BMG 2020 Grammarian Issue 3

16 I was employed along with three other new teachers in 1996 by Mr Baxter Holly, second Principal of BMG. My job was to set up an Art Department. I love a challenge and it certainly unfolded as one. The school was eight years old and going through challenging times; struggling with student numbers and financial difficulties. I think there were 300 students when I started; it was a small close knit school community. As new staff were employed, we bonded together and worked as a team. We had to for survival; we supported each other and made the most of every situation. Staff came and went, a few of us from those early days still remain today. I will never forget the support and generosity given to teachers by parents. They helped raise funds for class materials, ran sport days and other events. It reminded me of my childhood when there was a profound sense of community and connectedness. In 1998, Andrew Neal was employed as Principal, along with his Secretary, Michelle Graham. Their first two years were extremely challenging, and it would have been no surprise if they walked away. But they didn’t. Instead they worked as a formidable team (and still do to this day) and hit the road in the evenings after long days at the office, in a bid to get more students. They, along with Elizabeth O’Day, delivered information evenings to the local community, and travelled to numerous communities, including Sunbury, Melton, Werribee and Hoppers Crossing. Their courage in doing this gave staff and parents hope. Students started being bussed in from Werribee and then other places; numbers started to grow. Andrew managed to gain better funding for the school, the tide was turning. He had a vision for the future, and there was much to work and hope for. In 2000, I remember Andrew making a statement at a staff meeting, that the school had joined a group of independent schools, and through this we had gained an on-going funding source. The school grounds became a building site for a number of years, with continual projects rolling out. These past years have seen the school grow from strength to strength in infrastructure, morale, professionalism, reputation and in student and staff numbers. We are achieving amazing things. I feel blessed when I reflect on the richness of experiences and stories BMG has provided, as I move through the twilight years of my teaching career. – Ms Lou Callow, Artist in Residence LOU CALLOW REFLECTION