THE much-loved and respected principal of Clonard College, Damian McKew, has been chosen
\nas the foundation principal of Iona College, set to open in Geelong in 2020.<\/p>\n
Mr McKew will take up the role next year after nine years leading Clonard College and after more than 20 years in positions of leadership in Catholic colleges across Victoria.<\/p>\n
While sad to be leaving his community at Clonard, in his 14th year as a principal, Mr McKew felt the time was right to take his experience leading several schools and use it to build a new vision for Catholic education in Geelong.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am passionate about helping young people to not only reach their academic capabilities butalso to help develop them to believe in service and making a difference to the world,\u201d Mr McKew said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is what I want our new college to embod and stand for. I want everyone associated with our new school to be aspirational, I want all of our students to learn to change the world.\u201d<\/p>\n
Director of Catholic Education Melbourne Stephen Elder said more than $60 million was being invested in Geelong\u2019s newest Catholic coeducational secondary college and Mr McKew was identified from a long list of applicants as the best person to lead this exciting development.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have been very clear from the first days of planning this school that it needs to be a showcase for educational excellence, a place to apply the latest educational developments, befitting the proud heritage of Geelong\u2019s secondary colleges,\u201d Mr Elder said.<\/p>\n
Mr McKew said he was excited by the opportunity to recruit the best teachers and educational staff who share a passion for the care and education of Iona\u2019s students.<\/p>\n
\u201cCatholic Education Melbourne is investing heavily in this new College in order to provide our
\nnew Year 7 students in 2020 with the best possibl educational facilities that will enhance their opportunities for success,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Iona College has been named after one of the earliest and most significant Catholic sites in the British Isles, the Monastery of Iona, founded in the fifth century. Just like Iona College, the Monastery of Iona was a centre of learning by the sea.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
THE much-loved and respected principal of Clonard College, Damian McKew, has been chosen as the foundation principal of Iona College, set to open in Geelong in 2020. Mr McKew will take up the role next year after nine years leading Clonard College and after more than 20 years in positions of leadership in Catholic colleges […]<\/p>\n