From the Principal

Reproduced here is the address given by Mrs Deborah Barker on the occasion of her Commissioning as Principal of St Kevin’s College on Friday 5 March 2021 to the St Kevin’s Community.

On behalf of the College Leadership team, staff and students of St Kevin’s College, I wish to thank our special guests who have joined us today: in particular, Bishop Curtin (Class of 1963) and Fr Mark Reynolds (Class of 1971). Thank you both for being here.

To our Chair of the Advisory Council, Mr Paul O’Malley and his wife Cath, Members of the Advisory Council, representatives from our Mother’s and Father’s Associations, St Kevin’s College Old Collegians and Foundation, and in particular to Br Bill Wilding, former Headmaster of the College from 1994 to 2003. Thank you for the warmth and hospitality already shown to me and to Br Bill, for your mentoring of what is the essence of St Kevin’s College.

A very heartfelt welcome to Dr Craig Wattam, the newly appointed Executive Director of Edmund Rice Education Australia; Mr Adam Taylor, Ms Catherine Greenley and Mr Durm O’Riordan, also from EREA. I very much look forward to working within the Edmund Rice tradition.

At the end of last year, after 10 years as Principal, I left Santa Maria College, with a full and grateful heart. It is this same heart that I bring with me to St Kevin’s today. Not in an effusive or superficial way, but grounded in the same love of which St Paul’s Letter to the Colossians speaks. At best, it is a love we all share, that is, a love of compassion, kindness, humility and patience. It is a love that calls us to listen deeply, to be reflective and contemplative. It is a love that invites each of us to be a presence in community…to journey and to grow with each other, to be challenged, to be stretched and most importantly, to evolve for the common good.

This love is from God, gifted to humanity and seen in the hearts and lives of people such as St Kevin, Blessed Edmund Rice, St Mary MacKillop of the Cross and the founding Brothers of this College. It is a love enshrined in the touchstones of EREA that has been birthed from the wellsprings of Scripture. If our deep intention is to live justly, to show the tenderness of mercy and to walk humbly as we have just heard from the Prophet Micah, then love becomes our legacy.

The passion for St Kevin’s College is palpable. We have such a rich history, with so many wonderful achievements which span our 103-year history. The academic standard is exceptionally high because the College expects each boy to be his very best self. The teaching staff have always been incredibly talented and experts in their field and this remains today. The work ethic and dedication of all staff are worth noting, the strong partnerships with families are authentic and the energy of the place is close to electric.

The co-curricular activities, including the extensive sporting and cultural program through the delivery of the APS, Performing Arts, Music, Cathedral Choir, Social Justice, and so on afford each student with his own connection point and place to belong. The spiritual life of the College, the MITS Program, and pastoral programs highlight the importance of growing young boys into men of goodness and strong character.

So, as we weave new threads into the defining and evolving tapestry and life that is St Kevin’s College, let us do so as a community.

Who learn deeply, respectfully and with humility;

Let us do so, as we reset, reclaim and reimagine;

Let us do so as a community who is bruised, vulnerable, if not in pain, and yet desire healing

Let us do so as we continue to offer high standards in all aspects of school life, yet never losing sight of the need to contribute to the betterment of society;

Let us do so as a community who cares for the vulnerable and disheartened;

Let us do so as we embrace life in abundance and bring the light of Hope to others.

For it is at these times that God rejoices in us as people who proclaim: Omino Pro Deo.

Mrs Deborah M Barker Principal

Mrs Deborah Barker, Principal

SKC Open Day 2021

Deborah Barker comes to St Kevin’s College after taking on the role as Principal for 10 years at Santa Maria College, Northcote. Prior to this appointment, she was Deputy Principal at Our Lady of Sion College, Box Hill for 5 years, and 7 years as Director of Faith and Mission at Mount Lilydale Mercy College, Lilydale. Deborah enjoys study and has a Bachelor of Education, Bachelor of Theology and Masters in Educational Leadership from the University of Melbourne, and has recently finished studies at Harvard University in Boston in 2017.

Married to Greg and with two boys in their late teens, Deborah enjoys family life and learns much as a mother navigating the role of parent in these current times.

Deborah is incredibly grateful for her appointment to St Kevin’s College and with the staff, students and parents, hopes to re-set, re-claim and re-imagine the future of St Kevin’s College, founded as a community of Faith some 103 years ago with a strong belief to shape future generations for the betterment of society.

Please join us for the 2021 St Kevin's College Open Day on Sunday 2 May.

Glendalough, Junior Campus Lansell Road, Toorak 1pm to 4pm.

Heyington, Senior Campus Moonga Road, Toorak 1pm to 4pm.

St Peter's ELC, 11am to 1pm. St Peter's Church, Toorak Road