Get to know some of BCE’s secondary school principals

4/08/2022

Stephan le Roux, Principal of Holy Spirit College Fitzgibbon.

Leading some of Brisbane Catholic Education’s secondary school communities is a highly rewarding experience.   

We’ve chatted to four BCE primary school principals who open up about their roles as secondary school principals, and how they embrace their roles as leaders within their school communities, and the importance of leading with a focus, empathy, and deep love of learning. 
 
Stephan Ie Roux, Holy Spirit College Fitzgibbon 

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Stephan le Roux, Principal of Holy Spirit College Fitzgibbon.


Stephan Ie Roux commenced his first principalship in 2018 at St Mary’s College Maryborough and was last year appointed as Foundation Principal of Holy Spirit College Fitzgibbon. 
 
Holy Spirit College first opened its gates to a cohort of almost 100 Year 7 students in February 2022, with students already enjoying state-of-the-art technology within futuristic learning environments.  
 
“As Foundation Principal of Holy Spirit College, I’m part of a community and working with teams of people where multiple aspects of diversity are welcomed and celebrated,” said Mr Ie Roux. 
 
“We are building a school that will be the shining beacon of hope, service, and wisdom in an era of new educational strategies.  
 
“My focus remains on driving the consistent implementation of pedagogical practices across the College by all staff.   
 
“We strive to create an environment that puts the student at the centre and where that student is supported by dedicated teaching staff and tremendous community spirit.  
 
“We aim to instil a can-do attitude in all our students and work with them all to engender high aspirations and a range of personal skills and qualities including self-confidence and leadership ability.” 

 

Les Conroy, St Thomas More College, Sunnybank

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Principal Les Conroy, St Thomas More College Sunnybank.


Les Conroy is an experienced Principal who steers St Thomas More College Sunnybank a secondary college located in bustling Sunnybank boasting 1100 students from around 86 local and international families.  

Mr Conroy said he has a strong vision for the school, and his role in it.  

“I see my role shaping citizens of the future through Catholic education, servant leadership, academic excellence, and community advocacy,” he said.  

“In 2022, and indeed, every year, we are educating the leaders of tomorrow, for a future not yet imagined, for careers not yet created, and for a world of work where being entrepreneurial and adaptable in the freelance economy is just as important as traditional career pathways.”  

Mr Conroy said the Brisbane Catholic Education college has a skilled leadership team of 130 teachers and support staff are teaching students to be highly literate – and future-focused. 

“We are educating students in digital skills, problem-solving, creativity, critical thinking, communication, innovation, and collaboration - the essential skills of a 21st-century workplace and a 21st-century life.  

“Students are cared for and nurtured academically, spiritually, emotionally, and socially. 

Our vision is to continue to be an education hub for the local community for not only education, but for sport, the arts, and local community events
 
“It is a community where a strong connection between staff, students, and families is lived every day."


Andree Rice, Our Lady’s College, Annerley  

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Principal Andree Rice, Our Lady’s College Annerley. 

  

Andree Rice is in her first year of Principalship at Our Lady’s College Annerley says she personally believes young women feel comfortable and supported, when they are able to be extended and challenged. 
 
“Our Lady’s College is a community that authentically lives its legacy as a school founded by St Mary MacKillop’s sisters in 1964,” Principal Rice said. 
 
“In keeping with its Josephite tradition, Our Lady’s College empowers our girls to be active and informed citizens, inspired to shape a more just and equitable world for all.  
 
“Our college motto, Ad Altiora, Ever Higher sums up this reaching to be our best selves.  
  
“It inspires and uplifts every member of our students, staff and the wider Our Lady’s College community.  
   
“Our contemporary, evidence-informed approach to teaching and learning focuses on developing the skills of critical thinking, communication, collaboration and creativity – alongside spirituality, self-awareness and wellbeing.  
  
“We have a highly dedicated and expert teaching and support staff who deliver a wide range of subjects and a diverse co-curricular program.   
  
“Our students often comment frequently on the inclusiveness at Our Lady’s College, a school known for its cultural richness and diversity.  
  
“This sense of inclusion is extended to many community members through an extensive social justice program that sees students assisting at local homework clubs, working with homeless organisations and supporting residents in aged care homes.  
  
“We are a college that works in partnership with our parents and families, understanding that it takes a village to raise a child, and all members of the Our Lady’s College community have opportunities to become involved at the school. 
   
“Our community is an authentic reflection of St Mary MacKillop’s values in action today, and we are very proud of our students’ integrity and values.” 

 

Christine Clarke, Clairvaux Mackillop College, Upper Mount Gravatt


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Principal Christine Clarke, Clairvaux Mackillop College Upper Mount Gravatt. 

 

I have been Principal of Clairvaux Mackillop College Upper Mount Gravatt for nearly two years and during my time at the College I have seen generous hospitality and welcome as hallmarks of our thriving learning community.  
   
“Ours is a friendly place built on a deep respect for each person – their innate goodness, their learning potential, their unique capacity to be good for the world,” Principal Clarke said.  
   
“At Clairvaux Mackillop College we value their diversity – their stories, their hopes and dreams, their interests and aspirations.   
   
“We seek to open their minds and hearts to new horizons, new perspectives, new possibilities, embraced with determination and focus, imagination and purpose.  
   
“The educational mission of Clairvaux MacKillop College is borne of rich traditions.   
   
“We are a Catholic school founded by the Sisters of St Joseph and the Christian Brothers.   
   
“We take our inspiration and example from Jesus – source of life and light for all – and from St Mary of the Cross MacKillop and the Blessed Edmund Rice – who welcome everyone, and who show us how to turn our dreams for justice into practical reality.  
  
“We love our students and seek to know them and educate them toward fullness of being.” 

Wayne Chapman, Mt Maria college, Petrie

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Principal Wayne Chapman, Mt Maria College, Petrie.

Wayne Chapman is in his fourth year as principal of Mt Maria College.

He has more than 20 years in senior leadership in Catholic education.

In 2019, Mt Maria College educated 400 students and has grown to include 530 students and 108 staff members in 2022.

“It is a privilege to lead this community and to be entrusted with the care of these wonderful young people,” Principal Chapman said.

“My vision is that each and every one of the students in our care can stretch and grow into productive and dynamic members of the community, able to contribute positively to their world.”

Mr Chapman broadly networks with other educational leaders as president of the Association of Catholic Secondary Schools, Queensland.

He said that rich and authentic relationships are the key to success with young people.

“The college has undergone significant growth in the past years and we are now large enough to offer a rich breadth of learning opportunities, yet small enough to know the story of each member of our community,’’ Principal Chapman said.

“We have focused on developing multiple pathways for students including ATAR and vocational opportunities.

“We offer a great range of senior subjects including all senior sciences and even have students engaged in university studies each week.

“Our learning spaces are new or just renovated and provide a wonderful context for the great work undertaken by our staff every day." 


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