Catholic schools around the state to welcome new principals in 2022
Set for a year of significant changes, 26 of the 146 Brisbane Catholic Education schools will be led by new principals. SEE WHO THEY ARE
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A cohort of new principals will lead Catholic schools across Queensland in 2022.
Whether it’s due to retirements, promotions or other departures – 26 of the 146 schools under the Brisbane Catholic Education banner from the Gold Coast to Childers – will see new principals at the helm in January.
Pam Betts will also be replaced by Sally Towns as head of the BCE in 2022 in a year of significant change for the organisation.
See the new principals who will lead BCE schools in 2022 below.
Holy Spirit College, Fitzgibbon – Stephan La Roux
After previously serving as principal at St Mary’s College, Maryborough, Stephan La Roux will be the first principal of the Holy Spirit College in Fitzgibbon. Mr La Roux has already been busy setting up the new school during this year ready for its inaugural year in 2022.
St Mary’s College, Maryborough – Tameika Grist
Replacing Stephan La Roux, Tameika Grist has been appointed to St Mary’s College, Maryborough. Ms Grist has already started in the position after the previous principal, Stephan La Roux, departed to take up the same role at Fitzgibbon’s Holy Spirit College.
Star of the Sea School, Merrimac – Tony Barron
Tony Barron will move into the principal position at Merrimac’s Star of the Sea School after previously serving as head of St Joseph’s School in Beenleigh.
St Joseph’s School, Beenleigh – Kevin Billon
Kevin Billon will start his first full year as principal of St Joseph’s School in Beenleigh in 2022 after moving into the position to replace Tony Barron at the start of term three this year. Mr Billon made the switch after previously being principal at St Mary’s School in Beaudesert.
St Mary’s School, Beaudesert – Renay Condon
Ranay Condon, who is currently a principal in the Lismore diocese in New South Wales, will replace Kevin Billon in charge of St Mary’s in Beaudesert. Robert Campbell has been acting principal at St Mary’s for term three and four this year.
Changes as a result of Principals retiring from BCE
St Dympna’s School, Aspley – Peter Surowski
Following the retirement of longtime principal Janet Smith, former leader at St Peter’s School in Caboolture Peter Surowski will step into the role at Aspley’s St Dympna’s School at the start of the 2022 school year.
St Peter’s School, Caboolture – Matt Mackinlay
St Peter’s School in Caboolture will have a new leader in 2022 after the departure of Peter Surowski, who moved to St Dympna’s at Aspley. Matt Mackinlay moves to Caboolture to replace Mr Surowski after previously being principal at St Paul’s School, Woodridge.
St Joseph’s School, Corinda – Kim Davis
After Mary-Anne Riley’s decision to retire, Kim Davis will depart New Farm’s Holy Spirit School to take up the principal role at Corinda’s St Joseph’s School at the start of next year.
Holy Spirit School, New Farm – Michael Hopkinson
Currently a principal in the Broken Bay diocese, Michael Hopkinson will move interstate to lead New Farm’s Holy Spirit School at the start of next year. Mr Hopkinson will replace outgoing principal Kim Davis.
St Andrew’s School, Ferny Grove – Tim Stinson
A new era will start for Ferny Grove’s St Andrew’s School in 2022 with Tim Stinson replacing current principal, Jon Leyden, who will retire at the end of this year. Mr Stinson is the current principal at St Matthew’s School in Cornubia.
St Matthew’s School, Cornubia – Bronwyn Buckley
Replacing Mr Stinson as principal of Cornubia’s St Matthew’s School in 2022 will be Bronwyn Buckley. Ms Buckley will move into the role after finishing at St Peter’s School in Rochedale at the end of the current school year.
St Peter’s School, Rochedale – Craig Acret
Leaving Guardian Angels’ School in Wynnum to replace Bronwyn Buckley as principal of St Peter’s School in Rochedale will be Craig Acret. Mr Acret will start in the role in term one next year and Brisbane Catholic Education is yet to find a replacement for him at Guardian Angels’.
St Patrick’s Primary School, Gympie – Petrea Hass
Moving south from Childers to Gympie, Petrea Hass will take over as principal at St Patrick’s Primary, replacing Susan Geaney who retired from the position at the end of term two this year. Ms Hass is currently the principal at St Joseph’s School in Childers.
St Joseph’s School, Childers – Christina Poletta
Making the switch from the Star of the Sea School in Torquay near Hervey Bay to replace Petrea Hass at St Joseph’s in Childers will be Christina Poletta. Ms Poletta is currently the assistant principal at Star of the Sea.
Aquinas School, Ashmore – Marcus Richardson
Following Peter Hurley’s retirement, BCE has appointed Marcus Richardson to move into the role of principal at the Aquinas School in Ashmore. Mr Richardson was previously the deputy principal at St Mary’s College in Ipswich.
St Joseph’s School, Nundah – Renae Collier
Stepping up to the role of principal for the first time in 2022 will be Renae Collier, who will step in to lead Nundah’s St Joseph’s School after the retirement of Kerry Latimer. Ms Collier is currently the head of Prep to Year 12 at Scarborough’s Southern Cross Catholic College.
Marymount College, Burleigh Waters – Martina Millard
Martina Millard will move from a senior position at Brisbane Catholic Education to take on the role of principal at Marymount College in Burleigh Waters in 2022. Ms Millard is currently the senior leader of progress and performance at BCE and will replace the retiring Chris Noonan at the helm of Marymount College.
St Kevin’s School, Benowa – John Downie
Another principal making the interstate move to Queensland is John Downie. Mr Downie is currently a principal in the Archdiocese of Melbourne but will start in his new role of principal of St Kevin’s School in Benowa at the start of 2022.
St Mary’s College, Ipswich – Paula Goodwin
Currently principal at Our Lady’s College in Annerley, Paula Goodwin will replace Judith Finan at St Mary’s College in Ipswich, who will retire at the end of the current school year. BCE are in the process of appointing a new principal to lead Our Lady’s College.
St James’ School, Coorparoo – Rachelle Gibson
With Julian Cotter’s decision to retire from St James’ School in Coorparoo, Rachelle Gibson will step into the principal’s role in 2022. Ms Gibson is the current acting principal at Gympie’s St Patrick’s Primary and she also been acting principal at St Ignatius, Toowong.
PRINCIPALS CHANGING JOBS
Our Lady of Lourdes School, Sunnybank – Phil Manita
Our Lady of Lourdes School in Sunnybank will have a new principal in 2022 after the departure of Michael O’Sullivan, who is leaving to take a position to lead the BCE School Improvement team. He will be replaced by Phil Manita, who is the current principal at St Stephen’s School in Algester.
St Stephen’s School, Algester – Mike Quinn
Replacing Phil Manita as head of Algester’s St Stephen’s School will be Mike Quinn. Mr Quinn will start in the role at the start of 2022, moving from his current role as principal of St Mary’s Primary in Ipswich.
St Mary’s Primary School, Ipswich – Chris Bartlett
Currently a principal in the Toowoomba diocese, Chris Bartlett will move to Ipswich in 2022 to replace Mike Quinn as the head of St Mary’s Primary.
Villanova College, Coorparoo – Paul Begg
Making the move from the Gold Coast to one of the most prestigious schools in Brisbane’s south will be Paul Begg. Currently the principal at Coomera’s St Joseph’s College, Mr Begg will take over as principal of Villanova College in Coorparoo at the start of next year.
St Joseph’s College, Coomera – Carol Bell
Possibly the biggest move to step into a role of a BCE school principal will be Carol Bell, who will move from Western Australia to replace Mr Begg at St Joseph’s College, Coomera. Ms Bell is currently a principal at a catholic secondary school in Broome, WA.
St Columba’s School, Wilston – Andrew Oberthur
Andrew Oberthur will be the new principal at St Columba’s School in Wilston next year following the departure of current principal John O’Connor. Mr O’Connor will leave at the end of this year after being appointed to a senior position in catholic education in the Armidale diocese, where he will start in January.
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