For two stalwarts of Ballarat secondary education, the last week was one of significant emotion.
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At one end of town, 40-year teaching veteran Ian Lovel went through a tumultuous few days. Leaving his beloved Ballarat Clarendon College had been hard, but the support given, and appreciation expressed, by colleagues, friends, and past and present students provided him with affirmation.
Also boosting Mr Lovel's mental state was the opportunity given to him for a new beginning at Woodmans Hill Secondary College and the chance to mould hundreds of students who have lacked the privileges of his clientele at the Sturt Street address.
At the other end of town, Woodmans Hill Secondary College principal Stephan Fields was barely able to contain his excitement. The Liverpool native, approaching his tenth anniversary in Ballarat, was on the crest of a wave.
School dux Veronica McCarthy received an ATAR of 94.9, an outstanding achievement regardless of institution, but exceedingly so in an historically tough environment. Just as impressive was Woodmans Hill's average ATAR, three away from the 2019 dux's individual result. The school was up in every measure.
Observers will tell you there is no equality in the Victorian education system, yet Mr Fields is determined to give his students a chance by recruiting the best staff he can and by emdedding an enviable culture.
Mr Fields is exceedingly optimistic about public schooling.
"I genuinely believe the state education system can deliver the quality of teaching and learning that's expected in the private sector," Mr Fields said.
"We believe we can provide excellent education and experiences and make our students opportunity-ready so the world's their oyster.
"The teachers have got the capacity. They are hungry for improvement."
The highly-regarded Stephen Hulse, also from Clarendon, and Stefanie Sharkey, from Phoenix College, have been recently recruited, assisting in overhauling the curriculum.
"One or two really positive people can change absolutely everything," Mr Fields.
"We're able to bring in young teachers, but get experienced ones as well."
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Mr Fields is prepared to think outside the box when it comes to employing staff.
He has taken advantage of an accelerated program at Federation University and there are other initiatives of benefit.
"We've got one teacher who's 'Teach for Australia', a (post-graduate) scheme where you can effectively learn on the job," Mr Fields said.
"She's only been here a year and she's given me a four-year plan!"
The proverbial cherry-on-the-cake for Mr Fields in the last few days has been the recruitment of Mr Lovel, a revered figure, for the 2022 academic year.
Mr Fields, moving into his fourth year at Woodmans Hill after four years at Clarendon and three years as assistant principal at Phoenix, knows how big his latest acquisition is.
"For anyone who knows the English Premier League, this is the greatest free transfer since James Milner joined Liverpool and then went on to win the European Cup, the World Club Championship, and the Premier League," Mr Fields said, smiling.
"What Ian provides us with is a passion for maths and a hunger to learn. Ian's going to be such an asset, not just to Woodmans Hill, but to state education, because what he's going to provide is guidance, encouragement, and experience."
Mr Lovel's love for education is sincere beyond measure.
"Some people trudge out of home each morning to face another day of monotony," Mr Lovel said.
"Teaching is never, ever like that. I always feel uplifted by youth culture and the constant challenge to engage and thus educate."
This mature-age recruit's career can be traced back to his humble background. Born and raised in Mt Waverley, his family's abode backed onto a railway line. His father was an electrician and his mother a primary school teacher.
During Mr Lovel's secondary schooling, he cycled passed the prestigous Wesley College every day on his way to Syndal High School.
"Not once did I feel envy, but I did know there was another system of education," Mr Lovel said.
When Mr Lovel first applied to work at Clarendon, he was interviewed at the RACV Club in Melbourne by then-principal Ron Horner. Mr Lovel was initially unsuccessful, but having been raised well, he wrote to Mr Horner to thank him for the opportunity.
"I explained how the aura of Clarendon was almost dreamy to me and I hoped that another opportunity may arise," Mr Lovel said.
In a fortuitous turn of events, Mr Horner's preferred option pulled out and the raw youngster did not need to be asked twice to travel to the golden city for 1982.
The keen sportsman latched onto the town. The school's groundskeeper mentioned there was a nearby football club, leading to a 150-game career with Redan.
Even though there were football heroics, Mr Lovel has been at his best within school grounds.
"The only people who really know me are the students," Mr Lovel said.
"They smile as they enter, they laugh within, and they are appreciative as they exit."
As might be expected of a man who has given every ounce of his being to one institution, Mr Lovel possesses a multitude of memories.
There was the time he watched the 1983 America's Cup win within the confines of the Boys Boarding House.
There were the occasions when he physically ran between classes at Mair St campus and the Sturt St campus.
"I am not worried about image," Mr Lovel said, reflecting on striding along the 2.3km route.
He recalls receiving blunt feedback from a couple of students that not everybody loved mathematics the way Mr Lovel did.
"That was real lesson for me that I have recognised until this day and I have been more accepting of those with a similar attitude," he reflected.
Some of the more prominent highlights entail the sporting accomplishments of those he coached.
On a Newington oval, which is now the base for some of the more desired properties in Ballarat, his intermediate football side overcame archrival St Patrick's College by a solitary point.
"The ground was saturated and the boys were made to roll in the mud at training before the game to harden up," Mr Lovel said.
"It was last-boy-standing affair."
Athletics has been a true passion and there were numerous types who benefited from the demanding, yet caring and enthusiastic, coaching style.
For five consecutive years, a team 80-strong was taken down the Western Highway to partake in a highly competitive carnival.
Taking on some of the best the state had to offer at the now-extinct Olympic Park, the taskmaster lapped up the occasion.
"I don't remember whether we won or lost," Mr Lovel said.
"It was an Olympic-type atmosphere where sport was the winner."
Witnessing the emergence of international track star Stewart McSweyn as he destroyed the Clarendon 'Lap of Lake' record and pushed Steve Moneghetti's record is also fondly recalled.
"It was a privilege to witness," Mr Lovel said.
Mr Lovel contributed to the sense of community at Clarendon. He was the school's unofficial photographer for many years, capturing glorious scenes, and he would channel his inner Country-Women's-Association-member by organising baking competitions for the staff amongst other things.
"I used to have a hobby farm and now and then would have the butcher out to cut up a steer," Mr Lovel said.
"The 200kg of beef was away too much for me and I would sell it in 15kg lots for $30 each.
"It more than covered my costs, but was not declared as extra income for the tax man!
"You can imagine my angst when the larger-than-life school business manager at the time phoned me!
"He said, 'Ian, may I please have two packs?'"
Mr Lovel leaves the 157-year old school with his head held high and the firm belief he has more to offer.
"I am very proud of everything I have done at Clarendon," he said.
"I have loved my job and been entirely devoted to doing it the best way I can. A big focus is maths, but my role as a mentor has also been very important to me.
"At this time, I may have wandered into retirement, but do not feel that way inclined. I feel enthused and ready to share with peers and students in a different environment."
From all accounts, Mr Lovel's job interview at Woodman's Hill could not have gone any better and the panel engaging in the inquisition felt inspired.
"Tim Ross, learning specialist for numeracy, said, 'I don't think I've ever enjoyed an interview as much the interview with Ian'," Mr Fields enthusiastically recounted.
Mr Lovel is joining Woodmans Hill at an ideal time.
There have been many elements behind the school's success.
One factor has been the principal's willingness to be inclusive.
"It's a distributive model of leadership, the staff, students, and parents feeding into my decision-making," Mr Fields said.
Another factor is a focus on values driving actions with the values being non-negotiable.
"Respect means respect for each other; respect for ourselves," Mr Fields said.
"Determination means to push through.
"When we talk about excellence, it's the sense that every single student can be better than they were yesterday and have the belief they are going to be even better tomorrow."
Thirdly, there has been the staff members' response to the unprecedented global pandemic.
"Everytime I have asked something of the staff, they've given me more," Mr Fields said.
"It's a humbling experience to work with so many people that are so committed."
The dedicated teaching group at Woodmans Hill is only going to get better with the inclusion of the BCC icon with heart of gold.
"I once thought all the good people were at Clarendon," Mr Lovel said.
"A weighty door has just closed behind me as a big adventure looms elsewhere. I reckon I can find some more good folk in another chapter.
``It's great to be here. We're rocking-and-rolling here. We'll find common ground and we'll be right."
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