By Alesha Capone
My Wyndham: Julie Mason is the principal of Baden Powell College, which includes the campuses of Derrimut Heath Primary School in Hoppers Crossing and the Tarneit P-9 campus. She chats with Alesha Capone.
What do enjoy about working in education?
When I finished school, I attended a teacher’s college in Geelong. From the day I started teaching, I loved it. I’m 67 now and I tell people that for the last 62 years, I’ve gotten up and gone to school. Somewhere in the first year of teaching, I had a magic moment, where I knew I’d taught a child something. From that moment onwards, I realised that it was such a privilege to do that. I also really enjoy the opportunity to work with truly amazing teachers – these days, it’s not as easy gig. I’ve met some really passionate, committed, smart and generous-to-a-fault teachers.
Have you always been based in the west?
I started out teaching in Melbourne’s west. My first school was Deer Park West and it was just amazing. We say – and I believe it to be true – innovation, kindness, really caring about kids and wanting to make a difference to their lives, abounds in schools in the west. I feel proud when kids live up to their potential. We have over 60 different language groups at the school (Baden Powell), and many young people come from refugee-type backgrounds. We put a lot of faith in our kids as school leaders. We see so many of them who move from school with confidence in themselves as community leaders.
How long have you been at Baden Powell?
I’m coming up to 20 years in next July. In 2000, I started as Derrimut Heath principal – prior to that, I was principal at Glen Ordan Primary School which is now known as Wyndham Park Primary School.
You’re also in a local Rotary club?
A significant part of my life has been Wyndham Rotary, which I joined 25 years ago. I think Rotary and education collided for me, in a way, both – among many other others – are about putting a lot of support, thinking and planning for young people. Rotary really does change lives for good, when you connect with Rotary only good ever comes from it. From my point of view, I’ve been very blessed. in everything I’ve done in Rotary, I’ve learned so much about myself and whatever you give, you get back 100 times in what you see as being able to help people.
