Beginning as an English and HSIE teacher, Michelle was Principal for 12 years before finishing in 2021. We caught up with Michelle, who is now the Executive Principal of SPCC Dynamic Learning College and Young Parents College, to hear her reflections on her time at SPCC Gosford.

During my time at SPCC Gosford I…I taught Senior School English, History and CLS, Middle School French in Stage 4 and 5, German in Years 2-6. I was the Senior School English Co-ordinator, Girls’ Pastoral Care Co-ordinator, Head of Senior School and Assistant Principal and then in 2010 I became College Principal.

I am still at SPCC after 25 years because…I passionately believe in the vision and mission of St Philip’s Christian College. I still love our Gosford Campus and was very sad to leave, however, I had a very strong conviction that I was called to lead in our tailored education Colleges. I truly believe that everyone of us is born for a life of passion and purpose, all for the glory of God and it is a privilege to be able to work in Christian schools where there are significant barriers for our students and help to be a part of breaking those barriers and often generational cycles of disadvantage.

My best experience at SPCC…There are so many. I always loved our whole school events and productions; seeing our students grow our Ken’ya Help Day over the years; our new buildings being built. I can think of many more. It was such a journey of faith but I would say that one of the highlights for me personally was getting our first school bus. It was a much-needed symbol for me that God is faithful to provide, if we only believe. Whilst it may seem like a small thing now, at the time it was such an encouragement to the whole school community and a miracle of God’s provision.

A great memory I have from SPCC has to be…The lip Sync battles in Senior School, the teachers wearing underpants over their clothes on the basketball to win $5000 towards the Junior School playground and the resourcefulness of our Middle Schoolers when they competed for the best P block classroom renovations (happily now a distant memory!!)

The biggest influence in my life... I’m most proud of how incredibly well SPCC Gosford is thriving without me there.  I missed the amazing team of leaders that I left behind but watching them thrive and keep taking the school forward and develop the incredible community, “All for the Glory of God”, is a great joy to me.

At school, I am famous for… Saying on many occasions that at SPCC it is ‘A life long journey of Passion and Purpose, All for the Glory of God’.

My greatest achievement is…Raising two beautiful children who now are incredible parents themselves.

The best piece of advice I ever received is…“Love the lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.”