Farewell to Mrs Denise Morrow

There was laughter and tears recently when we came together to farewell Mrs Denise Morrow, our longest-serving staff member who has been a part of the St Stephen’s community for 18 years! In fact, Denise’s service exceeds the number of years we have had students at the College as she commenced in the early days of our development.

When the College first opened for operation, there was a very small staff, with Denise therefore having to cover multiple roles and tasks including; personal assistant to the Principal, first aid, tuckshop, gardening, cleaning, learning support, teacher aid, reception, newsletters, enrolments, finances, human resources and the development of a lot of the procedures and processes needed to get the College up and running. 

Foundation Principal, Mr Gerry Simon, visited the College last week to take part in Denise’s farewell gathering and to reminisce about the early days of Denise’s service. Gerry noted that he still remembers the day he first spoke to Denise on the phone when she applied for the job. His first thought was ‘this person is pretty good!’. Denise was away at the time and so Gerry had to wait for her return to conduct the interview, saying he was really grateful that he waited for her because she did a marvellous job.

In the early days we sort of did everything … I couldn't write a role description because she literally did everything. 

Gerry went on to recall that Denise was instrumental at this time when there was so much that had to be done from tuckshop to handbooks, also noting that Denise was always marvellous with people, particularly the parents of the College and the kids. 

Gerry thanked Denise for everything she has done for St Stephen’s staying,

You really have been a gift to St Stephen's … you did what had to be done and I thank you very, very much for all you've given to the college.

Current Teacher Librarian, Mrs Simone Gillies (another of our long-serving staff members) recalls more fond memories from the very early days of the College,

Tuckshop once a week was pasta or sausage sizzle. Both Denise and I would cook and serve, make frozen cups, and fill the fridge with drinks. Denise would serve (the tuckshop was in the staff room located in between A & D block) while keeping an ear out for the phone in the office (A1 was the office), running between serving the kids and answering the phone.

 

Denise was the heart of the school in the early years. She kept everything and everyone running.

Another long-serving member of staff, Curriculum Administrator Mrs Rosie Rantucci, shares,

Denise had the best sneezes!  From wherever you were in the old admin building, you could hear her sneezing from the front counter. So I would ring her phone and bless her.

 

Denise was the mother we would talk to besides our own mother, we would look forward to coming to work and venting our worries.  She would start crying before you even started.

Our Middle Leader Logistics, Ms Andrea Chiesa, shares a similar sentiment saying,

St Stephen's Catholic College is a community that strives to create a sense of family. This is part of our mission statement and Denise really lived this mission - she held it very dear and it was very precious to her. 

Denise is now looking forward to a new chapter in her life but in a parting message said that she has made so many wonderful friends at St Stephen's and loved every minute of her time at the College saying, ‘It's been a wonderful journey’.

We wish Denise all the very best for her retirement and the years that lie ahead. She has certainly played a significant role in the foundation and development of our wonderful College and her contribution to St Stephen’s will never be forgotten.