WATCH: Outgoing James Sheahan Catholic High School principal Peter Meers shares his thoughts on retirement.
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00:00So I'm here with Peter Mears. He has been at James Sheehan since 2006 and the Principal since 2018.
00:07He's retiring at the end of 2024. Peter, what are you going to miss most about being at this school?
00:13I think the privilege of being the Principal at a wonderful school where I see outstanding student achievement every day.
00:21Those interactions with students, going to the performances, the concerts, the sporting achievements,
00:26going into classrooms and seeing the tremendous learning that is happening, the enthusiasm of the students,
00:31and I know that can go up and down, but certainly that enthusiasm, seeing the learning, working with teachers
00:38and our support staff to hopefully give students really powerful learning experience every day,
00:44powerful faith experience through our Catholic tradition and Christian beliefs, and also to support them with their wellbeing.
00:51And I certainly will miss that day-to-day interactions, being able to walk through the playground and see students,
00:56going to classes, and also speaking at assemblies, being able to work with the students and hopefully helping them
01:04to engage in their learning, to see the future, and hopefully to feel a real sense of pride in being Sheehan students
01:11and a sense of belonging here in a community that's become increasingly diverse and multicultural.
01:17So I think that's what I'll miss. I'll miss those everyday interactions, working with the wonderful staff here
01:23that are committed to the learning of students, to their faith and wellbeing, working with parents,
01:28and I know that can be challenging at times. I know that, you know, students sometimes will get into trouble at times
01:36with challenges, so I know that working as a Principal has its challenges, working with our various stakeholders.
01:44But overall, the enormous joy that it's given me, being able to leave the school, to see the wonderful students we have,
01:50to see the pride when they leave the school and their graduation, is something I'll really miss.