Governance & Leadership
More than 140 years of guidance and innovation in boys鈥� education.
St Joseph鈥檚 College is conducted as a Catholic school by the Marist Brothers (Province of Australia), who exercise their governance responsibilities through Marist Schools Australia Limited (MSA Ltd).
For most matters, governance responsibilities are in the hands of the Sydney Regional Director of Marist Schools Australia Limited, who is advised by a Regional Council. The College鈥檚 regular leadership and management are entrusted to the Headmaster Mr Michael Blake, who operates within a range of policy parameters determined by Marist Schools Australia, and reports to the MSA Regional Director, who in turn reports to the Regional Council, which is comprised largely of educators, including retired and current school principals and heads of the Catholic Education Office.
As MSA Ltd has governing responsibility, there is no school board of governors. However, the MSA Ltd mandates an advisory committee. At St Joseph鈥檚 College, that voluntary council comprises staff members and parents, past and present, who provide oversight and advice on financial matters, and best practice across a range of areas.
Leadership
Team
Reporting to the Headmaster, the College Leadership Team comprising two Deputy Heads and eight directors, are in charge of each of the College鈥檚 overarching departments.
The Deputy Headmasters and Director of Students are responsible for pastoral care and discipline of all students, and the Director of Mission is responsible for the College’s religious and cultural ethos.
The Director of Teaching & Learning is responsible for overall leadership and management of academic programming and curriculum, oversees heads of departments and academic coordinators and manages teachers鈥� development and professional learning.
The Directors of Advancement, Co-curricular, People & Culture, Business Services and Innovation & Technology each manage a vast portfolio of College operations, each with a strategic imperative and active voice in the College.
Michael Blake
Scott Donohoe
Danny Sidgreaves
Jessica Bryan
Matthew Bookallil
Darren Frost
Magdy Habib
Scott Johnston
Patrick Lowe
Ian Mendes
Simon Pennington
Rose Basha
Advisory
Council
Br Anthony Boyd
Michael Blake
Fr Gavin Foster
Niklas Green
Sam Hallinan
Julian Heath
Fr Tom Stevens
Joanne De Vlieger
Ashton Waugh
Marist Schools Australia
Marist Schools Australia Limited (MSA Ltd) draws together Catholic schools that shape their identity and mission through the spirituality and educational approach introduced into the church by St Marcellin Champagnat in the early 19th century, and which has continued to be developed by Marist Brothers and lay Marists. Its members comprise more than 50 primary and secondary schools across Australia at which 5,000 Marist teachers and staff are involved with the education of more than 40,000 children.
The first priority of MSA Ltd is to nurture the faith and spirituality of today鈥檚 Marists. It provides its member schools with leadership, support and, where applicable, governance, in order that they continue to be authentic Marist educational communities.
Governance Statement
St Joseph鈥檚 College is governed by Marist Schools Australia Limited (MSA Ltd). MSA Ltd is a public not-for-profit company limited by guarantee and registered with the Australian Charities and Not-For-Profit Commission. Its purpose is to advance education and religion, specifically to make Jesus Christ known and loved and to ensure quality Catholic education in the Marist tradition through its schools.
MSA Ltd was formed by the Trustees of the Marist Brothers and the Association of St Marcellin Champagnat to strengthen the governance of the Education Ministry. Prior to the incorporation of MSA Ltd, the Marist Association of St Marcellin Champagnat Limited (MASMC Ltd, a not-for-profit company limited by guarantee) was formed by the Trustees of the Marist Brothers to provide governance as well as spiritual leadership and formation for those engaged in the apostolic works, activities and operations of the Marists in Australia. MASMC Ltd is the sole member of MSA Ltd. The fundamental aspiration of Marist education as explained 200 years ago by the founder Saint Marcellin Champagnat is 鈥樷�o make Jesus Christ known and loved through quality education鈥�. This is the Mission of Marist Schools Australia Limited today.
From 1 January 2022 MSA Ltd governs, manages and operates 12 colleges in Australia, including St Joseph鈥檚 College and it is particularly focused on ensuring that the colleges follow contemporary and best governance practices to maintain compliance with Australian legislation (including education legislation) and to provide a safe and supportive learning environment for students in line with the philosophy and values of Marist Education. MSA Ltd also provides professional learning, staff formation, youth ministry, and solidarity opportunities to Marist schools governed by Diocesan Catholic education authorities.
The Board of MSA Ltd consists of highly skilled and eminent Australian educators. They have appointed the National Director to undertake the operations of the Education Ministry. The National Director appoints the College Headmaster, Mr Michael Blake who conducts the day-to-day operation of the College and reports to the National Director via a Regional Director.
St Joseph鈥檚 College is one of 600 Marist schools throughout the world educating young people in 80 different countries. Marist education was founded by Saint Marcellin Champagnat in 1817, in the Parish of La Valla in the Rhone Alps.