Glenwood High’s principal Erla McMaster bids goodbye, proud of what the school has achieved
ERLA McMaster is taking away plenty of happy memories with her as she prepares for life after Glenwood High School, which she helped start back in 2005.
Rouse Hill
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ERLA McMaster is taking away plenty of happy memories with her as she prepares for life after Glenwood High School, which she helped start back in 2005.
Under her watch as principal, Glenwood High School now has one of the highest rates of higher education in the NSW, with more than 50 per cent of the HSC students — the state average of 30 per cent — pursuing university studies.
The highly-experienced English and drama teacher was the founding deputy principal when work began on the school in November 2004 and took over as principal from Russell Turner in 2010.
Ms McMaster is now the acting principal of Arthur Phillip High School, which is slated to become the first high rise school in the state in 2019.
“I have been the acting principal here since February but have been helping Glenwood High School when they needed support,” Ms McMaster said.
“It was heartbreaking to say goodbye to the school community at Glenwood High because it has been my home for 12 years.
“When you enjoy your work so much, you put in more time there and it becomes a part of you.
“I am extremely proud of the school and what the students and staff have achieved.
“It’s wonderful to start a new school which is the dream of every teacher.
“This is a truly excellent school and I think the most outstanding achievement is that more than 50 per cent of our HSC students following university studies, which is above the NSW average of 30 per cent.
“This is because the families and community value education and this inspires the students to work to their full potential and set themselves goals.
“I meet former students who have done well here and overseas in different professions and many come back to school to share with us what they have done.
“Glenwood High is very inclusive of everybody and we have a range of cultural backgrounds who all follow the school’s motto of respect.”
Ms McMaster has 35 years of teaching under her belt and is now involved with the planning of the high rise school in Parramatta. This includes the training of staff because things will be quite different in the new school, she said.
One of her children, Carl, is following in her footsteps.
“I like to thank all the people who supported me at Glenwood High School, specially the staff, parents and community, who always worked with us to provide quality education,” Ms McMaster said.
She has worked in several schools, including Cabramatta HS, Fairvale HS, Baulkham Hills HS, Winmalee HS and Model Farms HS.
“I like to thank all the people who supported me at Glenwood High School, specially the staff, parents and community, who always worked with us to provide quality education,” Ms McMaster said.
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