In the second story of a series, the Daily Liberal introduces the new principals to the community . . .

DUBBO College’s key leadership group has two new members this year but they are no strangers to the school.

New Delroy Campus principal Stacey Exner will bring with her the nine years of experience she gained as Senior Campus deputy principal.

Darryl Thompson has left Wellington Public School, where he was principal for seven years, to take up the post of South Campus principal.

Richard Skinner will remain as Senior Campus principal, the only one of Dubbo College’s three campuses to stay the same at the top from 2011 to 2012.

The three experienced executive teachers, along with Dubbo College director Kerri Leigh-Gordon, have responsibility for rolling out NSW

education minister Adrian Piccoli’s new college model.

The inclusion of year 10 students at junior campuses South and Delroy will be an added hurdle for the new principals, but Mrs Exner was not fazed.

The retention of the older year group was going to be exciting, she said.

As Mrs Exner set up her new office yesterday across town from her workplace of a decade, she eagerly anticipated the year ahead.

“I’m excited about coming to Delroy, there are amazing programs here,” she said.

She would like to “build on” those, as well as meeting as many people as possible.

“I’m really excited about starting and my door is always open,” she said.

“I’m keen to get to know everyone and work with the community to make Delroy the best it can be.”

The college structure would help her to lead her campus forward, Mrs Exner said.

“To work with two other principals so closely has great benefits,” she said.

Her boss, Ms Leigh-Gordon, also advocated strength in numbers.

They could achieve more together than as individuals, she said.

Ms Leigh-Gordon, who arrived in her position in July, had great praise for both Mrs Exner and Mr Thompson.

“Mrs Exner is very solid in her leadership role,” Ms Leigh-Gordon said.

“She has a good relationship with students and that matters because you have to be fond of adolescents.”

Mr Thompson had a background in secondary education but had most recently spent seven years as the Wellington Public School principal.

His experience gave him a good understanding of the kindergarten to year 12 continuum, Ms Leigh-Gordon said.

That would benefit the college as it looked to work more closely with its primary colleagues, she said.

“He’s delighted to come back to Dubbo,” she said.

“He’s had an interest in the college for many years.”

Mr Thompson succeeds Mel Johnston at South Campus and Mrs Exner will take on the role filled in a relief capacity late last year by Carolyn Thurston.

Both new appointments are permanent positions.

Prior to 2001 Dubbo had three comprehensive years 7-12 high schools.

Dubbo College operated during its first decade as one senior campus of students in years 10 to 12 and two junior campuses of years 7 to 9.

Former education minister Verity Firth ordered a review of the college, which was conducted in 2010.

She announced South would return to being a comprehensive high school in 2012, but when the Liberal-Nationals were elected to office last year, Mr Piccoli scrapped Ms Firth’s plans and announced a revised restructure.