St Anne's College 

Advisory Council

Honoured to attend commissioning Mass

Catholic Education Sandhurst Ltd (CES Ltd) held a Leadership Commissioning Mass and dinner on March 28 which I was honoured to be invited to and attend. During the Mass, new Principals, School Advisory Council Chairs, CES Ltd Board and Committee members, along with Senior Leaders were commissioned into their new positions. We were privileged to have Bishop Shane Mackinlay as our celebrant for the commissioning liturgy. During his homily, Bishop Shane spoke of the need to be inspirational leaders with a vision and a path to realising their goals and ensuring their teams have the support and tools to achieve these aspirations.

During dinner we had the pleasure to hear from CES Ltd Chief Executive Officer Paul Desmond along with Monsignor Peter Jeffrey and CECV Implementation Committee (CIC) Chair James Merlino, who gave an inspiring speech about his love of education and those who motivated him along the way. CES Ltd also outlined their Strategic Vision for 2023-2027 where their aim is to keep the student at the heart of their efforts, focusing on five key areas being: (1) being an authentic Catholic community; (2) to prize best practice; (3) to focus always upon the other; (4) to be responsible stewards; and (5) to nurture a healthy, safe learning community. 

It was lovely to meet other Advisory Council Chairs and Principals from across the Sandhurst diocese as well as CES Ltd leaders. The event saw new connections made and the Sandhurst community together engaging in energetic conversations. 

I’d like to wish everyone a very safe and happy Easter! I hope you are able to enjoy some special family time during the school holidays (and maybe some chocolate too!).  Wishing you all the very best.

 - Jeni Nind, St Anne's College Advisory Council Chair

Clint O'Brien new Advisory Council Deputy Chair

Hi students and parents of St Anne’s College. My name is Clint O’Brien and I’ve been recently appointed to the position of Deputy Chair of the St Anne’s College Advisory Council. My wife and I have three children (two daughters and a son) plus a variety of pets, which all together keep us quite busy. We have called Kialla home now for the last 7 years, and overall I have lived and worked in Shepparton for over 20 years. 

Our daughters, aged 7 and 9, are both presently attending St Anne’s College in School of Wonder (Year 2 and Year 3). Our girls attend St Anne’s because we feel the teachings and values inherent in Catholic education are important as they learn and grow. The modern facilities are also proving to be very popular with our little ones, and it has been a pleasure to see how the school has evolved over the last few years.

As a new member of the St Anne’s College Advisory Council, I am rapidly improving my understanding of the considerable work that is done throughout the organisation to optimise the educational experience for all involved. As such, I look forward to contributing, in whatever way I can, to supporting this important work. Please don’t hesitate to stop for a chat as I’m often at school at pick-up time.

 - Clint O'Brien, St Anne's College Advisory Council Deputy Chair