FROM THE BOARD CHAIR

The first quarter of 2024 has proven to be a busy time for the Board Directors as we set about to review and update our knowledge regarding Risk Management within our organization. In February the Board engaged Independent Schools Queensland [ISQ] to conduct a training session to enable Directors to refresh their understanding of the many and varied elements of Risk Management as applied to College life. This was followed by an examination of our Risk Management Strategy and associated documents facilitated once again by ISQ personnel. We were pleased to have our documents affirmed in general, and we identified areas that needed updating, and other aspects that could be added or made more explicit.

The time has come for us to bid farewell to Ms Maria Larkin who completes her term of appointment at the end of April.  Maria has served us well over the past three years as the Chair of the Finance, Audit and Risk Management Committee. The Board has been blessed with her financial understanding and competence, her calm presence and good humour and her commitment to the role.  She leaves with our deepest appreciation and we wish her well in whatever the future brings.

We welcome Mr Ian Bowrey, who will take on the role of Chair of the Finance, Audit and Risk Management Committee – a committee on which he has served for the past eighteen months. Ian comes to us from his current position as Chief Financial Officer and a member of the Advisory Board of the Fit for Life Financial Group. He is highly credentialled in his field and has sound governance credentials.  In addition Ian brings with him experience and skills in strategic planning, technology and business management.  We look forward to Ian joining us on the Board on May 1^st.

In the meantime let us hold each other in prayer and support each other as we work continuously to enhance this wonderful enterprise we call St Patrick’s College.

Sister Helen Peters

BOARD CHAIR