Newham Primary School principal Tim Furphy is a Lancefield resident and enjoys the lifestyle offered in the Macedon Ranges. Oscar Parry spoke with Tim about his love of teaching, Newham Primary School and his connection to Lancefield.
What is your connection to Lancefield?
After completing my studies in Ballarat, I moved to Melbourne like many others do. After growing up on the Murray River in a small country town, I soon realised the hustle and bustle of the city wasn’t where I wanted to stay. My wife grew up in Hesket, so we started to explore the real estate market in the Macedon Ranges. In 2019, we made the move to Lancefield and haven’t looked back since.
What do you like about where you live?
I love being able to walk everywhere. Whether that be the monthly market, the park, the coffee shop or the pub, they all provide ample opportunity to catch up with family and friends. The community aspect of living in a small town is also a highlight for me, bumping into friends down the street and making new connections through something as simple as the Park Run on a Saturday morning is something really special.
What, if anything, would you change about where you live?
I don’t feel the need to change anything at the moment, although I hope that it continues to maintain its ’little old Lancefield’ status. Too many places get overrun with excessive developments – I hope our town remains as it is.
What do you enjoy about being the principal of Newham PS?
Firstly, the people – inclusive of staff, families and students. I really enjoy working with and alongside a fun, caring and supportive team, each with varying roles to play within our school community. As well as this, seeing students from Foundation to Year 6 playing with, looking out for and supporting each other. This can be unique to small school settings. It’s a culture that I really like to instil. Being a small school, I also get to be on the ground in classrooms with a part-time teaching load. Some might see this as a downside – I do not. Being present in classrooms, hearing discussions, celebrating successes and seeing our students grow are what makes me proud to be at NPS.
What do you feel is unique about NPS and its location?
The view from our oval across the paddocks to Hanging Rock is something I continue to love each day, it’s such a special place within the Macedon Ranges. We love getting there for excursions and enjoy holding our cross country event there each year. We’re also really proud to be the Macedon Ranges only five-star ResourceSmart school. This is a product of hard work and dedication from staff and students to lead the way across modules such as waste, energy, biodiversity and water.
What would your message be to those who are considering becoming a teacher?
Do it! You won’t regret it. What other jobs are there where you get the chance to help shape the future of our younger generation? Of course it comes with it challenges, all jobs do. The lightbulb moments, the confidence growth and the sheer joy across students faces when they learn something new is absolutely magical to witness.
