2 minute read
Introducing Reverend Andrew Cunningham
Reverend Andrew Cunningham BTh MTh is a long way from home, near Limerick in Ireland. However, his mission to share the love of God means home can be anywhere from a tropical island to a remote, pastoral town, as long as he was called to be there and his wife and two children are by his side.
Since completing a Bachelor and Master of Theology at Queens University in Belfast, Rev Cunningham has ministered in churches in the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, the Caribbean and Australia. In 2014, Rev Cunningham was invited to move to Orange to lead the local
Uniting Church. A year later, he joined the School Council. He was subsequently elected Deputy Chair of Council and
Secretary to Council in April 2020 and appointed Chair of Council in February 2021.
Rev Cunningham attended a school similar to Kinross Wolaroi School in
Ireland and has a strong background in
Youth and Children’s Ministries, after serving with the Youth Team on Mission and as Chaplain to a private secondary school in Ireland.
“I became involved in the School
Council, because I had the skills and experience from schools around the world and a desire to do what I could to support the governance and strategy of the School alongside the outstanding work that the management does on a day-to-day basis,” Rev Cunningham said.
Andrew grew up in a united Anglican, Presbyterian and Methodist Church and is proud to work with the Uniting Church in Australia, which is a central part of KWS’ identity.
“Unsurprisingly, the UCA sees itself as being shaped by Jesus and puts particular emphasis on building community, befriending the marginalised, championing justice, working together as diverse people and people groups, standing up for equality, welcoming questions and engaging with doubt,” Rev Cunningham said.
“This broad and inclusive expression of church means that all parts of the school community are valued, may play a part, and express themselves for who they are regardless of their expressions of faith or belief. It allows our School to be a place that offers the broadest of educations, which enables staff, students and families to encounter and appreciate people in all their diversity.”
As well as his work with the Council, Rev Cunningham is a parent of the School, a member of the Council Executive and Finance and Risk SubCommittee, and Pastor to the School Council.
His vision is to work with the other Council members to build a strong community across the School.
“I am very proud of the School Council team, which is in place as a result of the leadership of my predecessors. It is a diverse group, with great skill and passion, which gives many voluntary hours to the governance of the School,” Rev Cunningham said.
“My vision for the School is that the whole community of families, staff, governors and beyond can work together with the one aim of bettering the School for the good of its students and the community using the School values of courage, resilience, inclusiveness, respect and commitment.”
