Sacred Heart College principal Steve Byrne announces departure to lead Cardijn College from 2023

The principal of Sacred Heart College is leaving for another growing Adelaide school, making him the latest in a series of top-level changes.

Sacred Heart College’s principal of almost a decade is on the move to head up Cardijn College in Adelaide’s south.

Steve Byrne will take up the new role at Noarlunga at the beginning of next year, following a long line of other school leaders who have announced they are taking on new appointments.

Mr Byrne told The Advertiser he was moving to Cardijn College at a time when the school was expanding the senior campus at Noarlunga Downs and upgrading its middle school at Aldinga, along with Marcellin technical campus at Christie Downs.

“It’s another exciting chapter,” he said of the career move, which sees him replacing Cardijn’s principal Paul Rijken, who is retiring.

Mr Byrne said he had worked on multi-campus schools for 20 years, and would put that experience into practice within the Cardijn College community.

Sacred Heart College principal Steve Byrne with year 12 students Demi, 17 and Charlie, 17. Picture: Matt Loxton

Sacred Heart has about 2000 students, and Mr Byrne said over time, Cardijn was expected to exceed this number.

Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) data shows Cardijn now has 1728 students.

Among Mr Byrne’s proudest achievements were seeing through Sacred Heart’s move to merge its middle and senior schools with Marymount College.

He said that was a “huge” piece of work involving meeting with various stakeholders and old scholars but “we received wonderful support and we’re at the very successful point we’re at now as a result”.

Mr Byrne also highlighted other progress such as the school’s successful indigenous and student leadership programs, along with “holistic pathways” for students including academic and vocational pathways and school-based apprenticeships.

An artist’s impression of Cardijn College $18m expansion. Picture: Supplied

In a letter to the school community, Marist Schools Australia national director Frank Malloy said recruitment for Sacred Heart’s principal position would begin in the coming weeks.

“Steve’s proven capacity as a highly effective and visionary Marist leader has

been abundantly evident throughout his 10 years as principal of Sacred Heart College,” Mr Malloy said.

Mr Byrne was in 2013 appointed as principal of Sacred Heart’s senior school, adding the oversight of its middle school to his role a year later.

“In close co-operation with Catholic Education SA and Marist Schools Australia, Steve’s vision and commitment in providing quality Catholic education was the catalyst for the further development of Sacred Heart College as a coeducational school from Years 7 – 12,” Mr Malloy said.

Cardijn College principal Dr Paul Rijken is retiring at the end of the year. Picture: AAP/ Keryn Stevens

“Marymount College, a 7-9 girls school founded by the Good Samaritan Sisters, amalgamated with Sacred Heart College in 2018 following significant consultation and collaboration.

“Steve has led a decade of change and innovation with great skill, wisdom, and inspiration.”

Other principals on their way to new roles include St Peters Girls leader Julia Shea, who will move to Melbourne to head up its Methodist Ladies’ College and Walford’s Rebecca Clarke, who will take on the role at Perth’s Methodist Ladies’ College – both from next year.

Trent Driver, who has held senior leadership roles at Newington College, Sydney and Brisbane Girls Grammar School, will take over the principal role at Scotch from John Newton, who is retiring.

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