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: Sarah Hamilton, Holy Cross School, Trinity Park
post

Principal Profile: Sarah Hamilton, Holy Cross School, Trinity Park

20/11/2019 By Stephanie Meekings

This month we caught up with Sarah Hamilton, proud principal of Holy Cross School, Trinity Park. Sarah’s passion is evident when she speaks about her school, the students and families and her role as the leader of the Holy Cross school community. We spent five minutes chatting about what she hopes to achieve at Holy Cross, the impact of introducing Walker Learning to the school and how her education shaped her to be the person she is today.  

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

To help our students to be the best version of themselves. There is nothing that makes me happier than seeing our students find their ‘spark’ and consequently shine. And if our students sparkle and shine, then our teachers and their family sparkle and shine also. I see my role as Principal at Holy Cross School both as an incredible privilege and a complete honour. 

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

To be able to declare that Holy Cross School is my workplace. It truly is the most outstanding place to work. I am immensely proud to be associated with the Northern Beaches. I pinch myself every day! 

What makes a great teacher? 

Innovation, creativity, a sense of humour, openness, and a genuine desire to walk beside every student and their family no matter how great their needs. Oh, and the ability to burn the candle at both ends! 

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

My education instilled a strong work ethic, a desire to always push the bar just that little bit higher, the importance of teamwork, and the ability to see the face of Jesus in everyone. I was very fortunate, I had amazing educational role models from my humble beginnings at Hambledon Nursery School (Kindy) through to my graduation from Exeter University. However, in the words of George Weah, “Education is a continual process, it’s like a bicycle… If you don’t pedal you don’t go forward,” and what better place to pedal than Holy Cross School which is filled with the very finest of staff and students who teach and inspire me every day. 

What motto, affirmation or prayer do you live by? 

This year our theme at Holy Cross is ‘Bounce Forwards’, so my current motto is exactly that – the importance of using every mishap as a springboard for learning, throwing you onwards and upwards realigning you with your hopes and dreams for the future. It’s a very powerful mindset, I thoroughly recommend it! 

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

Taking an informed risk and changing the way we teach, and our students learn, in our early years (Prep to Year 2) at Holy Cross. The impact of the introduction of Walker Learning at our school has been astronomical. The engagement of our students during investigations is second to none and academic results forever improving. I’m very much looking forward to watching the next phase, Engagement Matters, roll out next year in Year 3. Watch this space… 

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

Honesty, integrity, passion, empathy, and the ability to instil a sense of trust and inclusion for everyone. But most importantly, unconditional love of children. Teaching truly is the best job in the world. I can’t ever imagine doing anything else. 

Find out more about Holy Cross School, Trinity Park. 

Back

Filed Under: Latest News

Latest News

  • 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
  • Official Opening of Cairns’ Newest Catholic College
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