JAYDEM Hadson didn't set out to be an educator, but having found the profession, said he wouldn't swap it for the world.
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Jaydem has been appointed as principal of St Philomena's School, officially taking up his duties this week.
St Philomena's is Jaydem's second principal's appointment, having taken up the reins at the school following a four-year stint as principal at St Joseph's Oberon.
Prior to that was assistant principal of St Joseph's Central School.
With strong ties to the Bathurst community Jaydem said he is happy to be back in his home town.
"I was born at Bathurst Base Hospital, grew up in Eugenie Street Raglan and was also a Windradyne Heights boy."
He went to both Bathurst West Public and Bathurst High School and was co-incidentally school captain at both schools.
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In Year 12 he had aspirations of doing physiotherapy, and was about to head off to uni in that direction when a stint at hospital as a work experience student changed that.
"I was doing work experience in the ICU with some amazing people," he said.
But while he was there, the reality of the job hit home hard.
"I quickly realised that was not for me."
With physiotherapy having been such a long term goal, Jaydem said after abandoning that pathway "he felt very lost."
"But not long after I ran into Jan Gerard (former principal of Bathurst High School).
"I was talking to her and she had a look at what I was doing with my spare time.
"I was coaching hockey at a primary school and was volunteer teaching on a Wednesday and reading with kids at Raglan Public School."
Jan put forward teaching as an idea, Jaydem applied for uni and was accepted.
He said it was this interaction with Jan Gerard which ultimately saw him fulfill a dream to become a principal.
"It made me realise the effect a principal can have on a person's life.
"And at that point I decided I wanted to be a school principal.
"I could see that a teachers' impact on a student could be much more than just in the classroom, and that's what I wanted to be.
He said he set himself a goal to be a principal by 30, and achieved it with his appointment at Oberon.
In addition to loving the principal's role and all the duties the job entails, he said he also loves working with students.
"With kids, at this stage if you invest effort in them it returns."
While he officially started in his new role this week, Jaydem visited the school late last year to meet with both staff and students.
He said straight away he was impressed with what he found.
"The moment I walked, the kids shook my hand and made eye contact with me.
"The kids had already asked all about me before I arrived, which I thought was fantastic.
"I could see straight away kids that are involved (in the school) " he said.
As for his plans for the future, Jaydem said he has joined the school at a significant time.
"The school is turning 120 this year," he said.
"I've been researching its history (the school was started by Sisters of Mercy back in 1901, the original school was located on the corner of Seymour and Rocket Streets prior to its relocation to Lloyds Road in 1983.)
"My challenge is to honour that achievement."
He said he was very excited to be taking the reins at such an historic time in the school's history.
"I do feel a very real sense of responsibility," he said.
"I did the 100 year celebration at Oberon, and it's a really important time, a time of reflection, knowing why a school has stood the test of time."
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