Principal's Message

Dear Kildare Community.

The end of the school year is upon us and there is no doubt in any of our minds that the year we have experienced together has been more different and challenging than any of us have previously experienced.

As we end the year I want to express my sincere thanks to the many of you who have stayed strong and loyal to Kildare, supporting us in our efforts. The distress of the natural disasters, along with the tensions of Rod Whelan’s situation, the massive impact of coronavirus, and the untimely death of Terry Kennedy are all matters that have affected us in extremely challenging ways. 

Yet through these passages of adversity we have reached the year’s end. We have not only survived, but through resilience, a continued commitment to focus on our students, and the appointment of Mr Christopher Browne as the new Principal, we are in a position to move forward into 2021 with hope and unity.

On your behalf I would like to express appreciation and thanks to the staff for remaining professional and united through the year, working hard for the College and in particular for your children. To members of staff leaving Kildare I wish them well and thank them for their work.

Firstly, to Rick Sidorko who came to support the Kildare community in the second half of 2020. Rick shared his gifts as a Catholic educational leader with us and we are grateful for his assistance in our time of need. 

We say farewell to Kira Lough at the end of this year and we would like to wish her all the best in the next steps in her career. Kira has made an outstanding contribution to the learning and wellbeing of students at our college over the past few years.  All the best Kira.

Thank you to Colleen Rainbird and Vicki Kenny who have stepped back from their Mathematics coordinating roles after many years of dedicated service. Both will be continuing at Kildare as classroom teachers. Congratulations to Amanda Brown and Tess O’Rourke who have accepted the positions of Mathematics KLA Coordinators commencing at the beginning of next year.

Angie Cooper has been seconded to CEDWW for three terms in 2021 as the Leader of School Performance, Growth and Development. This is a fantastic opportunity for Angie and we wish her all the best. Jackie Byrne and Timothy Bacon will be leading the PDHPE department in her absence. 

I would also like to take this opportunity to wish Penny Mackay well with the birth of her second child early next year. We are looking forward to welcoming a new baby to the Kildare family.

There have been many dedicated staff who have supported us this year on a short term or casual basis. These people have allowed us to provide a continuity of learning and wellbeing for the students in our care. Thank you to David Laub, Callum Potts, Kelly Collingridge, Madeline Bromhead, Sarah Gooden, Sarah Gestier, Cameron Gaffney, Audrey Taylor, Daine Pulver, Wayne Galvin, James Vickers, Ben Holt, Kath Needham, Keira Barnes, Ray Stephens, Ben Holt, Rhonda O’Connor, Sue Todd, Sarah Carter, Ben Colenso, Tony Hanson, Jacquie Sharpe, Dennis Naseby, Gibson Matimba, Rebecca Marian, Rachel Posselt, Natasha Lieschke, Anne Reardon, Clare Gaynor, Emma Henry and Monica Young. 

As at any end of year we bid farewell to students and families leaving Kildare. To those families we say farewell and best wishes. To the families and students returning next year we look forward to your return. Have a great break.

Finally I want to wish each and everyone of you a safe, happy and holy Christmas. May the blessings of the Christmas season bring peace and happiness to all in the Kildare community.