Principal

Dear School Community,

This week, we share a reflection titled Drawing New Maps of Hope, written by Pope Leo XIV to mark the 60th anniversary of Gravissimum educationis, the Church’s foundational document on education. 

Written for a time of rapid change, uncertainty, and growing pressures on children and young people, the reflection invites the Church, schools and families to pause and renew their commitment to education as a deeply human and hopeful endeavour. It reminds us that Catholic education is not driven solely by outcomes or pathways, but by love for each child, recognising their inherent dignity and forming the whole person, mind, heart, body and spirit.

The reflection affirms parents as the first and most important educators of their children, with Catholic schools existing to walk alongside families in partnership. It places strong emphasis on relationships, inclusion and care for the most vulnerable, calling schools to remain communities where every child is known, valued, and encouraged. 

Pope Leo XIV also speaks to the wise and ethical use of technology, reminding us that human connection must always remain at the heart of learning. Drawing New Maps of Hope is a shared call to look ahead with courage and trust, encouraging Catholic education to remain a beacon of hope, placing people before systems, relationships before programs and love at the centre of all we do as we work together to support every child to flourish.

Guided by this shared vision of education as an act of hope, Catholic Special School is structured to ensure strong, relational leadership across both campuses, aligned with the Leadership Matrix for Catholic Special School which was sent out last week.

As Principal, I hold oversight of the whole school across Our Lady of La Vang School campus and St Patrick’s Special School campus, ensuring consistency of vision, values, and strategic direction. 

Each campus is led locally for Term 1: 

Head of Campus;  Toni Fitzgerald at Our Lady of La Vang School and Sean Perry at St Patrick’s Special School, who provide day‑to‑day leadership, pastoral oversight, and operational management, supported by Deputy Heads of Campus, Sarah Hillard (Our Lady of La Vang) and Melanie Condon (St Patrick's Special School), who work closely with staff, students, and families to support teaching, learning, and wellbeing.

This distributed leadership model reflects our commitment to relationships, inclusion, and shared responsibility. Supporting both campuses are key whole‑school roles that strengthen coherence and care across the community. Our Business Manager, Diana Atkinson, works across both sites to ensure sound stewardship of resources, while our Lead Allied Health professional, Kylie Karvelis, leads our Allied Health Team and supports our Behaviour for Learning. Our Assistant Principal: Religious Identity and Mission, Rebecca Churchman Hope, leads faith formation and supports the Catholic identity of the school across both campuses. Together, this leadership structure enables Catholic Special School to remain person‑centred and hope‑filled, placing people before systems and ensuring every child is known, valued, and supported to flourish.

Kind regards

Shannon Correll

Principal