Executive Director's Update to Principals #32: Principalship at St Mary's Primary School, Warracknabeal - 15 Jul 2021

Principalship at St Mary’s Primary School, Warracknabeal

Late last week, Joy Quarrell advised me of her intention to resign as Principal of St Mary’s Primary School, Warracknabeal, effective at the end of Term 4. As Joy will be taking well-deserved Long Service Leave during Term 1, 2022, her time as Principal will effectively conclude at the end of this school year.

Joy has been an extremely valuable member of the Ballarat Diocesan Catholic Education community for over forty years. Following her graduation from the then Aquinas College, Ballarat in 1974, Joy initially taught at St Mary’s Primary School, Hamilton before leaving the diocese briefly to work in St Mary’s Primary School, Greensborough. In 1988, Joy returned to the diocese to take up an appointment at St Augustine’s Primary School, Creswick, followed by St Aloysius Primary School, Redan, and Ss Michael and John’s Primary School, Horsham, before taking up her current appointment in 2006 as Principal of St Mary’s Primary School, Warracknabeal.

Joy always presents as a woman of deep personal faith with a clear passion for ensuring the best for all the children and staff in her care over the years. She clearly has a passion for children who need special care and extra assistance.

Whilst those she has worked with over the years will speak positively of her time in each of her settings, her time at St Mary’s, Warracknabeal has been a remarkable demonstration of her strength and capability as a Catholic School Leader. Some of her achievements include rebuilding the school facilities, doubling the enrolment of the school, and building an effective staff team to provide the best for the students of the school. She has also been a valued colleague and a great friend to her teacher and principal colleagues over the years.

On behalf of the Diocesan Education Community, I congratulate Joy on her contribution to Catholic Education over the years and wish her all the best for a long and happy retirement.

Tom Sexton
Executive Director, Catholic Education Ballarat