Catholic Education, Diocese of Cairns

Queensland, Australia

(07) 4050 9700
  • Home
  • About
    • Catholic Education in the Cairns Diocese
    • The Catholic School Difference
    • History
    • Bishop’s Message
    • Executive Director’s Welcome
    • Reconciliation
    • Vision, Logo and Motto
    • Strategic Directions
    • Church Structure and Governance
    • Catholic Education Services
    • Funding
    • Policies, Directives and Guidelines
    • Modern Slavery Statement
    • Conduct, Complaints & Grievances
    • Safeguarding Children
    • Links
  • Our Schools
    • Search Catholic Schools in the Cairns Region
    • Newman Catholic College
    • Outside School Hours Care
    • 2021 School Annual Reports
  • Enrolling
    • Mythbusting FAQs
    • Who can Enrol?
    • Apply to Enrol
    • Fees and Discounts
    • Starting Prep
    • Early Learning & Care
  • Your Education
    • Religious Education
    • Curriculum
    • Contemporary Learning
    • Assessment and Reporting
    • Languages
    • Vocational Education & Training (VET)
    • Diverse Learners
      • Enrolment Support and Transitions
      • Students with Disability – Education Adjustment Program
      • Planning for Students
      • Specialist & Support Services
        • Cairns Catholic and Independent Schools Therapy (ACCIST)
      • Therapy and Disability Awareness
      • Nationally Consistent Collection of Data (NCCD)
      • Gifted and Talented
      • English as an additional language or dialect (EAL/D)
    • International Education
    • First Nations Peoples
    • Resource Centre
    • Continuity of Learning
  • Our School Communities
    • School Boards and P&F Executives
      • Constitutions
      • Formation Readings
      • The modern Catholic school
      • Formation Videos
      • Code of Ethics
      • Templates
      • Grants
      • Prayers for Meetings
    • Information for Parents
      • Term Dates and Pupil-Free Days
      • Scholarships and Bursaries
      • School Transport Assistance
      • Student Care Insurance
    • The Reading Room
      • Raise Magazine
      • Links to best practice in parent engagement
      • Student Health and Wellbeing
        • A modern Catholic guide to the mass media
      • Ideas for the modern Catholic school
      • Inclusive Education
    • Parent Engagement
      • Parent Involvement at School
      • School boards and P&Fs
      • Parent engagement in student learning at home
      • Getting ready for Prep
      • Volunteer Training
    • Catholic Faith Perspectives
      • The modern Catholic school and religious education
      • Information for non-Catholics
      • Reflections on Faith and the Catholic School
        • Readings and commentary
        • Prayers and Reflections
          • Prayers and Reflections 2021
          • Prayers and Reflections 2020
        • Pope Francis
    • Education Updates
  • Careers
  • News & Events
    • Media & Communications
    • Critical Incidents & School Closures
    • Coronavirus COVID-19
      • Coronavirus COVID-19 Archived Updates and Advices
      • Coronavirus COVID-19 Resources
    • Raise Magazine
    • Latest News
    • Catholic Education Week
  • Contact Us
    • Contact Details
    • How to make a complaint
Home > Latest News > Principal Profile: Gavin Rick, St Joseph’s School, Parramatta Park
post

Principal Profile: Gavin Rick, St Joseph’s School, Parramatta Park

10/12/2019 By Stephanie Meekings

With more than 30 years of experience in Catholic education, Gavin is both proud and honoured to be the principal of St Joseph’s School. The Parramatta Park primary school was recently transformed from the 
oldest school in the city to the most modern with innovative new learning spaces inside a state-of-the-art, three-storey building. We spoke to Gavin about the values a principal should uphold, opening day of the renovated school and his proudest moment as a leader of his school community.

What do you hope to achieve in your role as principal? 

There are so many things I want to achieve, the most important of all being to inspire teachers to want to improve each child’s experience of learning so that they want to learn more. Beyond this, I want all families to experience the sacredness and security of a welcoming and connected community and to want to contribute to it. I want to lead school staff in walking beside and supporting parents in their quest to raise ethical, resilient and good people who want to improve humanity and the world. 

What makes you most proud to be the leader of your school community? 

I am proud in the small moments of learning, when I can see that a teacher or staff member has positively impacted learning resulting in excitement, the ‘aha’ moments. I am also proud in the momentous events for example where our community designed and built a whole new school which enables collaborative and innovative learning and teaching to occur. I experience great sense of pride when I walk through our learning habitats and witness the ‘learning hum’. This enhances the wellbeing of all. 

What makes a great teacher? 

A great teacher has many qualities and the most important one is that they see themselves as a learner too. It is true that the mark of a great teacher is one that leaves students feeling valued, connected to and inspired to learn. Children need to feel safe to be able to take risks in learning and so the teacher’s ability to build relationships is foundational. Teachers also need to be highly organised, adaptable and resilient. 

How did your education shape you to be the person you are today? 

I was inspired by great teachers to want to teach. One teacher in particular who connected learning with the real world kept me motivated and engaged; she inspired me to want to inspire others to be the same. 

What motto, affirmation or prayer do you live by?

‘Never see a need without doing something about it’ is a famous saying of St Mary MacKillop and in my life when I need to, I also recall her other saying ‘God will provide’. We are given what we need in life, we just need to see it and make it work. 

What is the highlight of your career so far as principal? 

The highlight so far would have to be the opening day of our new school and the culmination of the years of learning that we did as a staff to arrive at that great event. The look, feel and sounds of the children, parents and staff as they entered the school on the opening morning will remain with me forever – the positivity, excitement and expectancy was tangible. 

What do you think are the most important values a principal should uphold? 

A principal needs to be ‘outward and others’ focused, always striving to improve themselves so they can help and inspire others. A principal needs to be kind to all no matter what and be a good listener. Many situations require a principal to be a creative thinker and a good problem solver, thinking outside the square. Like great teachers, a principal needs to be a learner first. 

Find out more about St Joseph’s School, Parramatta Park.  

Back

Filed Under: Latest News

Latest News

  • Record enrolments for Cairns Catholic schools
  • Principal Profile: Narelle Hunt, Mount St Bernard College, Herberton
  • Future-Proofing Teaching in the Far North 
  • Stage Two of State-of-the-Art Catholic College Underway
  • Staff Spotlight: Shana Backshall on Changing Careers
  • CES Farewells Lifelong Contributor
  • Principal Profile: Ruth Mallon, Mother of Good Counsel School, North Cairns
  • Novel Idea: Students Share Love of Books
  • Staff Spotlight: Shannon Grantley, Highly Accomplished Teacher
  • Principal Profile: Glen Seivers, St Augustine’s College, Parramatta Park
Policies Safeguarding Children Conduct, Complaints & Grievances

Enrolling

  • The Catholic School Difference
  • Our Schools
  • Search Catholic Schools in the Cairns Region
  • Who can Enrol?
  • Apply to Enrol
  • Fees and Discounts
  • Scholarships and Bursaries

For Parents

  • Term Dates and Pupil-Free Days
  • Parent Engagement
  • School Boards and P&F Executives
  • The Reading Room
  • Critical Incidents & School Closures
  • School Transport Assistance
  • Student Care Insurance
  • Federation of Parents & Friends Associations
  • Cairns Diocesan P&F Council

Quick Links

  • Links
  • Resource Centre

Staff Links

  • Staff Portal
  • Staff Email
  • School CMS
  • Help Desk
NCSS
  • Aboriginal Flag
  • Torres Strait flag
  • We acknowledge the First Nations peoples of Australia, the traditional custodians of the land, seas, skies and waterways on which we reside, work, travel and meet. We pay our respect to First Nations elders past, present, and emerging, and support the Uluru Statement From The Heart. We acknowledge that the land, seas, skies and waterways of Australia were, are and always will be, that of the First Nations peoples.

Copyright © 2023 Catholic Education, Diocese of Cairns | Log in | Copyright | Privacy | Web Disclaimer | Conditions of Use

Join Us!

(07) 4050 9700