Meet Mackay’s best principal as decided by you
The passionate principal says his role is about supporting his staff so they can ‘get on with the job’
Mackay
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VOTED as Mackay's best principal for 2020, Jim Ford said prioritising and caring for staff was central to his role.
"You need to be genuinely supportive of the staff in trying to make the environment, so that both they and the students can really thrive," Mr Ford said.
"(The staff) just need us to clear the decks a little bit so they can get on with the job.
"And if they do, teachers do a great job.
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"They enjoy what they do, they're enthusiastic with the kids and they really push them.
"It's not complicated."
The Mackay Mercy College principal of 14 years got his start in the education system almost 40 years ago as a science teacher.
His office is kitted out with a piano, an ANZAC frame, fossils, gemstones, art deco style NASA posters and a dinosaur and are testament to his personality and love of learning.
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Mr Ford said the favourite part of his job was working among the students and seeing the teachers enthusiastic about their role.
"It's actually very rewarding; you can see the growth," he said.
"I've been pretty privileged to have the job to be perfectly honest, it is a people job."
He said he was honoured to be considered Mackay's best principal.
"That was very nice of them," he said with a humble chuckle.
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