The school has 360 students and he said he hoped to increase numbers to 400 within two-three years.

"The heritage building is being refurbished to create two new classrooms and that will allow us to get up to 400 students ... we're getting more kids coming in and less going out."

Mr Lawless, who took up the new job after more than eight years at Diggers Rest Primary School, said: "I see the school as being - and certainly at Diggers Rest it was - the focal part of the community and I want that to extend to here as well.

"The [Sunbury] school is really connected with the community and the community is connected with the school and we can work together.

"I want the parents made to feel welcome at the school. I value their input. They were their children's first teachers and they never stop being role models for their kids.

"I always think if the parents and school can work together we get better outcomes for the kids."

Mr Lawless said that after more than eight years at Diggers Rest,

he felt it was time for a change.

"I didn't want to be a one-school principal. I was looking for something new. Sunbury's in the same network as Diggers Rest, so I knew a little bit about the school and when the opportunity came, I thought the time was right to have a go.

"I've been to all the classes [at Sunbury]. I made that a priority on the first day. I think I know all the staff's names now.

"I've been really welcomed here and made welcome by parents, kids and staff and I want to extend that and reciprocate that."

Mr Lawless, who has been teaching in west region schools for more than 30 years, said: "I really value a strong curriculum in school. I think that's the most important thing, and dedicated, motivated teachers. I think we've got that already, but curriculum is something that evolves and changes as part of education.

"Next year there's a national curriculum coming in, so teachers are constantly having to update their skills and that's something I want to continue to support them to do.

"You need to have good facilities, you want to have nice places to come to. We've got heritage buildings here and there's a lot of history. I'd like to maintain that.

"I think it's important that kids have a nice place to play and good equipment, a place they want to come to."