Over 45 years of Mercy Principalship gathered in one room
History was made on February 20th, 2014, when the 4 immediate past Principals of OLMC Parramatta joined newly appointed Principal, Mr Stephen Walsh, for lunch at the Mercy Congregation Centre in Parramatta.
Date Posted:
20-Feb-2014
L-R: Sr Ailsa Mackinnon, Sr Edith Angel, Mr Stephen Walsh, Mrs Kitty Guerin, Sr Janet Woods
Collectively, the four Principals account for over 45 years of Principalship of the College’s 125 year history.
There have only been 9 principals of the College since its opening in 1889. The first 7 Principals covering 115 years, were Sisters of Mercy. In 2004, Mrs Kitty Guerin was appointed as the first Lay Principal of the College. Following the retirement of Kitty at the end of 2013, Mr Stephen Walsh was appointed as the 9th and first male Principal of the College.
The lunch was hosted by Congregation Leader Sr Catherine Ryan, and members of the Congregation Leadership team. Apart from representing a significant moment in the history of the College and the Congregation, the lunch provided an opportunity for the past Principalship to share their reflections on their time as Principal with Stephen. Each of the former Principals recalled a significant memory, some humorous stories, and shared their hopes for the future of the College and Mercy Education.
The Past Principals present were:
- Sr Edith Angel, Principal 1966 - 1977
- Sr Janet Woods, Principal 1978 – 1989
- Sr Ailsa Mackinnon, Principal 1990 – 2004
- Mrs Kitty Guerin, Principal, 2004 - 2013