Queen’s birthday: Brother Nicholas Harsas awarded Order of Australia medal
Devoted Catholic educator Brother Nicholas Harsas, now the school principal of Holy Spirit at Carnes Hill, marks 30 years of teaching with an OAM.
Fairfield
Don't miss out on the headlines from Fairfield. Followed categories will be added to My News.
More than 30 years since he became a teacher, Brother Nicholas Harsas is still making a difference to the lives of students in Sydney’s southwest.
For his service to education and the Catholic Church of Australia, the 55-year-old Fairfield resident has been awarded an Order of Australia medal, an honour that greatly surprised the long-serving teacher and principal.
Brother Nicholas said it was one he received on behalf of the school communities he had served and the religious brothers and sisters he had worked alongside throughout his career.
As a member of the Patrician Brothers Congregation, he has made an indelible mark on schools in the southwest, serving as principal of Patrician Brothers Primary School in Fairfield from 1997 to 2003, St Therese Catholic Primary School in Sadleir from 2004 to 2007, and Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Primary School Fairfield from 2008 to 2018.
Last year, he took up a position at Holy Spirit Catholic Primary School in Carnes Hill, where he continues to lead the community as principal.
“Any success I have had in Catholic education is directly related to the co-operation I have received from the students, staff and parents of the communities where I have served and ministered,” Brother Nicholas said.
“I could not have achieved or been as satisfied in my ministry without the support of the school communities where I have been a part.”
He said a Catholic education offered a holistic approach to learning that also focused on faith and spirituality, as well as values “conducive” to the individual and society.
“I think Catholic education is a privileged vocation because, as teachers particularly and now as principal, you’re able to use education not only as a way to develop children academically … but spiritually,” he said.
Above all, the greatest enjoyment he derives from working in the education sector is making a difference in the lives of young people, having been inspired by his own teachers while growing up.
Queen’s birthday honours in southwest Sydney:
Order of Australia Medal — Rick Johnson (Chipping Norton), for service to the community and motorcycling
Order of Australia Medal — Colin Watts (Prairiewood), for service to the harness racing industry