New principal excited to get started

“I started as a teacher; my background is in teaching physical education, health education, and outdoor and environmental studies,” Mr Downward said.

“I moved through a variety of leadership positions, positions of responsibility, culminating in my most recent role at Caulfield Grammar, leading to my principal role.

“I’ve taught for a majority of that time and being in the classroom is really critical, I believe, for all leaders.

“As I’ve moved into different levels of responsibility, the face-to-face time in the classroom reduces and it becomes more about working with the teachers to support student learning as a part of their professional development.”

Mr Downward will be in his new position for at least five years.

“Hopefully it’s more than five years, but it’s a minimum five years,” he said.

“My wife and our two children have bought a house in Moama, and we’re excited to be a part of the community.”

Mr Downward will be sending his own children to MAG this year, after “forensically researching” the schools in the area.

“We felt that MAG was a wonderful organisation and the best fit for our family, as much as it was for me coming in through my work role,” he said.

“That’s exciting for me as a dad to have my kids at the school and be a bigger part of their journeys.”

Mr Downward is looking forward to supporting his new community, with context a determining factor in making decisions.

“I think it’s incumbent on leaders to not come in and just have one person’s view because there’s so much more of a story to learn about. That allows us to build on what’s great and then focus on supporting people to continually improve.”

While Mr Downward started in the office officially on January 9, he has been involved in transition activities since being appointed to the position in June.

Community members will remember well the photos of MAG students filling and lifting sandbags for the community, which Mr Downward felt was quite moving.

“My heart went out to the entire community dealing with a one-in-100-year flood scenario, coming off COVID and the drought cycle,” he said.

“I was proud as well, to read Harper Raverty’s quote about how can she focus on exams when her community needs the support of its people. That was impressive, and I think that really aligns strongly with the values of the school.

“That’s an organisation that I want to be a part of — that strength of community that was shared throughout the community.

“It’s really exciting to be here, and I’m looking forward to supporting our community to grow.”