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Administration Team

Ross Sweeney

Principal

Principals Message

Phone: 9365 2011

Email: ross.sweeney@det.wa.edu.au

Qualifications: Bachelor of Applied Science (Maths); Dip Ed.; Master of Education

Management Teaching Experience: As a teacher of mathematics: Northam SHS 1970 – 71; John Curtin SHS 1972 – 76, North Lake SHS 1977 – 1980; Applecross SHS 1981

Head of Department (Mathematics) Kambalda SHS 1982 – 84; Hamilton SHS 1985 – 89

Project Officer ( Implementation of the new Yr 11 & 12 Mathematics courses) Central Office 1990 – 91

Deputy Principal: Geraldton SHS 1992 -94, North Lake Senior Campus 1995 – 97

Principal: Katanning SHS 1998 – 2000, Como Secondary College 2001 – 2008

Teaching Philosophy: Seeking to better understand the world by searching for the truth through relentless questioning. Como graduates are always a great joy to behold … Their courtesy, social maturity and the sharing of the vision: Como = Good and Good = Como.

Greg Stokes

Deputy Principal

I graduated WACAE in 1985 with Dip Teaching Secondary Science and BEd, and started teaching in 1986 at Hampton SHS. I taught my first Chemistry and Physic classes in 1987. I stayed at Hampton for four years and the transferred to Northam SHS where I had fantastic opportunities ranging from Chemistry teacher, Year Coordinator all year groups at different stages, Aboriginal Programs Manager, YEO, Relieving Deputy and finally Head of Science Department.

In 2004 I won a merit select position at Kinross College as a Team Leader in this state of the art Middle School were I was able to immerse myself in teaching a fully cross curricular program from yr 6 to 10. This was a fantastic professional opportunity.

In semester 2 of 2006 I won an acting Deputies job at Eastern Hills Senior High School where I was able to do both the Middle and Senior school roles confirming for me that I wanted to take the next step in school leadership. I then won the position of Senior School Manager Forrestfield Senior High at the start of 2007. Semester 2 2007 saw me win the Relieving Dean of Middle School position at Como Secondary College

In 2008 I have taken over the Senior School Dean role after the departure of Peter Wilson to be Principal of Swan View senior High School.

Email: greg.stokes@det.wa.edu.au

Phone: 9365 1014

Leslie Carruthers

Deputy Principal

Phone: 9365 2013

Email: Leslie.Carruthers@det.edu.au

I have come to Como Secondary College after spending 2007 studying for my Masters via the University of Newcastle. It has been quite a while since I had been a student and this recent experience reinforced skills that I developed in years 11 and 12 a number of years ago at Narrogin Senior High School.

After completing my TEE, I moved to Perth to complete a Diploma of Teaching, majoring in Home Economics. My first appointment was to the remote Kimberly town of Halls Creek, where I enjoyed travelling dusty roads to camp in amazing scenery.

After a couple of years without winter rain, I moved to Collie Senior High School to enjoy green countryside, rain and a school that took pride in sporting and academic achievements. Missing the beach I moved north to Dongara and taught for three years in the local school. It was during my last year at Dongara I recognised that I needed a new challenge and so I successfully applied to work at the School of Isolated and Distance Education. My time at SIDE saw me travel to parts of Western Australia I had only read about, develop a healthy respect for students who manage their own learning, become skilled at teaching via the phone, increase my skills in IT and enjoy some of the best coffee and cakes available at the ‘strip’ in Leederville.

Prior to my return to Perth I spent five years in Tom Price, three involved in a joint partnership with the Department of Education and Training and Pilbara Iron, and two as the deputy at the local senior high school. Preceding Tom Price I was the Deputy Principal at Central Midlands Senior High School in Moora and Newman Senior High School.

I am a firm believer that the education process should be a three way process involving child, school and parents. All of us want the best possible outcomes and when parents share this responsibility students are encouraged towards excellence. Together I hope that we can work cooperatively and make appropriate choices, share our responsibilities and take pride in Como, but more importantly, that we pursue Como Secondary College’s key values with determination. I will certainly be perusing these within years 8 and 9, the key year groups I am responsible for.

My time at Como Secondary College has shown me how fortunate the students are to have such an enthusiastic group of people who are dedicated to assisting them achieve and celebrate their personal best. The number of special programs that are offered at CSC exhibit such an enriching array of talents and abilities ensuring enhanced educational programs. It is obvious from the number of individual and team successes that these programs are outstanding.