By MATT NICHOLLS
IT TOOK a year of studying rural science for Jo Matherson to work out she wanted to become a school teacher, but since then she’s never looked back.
PLC Armidale’s new head of school takes the reins next year and said it capped off what had been a terrific 18-year journey in education.
“I grew up in the country and went to boarding school in Sydney, but I was never a city girl,” Mrs Matherson said.
“I came to Armidale to study rural science at UNE, but then I realised I wanted to teach.”
After graduating, Mrs Matherson spent 10 years at Uralla Central School and has been with PLC for the past eight years.
It’s her first time as a principal and she said she wanted to continue the good work of outgoing head of school Deborah Kelliher.
“Deborah built a reall strong foundation over eight years and I want to build on that,” Mrs Matherson said.
“PLC prides itself on really good academic results, but we also realise that is only part of educating a child.
“Community participation and building confidence in our teenage girls is a big part of what we do.”
Mrs Matherson, who was the senior school coordinator this year, has two daughters at PLC, as well as twin boys at The Armidale School.
She said the advantage PLC had over other schools was its size.
“We really know all of our students … the teachers even know the girls who aren’t in their classes.
“Girls thrive on relationships and they respond well at a personal level.”
PLC’s Sydney-based executive principal Paul Burgis said Mrs Matherson was well-equipped to take on the new role.
“She has served the PLC Armidale community with great commitment and insight for eight years,” he said.
“She is a very capable leader who has earned the respect of staff and students.”
