There's no greater reward than witnessing the transformative moment when Year 12 students walk across the stage at graduation. That’s how the new Principal of Mt Maria College Petrie, Kerry Maher describes her favourite part of leading a school.
“It’s knowing the decisions and leadership I have provided has made a difference in my student’s futures,” Kerry says.
Drawing upon more than three-and-a-half decades of diverse experience within Brisbane Catholic Education (BCE) schools and offices, Kerry served as Acting Principal from January 2023 before being appointed as the permanent Principal and will officially lead the College in 2024.
Following a successful three-year tenure as an education officer at the BCE head office, where she collaborated with Griffith University to strengthen leadership teams in Catholic secondary schools, Kerry is now enthusiastic to guide her new school community forward.
“I am deeply invested in ensuring that every student is given the opportunity to achieve their full potential,” Kerry says.
“I aim to build on student engagement by enhancing our curriculum offerings, which challenges and encourages student curiosity and critical thinking skills and creates growth mindsets.
“As a result, students will be empowered to take charge of their own educational journey.
“It is my aim to ensure all students are provided with opportunities to enable them to achieve their personal learning goals, future aspirations and dreams.”
In 2023 a number of Mt Maria College graduates secured early entry into the University of the Sunshine Coast, Griffith University and Australian Catholic University, along with offers from the University of Queensland, and Queensland University of Technology, and various apprenticeships and traineeships.
“The sky is the limit for students at Mt Maria College, Petrie,” Kerry adds.
Kerry says she aims to enhance parent engagement in 2024 by engaging with parents via a series of parent sessions designed to build parent confidence to engage in learning and wellbeing conversations with their student and feel part of the Mt Maria College Petrie community.
“I believe a strong connection between students, parents, and teachers is the cornerstone for a successful educational journey,” she added.
Kerry says student academic outcomes are strongly linked to student wellbeing and parent engagement.
“My focus for 2024 is to ensure that high expectations for learning and wellbeing are considered equally," she says.
"When students feel supported emotionally, they are better equipped to engage, learn and thrive academically.”
Kerry explains her College is a member of Marist School’s Australia, a Catholic tradition founded by The Marist Brothers.
“As Marist educators, we strive to create learning communities that grow the engagement, progress and achievement of every student,” she says.
“An important aspect of our College is our Marist Charism, which is the basis of all we do.
“As a school leader in the Marist Tradition, I strive to promote and develop positive student engagement in the religious life at our College and within the wider community through a sense of Family spirit, Love of Work, Presence, Simplicity and In the Way of Mary, the 5 characteristics of Marist Charism.”
Kerry says she aims to achieve this by strengthening community outreach, social justice activities, immersions, and connections to the school’s local Parish.
“I want my students to know they can make a difference in the lives of others and feel a sense of pride and fulfilment in doing so,” she added.
For more information about Mt Maria College Petrie or to enrol click here.