“No, No. Thank YOU!” – Students’ tributes to Matthew Ryan, Assistant Principal
Mireille Karam, 2024 College Captain – The Year 12 Class of 2024 
It’s so hard to say goodbye to someone who has had such an overwhelmingly positive impact on Domremy College, but we take this opportunity to celebrate our cherished Assistant Principal, Mr Ryan. This bittersweet moment is both a farewell and a recognition of his remarkable achievement, reflecting the dedication and lasting contributions he has made to our school community.
Known for greeting us at the gates, wide-brimmed hat in place, and a beaming smile that could brighten even the dreariest day, Mr Ryan has been the heart and soul of our school. His warmth and encouragement, especially during exam mornings, set the tone for success, while his thoughtful assembly dismissals ensured we always knew what came next and left our hall looking immaculate, with chairs neatly stacked in tens.
Staff, students, parents, and guests alike always felt warmly welcomed by your sincere hospitality, which set the tone for Domremy. Your efforts to greet us warmly each morning, engage with us around the halls, and check in with students during bus duty, showed your genuine interest in our day, making everyone feel valued and appreciated.
Behind the scenes, his dedication to ensuring smooth operations was unmatched – from meticulously organising assembly agendas and slideshows to supporting SRC initiatives with enthusiasm and care. His laugh, echoing through the staff room, and his kindness, evident in every interaction, created an atmosphere of inclusivity and support for both staff and students. Whether cheering on our debaters, attending events outside school hours, or simply stepping in when needed, Mr Ryan has always put our community first.
As we bid farewell, we thank Mr Ryan for his compassion, thoughtfulness, and tireless contributions. James Sheahan Catholic High School is gaining a leader who truly embodies the spirit of dedication and care. While it’s hard to say goodbye, we know his legacy will continue to inspire us, and we wish Mr Ryan every success in this exciting new chapter! We truly appreciate all your hard work and commitment to making our school a better place. So now it’s our turn to say… “No, no THANK YOU!”
*****
Olivia Azzi, 2025 College Captain – The Graduating Year 12 Class of 2025 (Year 11 2024)
Dear Mr Ryan,
On behalf of Year 11 2024 I would love to express our gratitude and thanks for being the best teacher, mentor and Assistant Principal we could have asked for in our 5 years of schooling.
You started with us and though we are sad to see you go, we know you will love your new position and will make a wonderful Principal at James Sheahan Catholic High School, Orange. They are lucky to have you.
We thank you for your commitment in everything that you put forward for this school and we would like to finish by saying, “no, no, thank you!” for the last time as we see you go.
We will miss you! Year 11 2024
*****
Elisabetta G – The Graduating Year 12 Class of 2025 (Year 11 2024)
As we bid farewell, it’s impossible not to reflect on the incredible impact you’ve had on our school community. Your dedication, leadership, and unwavering support have left an indelible mark on both students and staff alike. Your signature response to any thanks with a heartfelt, “no no, thank youuu!,” brought a unique blend of warmth, humour and humility to every interaction.
Your thoughtful guidance in challenging times demonstrated your ability to lead with strength and compassion. You were always the first to offer a listening ear, a word of encouragement, or even a laugh to lighten the mood. You had an incredible way of turning a bad day into a manageable one, always reminding us that there’s a brighter side to everything.
It’s hard to forget how you made every moment count. Whether you were enthusiastically cheering at sports carnivals, celebrating achievements or popping into classrooms with a quick joke to lift everyone’s spirits, you had a remarkable ability to make people feel valued and seen. Your energy was infectious, and your belief in each of us pushed us to try harder, dream bigger, and do better.
As a teacher, you didn’t just teach subjects – you taught life lessons, often reminding us, “It’s not about being perfect, it’s about giving it your best shot.” Whether it was helping us tackle problems or encouraging us to stay confident before exams, your belief in our potential gave us the motivation to keep trying. Your classroom was always a space where we felt supported to take risks, grow and learn from our mistakes. As an Assistant Principal, you led by example, inspiring everyone to strive for a school environment built on kindness, respect, and collaboration. You had a way of uniting us, showing that everyone plays a role in making the school a better place. From celebrating our successes to supporting us through challenges, you were always there, showing what it means to lead with both heart and strength.
While it’s hard to see you go, we are excited for the new opportunities that await you. Your legacy of positivity, humour and unwavering belief in others will continue to influence us for years to come. Thank you for everything you’ve done to make our school better, brighter and full of heart. Wishing you every success and happiness in this exciting new chapter of your life!
With gratitude and best wishes.
The Graduating Class of 2025.
*****
Annalise V – Year 10 
As this school year comes to an end, we would like to wish Mr. Ryan all the best and celebrate his contributions to Domremy over the years. His dedication and leadership have shaped our school in countless ways and inspired us all to strive for excellence. Throughout the time he has spent with us, Mr Ryan has not only been an amazing Vice Principal but has also stepped up to be a strong and dependable Acting Principal when needed.
Mr Ryan’s passion and unwavering belief in all of us have been invaluable. His dedication to upholding our school’s values has fostered a safe and productive environment for all of us and maintained our school’s image. All the while, he has shown genuine care, understanding, support, and motivation to do our best.
Mr Ryan’s impact on Domremy will be felt well beyond the moment he steps out of the gates; his inspiration will remain with us for the rest of our schooling years. As we say goodbye, we are filled with the utmost gratitude for all he has done over the years, his vision and inspiration that will guide us even after his departure. We wish him every success in his new endeavours, and we will miss him dearly (but … maybe not his telling us to ‘pack up the chairs’ at the end of assembly.)
Goodbye and good luck Mr Ryan
Year 10 2024
*****
Allanah R – Year 9 
It’s hard to know where to start in saying farewell to Mr Ryan. He will be remembered for so much and everyone will have different things they’ll remember him for.
Just some of the memories we will have of Mr Ryan:
* He was always at the gate to greet us at the beginning of every term with a smile and a welcome back girls.
* He was committed to supporting co-curricular activities and was always at the Friday evening debates and public speaking events.
* He was always enthusiastic and positive – encouraging us in whatever we were doing.
* He knows every student by name.
* Whenever he was around he made us smile.
* He genuinely cared for each student and took the time to know and speak with everyone.
* When he spoke to us at assemblies, he captivated the audience and made everyone laugh with his good sense of humour.
We will all miss Mr Ryan and wish him the very best in his new role as Principal. His new school is very lucky to have such an amazing teacher.
*****
Jana T – Year 8 
As the school year ends, we bid farewell to Mr. Ryan, our dedicated Assistant Principal, experiencing a mix of gratitude and sadness. Throughout the years, Mr. Ryan has impacted the Domremy community, guiding students through his words of wisdom. This is also seen through the shared experiences many students have had with him across extracurriculars such as public speaking and debating, in which he has helped students reach their maximum potential and achieve their goals.
As Mr. Ryan embarks upon a new chapter at a new school, the Domremy community would like to express our gratitude towards his constant commitment to our school, creating more enjoyable experiences for students across all years. His care for the education of young minds and approachable nature have left a lasting impression on all of us. From his continual support to his seamless work behind the scenes, Mr. Ryans’s legacy has left a lasting impression on students, as he has created a nurturing environment in which every voice feels heard.
Mr. Ryan, the Domremy community appreciates your unwavering hard work and dedication towards staff and students and we would simply like to say: No, no- Thank you!
*****
Sanjana C – Year 7 
Mr. Matthew Ryan has been an exceptional Vice Principal of Domremy College, whose reverence, humor, and unwavering passion for excellence have significantly elevated the distinction and calibre of the College.
On behalf of myself, the Year 7 cohort, and the entire College community, I extend my heartfelt commendation to Mr. Ryan for his steadfast support and visionary leadership, which continue to inspire and shape our school.
Reflecting on my own experience, during my admission interview with Mr. Ryan at the end of last year, I was immediately struck by his hospitality, enthusiasm, and encouragement, which assured me that Domremy would be a great environment for my growth—a sentiment my parents wholeheartedly shared.
The College and I are deeply grateful for Mr. Ryan’s unwavering dedication to ensuring the smooth running of all events and his commitment to excellence in all he does. As he embarks on his new journey as Principal at another school, we will greatly miss his presence and leadership, but we wish him every success in this exciting new chapter.
*****
Merci, Mr Ryan, couldn’t smile wider, …
No, no. Thank YOU! 😉
11 December 2024
