With a passion for adolescent wellbeing, Ms Michelle Carroll began her new role at the start of 2024 as the new principal at Matthew Flinders Anglican College.
We grabbed five minutes with Ms Carroll to learn more about her likes, dislikes, and impressive golf skills.
Meet the principal at Matthew Flinders Anglican College
Welcome to your new role at Flinders!
Can you tell us a little about the philosophy of Flinders and why you feel it’s a good fit for you?
I am passionate about creating a learning environment for students that celebrates inclusivity, respect and trust, so I’m delighted to be a part of Flinders with its vibrant school culture. Students from Prep to Year 12 are learning the importance of core values—compassion, courage, integrity and respect. I also firmly believe that behind every student’s successful journey through school must be the unwavering support of brilliant teachers and mentors who have guided, nurtured and cheered them on.
What do you hope to bring to Flinders?
I appreciate the African proverb ‘It takes a village to raise a child’ and look forward to building an even stronger College community at Flinders. Staff, students, families and the wider community can work together to inspire and challenge students to strive for academic achievement and recognise the importance of character development, emotional wellbeing and support networks. Families are an integral part of the Flinders community, and their involvement through volunteering, particularly in supporting their child’s
co-curricular pursuits, positively impacts the school’s sense of unity.
I am passionate about student wellbeing and look forward to working with the College community to deepen our focus on pastoral care. Research reveals that students’ health and wellbeing needs are ever-changing, so we must tailor the support we provide students as they journey through year levels.
Michelle Carroll, new Principal at Matthew Flinders Anglican College with early learning students
What do you enjoy most about your role as Principal?
I enjoy talking to students and simply ‘checking in’ at the end of the day to ask what the best part of their day was. I also enjoy supporting them in excelling in
co-curricular programs, from performing on stage to striving on the sporting field and other creative and community-based pursuits. The opportunity to acknowledge their effort is always well received and a wonderful touch point.
What do you enjoy least about being Principal?
The extensive compliance work is not overly interesting, but it’s necessary for every school to complete.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
I enjoy hiking in the bush or walking (slowly) with my 14-year-old senior dog, Jasmine.
Can you tell us something about yourself that people might not know?
I used to hold a single-figure handicap on the golf course; not so at the moment.
In today’s world, what skills do you feel are essential for children to gain at school?
Design thinking is essential as it equips graduates with the diverse skills and strength of character to succeed in a future workforce. Seeing how Flinders weaves design thinking pedagogy throughout the curriculum is exciting. The College’s impressive new state-of-the-art Infinity Centre supports design thinking pedagogy with dedicated maker spaces, studios and galleries for students to enquire, ideate, collaborate, prototype, test, pitch and review.
Can you describe yourself in three words…
Energetic, friendly, curious.
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