Alumni and Supporters

Diploma of Teaching (Secondary) (1989)
Bachelor of Education (1995)
2021 WA Secondary Deputy Principal of the Year

It was a serendipitous moment that sealed the deal for ECU graduate Rob Nail and led him to a career in education.

“I’d enrolled in a university course but it wasn’t for me, so I left and began work as a roof tiler and during that time a sister’s friend passed comment that I explained things really well and should become a teacher,” says the recently awarded Secondary Deputy Principal of the Year, who attended Woodlands Primary School and Churchlands Senior High School in his early years.

“That really got me thinking about my future and, when I look back, her comment was the genesis of me embarking on my teaching career.”

As a consequence, Rob applied to ECU and began a diploma of teaching in secondary education which morphed into a Bachelor of Education after he completed his fourth year while working part-time at Churchlands Senior High School.

The rest, as they say, is history, and after various positions at regional schools including Mullewa District High School, Narrogin Senior High School and Merredin Senior High School, followed by a stint at Busselton Senior High School, Rob won a deputy principal position at Cape Naturaliste College in 2007, a role which he still holds today.

“When the school started in 2008 it was brand-new and there were only 80 kids, whilst today we have over 1000,” says Rob, who’s own two children were students at the school several years ago.

“I can honestly say that the last 15 years has been the most rewarding and remarkable period in my career. We truly have an amazing team and many significant staff members and teachers have remained at the school for many years, so it’s been an exciting, engaging and challenging journey for us all.

“What’s been most rewarding for me is seeing my beliefs and passions reflected in the school culture and embedded in its practices. I feel very lucky to have had such a wonderful opportunity to have had a very positive influence on the school, and to work with such fantastic colleagues and a principal who has given me great autonomy, which I have found very fulfilling.

“In the early days there was nowhere to hide and we all felt enormous responsibility for the school’s success, and now we - and it is always ‘we’ because we’re very much a team - feel huge responsibility for upholding the strong, healthy, safe culture that we’ve established.”

Rob’s exceptional leadership and unwavering commitment to Cape Naturaliste College saw him awarded the title of Secondary Deputy Principal of the Year in 2021. As part of the nomination, his key attributes of empathy, intelligence, resilience and deep, reflective thinking were cited as of particular relevance and value within the school environment.

“I’m not used to such public attention so in some ways gaining the award was a little uncomfortable, but what was really nice was hearing from people I’ve worked with over the years who acknowledged my contributions and were very happy to give me a pat on the back,” says Rob.

“At the ceremony a young teacher approached me who I’d actually taught years ago and she told me what a huge impact I’d had on her life when she was going through a tough time at school. That was hugely meaningful and very touching for me, it was a lovely moment and I’d do it all again just to know that I’ve had that impact during my lifetime.

“And even today, working with the kids at Cape Naturaliste College has not only been incredibly gratifying, it’s also been great fun.

“I’m a huge advocate for government education, which has provided the most wonderful education for the kids at our school.  Indeed, the quality of education in the West Australian public system is remarkable, and I couldn’t be more thankful to be part of it.”