Berwick principal Kerri Bolch said it was the desire to do “something that might break the cycle” of domestic violence that led her to campaign for and develop the school’s Health and Wellbeing Centre.
Launched last year, the centre is home to provisional psychologists, social and youth workers, a nurse and counsellors, who provide wellbeing support to the school’s 1700 students and their families.
This week, Ms Bolch’s determination to support the wellbeing of students has been recognised, as the National Excellence in Teaching Awards (NEiTA) honour her as one of Australia’s most outstanding educators.
Ms Bolch is one of only three principals across Australia to win the prestigious NEiTA Leadership Award and a $10,000 professional development grant from the NEiTA Foundation.
It comes after 10 years of dedicated campaigning for $1.5 million in Victorian Government funding to establish the Health and Wellbeing Centre at the school.
“I invited everyone who visited the school to see our facilities and how inadequate they were for our requirements,” she said.
“I told them about my dream, to have a health and wellbeing centre for our school community and to help our local community.
“I spoke to politicians and community members, everyone I could think of, and this continued for about 10 years!”
The prevention of family violence is a large driver of the centre.
“A catalyst for the Health and Wellbeing Centre was getting people to understand the impact of domestic violence,” Ms Bolch said.
“Domestic violence is a problem for many families in the City of Casey. If you can create a circuit breaker via support and education you can break the cycle.
“There are only a handful of schools in Melbourne that have their own dedicated Health and Wellness Centre and it’s made a tremendous difference to the students at Berwick College.
“Students often face obstacles when they try to get the support they need and in many for instance, parents don’t know what to do.”
The Health and Wellbeing Centre is already making a noticeable impact on students at the school, according to Ms Bolch.
“We have seen students staying at school to graduate Year 12 who otherwise may not have done, students coming to school rather than drifting away.“
“We have seen students who would never seek support for their health and well-being, ask for help and get the support they deserve.“
Growing up in Pakenham, the principal said becoming a teacher has always been her dream.
“As the eldest of six I would line up my siblings in the carport and play school, pretending to teach,” she said.
“In primary school the teachers would let us correct the spelling tests and we were sometimes left in charge of classes. Extraordinary to think about that now!“
She started her teaching career at Berwick High School in 1981, where she taught for 23 years before taking up an assistant principal position at Narre Warren South P-12 College.
Five-and-a-half years later, in July 2010, she returned to Berwick College, this time as principal of the school.
“I love being in the classroom, however, I have the opportunity to make big changes and impact more lives as a principal,” Ms Bolch said.
“If I’m having a bad day, I visit a classroom and talk to the students. It reminds me why I do what I do.
“I’m honoured to win a NEiTA Leadership Award, and grateful to NEiTA for their recognition of the unsung heroes in education, there are so many who fly under the radar. It’s a privilege to be recognised.”
NEiTA chairman, Allen Blewitt, said educators like Ms Bolch define what it means to be a great teacher and leader.
“Kerri is an innovative, compassionate and intelligent educator,” Allen said.
“Her ability as a principal has informed and inspired the lives of countless students over the past 41 years.
“The Berwick College community is richer because of Stanley’s ability to teach and guide young lives.
“NEiTA is also the only national teaching award where nominations are made by parents, students, and school communities.
“In addition to highlighting and rewarding excellence in teaching, the NEiTA Awards seek to encourage more teachers to stay for longer in the profession.
“The NEiTA Awards were established to recognise inspirational teachers in the community. We understand the potential of education to change lives, but it is our teachers who effect that change.”
NEiTA has recognised and rewarded exceptional and inspirational teachers for nearly three decades.
It is the longest running, community-based awards program to recognise teaching excellence in Australia and New Zealand and is proudly supported by Futurity Investment Group.
