Rostrevor Magazine 2020-2021

LeadershipAppointments for 2021 Acting Deputy Principal – Dean of Students – Mr Mark Simpson (’78) Leadership Rostrevor Magazine 2020 - 2021 / Page 9 Assistant Principal – Director of Student Wellbeing – Junior Years When Mark Simpson walks through the Valley at Rostrevor College, memories of his youth come flooding back. Indeed, it can be said that the Red and Black runs in his blood. The son of 1942 graduate John Simpson, Mark has fond memories of the many years he and his brother Tim (’82) spent at the College. “My father loved the College, especially being a boarder, playing sport and captaining a number of teams,” Mr Simpson says. “He enjoyed academic success and had a life-long commitment to his faith. My brother Tim and I were always going to be Rostrevor boys and I attended the school from Year 3 to graduate in 1978.” Mr Simpson says he shares the strong sense of gratitude for the many Brothers who devoted their lives to building the school and producing a legacy which still guides and defines Rostrevor today. “One of the great things about Rostrevor is belonging to a community with a strong identity and purpose.” Rostrevor is a vibrant place and very much at the crest of the exciting period of educational change currently sweeping across the nation, Mr Simpson says. Mr Simpson has an impressive leadership background having served as Principal of Trinity College South for ten years and, prior to that, as Director of Staff Development at Sacred Heart College. Many 2020 students will already know Mr Simpson following his work with the College as a casual teacher for the past year. “It is my intention to offer the skills that I have learnt in several educational leadership roles to support the good work that the school is doing in a range of areas particularly in Pastoral Care and wellbeing, and in building a community especially with parents and Old Scholars. “I will encourage our students to have a healthy personal wellbeing, aspire to academic success, contribute to society as men for others and seek the challenges and rewards (Palma Merenti) that come from participating in a wide variety of co- curricular activities.” Experienced and passionate educator Sharyn Darrell is looking forward to guiding the next generation of young Rostrevor learners and ensuring their voices are heard. Rostrevor’s commitment to small class sizes and no composite classes, combined with exceptional teachers and first-class music and sporting programs, has led to waiting lists in many Junior year levels. For new Assistant Principal, Sharyn Darrell, it is an exciting time to be joining the College and helping drive a dynamic era in the Junior Years. Ms Darrell is the former Deputy – Teaching and Learning at Westminster Preparatory School and a former Principal of Meadows Primary School. Over the past 17 years, she has worked as a teacher, counsellor, assistant principal, deputy principal and principal and has a strong background in contemporary, evidence-based practice and delivering school improvement measures in the public, private and regional education settings. She hopes to bring a passion for education and to encourage every boy to “have a voice” and be actively engaged in the learning experience. “ I will encourage the boys to be curious, critical and creative learners focussed on contributing positively to the Rostrevor community and to the world and living up to the Men for Others motto.” “One of the things that appeals to me about Rostrevor is the Edmund Rice philosophy. The philosophy is focussed on the elements that we all need to face the complex ever-changing world, particularly in terms of hope and optimism for the future.” Ms Darrell also has a keen interest in Rostrevor’s past. Her maternal grandfather, Anthony Coppins, attended the College and her paternal grandfather, Laurence Sutton, was a close friend of long-time Principal Brother Charles Mogg. “My grandfather owned a printing business called Webb and Son printers who used to print for Rostrevor. When my father took over the printing business, my grandfather would always insist on making deliveries to Rostrevor saying: ‘They’re good people out there’,” Ms Darrell says. Principal Frank Ranaldo says the depth and variety of Sharyn’s experiences are impressive and that she will be a great asset to the College. “In addition to her obvious love of children, she has a passion for working with colleagues and a great understanding of the needs of families and a commitment to working with parents. As such, Sharyn is ideally suited to leading our Junior School Team over the next few years,” Mr Ranaldo says.