School Advisory Council

Over the coming weeks, we are going to share a brief bio of our School Advisory Council Members.

This week: Missie Preston

About me:

Hi, I am Dorothea (a.k.a. Missie) Preston (nee Ferguson), mum to Leah (Grade 5) and Kellie (Grade 3).   My husband (Hamish) and I both grew up in Melbourne and we moved from beachside Melbourne to the area in 2017.

My love for the area developed as a child, as my father grew up in Beechworth, and I would spend many school holidays enjoying the region with extended family.  We love living in this region, I call Paradise, although I do miss the Mentone/ Parkdale beach!

My working life has kept me busy in the construction and waste management industries for over 25 years managing Safety, Environment, Quality, and Human Resources.

Why I am on / value the School Advisory Council:

I became involved in the School Council as I was keen to see how a small school operated and to offer my time with school matters/activities outside of business hours.  Being on the School Council provides an understanding of the effort the teachers and staff put in to make things happen. 

It is great to have the opportunity to be involved in upcoming events, share ideas, offer expertise and make suggestions that benefit the whole School Community. 

What do you love about St.Joseph’s:

We were originally drawn to St. Joseph’s as it was a small school and felt that our children would not be lost like so many do in large schools in Melbourne.  We were initially attracted to Kitty Hancock’s ability to engage so well with our girls in the first meeting – it just felt like the right choice.

St. Joseph’s continues to be a place of care and understanding of children’s needs, a safe place, a welcoming place, and a place where teachers and staff are always available to meet the needs of the students and school community.