Exciting new roles for ICS executive staff

We are delighted and proud to inform the ICS community that after an extensive search for an outstanding Christian educator to take the helm at Southern Highlands Christian School, our very own Deputy Principal (Secondary), Mrs Meg Story, has today been announced as the new Principal.

Meg has been an integral part of the team here at Illawarra Christian School for the last decade, commencing with us as a secondary History teacher, before progressively taking on more leadership responsibility, most recently as Deputy Principal (7-12) from 2020. 

With two daughters still enrolled at ICS from next year, Meg's association with our school is changing, rather than ending. She is looking forward to her time on the other side of the desk, attending school functions as a parent and not a teacher!

Southern Highlands Christian School, located in Bowral, is a school within the Christian Education National network, as is ICS. We are delighted that Meg will bring her considerable experience of school administration and leadership to bear on a school in many ways similar to our own, and pleased to have played such a significant role in her formation as a Christian educational leader.

Meg says of her time here at ICS:

"I believe schools are powerful places. Schools have an enormous impact on students’ lives and I love that I get to play a part in that. Illawarra Christian School is a place that seeks to nurture our students, to equip them for a bigger future, and to send them out to make an impact on our world for good. And that is what ICS has done for me also. 

I began working at ICS just over 10 years ago and during that time I have been entrusted with a range of leadership roles and responsibilities that have grown me enormously - through my mistakes as well as my successes. Simon Lainson has been unwaveringly supportive of me as I have explored my leadership potential. He has provided a range of leadership opportunities for me over my 10 years at ICS, most notably the opportunity to work alongside him and the Executive staff as Deputy Principal over the past three years. His wisdom, trust and endorsement of my ability to tackle this new opportunity have enabled me to be ready for this next adventure." 

As school families will no doubt already be aware, 2022 has been a key year for Illawarra Christian School in the formation and development of our leadership teams. Mrs Jo Fahey, as announced earlier this year, begins her role as NSW/ACT State Executive Officer with CEN in January 2023. We are so pleased to endorse this appointment. Jo has been teaching at Illawarra Christian School since 2003. She has served as Deputy Principal for the last eight years, and prior to this, served in a number of infants/primary leadership roles. This will be a new direction for Jo, who has made ICS her teaching home for the last 20 years, but we believe she is well up to the challenge.

Jo says of her change in position:

"Now in my 20th year of working in the beautiful community of Illawarra Christian School, I can undoubtedly say that all of that time has been a blessing and a privilege. I have come to know all of the families that have attended our school over many years, and it has been so wonderful to partner with them in the nurture and education of their children.

I am very excited about this new challenge, though I am also very sad to be leaving what I have called my 'home' for the last 20 years! I have found it enormously enriching to work in a Christ-centred school where everything is taught from a biblical perspective and we come to it knowing that all aspects of school and life are under the lordship of Christ – a task I have relished in and found great joy. In my years of teaching and leading, I have been very thankful to open the Bible with the students and help them build their curiosity and understanding of God and their place in his story. Walking in faith with my colleagues has also been a valued experience as we have sought to give God the glory in all we do together. I will dearly miss this.

I too am very thankful for the growth I have had over so many years. In these last 20 years the school has grown, as has my passion for Christian education. I have loved working alongside faithful staff and am especially thankful to Simon Lainson and the evolving executive team over that time. I look forward to all the ways I can continue to connect with the school as a parent, and in my role as SEO." 

The role of State Executive Officer within CEN is a huge one! Jo will be supporting not just school principals but school boards as well, with 22 NSW and ACT Christian schools in her sphere of influence. She'll be providing not only advice, referrals, and governance support, but also supporting and connecting with teaching and learning staff in CEN schools. Just as she has worked so diligently here at ICS to ensure we embed a Christian worldview into all aspects of our teaching and learning, she'll now have the opportunity to bring that wealth of experience to the other CEN schools in NSW and the ACT. We think they can only be the better for it.

Those of us remaining at ICS will no doubt feel the loss of both these teachers. Their impact on our community here has been significant and they will be missed. However, we are encouraged and excited to see what lies ahead for them and thrilled to have played such a key role in raising them up and sending them out to continue to make an impact on Christian education both nearby and further afield. Moreover, they leave behind them a strong leadership team who are ready and willing to step up to the task ahead, forging a path in new and exciting ways as we tackle the journey of Christian education together.

Please join with us in wishing Meg and Jo all the very best for these exciting steps in their professional lives.