{"id":9707,"date":"2026-03-06T07:00:20","date_gmt":"2026-03-05T21:00:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bardonnews.com.au\/index.php\/women-leading-the-way-in-seq-catholic-school-communities\/"},"modified":"2026-03-06T17:32:27","modified_gmt":"2026-03-06T07:32:27","slug":"women-leading-the-way-in-seq-catholic-school-communities","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/bardonnews.com.au\/index.php\/women-leading-the-way-in-seq-catholic-school-communities\/","title":{"rendered":"Women Leading the Way in SEQ Catholic School Communities"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Communities across South East Queensland are seeing more women step into the top jobs at their local Catholic schools, with a growing number of female educators appointed as principals and heads of college in recent years. As International Women\u2019s Day approaches on 8 March, Brisbane Catholic Education <\/a>(BCE) has highlighted the appointment of 29 women to principalship or head of college or campus roles over the past two years, reflecting a shift toward stronger female representation in school leadership.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From Graceville and Bardon to Mango Hill, Birkdale and Scarborough, these appointments are shaping the future of education in neighbourhoods across the region. For families, students and staff, it means welcoming experienced educators who will guide school communities through the next chapter of learning and growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

BCE\u2019s People and Culture Executive Cathy Heffernan said the appointments reflect a broader effort to support and prepare more women for leadership roles in schools.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSince the program commenced, 38 per cent of participants have progressed into Head of College, Principal or BCE office leadership roles,\u201d Ms Heffernan said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBeyond appointments, the program builds confidence, capability and connection, qualities that are essential for leadership in today\u2019s educational landscape.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"
Jessica Lusk, Head of College Unity College (Secondary), Caloundra West<\/em>
Photo Credit: Supplied<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Across BCE schools, female principalship has increased from 33 per cent in 2021 to 50 per cent in 2026. In BCE offices, women now make up 64 per cent of leadership roles, up from 48 per cent in 2021.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many of the recently appointed leaders have participated in BCE\u2019s Women in Leadership program, which was reimagined in 2024 to strengthen leadership pathways and build a pipeline of future-ready female leaders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For educators like Notre Dame College, Bells Creek Head of College Jasmine Brown, the program has had a lasting impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFor me the program highlighted the importance of women actively supporting and advocating for one another,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI also found the course an opportunity to connect with other like-minded women who shared the same aspirations for senior leadership.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe impact of the program has endured well beyond its conclusion, particularly for me through the lasting professional relationships I have built.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"
Jasmine Brown, Head of College Notre Dame College, Bells Creek
Photo Credit: Supplied<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Since March 2024, a number of schools across South East Queensland have welcomed new female leaders, including appointments at St Mary\u2019s College in Ipswich, St Patrick\u2019s Primary School in Nanango, Unity College in Caloundra West, and St Francis College in Crestmead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other appointments span communities including Graceville, Bardon, Mango Hill, Ferny Grove, Birkdale, Zillmere, New Farm, Scarborough and Enoggera, where local school communities are now led by experienced educators committed to supporting students, families and staff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For BCE, the growing number of women stepping into leadership roles reflects a commitment to creating inclusive leadership pathways and recognising the vital contribution women make to education and their communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As schools across the region celebrate International Women\u2019s Day, these appointments highlight the strong role women continue to play in shaping the future of Catholic education across South East Queensland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Name<\/strong><\/td>Position<\/strong><\/td>School<\/strong><\/td>Suburb<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Alison Gilbert<\/td>Principal<\/td>St Mary\u2019s College<\/td>Ipswich<\/td><\/tr>
Sarah McCarthy<\/td>Principal<\/td>St Patrick\u2019s Primary School<\/td>Nanango<\/td><\/tr>
Jessica Lusk<\/td>Head of College (Secondary)<\/td>Unity College<\/td>Caloundra West<\/td><\/tr>
Nicole de Vries<\/td>Head of College (Primary)<\/td>Unity College<\/td>Caloundra West<\/td><\/tr>
Andrea Hickey<\/td>Head of Campus<\/td>St Francis College<\/td>Crestmead<\/td><\/tr>
Bernadette Wright<\/td>Principal<\/td>Christ the King School<\/td>Graceville<\/td><\/tr>
Carol Seagar<\/td>Principal<\/td>St Joseph\u2019s School<\/td>Bardon<\/td><\/tr>
Clare Hogan<\/td>Principal<\/td>Our Lady of Good Counsel School<\/td>Gatton<\/td><\/tr>
Renay Condon<\/td>Principal<\/td>St Benedict\u2019s Primary School<\/td>Mango Hill<\/td><\/tr>
Louise Parry<\/td>Principal<\/td>St Thomas More Primary School<\/td>Sunshine Beach<\/td><\/tr>
Amanda Steer<\/td>Principal<\/td>St Andrew\u2019s Catholic Primary School<\/td>Ferny Grove<\/td><\/tr>
Nadia Galetto<\/td>Head of College<\/td>St Bonaventure\u2019s College<\/td>Flagstone<\/td><\/tr>
Jo-Anne Boyle<\/td>Principal<\/td>Holy Spirit School<\/td>Bray Park<\/td><\/tr>
Gabrielle Jansen<\/td>Principal<\/td>St Mary MacKillop Primary School<\/td>Birkdale<\/td><\/tr>
Cheryl Bell<\/td>Principal<\/td>St Flannan\u2019s Primary School<\/td>Zillmere<\/td><\/tr>
Bianca Murphy<\/td>Principal<\/td>Holy Spirit School<\/td>New Farm<\/td><\/tr>
Liesl Profke<\/td>Principal<\/td>St Clare\u2019s Primary School<\/td>Yarrabilba<\/td><\/tr>
Tracey-lee Cheesman<\/td>Principal<\/td>Our Lady of Fatima Primary School<\/td>Acacia Ridge<\/td><\/tr>
Veronica Wasiak<\/td>Principal<\/td>St Michael\u2019s College<\/td>Merrimac<\/td><\/tr>
Gemma Lovell<\/td>Principal<\/td>Mother Teresa Primary School<\/td>Ormeau<\/td><\/tr>
Velma Erskine<\/td>Principal<\/td>St Joseph\u2019s Primary School<\/td>North Ipswich<\/td><\/tr>
Megan Pidskalny<\/td>Head of Campus<\/td>FisherONE Online Education<\/td>\u2014<\/td><\/tr>
Jasmine Brown<\/td>Head of College<\/td>Notre Dame College<\/td>Bells Creek<\/td><\/tr>
Melissa Fallarino<\/td>Head of Campus<\/td>Southern Cross Catholic College<\/td>Scarborough<\/td><\/tr>
Felicity Pryer<\/td>Principal<\/td>St Pius X School<\/td>Salisbury<\/td><\/tr>
Lisa Atholwood<\/td>Head of Campus<\/td>Emmaus College<\/td>Jimboomba<\/td><\/tr>
Sharon Collins<\/td>Principal<\/td>Siena Catholic College<\/td>Sippy Downs<\/td><\/tr>
Kate MacArthur<\/td>Principal<\/td>Our Lady of Assumption School<\/td>Enoggera<\/td><\/tr>
Helen Boyes<\/td>Principal<\/td>St Paul\u2019s School<\/td>Woodridge<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Published 6-March-2026<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Communities across South East Queensland are seeing more women step into the top jobs at their local Catholic schools, with a growing number of female educators appointed as principals and heads of college in recent years. As International Women\u2019s Day approaches on 8 March, Brisbane Catholic Education (BCE) has highlighted the appointment of 29 women … Continue reading “Women Leading the Way in SEQ Catholic School Communities”<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":22,"featured_media":9706,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[19],"tags":[606,672,677,676,671,673,675,678,674],"class_list":["post-9707","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-homepage-latest-news","tag-brisbane-catholic-education","tag-catholic-schools-queensland","tag-education-leadership","tag-female-principals","tag-international-womens-day","tag-school-leadership","tag-south-east-queensland-schools","tag-women-educators","tag-women-in-leadership"],"yoast_head":"\nWomen Leading the Way in SEQ Catholic School Communities - Bardon News<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"More women are stepping into principal roles across South East Queensland Catholic schools, strengthening leadership and shaping local school communities.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"noindex, nofollow\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Women Leading the Way in SEQ Catholic School Communities - 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