These are the proud words of new Bowral High School principal Kim Paviour.

But the teacher feedback is not surprising to Ms Paviour, who has a long association with the school.

She was an English teacher at Bowral High for 13 years until late 2003, before working her way up the vocational ladder in other schools throughout the region.

Ms Paviour is excited about her new role in Bowral High School’s top job and the opportunity to lead the school that is close to her heart.

And she is taking on the responsibility with a sense of “onwards and upwards” in a school she recognises as already achieving “wonderful things”.

“I have a strong faith in this school which already has a solid record of academic success and a broad curriculum that caters for a wide range of student interests,” she said.

“We have a great special education support network as well as many students at the top end of the scale.

“The school has a proud record of sporting and performing arts achievements, while Aboriginal education is another big focus.

“That’s the great benefit of this school.

“It caters for everyone.”

As far as Ms Paviour is concerned, the many qualities of the school are enhanced by experienced and highly competent staff.

“A lot of our teachers have a long history and commitment to the school and a strong knowledge of the students and broader school community,” she said.

“In fact our school’s connection with the community is a powerful feature.

“I frequently bump into former school students who always want to know how the school and students are going – they tell me they believe Bowral High set them up well for their adult life.

“Both teachers and former students back their value in Bowral High by sending their children to the school.”

In fact Ms Paviour’s children have attended the school with the last one in Year 12 now.

Ms Paviour conceded that while Bowral High was a “very settled school” there was still room for growth and improvement.

“The school is ordered and calm so that allows the teaching and learning to happen effectively,” she said.

“What happens in the classroom is central to everything and my aim is to ensure we are prepared to meet the curriculum needs of the future.”

A new national curriculum to be introduced in schools over the next two years should keep Ms Paviour on her toes.

“At the moment each state has its own curriculum, but things will change to a nation-wide program creating uniformity in education across the country,” she said.

“We need to be ready for this. Professional learning in particular needs to occur to prepare staff.

“The introduction of computers to Year 9 students each year, for example, means that our staff also need to upgrade their knowledge to be effective teachers on the laptop.

“My number one focus has always been on teaching and learning in the class, on the sports field and in performing arts.

“If we have this everything else tends to fall into place.

“It is important that we continue to forge ahead and ensure our school continues to deliver high educational achievements.”