School Advisory Council

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

This week: Simone Nolan

About Me:

Hi, St. Joe’s community, my name is Simone Nolan, I’m the Mum of Beatrix in Grade 5.

I grew up locally in Tarrawingee in Bpangerang Country. After spending time away, almost 12 years ago, My husband Sam and I left the inner north of Melbourne to return our family to the beautiful North East. Our two boys Jasper and Rufus have also attended St. Joes’ for part of their primary school years. I’ve worked in the arts and museum sector for over 20 years, I am currently the Manager of Arts Culture and Events for the Rural City of Wangaratta.

Why I am on/ value the School Advisory Council:

When we first came to St. Joe’s in 2010, there were only 64 kids at the school and the community spirit was low. There was a new Principal ( Kitty Hancock)  who wanted to build up the school, Kitty’s heart was in the right place and she passionately welcomed parental engagement. I was grieving the School Community we had left in Thornbury and I was keen to recreate that for my family. It wasn’t long before we found a great bunch of families who wanted to work together to build the school up and make it a community we all wanted to be part of.

Since then, the school hasn’t looked back, the great work has continued now with our current Principal Carly and the great team she has built around her.

I have valued the opportunity to be able to be involved with the school, and that St. Joe’s has always embraced parent engagement. Whether it be on the school advisory committee or working on the P&F, or just helping out where you can, parental engagement and family involvement are the heartbeats of a school community. It creates the most treasured memories for our children.

What do you love about St. Joe’s:

We were spoilt for choice in Beechworth, we toured all 3 schools to find the right one for our family. Our decision was made by the welcoming, kind staff that made our children feel safe and cared for. We were impressed by the schools' motivation toward student wellbeing, social justice, the open-door policy where everyone is welcome and most importantly the ethos of kindliness.

Carly and the staff live and breathe all of these qualities, we wouldn’t be anywhere else.