Loved local principal to be first of Iona

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 across Victoria.

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.

“I am passionate about helping young people to not only reach their academic capabilities but also to help develop them to believe in service and making a difference to the world,” Mr McKew said.

“This is what I want our new college to embody 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.”

Director of Catholic Education Melbourne Stephen Elder said more than $60 million was being invested in Geelong’s newest Catholic co-educational secondary college and Mr McKew was identified from a long list of applicants as the best person to lead this exciting development.

“We 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’s secondary colleges,” Mr Elder said.

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’s students.

“Catholic Education Melbourne is investing heavily in this new College in order to provide our new Year 7 students in 2020 with the best possible educational facilities that will enhance their opportunities for success,” he said.

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.