Catholic Outlook Magazine Ordinary Time Winter Edition 2022

Growing up on a beautiful farm in Bathurst, taught
me to be positive, calm, grateful, committed to
helping others, and always see the bright side of
life. What I learned from my parents and from my
own Catholic education, is that faith, hope and
love are the ingredients to happiness
and success.
This is my fourth year as a School Principal and I
intend to follow this calling for many years to come. I
am blessed to work with and lead the dedicated staff
at St Patrick’s Primary Blacktown. Knowing that I can
make a difference in the lives of students, creating
a rewarding working life for staff and long-lasting
learning experiences for students is my passion.
Each day I greet the staff and students as they
arrive for school. Checking in with everyone is a
highlight of my day - noticing who has a birthday or
a broken arm really helps me to know what is going
on in our community. Communication and building
relationships are the foundation of my work. Being an
active listener who is understanding of where people
are coming from and the life experience they bring
to school with them, always helps me to understand
children more.
Feel God in every gentle touch.
See God in every happy face.
Hear God in every caring word.
Receive God’s blessings every
day of your life.
Motivational words of wisdom
My favourite part of each day is seeing the learning
that is happening in our learning spaces. Engaged,
challenged students are what we are all about!
Seeing the JOY in a child or a staff member's
face when you recognise a talent, achievement or
something to celebrate is what inspires me each
day. The opportunity to make life or conditions
better for learning is what calls to me and helps me
jump out of bed with a spring in my step. No day is
ever the same and we always have lots to celebrate.
Seeing students graduate as outstanding young
citizens who can make positive changes in the
world is so rewarding. ‘Be the change’ is something
that inspires me every day - we can make a big
difference! The students I work with today will be
our future doctors, scientists, teachers, parents,
scriptwriters, OTs, nurses, and accountants. They
may one day save your life!
Working in our Catholic community is an extension
of my own personal faith and life, so I have the
opportunity to enrich the lives of others.
I am blessed to have my own wonderful husband
Matt, and three children, Georgia, Brianna and
William, who support me, laugh with me, journey
through the ‘everyday-ness’ with me and nourish
my soul. Catholic education and our own parish,
St Bernadette’s, Castle Hill, have been a wonderful
blessing for our children too.
Watching passionate staff work side by side with
their students is life-giving. The team brings out
curiosity in their students and guides their learning
through inquiry: I feel so proud of my fabulous
staff. Seeing the light in staff and students’ eyes
when you acknowledge their great work is the best
feeling. No wonder I smile a lot!
Working with children and shaping their lives is
a privilege and a pleasure. If teaching/school
leadership calls to you, go for it! We need more
wonderful teachers in our system who are
committed to the Catholic faith and sharing it
with others.
Monica Fitzalan is Principal of St Patrick’s Primary
School, Blacktown.
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