4 February 2021

Staff and students at St Thomas the Apostle Primary School in Cranbourne East will have a fresh start to the new year, after farewelling their former principal.

A special Mass was held at the school on December 16 to celebrate Mr Brendan Marrinon’s career. Mr Marrinon was the principal at St Thomas' when the school opened seven years ago, and had been a principal at Catholic schools in the Diocese of Sale for a total of 19 years.

Mrs Kate Dourley, who was acting principal at St Thomas the Apostle since Mr Marrinon announced his retirement mid-2020, was recently appointed principal at the school.

Ms Maria Kirkwood, Director of Catholic Education for the Diocese of Sale, said that the change in leadership at St Thomas the Apostle is a time for both reflection and celebration.

“I would like to thank Mr Marrinon for all the valuable work he has undertaken in his time at St Thomas the Apostle and for his commitment to inspiring faith and inspiring learning within our Diocese.

“Mrs Dourley has quickly become part of the heart of the school, especially during the uncertainty of 2020. I look forward to supporting her on her leadership journey in the coming years,” Ms Kirkwood said.

Mrs Dourley said that she is passionate about her new role and about the school community in Cranbourne East.

“I will strive to see the environment at St Thomas the Apostle prosper as we support the academic, social and emotional needs of every student. I look forward to encouraging exploration, adventure and imagination with the children, while building the capacity of our staff to become expert teachers,” she said.

Mrs Dourley was the principal at St Laurence O’Toole Primary School in Leongatha for four and a half years before accepting the role of acting principal at St Thomas the Apostle. She has worked in Catholic education since 2002 and holds a Masters in Educational Leadership.