August 2008 Cover Story

William Low, who is currently a School Education Director with the NSW Department of Education and Training, will take over as Headmaster at the start of the 2009 school year although his appointment will be from the start of the present school term.

Mr Low paid tribute to Mr Lornie for his work in building the school from a small community school at Erina Heights in 1900 to the vibrant school that it is today. Mr Lornie joined the school as Deputy Headmaster when it opened in 1985 and was appointed Headmaster in 1988. Today Central Coast Grammar has around 1,200 students and 130 teachers.

Mr Low is well known for his highly successful work with primary and secondary students in the 1990’s to lift student and community aspirations in respect of educational achievement for individual schools and the Central Coast region.
These reforms had strong support from Principals groups, Parents and Citizens Association, both councils and peak Regional Development groups.
These improvements led to greatly improved literacy and numeracy standards among Central Coast students with broader curriculum provision and increased year twelve performance.

In addition Mr Low is well known for his work as the NSW Director of Early Childhood and Primary, and the development of systems for secondary schools to monitor and improve HSC performance.
Mr Low said he believed Central Coast Grammar was in very good condition and his challenge was to build the school into an outstanding institution through a focus on quality teaching and learning, innovation in technology and broader engagement with the Central Coast community.

He told CCBR, “Traditional relationships with like schools would be honoured and strengthened but the emerging educational landscape demanded that new and innovative relationships be forged with business and other education providers including the State system, Catholic and independent sectors, TAFE and University.

These new relationships will benefit not only Central Coast Grammar School but lift the regional profile of education and send a strong message to business, community and government that the Central Coast region is a model where the different sectors can work together to significantly lift educational achievement and increase confidence that the Central Coast is a good place to set up business due to an increasingly skilled, intelligent and flexible workforce and great place to educate your children through a commitment to quality education across the sectors.

Commenting on his years at the school, Mr Lornie said, "I retire at the end of 2008 after what will be 24 years of service at Central Coast Grammar School - 21 of those years as Headmaster.  To understand what the School brings to a child's education goes beyond exam results, national teasting and league tables.  For nearly a quarter of a century we have remained true to our Mission Statement - striving for excellence in all endeavours in a happy, caring and supportive environment."

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