Principal Rob Newton is no stranger to multiculturalism.

The school he leads – University High School in Parkville – is made of students with parents of 55 different nationalities.

“I would say the majority, if not all of us, don’t see race at all. We see people for who they are. And that’s part of our values at the school and our tradition to respect the individual,” he said.

He believes young Australians today are full of potential.

“I’m a strong advocate for this generation of young people and I believe that exams have only got harder and the knowledge requirement is much greater than with the journey I’ve been through. It’s a much more competitive environment to get into university courses,” he said.

“The world has changed and it is in good hands”

Rob is married and has an identical twin brother named Mike, who recently retired. He has two grown-up boys, Matt and James, now aged 23 and 27.

“I was married when I was 22 – the day after I turned 22. And my wife was 21. Now, young people are getting married into their early 30s and late 20s,” he said.

Rob’s father’s family came from England and his mother’s came from the Isle of Man. Following WW2, Rob’s father and uncle started an electrical repair shop in Balaclava, which operated for 47 years. His family grew up in Gardenvale and Rob’s mother, who worked as nurse when younger, devoted herself to raising Rob along with his two brothers and sister. He attended Elsternwick Primary School and Elwood High School.

Rob has a Science Degree together with a Masters in Educational Administration.

He believes that as a principal it is his job to employ people to come on a journey with him, in which he helps them along the way.

“My fundamental role is to ensure that every class has an outstanding teacher in front of it,” he said.

“We have 120 adults working onsite and my premium role is making sure that they are all working hard for the betterment of the students.”

“I never really saw principalship as a potential career. I spent most of my time in the teaching service – for 30 years. During this time I saw the need for something to be improved or changed and that inspired me to take that role on.”

The University High School recently celebrated its centenary and Rob believes that the city of Melbourne has been lucky to have such a surviving institution.

“University High is a great school and this is something I think I’ve maintained and not changed. I’ve walked into an environment that was well and truly established by those that came before me,” he said.

“And I hope that I’ve been able to maintain or improve upon the conditions of the school.”