By Alesha Capone
The principal of a school being built in Werribee says she aims to build an education community which values courage, service, kindness and respect.
Shelley Ryan was last week announced as the principal of St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, which is set to open next year in Werribee’s Harpley estate.
Stage one of the school, valued at $5.7 million, will cater for 200 pupils.
Ms Ryan, who has almost 25 years’ experience in rural and regional Catholic schools, will soon finish her role as acting principal of two country schools near Ballarat to oversee the construction of St Joseph’s.
“Together with staff and families, we will build a Catholic school culture where everyone feels included, valued and accepted,” she said.
“I see this as an opportunity for St Joseph’s to be a school that pursues the highest levels of learning for all students, promotes problem solving, creativity and critical thinking so that our students are prepared to tackle the challenges of the future.”
When she is not working, Ms Ryan said she enjoyed spending time with her husband Patrick and their four teenage children at their farm, and taking care of their alpacas and sheep.
She also supports the Geelong Cats.
The school, which will cater for about 500 pupils when complete, will be built in three stages.
Lendlease head of development, Tom Trevaskis, said stage one of St Joseph’s would include eight learning spaces, specialist learning areas and administration facilities.
Details: sjwerribee.catholic.edu.au.
