Farewells

Farewell to Annette Broadfoot - Chair of the KEM Board

Annette, as a founding KEM Board Director when the Board began in 2014. She has been most gracious and generous in her service to the Board stepping into its leadership when required, either because the Chair was on leave of absence due to ill health or the most recent Chair being elected as Congregational Leader. Annette has brought an authentic deep faith to her decision making, is calm under the most stressful of situations, reflects on her practice and always strives to develop a collaborative and dynamic culture within the Board. 

Annette’s educational leadership extends over four decades. She was a young principal serving in a number of schools; was Chair of the Stewardship Council of Marian College, Sunshine West and has been an intricate part of the Kildare Ministries journey, even before it’s formation. She has undertaken all her various roles as Director, and as a member of the wider Kildare Ministries community with her characteristic grace, humility, generosity and insight.

Kildare Ministries is deeply indebted to Annette Broadfoot for her remarkable contribution to its schools, over many years. We have been blessed to have her steadying guidance and strong support. In her words, wisdom and work, she truly embodies the values and spirit of Kildare Ministries. With deep gratitude, we wish Annette every happiness for the years ahead.

Farewell to Kitty Guerin, Chair of the Brigidine College St. Ives Board

Kildare Ministries farewells Ms Kitty Guerin, Board Chair of Brigidine College, St Ives who concludes her tenure as Director at the end of 2023, after nine years of faithful, dedicated and energetic governance leadership of the College. 

Kitty was invited to the position of Board Chair at a significant time in the history of Brigidine College. The transfer of governance of Brigidine College, St. Ives from the NSW Province of the Congregation of the Brigidine Sisters to Kildare Ministries in 2015 was a moment in the history of the school and the Church. Ministerial PJPs, as canonical authorities in the Church, are entrusted to steward the traditional charism of the Brigidine sisters in this case, into a prosperous and emerging future. Kitty has worked collaboratively and creatively with the Trustees to ensure these outcomes for Brigidine College. 

Kitty came to Brigidine College with a breadth of experience in Catholic education, including principalships at OLMC Parramatta and St Clare’s College Waverley, as well as working closely with Mercy, Marist, and Dominican education communities. She is a Councillor of the Federation of RI and Ministerial PJP Catholic School Authorities in NSW and ACT and Chairs the Education Policy Committee of the Council. Kitty is involved with the Leadership Centre of AISNSW in their Flagship Program for aspiring principals and is the Executive Officer of the Australasian Mercy Secondary Schools Association. Brigidine College has been truly fortunate to have had the benefit of her deep understanding of Catholic education and her insights into the challenges for contemporary independent school communities.  In her none years as Chair of the Board, Kitty has overseen many strategic and building developments. Her guidance and experience in planning for school facility improvements has been invaluable.

We have all been grateful for Kitty’s generous leadership style, her deep commitment to Catholic Education and her presence and guidance in the faith community that is Kildare Ministries. We join Brigidine College, in wishing Kitty Guerin all the best for life beyond Brigidine College and Kildare Ministries. 

Farewell to Robyn Killoran - Chair of the Brigidine College Indooroopilly Board

Kildare Ministries farewells Mrs Robyn Killoran, Board Chair of Brigidine College, Indooroopilly from 2017-2023, who resigned after the AGM this year. Robyn’s leadership was outstanding. Together with the Board and the Principal, she led the College during a significant period of growth and change.  Development of a complex Marian Center, the introduction of Year 7 to secondary education and the enrolment of grade 5 and grade 6 to the College are only three of the many achievements.    

Robyn came to the College as an experienced educator with over 40 years involvement across many catholic school communities. Generous of heart and commitment to many causes and projects throughout her career, she also led five Catholic secondary schools from the 1980’s until 2014. Her energy and passion for the education of young people as well as her inclusive approach to engaging community, meant the College Board, and its committees were governed with distinction. Importantly, Robyn was dedicated to the mission and the marginalised and despite difficult financial decisions that needed to be made, affordability for families was always at the centre of the Board’s decision making.  Robyn, fostered a culture of collaborative and informed decision making with the Board and the College leadership and developed sound governance processes to ensure the flourishing of the College, its staff and students. 

We join with the Brigidine College community, to wish Robyn well in the future roles and projects she wishes to undertake. Thank you Robyn for your valuable contribution and dedication to the development of the Kildare Ministries narrative.

Farewell to Ray Pisani - an excerpt from Nicole Mangeldorf's speech

Ray is a man of great integrity, who has led the Marian College Sunshine West community with strength and compassion for the past 17 years, equalling Sr Brigid Arthur, which very few people can lay claim to!

He is deeply committed to his students, his staff and the broader Kildare Ministries community. Under his leadership, both as Co-Principal with Rita and as sole Principal, the Marian College community has thrived. Through careful planning, great skill and determined effort, the College has benefitted from outstanding new facilities that have provided contemporary and broad learning opportunities for students. I know that I have been both in awe, and a tad jealous, when I first saw the newly built Design Warehouse and more recently the Louise Cleary Learning Centre!

While a school’s buildings and facilities are extremely important, we all know that what is more important is the culture of a school, which is shaped by the relationships within it. Ray’s genuine care for his students, their families and his staff, has been at the centre of creating a culture of respect, inclusion and celebration of diversity at Marian.  In our KEM meetings, Ray is very rarely the person to speak first and often the person to speak last, which is reflective of his very thoughtful, considered approach. It could also be because he can’t get a word in with all the women around the table! But, when Ray speaks, we always listen intently, as we know that he brings great wisdom to the conversation and always comes from a place that is informed by our values and a genuine care for others.

Ray’s approach whether at school, at a PAV meeting or at Kildare Ministries, has always been characterized by a unique blend of calmness, respect, and a great sense of humour and joy. Despite how fast-paced and demanding schools are, principalship is and often our KEM/KM meetings are, Ray always has a very calming presence and influence on those around him, which we have been very grateful for as his colleagues.  

Some of us learnt from Rita Grima last week that Ray’s very calm, measured approach extends to the way he makes his way around the College, and that his approach is fondly referred to at Marian as “Ray Pace”. I think ‘Ray Pace’ is something that we should all aspire to as our world and lives become increasingly complex and demanding.

Ray, thank you for all that you have gifted to the Marian College community, Kildare Ministries and each of us over the years. We, like the Marian College community, have been blessed to benefit from the wisdom you have gained and shared, your generous support and mentoring, and the unwavering commitment that you bring to enhancing the education and lives of others.

May your retirement be filled with joy, laughter, and fulfilment. Enjoy having more time to spend with Renata and Isabella, watching your Aston Villa, and tending to your vegetable garden! 

You will be deeply missed, but you will always be fondly remembered.

Farewell to Rachel Connor, CEO Saltbush Beach Balnarring

After a decade of dedicated service to Saltbush Balnarring Beach, Rachel Connor the CEO will finish at the end of this year as she and her family will be based in Melbourne.  Rachel who was a former HR professional, first joined Saltbush as a volunteer in 2013 and was subsequently appointed by the Trustees as a member of the Saltbush Board of Management.  She held the role of Board Chairperson for two terms and in 2021 she was appointed to the role of General Manager and later became CEO.

The important mission of Saltbush has always held a special place in Rachel’s caring heart.   She played a major role during the transition of governance arrangements for PFC from the Presentation Sisters of Victoria to Kildare Ministries.  She has played a pivotal role in modernising, professionalising, and transforming Saltbush over the last few years whilst preserving its very special spirit of warmth, welcome and safety. She has been an important contributor to the Kildare Ministries narrative and generously supported the works, often being asked to make presentations in the name of Saltbush. 

The guests, Board, staff and volunteers at Saltbush will greatly miss Rachel’s special gifts but are very grateful for all that she has done. We wish her every blessing for the next part of her life journey.  A big thank you Rachel. 

With Appreciation and gratitude we farewell Vicki Scott

Vicki Scott is retiring as the Principal's PA at Brigidine College, St Ives, after 23 years of dedicated and exemplary support.  Vicki has worked with 5 Principals in her time at Brigidine: John Bowie, Joanne Atkins, Jonathan Byrne, Jane Curran and Laetitia Richmond. Vicki has truly exemplified the Brigidine motto of Strength and Gentleness and has given witness to the KM values of hospitality, compassion and hope. Forever cheerful and warm, nothing was too much trouble for Vicki. She was also always professional and confidential and she afforded all students, staff and families, respect and dignity. We wish her all the best for her retirement when she will be able to spend more time with family and her grandchildren as well as continuing her love of travelling. 

Some photos from the final meeting and end of year lunch with the Leaders of Kildare Ministries.