17 Jun 2024
We are thrilled to announce the permanent appointment of MRHS – Griffith’s new principal – Mr Duncan Lovelock.
Growing up in Sydney’s eastern suburbs, Duncan was drawn out west to study Business with a major in Human Resources and a minor in Economics at Charles Sturt University in Wagga Wagga. A career in business both in Australia and abroad ensued. Mr Lovelock, however, inevitably found himself following in his family’s footsteps and returning to university to study education in his late 20s.
“I was looking for a moral purpose in life,” muses Duncan, “and I wanted to have a positive impact on students’ lives.”
Duncan cut his teeth in education teaching in southwest Sydney for three years before moving out to rural and remote New South Wales. There, Mr Lovelock learned the intricacies of teaching in the country, working in secondary schools in Coonamble, Muswellbrook and Tamworth.
Mr Lovelock’s first principal posting at Warren Central School in 2015 saw him rise to a new set of both educational and administrative challenges. “It was a culture shock moving into a K – 12 setting initially,” Mr Lovelock recounts, “However, through various droughts and plagues, we were able to increase the enrolment of the school by approximately 40%. There was also a significant reduction in poor behaviour and mobile phone use was basically eliminated under my watch. HSC results also saw a significant improvement with Warren seeing its first band six in a long time only last year.”
“One of my proudest achievements at Warren was the 0% unemployment rate for our Year 12 graduates,” Duncan adds, “Students have either gone from school to TAFE, school to work or school to university. We were able to find every child a positive outcome.”
Duncan moved from Warren to become acting principal at Murrumbidgee Regional High School – Griffith at the beginning of 2024 and is settling in comfortably. “It’s been a very welcoming city,” remarks Duncan, “My family and I have been overwhelmed to have a community accept us with open arms.”
Mr Lovelock, however, has been most impressed by his new school’s teaching staff. “Their passion and dedication is second to none,” gushes Duncan, “They really, really care for their kids, which I think is so important.”
“My biggest goal is to have a positive impact on students’ lives,” explains Mr Lovelock when asked what his vision for MRHS – Griffith holds, “I want to ensure the kids are valued and cared for and to provide them with a quality public education with clear post school pathway options. We want to make sure that their social, emotional and academic needs are met.”
Congratulations on your appointment, Duncan! We’re happy to have you on board!