Who’s who of principals at Melbourne’s private and Catholic schools in 2021
As 2020 draws to a close, Melbourne’s prestigious private schools are playing musical chairs with principals.
Education
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Up-market girls’ school Sacre Couer has named a new principal after the shock departure of Anna Masters.
On Wednesday the school board chair Joan Fitzpatrick announced deputy principal Adelina Melia-Douvos as the new leader of the Glen Iris Catholic school.
Ms Melia-Douvos has been at the school since 2011 and was appointed deputy principal and senior school head in 2018.
She has been acting principal for term 4 after Ms Masters left the school. Ms Masters was heavily involved in the new strategy and rebranding of the school which included slashing fees for prep to Year 4.
Ms Masters has just been appointed to Merici College in Canberra.
Sacre Couer said it undertook an extensive process to eventually chose a candidate already at the school.
“We obviously know Adelina well and we have great confidence that she will transition seamlessly into the role,” Ms Fitzpatrick said.
“Adelina’s appointment provides a positive end to what has been a challenging year.”
Santa Maria College in Northcote
Joanne Rock, currently head at Santa Maria College in Benalla, has been named new principal, starting term 3.
The current principal Deborah Barker has been named new principal at St Kevin’s College.
MARCELLIN COLLEGE, BULLEEN
Marco DiCesare, principal at Caroline Chisholm Catholic College in Braybrook for eight years, has been appointed principal for 2021.
CAROLINE CHISHOLM CATHOLIC COLLEGE, BRAYBROOK
Robert Brennan, who has finished as principal at Salesian College Chadstone, has been appointed principal. Mr Brennan is a former student at Caroline Chisholm. Salesian has appointed long time staff member Neil Carter as acting principal for first semester 2021 until it appoints a permanent principal.
LORETO MANDEVILLE HALL, TOORAK
Prestigious Toorak Catholic girls’ school Loreto Mandeville Hall has named a new principal as the annual school leader shuffle draws to a close.
Angela O’Dwyer will replace Dr Susan Stevens, who has headed the girls’ college for 20 years.
Ms O’Dwyer will not take up the role until the end of 2021.
She is currently the school’s executive deputy principal, having joined the staff in 2017, and will work with Dr Stevens next year.
Board chair Gerard Dalbosco paid tribute to Dr Stevens.
“Under Dr Stevens’ leadership, Loreto Toorak has continued to achieve sustained excellence in academic results, while also developing outstanding cultural, sporting and pastoral programs,” he said.
Interstate appointees are only now moving to their new schools due to COVID border closures.
Last year’s principal changes centred around high profile Melbourne Grammar, Trinity and Carey.
In 2021, many moves have been in the Catholic sector — mainly girls’ schools.
GENAZZANO, KEW
Outgoing Merici College principal Loretta Wholley will take over another elite girls’ Catholic school — Genazzano in Kew.
Current principal Karen Jebb will take on the role as principal at co-ed Catholic school Emmaus College in Vermont South.
The lower-fee paying school has a very good reputation and has grown enrolments under Tony Hirst, who has resigned after 12 years.
MATER CHRISTI, BELGRAVE
Catholic girls’ school in Belgrave Mater Christi appointed Maria Hagget as principal, after Mary Fitz-Gerald retired.
Ms Hagget is deputy principal at Mentone St Bede’s boys’ school.
ST KEVIN’S COLLEGE, TOORAK
St Kevin’s College has appointed its first female principal Deborah Barker.
Ms Barker has been principal at Northcote’s ‘progressive, girls-only Catholic school’ Santa Maria since 2011.
The Toorak college has steadied under acting principal John Crowley.
Mr Crowley was much loved at Ballarat’s St Patrick’s College but appointed to St Kevin’s after a series of events which provided bad publicity.
Mr Crowley did not apply for the permanent job but will stay with the Edmund Rice Education Australia — which oversees 50 schools around Australia including St Kevin’s and CBC St Kilda.
ST MARY’S, ST KILDA
CBC St Kilda is rebooting as St Mary’s College following a merger with Presentation College Windsor.
St Mary’s will be headed by Terry Blizzard who started at CBC this year.
Insiders say the new St Kevin’s principal has been appointed to knock off the edges at the boys’ school and bring some of the Santa Maria “good Samaritan” ethos from Northcote to Toorak.
ST PATRICK’S BALLARAT
Back to Ballarat and new St Patrick’s principal Steven O’Connor has only been able to travel to the campus in recent weeks due to Covid border closures.
Mr O’Connor is a past deputy headmaster at the school and currently head of Santa Sabina College in Strathfield.
Acting principal Stephen Hill will take on an acting role at Mary MacKillop Catholic College in Hobart.
MENTONE GRAMMAR
The challenging COVID year saw Mentone Grammar reappoint Mal Cater, who was due to retire.
Mr Cater has been associated with the school as a student, volunteer and principal for more than 50 years.
ST LEONARD’S COLLEGE
Incumbent Stuart Davis was due to leave in April but a rethink saw him staying on.
SANTA MARIA NORTHCOTE
Carolyn McCarthy will be acting principal following Ms Barker’s departure to St Kevin’s.
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