23 February 2024

The Principal Class of 2024, comprising principals newly appointed to Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Melbourne, has been commissioned at a Mass at St John the Evangelist Church, East Melbourne.

Celebrated by Very Rev Mark Reynolds, Episcopal Vicar for Catholic Schools, the Mass welcomed principals commencing in Catholic schools since the last commissioning Mass at the beginning of 2023. ‘Today, you are being commissioned as principals, not just any principals, but principals of Catholic schools’, said Fr Mark in his homily. ‘There is a critical ecclesial dimension to your ministry as principals and I can’t emphasis that enough. You are of the Church [and] the diocese, not just a network or a region, but something much bigger. You have a specific and critical role of leadership in the Church.’

‘In the commission that Jesus gives the disciples, we learn a key component of our lives as disciples, but even more so – a critical component of our ministry and vocation as principals. We are to bring all into the very life of God. That’s what Father, Son and Holy Spirit is: the very life of God. That’s what we are called to be doing and what you are commissioned to do: bring people, students, staff, the parent community, further into the life of God. We are called to draw people in by the way we minister as principal.’

The newly appointed principals were joined by current and former principals at the Mass, along with key personnel from Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS), partner organisations and the choir from Aquinas College, Ringwood. The new principals have now embarked on the year-long MACS Principal Induction Program, which provides relevant, timely and targeted support from teams across the organisation through workshop days, mentoring and networking opportunities to guide newly appointed principals to achieve success in their role.

Congratulations and welcome to the following newly appointed principals, commissioned to lead their school communities in faith, hope and love:

• Mark Aiello, Parade College, Bundoora
• Robert Anastasio, Simonds Catholic College, West Melbourne
• Vivienne Armarego, St Bernadette’s School, Ivanhoe West
• David Broadbent, Aquinas College, Ringwood
• Tammy Byrne, MacKillop Education, Maidstone Campus
• Rose Connolly, Thomas Carr College, Tarneit
• Carmelina Corio, St James’ School, Brighton
• Alison Dean, St John’s School, Heidelberg
• Kasey Easdown, St Scholastica’s School, Bennettswood
• Ben Fahey, St Clare’s Catholic Primary School, Truganina South
• Angela Ferro, Corpus Christi School, Glenroy
• Grace Frazzica, St Peter’s School, Sunshine South West
• Nick Frederiksen, St Paul’s School, Monbulk
• Stefanie Harvey, St Martin de Porres School, Avondale Heights
• Lisa Haughey, St Thomas Aquinas School, Norlane
• Reuben Johnson, Nazareth School, Grovedale
• Mark Kennedy, St Joseph’s Flexible Learning Centre, Grovedale
• Tracey Kift, Penola Catholic College, Broadmeadows
• Adrian McAlister, Our Lady of Lourdes School, Prahran East
• Kelly McGurn, Padua College, Mornington
• Jemma McVeigh, St Peter’s School, Keilor East
• Kellie Noonan, St Brendan’s School, Flemington
• Michael Ozbun, St George Preca School, Caroline Springs
• Susan Perks, St Margaret’s School, Geelong East
• Troy Rickard, St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, Werribee
• Angela Romano, Marian College, Sunshine West
• Paul Sharp, Holy Family School, Doveton
• Rachael Spooner, St Matthew’s School, Fawkner North
• Rudy Vail, Our Lady Help of Christians School, Eltham.