Dear Parents, Guardians, Staff, Students and the wider St. Joseph’s Primary School Community.

Enrolling at St. Joseph's brings connection and engagement with the ‘whole school’ and the ‘whole school’ is greater than the sum of all individual parts. When enrolling, and also being employed as staff, we commit to all people, including to our school programs and outstanding facilities that make up this community. We also commit to a student focused environment where learning is paramount, we commit to just, equitable and fair resource allocation; all within a value system of respect, dignity, quality relationships and a hope filled future. It is this approach that will continue to ensure our students and school thrive and that our school is a leader in community and ensure outstanding results for all.

Last Friday Catholic Education Ballarat (Tom Sexton, Director) and Fr. John Fitzgerald (St. Joseph’s Parish priest) wrote to our school community and announced my resignation from St. Joseph’s. I will not be leaving Catholic education, as I will be taking up a role in the Catholic education sector supporting principals across Victoria as the full time President of the Victorian Association of Catholic Primary School Principals (VACPSP). 

I feel a tremendous sense of pride in what our school community has achieved over this time and I feel most grateful for the support I have received from students, our families, a collegial staff and the parish community. Being a Principal has been the most rewarding position a teacher could ever have and I will cherish my time at St Joseph’s dearly.

I would like to thank Fr John Fitzgerald for his stewardship and support over many years while also wishing each and every member of our community well. Mr. Tom Sexton, Executive Director, Diocese of Ballarat Catholic Education Limited (DOBCEL) will lead the recruitment program commencing next week. I know and am very confident that our school is well placed for another person to experience our truly special St Joseph’s community and to lead it into the future. I will also be speaking with our students over the coming weeks about their thoughts and hopes and dreams for the school’s future. The appointment process will start with community consultation, a comprehensive advertising campaign over four weeks, subsequent interviews and final appointment prior to the end of this term. Mr Lee Schlooz of the Catholic Education Office will coordinate the recruitment campaign process, which will include local school participation on the interview panel with final appointments being recommended by the director of catholic education and ratified by the Bishop of Ballarat