Graeme Wiggins will take up the new role on 4 September, coming straight from Canberra Grammar School, where he is currently Head of Art, Design and Technology.
Head of Campus Rob Stephenson said Mr Wiggins had a proven record of educational innovation, development and leadership in a technology-rich collaborative environment.
“He has extensive industry experience and is an award-winning educator who is passionate about science, technology, engineering and maths education,” Mr Stephenson said.
“La Trobe saw him as the perfect fit to lead the Bendigo Tech School and assist our partners, to realise the fantastic opportunities it presents for educational outcomes and industry collaboration, and to prepare students for the careers of the future.”
The Bendigo Tech School is a Victorian Government initiative to increase aspirations and achievements of Year 9 to 12 students in STEM subjects. The school will form one floor of the Bendigo Campus’ new engineering building, set for completion mid-2018.
Mr Wiggins said the school was a visionary project he was proud to be joining.
“The thing I’m most looking forward to is collaborating with students, industry and the community to develop learning programs based on their genuine needs, interests and opportunities,” he said.
“The other exciting aspect of a project of this nature is that Tech School programs will undergo a constant agile evolution as technology changes.”
He said his first tasks on taking up the role next month would be to build on the development work done so far and consult further with stakeholders including the Department of Education and Training, secondary teachers and students, La Trobe University and representatives of Bendigo commerce and industry.
“It’s important to deliver a program that addresses community needs, and to tap into local expertise,” he said.
“I’d also like to investigate working with the University, other education providers and industry to ensure the Tech School becomes a vital part of the Bendigo innovation network.”
Mr Wiggins said he was looking forward to returning to Victoria after three years interstate.
