APPOINTMENT OF EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, CATHOLIC EDUCATION
I am very pleased to announce the appointment of Mrs Jacqui Francis to the position of Executive Director Catholic Education for the Diocese of Townsville.
Jacqui joined the Townsville Catholic Education Office in 2013 in the newly created position of Director Organisational Services & Capability. I subsequently invited Jacqui to also take on the role of Diocesan Governance Program Manager. Prior to 2013 she held senior executive roles with various major public sector agencies in NSW, with her final position being General Manager of Commercial Operations with Roads & Maritime Services.
With a strong commitment to her Catholic faith, Jacqui is an active member of her Parish and a member of her Parish Pastoral Council. Her commitment to the ongoing development of her faith has seen Jacqui complete the ECSIP Intensive Leuven Program as well as a range of additional spirituality programs.
Our position attracted a large number of very experienced applicants from across Australia. I was a member of the Selection Committee that included a range of senior Education and Church leaders. I take this opportunity to congratulate and welcome Jacqui Francis as our new Executive Director.
On receiving the news of her appointment, Jacqui was very excited and is looking forward to the challenge. “I am looking forward to taking up the position and continuing the great work that Catholic Education has been doing in the Diocese. We have fabulous schools and highly skilled staff who are committed and passionate about providing an enriching Catholic school experience for our students” she said.
“Over the past four years I have enjoyed every moment working in Catholic Education and we have a very special workplace where you feel that your values are alive in what we do each and every day.”
“Only last week here at St Benedict’s, to see the smiling faces on the children as they walked in the gates for the first time, all wanting to be here to learn, this is duplicated in all our schools each and every day” Jacqui said.
Retiring Executive Director Dr Cathy Day said that she had been privileged and blessed to have had many positions in Diocese including these past 12 years leading Catholic Education, I will look back at with great fondness and satisfaction.
Cathy congratulated Jacqui on her new position and said, “I am absolutely delighted for her and having the good fortune to work with Jacqui for the past four years I know first-hand the many qualities and skills that she will bring to the role.”
“Jacqui has a deep faith and integrity and a special love for Catholic Schools and Catholic Education in the Townsville Diocese is in very good hands” Cathy said.
Jacqui will take up this appointment in April 2018.