Meet our new Head of Catholic Identity - Sharon O’Keeffe.
Sharon brings to Brisbane Catholic Education a career spanning over 25 years with extensive experience in the education sectors, both in independent and Catholic secondary and primary schools across Australia, Tanzania and the United Kingdom, with a focus on educational leadership, catholic identity, curriculum innovation and experiential learning.
Sharon has co-designed and facilitated numerous immersive experiences and recently completed research with a focus on intercultural dialogue and inculturation, especially with First Nations Peoples. Her impressive qualifications include Master of Theological Studies (ACU), Graduate of Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD), Master of Religious Education (ACU), Master of Education (Communities & Social Justice) (ACU), Graduate Diploma of Education (ACU) and Bachelor of Arts (ACU).
Sharon is also the Queensland Catholic Education Commission (QCEC) representative on the National Catholic Education Commission’s Faith Formation and Religious Education Standing Committee (NCEC FFRE). She is a delegate on the Xavier School of Mission Advisory Board (Holy Spirit Seminary) and was Chair of the Plenary Council: Discernment and Writing Group for the ‘Joyful, Hope-filled and Servant Community’ and the Pilgrimage Leader for five World Youth Days, including 2019 with the QLD Dioceses and in 2023 will join with BCE.
But there is more to Sharon than her impressive career and expertise. Here she shares with us a little bit more about herself.
What is the most exciting thing about starting at BCE?
The opportunity to join a community and work alongside highly skilled and dedicated staff and of course, supporting and walking alongside 146 schools.
Can you tell us about your family or a little bit about you?
I am the youngest of four children, brought up on property near Grafton. I have a love of exploring country regions and creation as well as being part of community life. With a keen sense of adventure, I once lived in a lay community with the Christian Brothers and worked on their Retreat and Leadership Team. I was also a long-term volunteer with the Christian Brothers and lived and worked in Tanzania for two years.
What is your leadership style?
Joyful, hope filled and servant community leadership – never ask anything of another I have not done or willing to do myself. I believe in leading by example and preference collaboration and intentional team alignment to best support our schools. I always strive to keep the most vulnerable of our community front and centre in all our discernment and shared decision making.
What would you like to achieve as the Head of Catholic Identity?
I’d like to ensure that all people are afforded the opportunity to encounter Jesus in a spirit of dialogue, particularly our students, and in doing so, they may come to truly understand the precious gift they are, and their own unique call and vocation.
What is your inspiring leadership quote, or advice to aspiring leaders?
My family motto ‘Nothing is difficult to the brave and the faithful’ inspires me. My advice to aspiring leaders is to believe in yourself, listen deeply and be courageous…. ‘For with God, nothing is impossible’ (Luke 1:37)
A fun fact about yourself?
I’m a passionate traveller and I have been immersed in 45 countries over the years with highlights including living in a Maasai boma, learning from the Sans Bushman and spending nights in the Sahara Desert.
What do you want the world to know about the value of Catholic Education?
That Gospel values expressed in Catholic social teaching, immersing ourselves in social concerns, by creating spaces for cultural encounter and communal listening and dialogue with each other, valuing each other’s own experience of God - these are three essential elements of Catholic Education.
Catholic Education offers the world ‘soul to our globalised world’, as Pope Francis says, and radiates the promise of Christian hope.
Given the global challenges facing the human family, Pope Francis said Catholic education “recognises that humankind’s moral responsibility today does not just extend through space, but also through time, and that present choices have repercussions for future generations.”
How do you celebrate Easter?
With family we join in the Easter liturgies and celebration of Eucharist. The celebration often continues with fine food, wine and always hope and laughter…
Is there a special prayer or quote that resonates with you and why?
‘I listened to God’s dream for me and felt a longing to respond’, attributed to Mary Ward (1585-1645). Mary Ward was a woman before her time, she loved the Church and yet lived through a time of great upheaval and suffered persecution and suppression. Jesus was at the centre of her life, she reminds me to keep connected to this inner deep wellspring he offers me.