Three leaders in Catholic Education South Australia have been recognised for their work in leadership by the Australian Council for Educational Leaders (ACEL).
Each year, the South Australian branch of ACEL honours educational leaders who in the view of their peers have made a significant contribution to the understanding and practice of educational leadership.
The 2022 awards were presented at a ceremony at Sanctuary at the Adelaide Zoo on Wednesday June 29 by The Honourable Blair Boyer MP, Minister for Education, Training and Skills.
Congratulations to the following worthy 2022 recipients:
Dr Paul Rijken
Principal – Cardijn College
ACEL SA Fellowship Award
The ACEL South Australian Fellowships honours those who, over a period of time, have made an outstanding contribution to educational leadership at the state and/or national level.
Paul began his teaching career at Thomas More College before transferring to Cardijn College in its first year in 1984. Following several senior roles at Cardijn, Paul was appointed Deputy Principal at St Aloysius College in 1997 before returning ‘home’ to accept the role of Principalship at Cardijn in 2005.
In the last 17 years at Cardijn, Paul has been instrumental in establishing a culture of excellence and has led the school’s significant growth through several significant development projects and ensured consistently outstanding academic results.
Paul will retire as Principal and CEO of Cardijn College at the completion of Term 2, 2022 following 42 years in Catholic Education South Australia.
Nichii Mardon
Director, Catholic Education Diocese of Port Pirie
ACEL SA Educational Leadership Award
The Educational Leadership Award acknowledges those who have demonstrated a commitment beyond their current role. Capabilities include high-level educational outcomes for self and others, and the ability to inspire, influence, and implement change in an innovative manner.
In 2018 Nichii was appointed Director of Catholic Education for the Diocese of Port Pirie following teaching and leading in Reception to Year 12 Catholic schools for almost 30 years. She is an outstanding educator and leader with a passion for regional and remote education.
Nichii provides outstanding leadership and insights into the complexities of regional and remote education both in South Australia as a member of the South Australian Commission for Catholic Schools and nationally through her promotion of regional and remote education nationally where she co-chairs a national network of Catholic education Directors in regional settings.
Along with the Deputy Director, Catholic Education SA, Mr John Mula OAM, FACEL she is currently co-chairing a review of regional and remote Catholic education in SA.
Janet Coomber
Head of Campus, Xavier College Two Wells
Pip Fields Emerging Leader Award
The Pip Fields Emerging Leader Award is presented to an emerging educational leader in their first 5 years of a designated leadership position, who has demonstrated outstanding educational practice in the classroom and leadership that has made a significant difference to colleagues and students.
Janet, in her second year as Head of Campus at Xavier College Two Wells, is an outstanding practitioner interested in contemporary middle school pedagogy. In preparation for the introduction of Year 7, her leadership of staff saw the College being awarded the “Future Students Ready Award” by Adolescence Success in 2019.
Due to her professional experiences in regional Australia, she has a strong passion for Indigenous Education, wellbeing and respect for land and culture.
Janet has an ability to create and maintain a supportive and safe learning environment and has great compassion and understanding of those around her. Janet is constantly engaged in professional learning and has just completed the AITSL Assessor Training course to mentor and inspire teaching excellence, especially in young teachers. She is soon to commence the Women and Leadership Australia’s Executive Ready Program.
Congratulations Paul, Nichii and Janet on this recognition of your leadership achievements!
Pictured Above L-R: Dr Paul Rijken, Nichii Mardon, Janet Coomber, John Mula OAM FACEL, Deputy Director Catholic Education South Australia and The Honourable Blair Boyer MP, Minister for Education, Training and Skills.
Language students in South Australian Catholic schools will benefit from a landmark partnership between Catholic Education SA and the Indonesian Consulate General in Sydney.
A joint initiative will see the two organisations collaborating to support the learning and teaching of Indonesian language in Catholic schools in South Australia and of English in Indonesia.
