Fostering faith and leadership: Training the next Catholic school principals

(L-R) Mary MacKillop AP Lachlan McNicol, Merici AP Kate Durham, Holy Family AP Jane Hart and St Clare’s AP Mark Chifley

Twenty Assistant Principals and Religious Education Coordinators from across the Archdiocese gathered last week to commence the ‘Emerging Leaders: Leading with Vision and Purpose’ program.

The Catholic Education development course, which ran for the first time last year, is an annual program spread over six days throughout the year.

Mary-Jane Carroll-Fajarda, who facilitates the program alongside Tim Smith, Dominic Braybon and Brad Gaynor, said it was designed for those with a common desire to progress their career pathway and who had demonstrated emergent leadership attributes in their current settings.

“It is more than a course in leadership – it is a course in what it is like to be a Catholic leader,” she said.

“It is about the foundation of that in terms of what makes us distinctive. What’s the Catholic worldview that would shape how we approach leadership? How we approach education in our schools?”

Mr Smith said the program offered double-edged value.

“Firstly, it is the formation of our leaders, giving them an opportunity to be an authentic Catholic leader,” he explained.

“And then, of course, the other side is we know we have a workforce of principals who are reaching the end of their career, so we need to make sure there are people who have been formed and are ready to step into these positions.”

Holy Family Primary School Assistant Principal Jane Hart said the Emerging Leaders program was an opportunity to reflect on her journey in Catholic education and network with those in similar roles.

“I have grown up Catholic – I went to Catholic primary school, Catholic high school and Catholic university – it’s always been part of me and something that I really value,” she said.

“I love to help the children I teach, to inspire them to live a fully Catholic life. There are so many different ways we develop a child – it’s not just the academics. It’s the emotional, the physical, the spiritual. There are many ways in which we can foster children.”

Merici College Assistant Principal Kate Durham said the program’s first session had focused on elements of Catholic leadership.

“Having the time to really learn from our colleagues at Catholic Education, for them to share and invest in us is really nice,” she said.

“It is a course we can put into action quickly. We are a community centred around faith, and we strive for excellence because we want everyone to achieve what they can.”

Mary MacKillop College Assistant Principal Lachlan McNicol said he hoped to build on his existing skills and develop new ones.

“I’ve been an assistant principal and deputy principal for 13 years, and I’ve had the experience of acting in the principal role for three terms, and I found that experience to be enjoyable and challenging,” he said.

“I’d like to contribute in the future when the time is right, and I feel like this program is a stepping stone to help prepare me.”

St Clare’s College Assistant Principal Mark Chifley said the program was a wonderful opportunity to hear from those currently holding principal positions, bounce ideas off one another and network with colleagues.

“I always found that I belonged in the Catholic system,” he said.

“When you teach in a Catholic school, you are part of a community with the staff, the students, and the parents.”

The Emerging Leaders program is based on the premise that the Christian story is fundamental to leadership in Catholic schools.