Stepping into a new leadership position, one of Mansfield Primary School’s most well-respected and long-serving teachers Robbie Robinson has taken on the role of assistant principal. The role is part of a significant restructure of the school leadership team with the goal to enhance support for both students and staff alike, marking an exciting new chapter for the school and for Robbie. For several years, Mansfield Primary operated with a principal and two assistant principals, one focusing on curriculum and the other on wellbeing, who were then supported by three learning specialists. However, with learning specialists spending the majority of their working week in the classroom the school identified the need for more behind-the-scenes support to drive various initiatives and overall day-to-day operations. "Our principal Nicole started by looking at how other schools manage their funding to free-up staff to deliver this important groundwork," Robbie said. The result is a forward-thinking restructure that, by 2026, will see one principal, one assistant principal - Robbie's new role - and three leading teachers who will be mostly out of the classroom. Leading teachers will continue to work one day a week or the equivalent in class allowing them ongoing insights on the uptake of initiatives and providing the school with additional staff coverage. Responsible for specific key areas, each with a dedicated focus and support role, the school will also retain the three learning specialists embracing a holistic approach to education. "Instead of two or at the very most three of us out of the classroom on most days, we'll have at least four adults," Robbie said. "This means we can better manage student behaviour, address emergent needs, and crucially, ensure that the groundwork for learning initiatives, document preparation, staff training, and student follow-up is thoroughly taken care of." With the school in the process over the coming year of filling the leading teacher roles, Lauren Briggs has already been appointed to oversee curriculum and high abilities learning. "As a school, we've always excelled at supporting students who are struggling," Robbie said. "However, we recognised that our high-achieving students haven't always had the same opportunities for extension. “Lauren's role will focus on providing one-on-one support, setting specific goals, and implementing extension programs to lift learning for these students and the entire school community." Another role yet to be filled focuses on disability and inclusion providing dedicated support for students with additional needs and overseeing the Disability Inclusion Program process and ensuring appropriate measures are in place. Robbie has been assisting Renee Kent, the current Disability Inclusion Learning Specialist, and both teachers acknowledge the importance of having a full-time person in this capacity. The third leading teacher will focus on student wellbeing. Working closely with the school's wellbeing support workers, the position oversees wellbeing programs, supports individual students, and assists teachers with implementing the mental health and wellbeing curriculum. When these roles are filled, Robbie will then be able to focus more on direct follow-up with parents and students, a critical area that sometimes got sidelined by administrative tasks in the previous structure. Robbie is looking forward to the full implementation by the start of next year and believes the new structure will deliver strong, positive results for the school community as a whole. Her journey to this leadership position is a testament to her dedication to education and her connection to the Mansfield community. Hailing from Horsham, where her parents still farm sheep and cattle, Robbie initially pursued graphic design in Geelong. However, after travelling overseas she realised her true calling lay in teaching. "I decided to go back to university and do teaching,” she said. “I was a mature-age student at 22.” She moved to Bendigo to complete her degree and, in 2005, secured a graduate position at Mansfield Primary. "I'd never been to Mansfield, apart from one snow trip in high school," she said. But the beautiful school and the allure of skiing—even if the school's dedicated skiing program wasn't yet in place—drew her in. A keen netballer, Robbie quickly integrated into the community through her work and sport. After two years, a desire to challenge herself and travel with her degree led her to a teaching position in Botswana for two years, where she experienced teaching in an international school with a diverse student body. However, life had other plans, and Robbie returned to Mansfield, starting a family with her partner, Jason who was living in the area. Rejoining Mansfield Primary part-time, Robbie gradually increased her hours as her children grew. Her commitment to professional development saw her work in Western Australia during a year-long caravanning trip around Australia in 2017, gaining fresh perspectives on teaching. Throughout her tenure at Mansfield Primary, Robbie has mostly taught upper school, particularly grade five and six, forming strong connections with her students. "One of my favourite aspects of classroom teaching is the relationships that you build with the kids and how they respond in such a positive way when they know you believe in them and they can trust you," she said. Robbie's new role as assistant principal represents the natural progression of her career, offering her a fresh challenge while remaining in the industry she loves. "Those next steps up for teachers are important so they can still stay in the industry, but also grow delivering job satisfaction," she said. The school's new leadership structure is unique, tailored to Mansfield Primary's specific needs and funding. It was a decision made with significant input from staff, ensuring it addresses the real demands of the school environment. Outside of school, Robbie continues to be involved in netball as an umpire, supporting her daughter's games. While her artistic pursuits, which once included graphic design, are now more focused on craft, she hopes to return to more drawing and painting as her children get older. Despite her travels and opportunities elsewhere, Mansfield remains home. "We travelled for a while around Australia and missed the shire and knew it was the place we wanted to be," Robbie said. With Robbie Robinson stepping into the new assistant principal role and the school undergoing a thoughtful restructure, Mansfield Primary is set to provide an even more supportive and enriching environment for its students and staff in the years to come.
