Principal Carlie Deppeler: “Being a Parent is One of the Hardest Things”

Balancing motherhood and school leadership isn’t for the faint-hearted—but for Hills Adventist College principal Carlie Deppeler, it’s a calling filled with challenge, joy and purpose.

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As mum to two daughters and leader of over 800 students, Carlie sees her dual roles as beautifully intertwined.

“I love the journey. There’s so many ups and downs,” she shared.

“It’s not always roses and happiness all the way through, but it’s an adventure… and I love that it’s constantly changing.”

Becoming a school principal at the start of the pandemic gave Carlie a unique insight into parenting under pressure—both as a mum and a school leader.

“I think being a parent is one of the hardest things we do in our lives… so I then look at doing my job in the same way.”

“I think being a parent is one of the hardest things we do in our lives… we are so invested so deeply. So I then look at doing my job in the same way.”

From chatting with three-year-olds about dinosaurs to guiding teens through life decisions, Carlie’s work echoes the varied landscape of parenting.

“Being a mum just helps me understand that adventure and the parenting challenges that my parents at school are going through too.”

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Carlie’s work echoes the varied landscape of parenting.

Carlie is honest about the juggle. “I experience the normal ‘mum guilt’ of balancing family and work,” she said. “But I also think it’s really important for my own kids to see their parents doing God’s will.”

Raising daughters, Carlie is intentional about setting an example. “For them to see what a strong woman can do and contribute—it sets an example.”

She also prioritises open communication and healthy boundaries: “Listening to my kids and where they’re at… and helping them understand my job has no end.”

In both school and home life, she holds fast to two values: resilience and kindness.

Listen to the full conversation in the player above.

“Teaching resilience with a strong support structure is really important to me,” she said. “The other big one is kindness—sometimes being kind is actually the hard choice.”

For parents of younger children, Carlie’s advice is simple: “Enjoy it. They’re excited about everything… just manage the big emotions and enjoy their enthusiasm.”

And for those raising teens? “Be that safe, supportive, positive place. They want boundaries, they need to know how they fit in this world—spiritually, emotionally, academically and mentally.”

Listen to the full conversation in the player above.

Feature image: Photo by CanvaPro