Principal Reflections

A Short Message from Dr Jake

Dear Parents & Friends, 

I wanted to take a moment to address an important matter that is currently affecting our school and, in turn, your children's education - the staffing shortage. Like many educational institutions across the country, we are facing significant challenges due to the lack of available teachers, especially casual teachers to cover staff absences. We want to assure you that we are doing everything in our power to mitigate the impact and provide the best learning environment for your children.

The staffing shortage is a result of several factors that have converged over the past few years. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the education sector in unprecedented ways, leading to a loss of experienced teachers and support staff. Some individuals chose to retire early, while others sought alternative career paths due to the demanding nature of the pandemic and its aftermath. 

Additionally, the current labour market is experiencing a shortage of qualified candidates in various professions, including education. The overall job market has become increasingly competitive, making it challenging to attract and retain talented educators. This shortage affects not only our school but many others as well, creating a widespread issue that requires collective efforts to address. Unfortunately there are a number of schools trying to fill vacancies at present and not just in our school system.

That being said, we regret to inform you that three of our valued teachers, Annie Madden, Leisa Crane and Sean Killeen, have recently resigned from their positions at our school and will be finishing up at the end of this term. Annie is heading to Tokyo, Leisa has accepted a teaching position at St Joseph's Quirindi, while Sean will be moving to Bundaberg to take up a position at St Patrick's.  Additionally, Char Killeen has accepted a role with ANZUK Education in their HR department. We appreciate their dedication and contributions to our school community and wish them all the best in their new endeavours.

We understand that the resignations of Annie, Leisa and Sean, in addition to the existing staffing shortage and lack of casual teachers, will have an impact on our school. While we strive to maintain a high standard of education, it is important to acknowledge that these challenges may further exacerbate certain aspects of our school's operations. With the changes to our leadership for the next semester and the teacher resignations, our leadership team have been working to resolve the lack of applicants and will be interviewing prospective teachers over the next couple of weeks.

Please be assured that we are actively seeking solutions to overcome these difficulties. Our leadership team is working tirelessly with the Catholic Schools Office to attract new staff members, exploring innovative recruitment strategies, and collaborating with educational institutions and organisations to identify potential candidates. We are also investing in professional development opportunities to support our current staff and ensure they have the necessary resources to excel in their roles.

We appreciate your patience and understanding during these challenging times. We encourage open lines of communication, so please do not hesitate to reach out to us with any questions or concerns you may have. Together, we can navigate through this staffing shortage and continue to provide a nurturing and enriching environment for your children.

We would also like to extend our gratitude to our dedicated staff members who are working diligently to deliver a quality education despite the challenges they face. Their commitment to your children's well-being and academic growth is truly commendable.

I want to assure you that we are fully committed to addressing the staffing vacancies and its impact on our school. We value your support and partnership as we work towards finding sustainable solutions. By working together, we can ensure that your children receive the education they deserve and that our school continues to thrive.

Thank you for your understanding and ongoing support.

Should you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to us as we are only too happy to help.

Peace & Best Wishes

Dr Jake Madden

(Principal, St Edward's Primary School)