By Charlene Gatt
Hard work paid off in spades last week for Jeff Bell who took out the annual Star award at the Footscray Rotary John Kerr community service awards.
Mr Bell became principal of Laverton P-12 College in 2007, despite concerns from friends and colleagues that he had taken on a problem school.
“At times, there was a casual approach to a whole range of things… so I thought what do other schools do to set the standard?”
Keen to raise the bar, Mr Bell introduced a range of new school rules, including a required school uniform and shoes, no mobile phone or other electronic devices, and not allowing students to leave school grounds during school hours.
Mr Bell admits some students initially rebelled against the new regime, with teachers having to resort to driving around to round up students out of school, but the results are now starting to show.
In 2009, 98 per cent of all school leavers had placements in their chosen fields.
“You want your group to do as best as it can. If you have the passion, you can change things,” he said.
Mr Bell hopes to expand the VET program and trade training this year.
Mr Bell was one of five people to receive a John H Kerr community service award, which celebrates the West’s unsung heroes.
The awards, which have been held since 1976, honour former Footscray Rotary Club president John H Kerr.
Footscray Rotary gave out nearly $45,000 in donations to various community groups in the West.
