Hillcrest College Chairman Don Fenwick (right) welcomes new principal Daniel Pampuch to the school.By Cam Scott
WHEN Daniel Pampuch arrived at Hillcrest Christian College seven weeks ago, he underwent a baptism of fire.
Not only was the Brisbane boy subjected to Melbourne’s chilly winter conditions, but one of his teachers also a councillor was embroiled in a claim that he had distributed confidential information of a council committee to students after setting them an investigative assignment.
The young (31yearold) principal landed at Hillcrest amid a flurry of media questioning over what he was going to do about the drama unfolding before him.
Seven weeks later, the waters are calm and Mr Pampuch is relishing his time at the helm of the college as he looks to implement innovative policies across the school.
Mr Pampuch, who ironically came from Hillcrest College on the Gold Coast (no relation to the Clyde Christian College), says that after substantial international and interstate teaching experience, being a principal is even better than he had expected.
“What I particularly love about this school and the board is that they’re really keen to grow and improve upon what’s already good here,” he said.
“Schools I think often forget they can be innovators, and it’s good to have the full support of the board.”
Aside from an extensive apprenticeship and his two masters’ degrees, one in education leadership and one in business management, the highlight of his career before landing the top job at Hillcrest came in Berlin at a British international college.
“That was a fantastic experience,” he said.
“You get a really good understanding of what is so considered a top education in other areas of the world and can then bring some of those ideas back here.”
Mr Pampuch said he would be trying to implement programs that developed links with sporting events, community activities and agricultural and horticultural activities to make the most out of the school’s huge 138 acre site.
