Rod says “I have been Principal of BCS for sixteen years and a part of the NSW public education system for very nearly 38 years. In that time I have seen much change within the system, generally for the better but not always so. 

“BCS is a wonderful school in a great town. I have often thought over the years that many people do not realise what a good place to work in and learn in it really is. This is because people have nothing to measure it against, including teaching personnel. A quick visit to parts of south western Sydney, for example, would quickly dispel any doubts that anyone held. 

“People do not go into to teaching to be rich and/or famous. It is a very demanding occupation, more so than ever in the 21st century. Australia has become time poor as parents and caregivers are placed under increasing strain to be more productive and efficient. Schools have taken much more of a “parenting” role than they once did. I have even seen letters in newspapers to the effect that minding children while the parents work is a major function of modern schools. I don’t agree, but the sentiment is out there in some quarters. 

“There is also a much greater divide between public education and its alternatives than in the past. It is a division justified by giving “choice” but that can be shorthand for “privilege”, “advantage” and “superiority”. Equally, I would never deny the right of people practising a particular form of religion to have their children educated in a school imbued with that ethos. 

“Public education can be very proud of the fact that it provides an education for all young people. No one is rejected because of a disability, be it social, physical or cognitive. Some of the best moments of my career have been to see people overcome adversity to achieve to their potential. 

“A number of people have asked whether I would be moving from the town. I do not intend to do so. Braidwood has been good to my family and I, it is very much ‘home’.”