FEATURE - THE THIRD CHAPTER

After 29 years at the River School, including nine years as the Principal, what is next for Ann Donoghoe?

By Travis Earsman

After having been the driving force behind the much-loved River School since 2016, Ann Donoghoe has opted to step down this year and move onto new horizons. She does this amid great optimism and positivity, as she steps into the next chapter of her life. But where will she direct all of that focus, love and energy?

“The next chapter of my life, I'm very excited about. I'm going to be curious, and I'm going to create space. This will be the first time since I was 15 that I haven't been in paid employment, and it'll be the first time where I can actually take the time to really observe and to really connect.”

Ann sees this period as the third chapter of her life. The first chapter began with her studying education, before moving into community service. She worked in youth and women’s refuges, and was part of the first domestic violence laws being legislated in NSW. 

At the age of 29, she felt drawn to education again, completed her degree and worked in various schools in NSW. Her passion has always been to help young people grow into their own individuality, and it became clear that the state system just wasn't set up for that. 

In 1997 she heard of a vacancy at The River School, and even though the job was in Queensland, she had to give it a shot. Sure enough, she was offered the position and promptly relocated to Maleny to begin work, and a whole new chapter.

“I had been trying to find ‘home’, which I knew wasn't a place, it was a feeling. I was looking for that feeling, that feeling of safety. When I got to Maleny, within two weeks I went “Oh my gosh, I am home.”’

The River School had received their accreditation two years earlier and were beginning to trade as a primary school. It was the polar opposite of the state system, and the students were afforded a great deal of freedom in the ways they learnt. 

Ann quickly struck a balance between doing what the kids wanted to do and adhering to the state curriculum. In this manner she helped establish how the school was to operate moving forward; working with the children and discovering how best they learn. 

“I think it's the way you teach. It's not what you teach. And if you trust that a child will find a way to learn and you offer them different ways of learning it, they will. And if it's important and makes a difference to their life, then they'll retain it as well.”

She stayed at the River School as a teacher for 20 years. Then when she became Principal in 2016, she served a further nine years. Ann thrived in this role, looking at the big picture and managing how all the moving parts fit together.

Ann came to the River School in its childhood, in essence, and she was able to guide it though its young adulthood. 

During her time as Principal, she has focused on establishing stability, and ensuring that the school continues to provide education with heart. The record shows that the River School turns out young adults who are well-adjusted, bright, free-thinking and scholastically excellent. 

But now her time with the school has drawn to a close. The school is growing, and Ann is growing also. 

“I feel now it's ready for a change. I am ready, the school's ready. I thought I'd be really sad, but actually, I'm really excited for where the school's going.”

The next chapter for Ann is about finding new ways of growing. She’s focused on deepening her connection to the community she loves. She no longer represents The River School; she represents herself. 

Ann is taking the time to join community groups that bring her joy and offer new ways to expand and grow, such as the Maleny Players, which offers her the excitement of learning what being an actor really entails. She’s also looking to continue doing volunteer work in service to the community. 

“I think my biggest thing is, I love connecting with people. I want to give back to the community, because I feel it's given me so much over the last 29 years.”

Whatever Ann does next, I am sure she will infuse it with all the love and attentive care that has characterised all of her endeavours thus far. Her focus has broadened, and it will spread broadly, but no less lovingly, no less intensely. 

Ann is a rare human being, and we are blessed to have her in our hinterland community, whatever she chooses to do.