Q&A with Principal Damian Messer

COLLEGE LEADERSHIP

We recently sat down with Damian to chat about all things St Mary’s College, his lifelong passion for education, and what he gets up to in his spare time. Welcome to the St Mary’s College family! How do you feel about stepping into the role of Principal in 2022?

It is a privilege to be given the opportunity to lead a school that has been a part of the Hobart landscape for over 150 years. It is exciting and I really look forward to the challenges that lie ahead. You come to us with a wealth of knowledge and experience from a variety of educational settings. Why are you so passionate about education? Education has been my life’s work. I believe that it is the way to ensure our community’s future. The young people we work with are the future leaders and members of our Hobart and extended Tasmanian and Australian communities. They will make our world a better place. What do you believe brings out the best in each student?

Giving each young person a say in how they like to learn is becoming the most critical way for a student to engage and flourish in the teaching and learning presented each day. You were previously Principal at St Virgil’s College. As you embark on a new adventure at an all-girls school, what are you most excited to discover about the St Mary’s College community? The community at SMC is made up of many connected parts, and getting to know how all the connections work is a key part of my work. It takes a village to raise a child. To get all parts of a school to connect and function well together is always a challenge. Do you have a collective vision for our school and how does this feed into your educational philosophy? As a College, we are charged with the responsibility to allow the young people in our care to make the most of the opportunities presented to them. Our goal is to encourage them to be valuable contributors to our community.

What are your interests outside of work?

I have several interests outside of work. Family, friends and sport are the ones that seem to keep me busy in my spare time. How would you describe yourself in three words?

Passionate, committed, emotional. Do you have a favourite sporting team?

West Coast Eagles. What’s your go-to Hobart eatery? Dana Eating House. Do you have a quote that you live by? “Life wasn’t meant to be easy.”

Top of page: Damian Messer with Millie the dog and Prep students, Isabella Dilokvivat, Amelia Morris, Lilah Van Beest and Zara Brown. Above: Damian Messer with Kinder students after the Belling In.