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  • Formation and community engagement
11 Jun 2025

©Brisbane Catholic Education, St Michael's College Merrimac (2025)​

​With a contagious desire to make a difference in the lives of young people, and the support of an engaged community of staff and families, Veronica Wasiak has taken the reigns as the newest Principal of St Michael's College Merrimac. 

Commencing in January 2025, after holding several leadership positions at the school, including Deputy Principal and Acting Principal, Veronica is excited to build on the special culture at the College.  

 As a Principal, what inspires you in your role? 

I am very fortunate that I absolutely love what I do. I have incredible staff, and as busy as this role can be, it never feels like work.  Influencing the lives of young people to prepare them for a world beyond school is humbling and inspiring.  We are in a privileged position to be working with young people who are our future, so being able to have an impact on them is so important. I am inspired every day to work in partnership with families in developing them to be young adults with a well-rounded education who make the world a better place because they are in it. 

How will you foster a strong community in your new role? 

We have a very special community here at St Michael’s College Merrimac. I wake up every day with a smile on my face, excited to go to work because of the people I work with. My leadership team is incredible, the staff is incredible, our students are amazing, and their families are great to work in partnership with. Communication is key with all our stakeholders and ensuring that every person feels they belong as a part of this community. We have a fantastic staff of teachers and school officers who genuinely care and consistently go above and beyond to support our students. My role is to ensure we continue to build on this culture and create a space for students to share their voice, but also to be intentional about how we incorporate parent voice into our school culture.  

Do you have any traditions or practices for creating a positive school environment? 

Our Foundation Days, sports carnivals, strong Pastoral Care program, and the cultural life of the College provide an opportunity for students and staff to work in partnership together to shape the identity and spirit of our College, fostering unity, pride, and a sense of belonging. These events inspire resilience, teamwork, and excellence while celebrating our heritage and strengthening our community bonds.

Our annual Open Days are a key part of our school year where we get to share the St Michael’s difference with our wider community. We recently hosted 800 visitors, with almost every member of staff, our school officers, parents and over 100 student volunteers all involved in shaping the day. The parents I spoke with on the day told me they felt that warmth and genuine care within this special community, and everyone left with a true sense of the St Michael’s culture.  

What are your plans for your school in 2025? 

We have lots of plans for 2025! As part of our 40-year celebration, we are establishing an Alumni for the school. We are now seeing past students sending their children to St Michael’s, and we want to capture that important part of our community. We are also reviewing our Vision and Mission to better reflect the current school community, our shared values, and our aspirations for the next forty years. 

We are also focused on increasing the number of social justice and community service opportunities for our students. This includes not only extending our partnerships in the wider community but also providing opportunities for our students to give within our own St Michael’s community.  We are establishing a breakfast club three days a week with staff and student volunteers and hope to run these every morning in the future. We are also committed to improving our outdoor facilities for our students, some classroom renovations and re-vamping our College chapel. 

How do you connect with your students? 

I love going to as many extracurricular activities as I can. Whether it’s the football, the school play, or a mooting competition, I really enjoy seeing our students doing what they love and representing our school so proudly. I get so much back from our students. Just this morning, I started the day on the BBQ at Breakfast Club doing cheese toasties, and the students were so grateful. It was a wonderful reminder of the difference we are making every day as educators. 

What do you think makes your school, and Catholic education in general, special? 

When I’m talking with families, it’s about the holistic education that a Catholic school provides. We focus on academic outcomes, and finding a pathway beyond school, but we also focus on the spiritual growth and formation of our students.  Helping them to discover who they are, to see that they are loved and find their purpose, encompasses everything that we do here - that our young people leave us as well-rounded people who give back to the community they live in. Together, we are St Michael's. We belong, we excel, we love. 

Who inspired you to take on this leadership journey? 

I have been blessed to have amazing leaders, principals and senior leaders who have encouraged me to take on further qualifications and given me the self-belief to apply for leadership roles. My education journey has always been with BCE, and I have immense gratitude for the support of the BCE family.