Would you like to contribute your skills to the development of Catholic education in the Good Samaritan Benedictine tradition, nurturing the best possible educational opportunities for students within a faith community?
Good Samaritan Education, the Church body established in 2011 to oversee the ethos, mission and stewardship of the ten incorporated Good Samaritan Colleges is seeking potential Directors for these College boards.
“People of good will, from all walks of life may be appointed as Directors,” said Kay Herse, Good Samaritan Education’s Executive Officer.
“The foremost requirement is that each person comes with his or her own life experience, knowledge and gifts, and is prepared to share them for the benefit of the school community.
“Directors should have a sincere desire to seek God, to live the Gospel life and to listen to the voice of the Spirit in order to contribute fully to the work of the Board,” she explained.
The journey of education in the Good Samaritan Benedictine spirit began in 1861 with the establishment of the first school at Sussex Street in Sydney. From that humble beginning, the Sisters of the Good Samaritan gradually developed a network of schools across the eastern states of Australia.
In reading the signs of the times as they relate to the Congregation and its schools, the Sisters discerned that 2011 was the appropriate time to establish a new Church entity to oversee Good Samaritan schools and Good Samaritan Education was born.
Today there are ten incorporated Colleges in Australia founded in the Good Samaritan Benedictine tradition: in Queensland, Lourdes Hill College Hawthorne; in New South Wales, St Scholastica’s College Glebe, Rosebank College Five Dock, Mount St Benedict College Pennant Hills, Stella Maris College Manly, St Mary Star of the Sea College Wollongong, St Patrick’s College Campbelltown and Mater Dei Camden; and in Victoria, Mater Christi College Belgrave and Santa Maria College Northcote.
“Each school has a distinctive spirit that connects them to the local Church in which they are situated. Yet, there are also common characteristics,” said Kay.
“One of the strongest markers of all our schools is surely their spirit of co-operation and collaboration. Principal, staff, students, parents, Board of Directors and Members of the Company work together with the Members of Good Samaritan Education to develop quite remarkable educational communities where all are valued and welcomed.
“The potential to make a difference in our world through this collaboration and interaction is enormous. Yet, we are also aware that providing the very best Catholic education possible today requires great skill, generosity and disciplined planning. We are very grateful to the many people who have contributed and are contributing to this important ministry as Directors on the Boards of Good Samaritan schools.”
Good Samaritan Education maintains a register of potential Directors for Boards to draw upon when a vacancy arises. According to Kay, this has enabled the Colleges “to access people of dedication with the skills required” to guide the schools confidently into the future.
Information evenings to learn more about being a Director and participating in the work of Good Samaritan Education will be held from May 20 until June 19. Skills that would be valuable include education, law, finance, risk management, human resources, project management, marketing or public relations.
For more information contact Kay Herse (Executive Officer, Good Samaritan Education), Ph: (07) 3311 5412 or Email: executiveofficer@goodsameducation.org.au or visit Good Samaritan Education.
