New Mission Leader for Catholic Education in 2022
16 September, 2021
After two decades as a teacher and leader in Catholic primary schools, including the past seven years as Principal of St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, Wandal, Kellie Jenkinson commences a new appointment in 2022 as Assistant Director: Mission for Catholic Education – Diocese of Rockhampton (CEDR).
Mrs Jenkinson succeeds long-serving AD Mission, Di-Anne Rowan who has announced her retirement effective at the end of 2021 after serving 20 years in the role.
In a teaching career with Catholic Education that has spanned over twenty (20) years, Mrs Jenkinson has taught at St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, Biloela, St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, Park Avenue, St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, North Rockhampton and St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School in Wandal where she began her leadership journey, firstly as Assistant to the Principal Religious Education and then Principal. “I commenced my teaching career as a very enthusiastic graduate at St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School Biloela, which incidentally was my own primary school. I had a sense of ‘coming home’ when I joined the Catholic Education community, and these feelings of connectedness and belonging have remained, regardless of the school in which I have been employed, as either a teacher, an Assistant to the Principal Religious Education, or as Principal,” Mrs Jenkinson said.
Mrs Jenkinson said that she was sad to be leaving the Principal’s role at St Joseph’s Wandal but at the same time was very excited to be given the opportunity to serve as Assistant Director: Mission for Catholic Education. “Those of us who serve in the Ministry of Catholic Education are at the forefront of the Church’s mission to teach, challenge and transform. We are custodians of the Catholic faith and traditions, recognising that each and every person is made in the image and likeness of God. This is reflected in our schools being places of welcome, hospitality and service,” Mrs Jenkinson said. She said she was looking forward to working in close partnership with staff across the Diocese to help support and maintain thriving Catholic communities which provide high quality and Christ-centred teaching and learning opportunities for all.
CEDR Director Leesa Jeffcoat said Mrs Jenkinson had demonstrated great care and compassion as a leader in Catholic schools and was dedicated to ensuring that the person of Jesus remained at the heart of the school. “Kellie’s professional experience and her passionate commitment to our schools maintaining their distinctly Catholic identity make her eminently suited to the role of Assistant Director: Mission,” Miss Jeffcoat said.
