New beginning for eight principals
It may not have been only the students who had butterflies in the stomach at the start of the new school year. Eight principals have started their new roles at schools across the Archdiocese.
They are:
- Marylou Gorham – St Bede’s Primary School, Braidwood
- Mark Birks – St Joseph’s Primary School, Boorowa
- Carolyn Perryman – Trinity Catholic Primary School, Murrumburrah (Acting Principal)
- Shane Giles – Lumen Christi Catholic College, Pambula Beach
- Judy Egan – St Michael’s Primary School, Kaleen
- Cameron Reed – St Jude’s Primary School, Holder
- Anna Masters – Merici College, Braddon
- Rachel Francis-Davies – Daramalan College, Dickson
Marylou Gorham said she was looking forward to getting to know parents, students and the broader community in Braidwood.
St Bede’s Primary School principal Marylou Gorham with her first year kindergarten students
“The bushfires and COVID-19 had a big impact on the community here, and everyone has had a much more pleasant holiday this year and they have come back on a positive footing which is great to see,” she said.
“We have a whole new executive this year and it’s an opportunity for new beginnings and a fresh start.”
Merici College principal Anna Masters (right) with Balgo House Coordinator Kyla Firman (middle) and students
Anna Masters, in addressing Merici College at its opening assembly this week, said she felt blessed and privileged to begin her role as principal.
“I am proud to have the opportunity to lead a community shaped by the charism of St Angela Merici and the founding orders of our wonderful school,” she said.
“I want Merici to be a joy-filled and energetic community intent on building upon the heritage founded by all that have come before us. A heritage that seeks to liberate, empower and motivate young women to use their gifts with confidence, creativity, generosity and in the loving service of others.”
Welcome to all the new principals …. and to those returning for the 2021 academic year! A principal can really set the tone and culture and priorities of a school. They have such a large range of people they need to relate with, listen to, and ultimately to lead. It is not for the faint hearted! But a principal can have such a significant impact on the quality of learning and relationships in a school. I hope all the new principals are able to gather round themselves a strong and supportive team!
Best wishes to you all.
Beth, I completely endorse this thought – and I agree that it is not a task for the faint hearted. Your comment about a strong supportive team (both within the school staff and in the community, as well as at headquarters) is very relevant. I trust that in the coming year we will see more and more evidence of people praying for their principals because the past year has shown, like never before, just how much these men and women need prayers.
Dennis Sleigh