A word from Echuca's new Principal, Anne Marie Cairns

On Wednesday 2nd March, I was blessed to be commissioned in to the role of Principal at our wonderful College. 

Firstly, I want to sincerely thank the Trustees of Kildare Ministries and Kildare Education Ministries for giving me the opportunity and trusting me to lead this wonderful community that is St Joseph’s. I am well aware of the privilege and the responsibility that comes with this ministry. I am energised and challenged by the prospect of leading and further building upon what has already been established by principals and leadership teams of the College that have gone before me.  I take this opportunity to thank the current College Leadership Team for their support and patience with me as I lean in to this new context.

The state of our Church today calls for leadership that is determined, stoic and compassionate. Our communities and our young people are in need of guidance that is responsive to their lives, relevant to our society today and re-instates Jesus at the centre.  

This is especially the case in the current climate where trust in our Church needs to be rebuilt, it is important that we continue to have open hearts and minds to see the extraordinary potential and possibilities for creating life giving schools where students, teachers and families, in partnership, come to know their God given gifts and how these gifts can transform our world. In a way, we at St Joseph’s are undergoing a transformation of sorts as we move to a multi campus College. The opportunities that this will bring our community are endless, but make no mistake it will also bring some challenges. Together as a faith community we will navigate these and we will always maintain our students at the centre of all that we do.

My passion and commitment to learning comes from a strong belief that a Catholic education nurtures and promotes confidence, optimism and resilience that enables students to make a difference locally and globally, now and in the future.   

I am excited by the prospects of leading this community, a community with a charism steeped in tradition and a heritage rich in Catholic culture and an obvious commitment and dedication to the ‘other’. Whilst I am new to the Brigidine tradition, I know that I am blessed to be a part of a tradition that not only deliberately and intentionally refuses to ‘other’ but one that embraces all and welcomes all to the table. A tradition that is counter cultural, a tradition that sees people, hears people, knows people and loves people, a tradition that does not shy away from a challenge. This is a commitment that we foster in our students.

We have also recently commissioned our student leaders; I hope and pray for God’s blessings on them as they navigate their way through the year; a year that will bring challenge and joy. I hope they will lead with compassion and courage as they address issues of justice and that we as a community always remain hospitable to all as we at St Joseph’s remain in awe and wonder of the gifts and talents that all people hold.

At St Joseph’s, as we grow, we will maintain our commitment to One Culture, One Community, One College; a College that is Multi Campus. While talking about the multi campus again, I have some very exciting news to announce regarding the naming of our two campuses.

Recommendations from the Naming Committee have now been approved by the Kildare Ministries Board and Trustees and it gives me great pleasure to announce, our Dickson Street site, will now be referred to as the Brigidine Campus and our Mt Terrick Road site will be referred to as Kildare Campus. 

These names have been selected as we acknowledge the need and desire to honour the Brigidine Sisters and the wonderful legacy of the Order, in the establishment and years of service at our Dickson Street site.

Kildare was considered appropriate for our new campus as we transform our College into a multi campus community.

The transformative vision of Kildare Education Ministries is at the centre of our learning and teaching within our faith community and is considered the future of our College.

Thank you and God Bless.

Anne Marie Cairns

Principal