After just one week in her new role as principal of Cobar High School, Safija Bristina is confident she made the right decision in coming to Cobar.
After working for most of her teaching career in Sydney, Mrs Bristina said she had the opportunity to work at a rural school in 2014 and thoroughly enjoyed it.
“It was the trigger that led to me contemplating a more permanent opportunity when the time was right,” Mrs Bristina said.
“When Cobar High School was advertised I was directed to the advertisement by colleagues who thought it may be of interest to me.
“After my research, and looking at the school carefully, I could relate to the directions they were heading and was willing to be part of the story to create more success with the school.”
Prior to coming to Cobar, Mrs Bristina started her career as a Maths teacher at Campbelltown Performing Arts HS and has also held positions at Kogarah HS, Sydney Secondary College Leichhardt Campus, Sydney Secondary College Blackwattle Bay Campus, Sydney Secondary College Balmain Campus, Eagle Vale HS, Murrumburrah HS and most recently at Queanbeyan HS.
Last week Mrs Bristina got to know her staff and students and had also met various members of the Cobar community.
She said she has been made to feel very welcome.
“My first impression is awe-inspiring.
“The people in the community are warm and welcoming and all show a deep conn-ection to this place that reflects pride and friendship.
“The school is bursting with talent and extremely dynamic staff that are committed to their students sincerely.”
Mrs Bristina said she is pleased to be working at such a beautiful school with spectacular grounds and state of the art facilities.
“The students show great sophistication in their knowledge of their town and their ambition,” she said.
Mrs Bristina doesn’t have any plans to make changes saying she is here to do whatever is required to support her staff and students to realise their potential.
“I’m really pleased to be here and looking forward to learning with staff, students and parents, as together we work as a team to improve opportunities and outcomes for our young people and help them realise their dreams.”
Mrs Bristina said outside of work she hopes to find the time to learn to play golf.
