By CASEY NEILL
A KEYSBOROUGH principal has received a national award for his achievements in education.
Resurrection Primary School’s Steve Bellesini accepted the John Laing Professional Development Awards from the Principals Australia Institute on 17 October.
He was working in the public service when he was called up for National Service during the Vietnam War.
“When I finished in the army I got a scholarship to go to a university or training college,” he said.
His sisters and then-girlfriend were teachers, so teacher’s college beckoned.
That was 38 years ago.
Mr Bellesini has spent the past nine years in Keysborough.
“I just love it. I just love working with the kids,” he said.
“There’s also the community involvement.
“I love the fact that we’re a multicultural school. I think that there’s a real richness there.
“We have such a wide range of activities. We’ve got a mini golf course here, we’ve got a great art program. We try to cater for a range of kids.
“It’s a real mix of everything that makes the place interesting.”
Mr Bellesini said “some of the tougher times” were the ones that had stuck with him.
“Where you’ve had difficult situations, I believe you can turn it into a positive,” he said.
“One mum came back and said ‘thank you for saving my daughter’.
“They’re the sort of things you remember.
“Those things when you’ve come through the other end.”
Principal Helen Greenhill from St Paul Apostle South School in Endeavour Hills nominated Mr Bellesini for the award.
“The world of education, in particular Catholic education, is very blessed to have such a committed professional person who has shown he is willing to share his expertise and knowledge with others,” she said.
“Steve has never ending energy and interest in education and is passionate about professional learning.
“He truly is an instructional leader who is able to maintain his leadership focus upon teaching and learning and building capacity and not necessarily upon those tedious administrative duties which often bog us down.”
The John Laing Professional Development Award recognises school leaders who have significantly contributed to the professional learning of their colleagues.
Principals Australia Institute (PAI) provides quality professional learning, leadership development and support to principals and school leaders.
