New Principals in Rockhampton
09 March, 2022All three Catholic primary schools in Rockhampton’s Cathedral Parish of St Joseph welcomed new principals this year, each enthusiastically embracing their role of leading their school communities.
After five years as Assistant Principal: Religious Education at St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, Park Avenue, Mrs Bernadette Brennan said she welcomed the opportunity to step into her first role as Principal to lead the vibrant and dynamic community at St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School in Wandal.
“The opportunity to take up a Principalship is exciting and I’m embracing day-to-day life in a wonderful new school where I have been warmly welcomed by the whole community,” Mrs Brennan said.
Mrs Brennan, whose extensive career has seen her teach every Primary School year level, said she hopes to inspire others to achieve the vision of the Catholic school.
“I am wholly committed to the growth of our young people through the vision and virtues of a Catholic education, and I look forward to working with our staff, students and families to uphold the charism and wonderful example of our founders, the Sisters of St Joseph,” Mrs Brennan said. “I value relationship building as essential to innovative change. I hope to continue the great culture, here at St Joseph’s, of collaboration between school and home, which ensures we learn together and strive towards excellence for all members of the community.”
Meanwhile, St Peter’s Catholic Primary School in Allenstown welcomed Peter Smith as Principal after four years in the leadership role at Our Lady of the Sacred 
Heart in Springsure, where his family was very much also a part of the school community.
“We’ve loved our time in this close-knit country community. My children have all been students at OLSH and of course my wife, Belinda, was Director at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Catholic Kindergarten which is also on the school grounds,” Mr Smith said. “Although it was very hard for us to leave OLSH, I am very excited about this opportunity to be part of the St Peter’s community and to take the next step in my own leadership journey.”
“St Peter’s is held in high regard and its culture of high expectations, supportive environment and faith-filled education are the cornerstones in the quest for life-long learning; something that I’m passionate about,” Mr Smith said. “Community spirit emanates from every facet of St Peter’s and the school motto ‘Called to Serve’ resonates strongly with me. I look forward to the opportunities and challenges that lay ahead as I, through my role, serve the school community.”
Mr Smith replaced Anthony Greene who has now taken up the Principal role at St Paul’s Catholic Primary School in Gracemere following nine years in the role at St Peter’s.
“I’m very pleased to be Principal of this proud school community at St Paul’s and am very much looking forward to embracing the challenges that come with change. I had recognised that I was becoming a little too comfortable at St Peter’s and I firmly believe that if we are to be the best version of ourselves, we must continue to challenge ourselves, to be comfortable with being uncomfortable. I’m very impressed with the positive attitude of staff at St Paul’s as we work together to become the best educators we can for the children in our care. I am very confident that we will have a great year ahead,” Mr Greene said.
