Goulburn Ovens Institute of TAFE

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New TEC principal appointed

GOTAFE has announced the appointment of David Ritchie as the new Principal of the Wangaratta Technical Education Centre (TEC). Mr Ritchie commenced his new position on 27 January, 2009.

In making the announcement, Thomas Greene (General Manager VET, Goulburn Ovens Institute of TAFE and Head of the Wangaratta Campus) said that David Ritchie has a significant record of educational leadership and in 2008 was Acting Assistant Principal at Wangaratta High School in charge of student management.

David Ritchie's career includes 24 years of secondary teaching in a variety of schools including Wangaratta High School and Benalla College. He has also been a Senior Regional Curriculum Consultant; Mathematics and Information Technology teacher at the Victorian College of the Arts; a teacher trainer and consultant for Mathematics in New York City schools; School Development Officer at the Hume Region and Acting Principal at Whitfield District Primary School.

Mr Ritchie mostly recently was Project Coordinator, Community Learning Centre, at Wangaratta High School and Acting Assistant Principal, Student Management, Wangaratta High School.

Mr Greene acknowledged the excellent leadership of the TEC provided by Judy Grylls and Lynita Taylor (Assistant Principals) at Wangaratta High School during 2007 and 2008.

"The appointment of David Ritchie comes at an important and exciting time for the TEC which is nearing the end of its second year of operation," said Mr Greene.

The TEC will relocate into new $8m premises in Cusack Street in October 2009, having been temporarily located at Wangaratta High School's Vincent Road campus in 2007 and 2008.

An Industry Reference Group, headed by John Brown, AO, has developed a strategic plan for the TEC for the next three years. The appointment of a new principal will ensure that the goals and targets of the plan are realised.

One of these goals is to open the TEC to students from other district schools and to other young people. Another is to ensure that students are not only aware of regional career opportunities, but are also well prepared for the workforce and meet the needs of local industry.

One of the key challenges is to ensure that the curriculum at the TEC is fully developed so that student courses are full time vocational in content. "It is this feature which distinguishes the TEC from other vocational education and training available in secondary schools," said Mr Greene. "David Ritchie's background in teacher training and curriculum development will be of critical importance for the development of the TEC curriculum."

For more information visit www.tec.edu.au or call the Customer Service Centre on 1300 GOTAFE (468 233).