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New Principal Appointed for 2021
Dear Friends and Colleagues,
Following an extensive recruitment search, I am delighted to announce that Mrs Deborah Barker has been appointed to the position of Principal of St Kevin’s College Toorak effective from January 1, 2021. In doing so, I acknowledge the dedicated and thorough discernment of our interview panel comprising educational leaders representing Edmund Rice Education Australia (EREA), Catholic Education Melbourne and the Chair of the SKC Advisory Council.
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Deborah is well known to many in Catholic education in Victoria and comes to us with the highest recommendation of her colleagues. She is currently the Principal of Santa Maria College, Northcote where she has demonstrated exemplary leadership since 2011. Prior to this she held the positions of Deputy Principal - Faith and Mission at Our Lady of Sion College, Box Hill and Director of Religious Education at Mount Lilydale Mercy College. Deborah is Vice President of PAVCSS (Principals’ Association of Victorian Catholic Secondary Schools) and a member of the International Baccalaureate: Australasian Heads of School. Deborah’s academic qualifications include a Masters in Educational Leadership and Management from the University of Melbourne, a Bachelor of Education, a Bachelor of Theology and more recently she has pursued studies in Educational Leadership at Harvard University, Boston.
She is well known as an accomplished lead educator dedicated to the highest standards of learning outcomes and the unconditional support of a safe and inclusive community for each student in her care. Deborah is a deeply committed member of the Holy Spirit Catholic Parish, North Ringwood and will bring her authentic faith witness to the role of spiritual leader and community builder at St Kevin’s.
Mr Paul O’Malley, Chair of St Kevin’s College Advisory Council writes
Deborah as our new Principal from 2021. Deborah is a very experienced and capable leader and we will all benefit from her great commitment and enthusiasm.”
Deborah is looking forward to the challenge of leading the St Kevin’s College community into the future. In her own words: “I feel privileged to be invited to take up this significant role.
St Kevin’s has a proud history of excellence across a range of academic, cultural and sporting pursuits and I am really looking forward to engaging with the staff, the College Advisory Council, the students and their families to provide our young people with every opportunity to experience success in their lives in the very best tradition of Edmund Rice, a tradition based on faith, inclusion, service and respect.”
On behalf of all members of the EREA community, I celebrate yet another significant milestone in our story and warmly congratulate Deborah on this exciting appointment wishing her, her husband Greg and their two sons all the very best as they commence their journey as part of EREA and the St Kevin’s College community.
Bobby Court Chair of EREA
