Assistant Principal - Religious Identity & Mission 

Honoured to serve St Virgil's College

I am delighted to be joining the St Virgil’s College community as the new Assistant Principal – Religious Identity and Mission. Having recently relocated from Central Queensland, I am very much looking forward to settling into Hobart and becoming part of this vibrant and welcoming Edmund Rice community.

For the past six years, I have served in a similar role at a secondary Catholic college in Rockhampton. Those years were deeply formative, strengthening my passion for faith leadership, student engagement, and the richness of Catholic tradition. I also thoroughly enjoy teaching, and I am very much looking forward to being back in the classroom working with our young men to ensure the Edmund Rice Touchstones are not merely spoken about, but lived authentically in the daily life of the College.

It has already been a privilege to begin collaborating with our Senior Campus Chaplain, Fr Suresh, whose gentle presence and pastoral wisdom are wonderful gifts to our community. I look forward to working closely with him to support meaningful faith initiatives and opportunities for our young men. It was particularly special to have Fr  Suresh lead our Blessing of the Bags on the students’ first day back an important reminder that their learning, friendships, and efforts throughout the year are held in God’s care. His involvement in our Year 7 New Beginnings Program was also deeply appreciated, helping to ensure that every student feels welcomed, included, and valued, no matter where they come from or what their faith identity may be.

A key focus for me will be empowering student voice and supporting service opportunities across the College. Our young men have an extraordinary capacity for compassion and leadership, and I am eager to help guide them through initiatives such as Vinnies Youth and other forms of Outreach that allow them to stand with those who need support and solidarity.

As an Irish person, I feel a natural connection to the story of Blessed Edmund Rice. His commitment to compassion, courage, justice, and service continues to inspire my work and serves as a touchstone for all we hope to nurture in our students.

In this Year of St Francis, I am especially inspired by the possibilities offered by our stunning bushland campus. We are blessed with a natural environment that reflects the beauty of creation in a profound and tangible way. I hope that regular access to this space will deepen in our young men a sense of wonder, gratitude, and responsibility for the world around them — encouraging them to grow as thoughtful, practical stewards of creation both now and into the future. St Francis reminds us that creation is a gift entrusted to our care, and I look forward to exploring with students the many ways we can honour that call.

I am grateful for the warm welcome I have already received and look forward to meeting students, families, and staff as together we continue to grow a community rooted in faith, service, and hope.