A new face is walking the corridors of Good Shepherd Catholic College, principal Kathleen McCarthy.
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Ms McCarthy moved to Mount Isa from Townsville in December and brings with her a wealth of knowledge and leadership skills.
Working in senior leadership roles for about 15 years, Ms McCarthy held roles of deputy principal and acting and assisting principal and has now obtained the role of principal at Good Shepherd Catholic College.
Ms McCarthy filled in as acting principal at GSCC in 2019 and said when the principal job was advertised she couldn't resist.
"I had a great experience when I was out here mid-last year and I found the town was really friendly," she said.
"I enjoyed the students and saw that the teachers were very committed, so when the position came up at the end of the year, I thought 'lets do it'.
"As well as leadership roles, I was also a teacher for 25 years with a Religion, English and Japanese background."
The start to 2020 had been exciting and busy for Ms McCarthy, who said said some big plans were in the works.
"The school has adopted a theme for the year and that is 'Presence'," she said.
"This year is the 60th anniversary of the Christian Brothers here in Mount Isa, so we will be celebrating how they have influenced our school.
"And we will also be using the idea of presence to try and build our profile in the Mount Isa community, so we will be looking to tap into the things that the community are doing and get the community involved in our school.
"Also really trying to engage our parents as learning partners, so how can we have more parent involvement in what we are doing in the school and informing them of the wonderful things we do here at Good Shepherd. This started with big numbers at our P&F meeting last week.
"This year we also have the opening of our new Trade Centre in term three."
Ms McCarthy said her and her family had settled into her new role and Mount Isa quite easily.
"I am married with three children, one is a teacher one is studying medicine and my youngest is at school at GSCC," she said.
"Growing up we spent a lot of time on our family's property west of Charters Towers, so I have a bit of an idea about the rural context, but Mount Isa is new place for us.
"I think Mount Isa has the best of both worlds being set in outback Queensland while still having the luxuries of a small city."
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Samantha Campbell
Samantha Campbell (nee Walton) has worked for regional and rural publications across New South Wales, Queensland and the Northern Territory. She is currently writing for the North Queensland Register based in North West Queensland. Email: samantha.campbell@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Samantha Campbell (nee Walton) has worked for regional and rural publications across New South Wales, Queensland and the Northern Territory. She is currently writing for the North Queensland Register based in North West Queensland. Email: samantha.campbell@austcommunitymedia.com.au
