Director of Catholic Education Leesa Jeffcoat to conclude her time in the role
22 March, 2024
Director of Catholic Education in the Diocese of Rockhampton, Miss Leesa Jeffcoat will conclude her time as Director at the end of 2024 following a period of leave during Semester 2.
Miss Jeffcoat said she had been humbled to have served as Diocesan Director of Catholic Education for the past 23 years, but she knew this was the right time for a new Director to lead the ministry of Catholic Education into an exciting future.
“I am sad to be ending a time in my professional life that has given me great personal and professional satisfaction, but I leave feeling truly blessed for the opportunities afforded to me through my lifelong association with Catholic Education as a student, teacher and leader,” Miss Jeffcoat said.
Miss Jeffcoat thanked current Diocese of Rockhampton Bishop, Michael McCarthy and before that Bishop Emeritus Brian Heenan for their wise and pastoral leadership of the Diocese.
“I offer both Bishop Michael and Bishop Emeritus Heenan my heartfelt appreciation for their prayerful support, their encouragement, their guidance and above all their loving care”. Miss Jeffcoat said.
Bishop Michael expressed deep appreciation for Miss Jeffcoat’s unwavering support of the Diocese, for the Church and all Catholic Education employees.
“Within the 39 schools and colleges under her direction, Leesa has done an extraordinary job of ensuring that our young people receive the very best in Catholic education and are supported by excellent teachers and staff on their faith journey,” Bishop Michael said.
“Leesa is an extraordinary leader and has shaped and directed our Catholic Education Office, including our schools and colleges to be – I believe – one of the finest in the country,” Bishop Michael said.
“Leesa has generously given of herself as Director and has assisted me in so many ways, especially settling me into the diocese and then being a very wise colleague,” he said.
Miss Jeffcoat said she wished to sincerely thank her professional colleagues, both past and present, for the trust they had placed in her to serve as Director over the past 23 years.
“I thank our wonderful teachers for their loyalty and support, and I am also very grateful to the Priests, Religious, parents, students, support staff and all in our Catholic Education family for their prayers, their encouragement, and their care of me” Miss Jeffcoat said.
Miss Jeffcoat said she believed Catholic kindergartens, schools and colleges will continue to build upon their already outstanding reputation as providers of a quality, faith-based education in safe environments where the protection and well-being of the students entrusted to the care of Catholic Education continues to be the number one priority.
“I do not see the end of my time as Director as an end point in my professional journey but rather I pray it signals the start of a new direction for my life full of exciting possibilities to enable me to continue to serve the mission of the Catholic Church” Miss Jeffcoat said.
