I was ‘coerced’ into joining WASSRA as a management committee member in 2010 and have taken on the database profile. The subsequent committee has worked tirelessly in promoting and gaining recognition of Support Staff in schools and I look forward to being a part of future evolvement.
