17 Sep 2021
We farewell Mrs Oataway as she commences her retirement after 37 years of teaching.
Mrs Oataway has a long history with Hay Public School, with her great grandmother commencing her schooling here in the mid 1870’s, soon after the school was established. Her grandfather and father were also students at the school with her father, Henry Beissel named Dux in 1934. Carol started her educational journey with Hay Public School in 1966 when she started Kindergarten. She returned as a teacher in 1985.
In 2005 she was appointed Assistant Principal and shortly afterwards was appointed as Principal in 2008. Carol has a very strong connection to the Hay community and as such has helped to build stronger, positive relationships as an educational community. She has inspired a culture of collaboration, engaged communication, empowered leadership and organisational practices to ensure our students thrive and show growth in their learning in a supportive and mutually respected environment.
Mrs Oataway has always been totally invested in the welfare and advancement of every individual student and has fostered and supported many programs that have ensured the social, emotional and academic wellbeing of each child. During her time as Principal Mrs Oataway has encouraged and supported many educational programs that will continue long into the future. Some of these include the establishment of the Ready Set Kinder Program and the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden… two wonderful initiatives that future students will continue to enjoy.
Mrs Oataway is well known for her musical talents, both singing and playing the piano. She was instrumental in scripting the Hay Public School song along with Janet Craggs in 2008… a legacy that will endure. She enthusiastically led the school choir for a number of years and always accompanied the children’s singing with her exemplary piano prowess. Assemblies have always been events to look forward too with the inclusion of a regular sing along with Mrs Oataway. At the end of the week staff were often treated to a medley of songs … a wonderful calming influence on us all.
We wish you all the very best on your retirement, Carol and thank you for your great leadership, friendship and mentoring over the years.