Welcome to our new Principals for 2021!

Catholic Schools Broken Bay recently welcomed 11 new principals, some new to the Diocese and others moving schools, all of them innovative educators with a strong vision for learning opportunities. They were appointed by Danny Casey, Director of Schools, who invited them to shape the future of education in our Diocese under the leadership of Bishop Anthony Randazzo.

Alicia van der Merwe

St John the Baptist, Freshwater

Alicia van der Merwe

When the new Principal at St John the Baptist Catholic Primary School in Freshwater started this year, she planned to get to know each child personally.

“St John’s is a boutique style school and one of the strong benefits of that is we can know every student,” said Alicia van der Merwe, who was Assistant Principal of St Mary’s in Manly for seven years.

“The numbers mean the teachers and leaders know every family and can respond to every student’s learning needs and wellbeing needs.” Mrs van der Merwe says “student-centred learning” is essential for making children feel engaged in their lessons. “I want them to be happy, challenged learners who thrive every day at school,” she said.

Mrs van der Merwe says that working with families to get to know each student is essential.

Mrs van der Merwe is a local of the Northern Beaches, having attended primary school at St Kieran’s in Manly Vale and then high school at Stella Maris Catholic College in Manly. As a parent of two young children, she says she understands the concerns of parents.

Marco Ianni

Our Lady of Dolours, Chatswood

Marco Ianni

The first order of business for the new Principal at Our Lady of Dolours Catholic Primary School is simple: to make sure no child feels left out.

“I’m very much about inclusive education,” said Marco Ianni, who took over the role as Principal at the Our Lady of Dolours in January.

“We need to cater to the needs of all students in a school that allows everybody to participate and make a contribution.”

Born in Sydney, Mr Ianni attended Catholic schools and received a Master degree from Australian Catholic University. He lives in Sydney with his wife Larissa and teenage son, who also attends a Catholic school.

Michael Reid

St Paul’s Catholic College, Manly

Michael Reid

High school can be a hard time for boys, who sometimes see their grades fall behind. But the new Principal at St Paul’s says that every student can succeed if given the individual attention they need.

Michael Reid, a veteran educator of 27 years, began as the new Principal at St Paul’s Catholic College in Manly this term.

“Being a smaller school, every boy is known and cared for,” he said.

“We can identify with every boy individually and work with them in small groups to improve achievement in all areas.”

Michael Hopkinson

St Agatha’s, Pennant Hills

Michael Hopkinson

When Michael Hopkinson started as Principal at St Agatha’s Catholic Primary School in July last year, he couldn’t wait to get started … he was motivated by the opportunity to contribute to the learning needs of the students and the professional needs of the staff.

The experienced teacher of 35 years brought with him a keen interest in new technologies and a passion for “student-centred learning.”

“Every decision that’s made in the school has the student at the centre – I’m really passionate about the social and emotional wellbeing of the student,” he explained.

“I want learning to be engaging and exciting across the curriculum for all students.”

Kirsty Thorpe

Maria Regina, Avalon

Kirsty Thorpe

Many people think of Maths and creativity as being completely different skills, but the new Principal of Maria Regina Catholic Primary School in Avalon wants to change that.

Kirsty Thorpe, who was Assistant Principal at Our Lady of Dolours Catholic Primary School in Chatswood for four years before beginning at Maria Regina this term, said that children can use Maths to improve their creative thinking.

“Maths sometimes gets a bad rap from people, but I actually think it can be the most creative subject,” she said.

In 2019, Ms Thorpe won the Premier’s Mathematical Association of NSW Scholarship for her work on Mathematics and creativity, which allowed her to travel to Singapore and the United States for her studies.

Born and bred on the Northern Beaches, Ms Thorpe first encountered Maria Regina when she was working with Catholic Schools Broken Bay as a Science and Technology Education Officer.

John Barton

Our Lady Star of the Sea, Terrigal

John Barton

The first day of school can be nerve-wracking for even the most confident of kids, but the new Principal at Our Lady Star of the Sea, Terrigal says it doesn’t have to be that way.

“Parents often don’t know what they need to do to make their children ready for school,” said John Barton, new Principal at Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Primary School in Terrigal.

“Children don’t need to know everything before they start, but if they have some basic skills, they can use them as building blocks to become great learners.”

Mr Barton said parents could help by teaching simple things to their children, such as how to grip a pencil, as well as knowledge of numbers and shapes.

“Being able to count and do those basic things in the early years will enable children to fly at big school,” he said.

A teacher and principal in Catholic schools for 37 years, Mr Barton brings his passion for early childhood education to Star of the Sea, which has an on-site pre-school.

Brenda Timp

Mercy Catholic College, Chatswood

Brenda Timp

The new Principal at Mercy Catholic College in Chatswood understands better than most the challenges facing young women.

“I am passionate about ensuring children are ready for the challenges of the adult world, because I have a real understanding of what that means,” said Brenda Timp, who worked in the mining sector for twelve years before becoming a teacher.

Brenda Timp also brings twenty years’ experience as an educator to the role at Mercy.

Ms Timp said that she planned to increase practical opportunities for students at Mercy to meet women working in a range of fields of work.

“One of the things I want to do is connect the girls with women in the world of work so they can have exposure to what’s possible,” she said.

Fiona Dignan

Our Lady of Good Counsel, Forestville

Fiona Dignan

The new Principal at Our Lady of Good Counsel in Forestville believes that every child deserves to feel included in the classroom.

Fiona Dignan, a veteran teacher of 28 years and former Principal of Aspect Vern Barnett School in Forestville, said that the school catered to all learners, from gifted and talented children to those with disability.

“Inclusion is bigger than diversity,” she explained. “Diversity is being invited to the party – but inclusion is being asked to dance.”

Ms Dignan said that teaching children at different levels required strong relationships between teacher, parent and student.

“It’s about making sure that we understand each of our learners. It’s the mindset that this child belongs in this school and is part of our community and we will therefore meet your needs,” she said.

Yvette Owens

Our Lady of the Rosary, The Entrance

Yvette Owens

The first day of school is daunting for many, but for Yvette Owens, the new Principal at Our Lady of the Rosary at The Entrance, the prospect is exciting.

Ms Owens first taught at Our Lady of the Rosary 18 years ago and it was the school her daughters attended as children.

“This place has always been special,” she explained.

“The motto here is celebrating community. For me, building relationships and being a part of the community is critical because without that, we don’t have a school.”

Ms Owens brings with her 38 years as an educator, most recently as Principal of St Cecilia’s Catholic Primary School in Wyong.

Her primary focus as the new leader is to build the children’s social and emotional wellbeing, she said.

Genevieve Smith

Prouille, Wahroonga

Genevieve Smith

The new Principal at Prouille is passionate about using technology in the classroom.

“I am a tech head – I’m really into digital technologies and ICT [Information and Communication Technologies],” said Genevieve Smith, who took over as Principal at Prouille Catholic Primary School in Wahroonga.

Ms Smith said that the world has changed since most parents were at school, and schools needed to move with the times.

“Teachers don’t need to teach content anymore because it’s accessible to everyone from their device,” she said.

“We need to embed skills such as collaboration and teamwork instead.”

Marta Chylewska

St Cecilia’s, Wyong

Marta Chylewska

In her previous position as Assistant Principal at St Thomas Aquinas Catholic Primary School in Springwood, Year Four children learned basic block programming and coding, eventually designing an app to combat bullying.

The new Principal at St Cecilia’s Catholic Primary School in Wyong brings with her a unique approach to teaching.

Marta Chylewska, an educator of 19 years, most recently as co-Principal at Our Lady of Good Counsel Primary School in Forestville, says that an “inquiry-based approach” to learning helps children solve problems and think for themselves.

“We need to move beyond just possessing knowledge because answers are so accessible on the internet nowadays,” she said.

“I want to develop active learners and effective thinkers, people who can communicate, collaborate, innovate, and solve problems.”

Inquiry-based learning teaches children to work towards a “conceptual understanding” rather than rote learning or being told the right answers.