"In previous years, the school found it hard to attract teachers to work here but now we have many teachers applying and once they start, they stay," says Kelly Bennett.
Ms Bennett is the new principal of Coodanup College, which a decade ago was rife with truancy and problem behaviours.
The school, which is located in an area known for its lower socio-economic demographics, is a far cry from what it once was.
Ms Bennett, who is a staff member of 10 years and served as deputy principal for five years said she had some big shoes to fill.
"The previous principal, Vicki McKeown was such a wonderful mentor," Ms Bennett said. "She made such an impact on Coodanup College and her ethics and belief in the school led us to where we are now."
Ms Bennett said she had a deep understanding of the school and its students after working there as a mathematics teacher, head of engagement programs and deputy.
"I live in the area and I've worked in this school for a long time," she said. "I know these kids and I am actively invested in their success."
In previous years, Coodanup College underwent a transformation and an entire rebrand.
"We invested the time into getting the learning conditions right. We wanted Coodanup to be a school that students were proud to attend - we don't give up on our kids," Ms Bennett said.
The school ethos is 'we will learn, we will be safe, we will be fair, we will be proud' and Ms Bennett said that ethos transformed the image of the school entirely.
Ms Bennett said she aimed to follow Ms McKeown's approach to behaviour management, including trauma-informed practise.
"It's not about punitive measures and consequences," she said. "It is about teaching the correct behaviour. We have students now, when asked what they did wrong, respond with things like 'I didn't follow fair and reasonable instructions'.'"
Ms Bennett said a student whose parents she constantly had to meet with a few years ago, had now become a leader in the school.
"I said to this student's mother the other day - your son is amazing. He's a year 12 now and he recently approached me about speaking to the younger students at assembly about how unproductive behaviour impacts other students at the school."
Ms Bennett said with the learning conditions right, the main focus would be on teaching and learning.
"We will focus heavily on literacy, and working with the staff to invest time into the best pedagogies for each area."
Coodanup's impressive range of programs cover many bases for students with different needs and holistic family-inclusive programs.
"We have the FlexiLink program, which allows students to work at their own pace in small group teaching environments," Ms Bennett said. "We also have the CLAN program (Centre for Literacy and Numeracy) which focuses on literacy and numeracy skills to achieve academic success. We also have support dogs who sit with students when they are feeling anxious."
Coodanup College also has the Clontarf Academy and Star Foundation, which focus on the education and empowerment of its 211 young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men and women.
Ms Bennett said she hoped to continue to grow and encourage the learning environment that Coodanup College created, and to continue to see students leave feeling "accomplished on pathways that suit them, whether that be university, TAFE or employment".
"The number of students who have walked across the stage at graduation after overcoming so much adversity... they can say that they got there. They did that. That is the most amazing thing."
Samantha Ferguson
Samantha Ferguson is a journalist at the Mandurah Mail. She is an entertainment, sport, crime, community and education journalist with a special interest in investigative pieces and human interest stories.
Samantha Ferguson is a journalist at the Mandurah Mail. She is an entertainment, sport, crime, community and education journalist with a special interest in investigative pieces and human interest stories.
