The Deputy Principal, Term 4 Week 2 2026

Beyond the blossom

There is something particularly fitting about beginning at a school in spring. The days grow longer, new growth emerges, and the promise of what lies ahead becomes increasingly visible. It is a season of renewal and possibility, and a fitting backdrop to my first week at Pulteney.

I spent much of last week observing, listening, asking questions and, most importantly, getting to know people. I have enjoyed conversations with students, begun building relationships with staff and met parents whose connection to the School is such an important part of its character. What has struck me most is the warmth and generosity with which I have been welcomed. To everyone who has taken the time to introduce themselves, share a story or simply offer a friendly greeting, thank you. I feel genuinely privileged to be here.

One of the great attractions of working in education is that schools are never finished products. They are living communities, shaped by the people within them and continually renewed by the young people who pass through their gates. Each year brings its own rhythm of beginnings and endings, achievement and uncertainty, challenge and celebration. Traditions provide continuity, relationships provide connection, and each new generation brings its own character, ambitions and possibilities.

This week’s Valedictory events offer a particularly poignant reminder of that cycle. As our Year 12 students prepare to complete their time at Pulteney, we have an opportunity to reflect on how far they have travelled and the contribution they have made to our community. They leave with friendships, experiences and achievements that will remain part of their story, but also with something less tangible and perhaps more important: a greater understanding of themselves and the people they are becoming.

Their journeys have not all been the same, nor will their futures follow a common path. Each has experienced moments of confidence and uncertainty, success and disappointment, belonging and discovery. Through these experiences, they have grown. As we celebrate their time at Pulteney, I hope we recognise not only what they have achieved, but also the people they have become along the way. I wish each of our Year 12 students every success as they take their next steps beyond the School.

Reflecting on their journeys has prompted me to consider the nature of growth itself. We naturally celebrate the blossom: the outstanding performance, the co-curricular achievement, the moment of discovery or the milestone reached. These moments deserve to be recognised. Yet the blossom is only the visible expression of a much longer process, one that requires patience, encouragement, persistence and the right conditions for growth.

Education is much the same. Every student develops at a different pace and in their own time. Some flourish early; others take longer to find their confidence, discover their interests or recognise their strengths. Growth is rarely linear, and progress is not always immediately apparent. Often, the most important development occurs quietly: through a difficult conversation, a mistake from which a student learns, the courage to try something unfamiliar or the determination to persist when something does not come easily.

This is why the work of a school extends well beyond the transmission of knowledge or the pursuit of achievement. It is about creating the conditions in which young people can flourish academically, socially and personally. That requires care, encouragement and a strong sense of belonging, but it also requires challenge. Young people need to know that they are valued, while understanding that they are capable of more than they might initially believe. Care without challenge can limit growth; challenge without care can undermine it. Our responsibility is to provide both.

As I begin my role as Deputy Principal, this is the work that excites me most. I look forward to learning from our students, working alongside our talented staff and partnering with families to ensure every young person has the opportunity to develop their strengths, discover new possibilities and contribute meaningfully to the lives of others. I am excited by what can be achieved when people share a sense of purpose and work together in the best interests of young people.

My own Pulteney journey is only beginning. There is much to learn about the School, its people and its traditions, and I approach that learning with curiosity, humility and genuine enthusiasm. My first week has reinforced my belief that the greatest strength of any school lies not simply in its facilities, programs or achievements, but in the quality of its people, our shared relationships and the collective commitment to helping young people thrive.

As we farewell our Year 12 students and look towards the remainder of the year, I hope we take a moment to appreciate both the blossom and the growth that made it possible. Every student is a work in progress. Every stage of their journey matters. While we cannot determine precisely when or how each young person will flourish, we can ensure they are surrounded by people who believe in them, encourage them and help them navigate the inevitable challenges along the way.

I am delighted to be part of that endeavour at Pulteney. Thank you again for such a wonderful welcome.

I look forward to the seasons ahead.

Troy McKinnon
Deputy Principal