THIS month is stirring a complicated mix of emotions for Darta Hovey, as he departs his role as head of Catholic College Wodonga to take up the principalship at Wangaratta's Galen Catholic College.

"I'm super sad to be leaving Wodonga, but I also can't wait to get started at Galen; I got out of the car here this morning rubbing my hands together with excitement," he said while visiting the Wangaratta school on Tuesday.

Darta has enjoyed his eight years at the helm of Catholic College Wodonga, which in 2018 was recognised by Cambridge University in its list of the world's 100 most innovative schools, but his new role presents something of a homecoming.

It's a return to the school where he was deputy principal, learning and teaching for three years from 2011, and where his wife Bel teaches and daughter Georgia is a student.

"At no stage has driving from Wangaratta to Wodonga been difficult, because I was going to a job that I loved, but this will give me a bit more time at home at the end of the day," he said.

"It's also a chance to give back to this community, which has made me so welcome – and I have Galen to thank for that."

Originally from Ballarat, Darta began his teaching career at St Mary's Primary School in Ararat in 1988, then shifted to secondary teaching at Ararat's Marian College, before returning to primary in 2003 as acting principal at St Patrick's in Stawell. Another seven years at Marian College followed, before the family moved to Wangaratta.

Passionate about learning and teaching, Darta has presented at multiple conferences and schools throughout Australia and internationally. Since 2016, he has developed and delivered the Leadership Development Series at Catholic College Wodonga, aimed at supporting and growing leadership in the community.

He believes his understanding of the local community is among the qualities he will bring to the principal's role at Galen, as he takes the reins from the retiring Bernard Neal, who has led the school for the past 12 years.

"There's also the opportunity to bring what I've learnt in leading a large community," he said; Catholic College has 1300 students and 175 staff, while Galen has 1100 students and 140 staff.

"I want to be focused on the gifts and talents of each student, and I believe every staff member is an educator, and that every opportunity with a kid is an opportunity to learn," he said.

"We've got to find the pathways that suit our kids, and that may not always be an ATAR pathway; we need to think about exploring every opportunity. There is a bigger interest in alternatives like traineeships, apprenticeships, bridging courses and gap years. Our kids don't always want the standard pathways."

Emerging from two years of pandemic–affected schooling, Darta said one of the challenges for educators would be to build students' stamina for what would hopefully be a full year at school in 2022.

"Schools are supposed to be fun places. You've got to learn, but you've got to make it fun – that's how kids get engaged," he said.

Outside of school, Darta – who coached Wangaratta Rovers thirds in 2012 and '13 – spent 2021 assisting with the midfield at Tarrawingee, where son Hayden plays, and has relished coaching the Ovens and Murray league's under 19 side for a number of years.

"I love O&M footy – hopefully we get a game in next year," he said.

Preparing for his new role, Darta said he was looking forward to initially surveying the lay of the land.

"It's time to have a real look at the bedrock and what this community invests in deeply, see any changes there may have been in the eight years since I was here, and to get to know everybody," he said.