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Kerrie McDiarmid was appointed as principal of St Clare’s College, Waverley, just a few months before the onset of the pandemic’s third wave in June 2021, which proved her ability to lead in the face of adversity.
A former leader of pedagogy within the Sydney Catholic School (SCS) system, McDiarmid is a visionary on a mission to transform education in a big way. Over the past 18 months as leader of the College, she has transformed the College into a ‘lighthouse school’ for the SCS system.
During the pandemic, she has overseen a number of exciting programs that keep students focused and engaged in their learning. One of these is an integrated Maths Pathway platform that allows Stage 4 and 5 students to move through the curriculum at their own pace.
The College also offers an iSTEM Stage 5 elective course, which provides students with the ability to build and code their own robot to simulate an autonomous vehicle, as well as design and build solar-powered cars. Due to these initiatives and many others, the College was recognised as one of Australia’s most innovative schools of 2021.
This year, McDiarmid has notched up another major accolade, being named one of Australia’s Most Influential Educators for 2022.
“Educating students for the unknown is an exciting and necessary challenge. It must move beyond surface learning, getting through the content or covering the course,” McDiarmid told The Educator.
“We must adopt a learning focus that allows students to apply their in-school learning to real and authentic situations as independent, creative, abstract and critical learners.”
She says this means adopting “a future-focused approach that promotes flexibility, adaptability and collaboration.”
“Being agile and reflective are key to ensuring the learning environment you provide remains relevant and authentic for both students and staff. This helps to lead in uncertain times.”
In 2021, the College was looking to the year ahead as an opportunity to “reimagine learning in a secondary school context”. One year on, McDiarmid says 2022 is shaping to become an exciting year as St Clare’s College continues its commitment to a future-focused approach to learning.
“The College is developing a new learning space, which will be among the first of its kind, that moves beyond the traditional classroom,” she said.
“This multidisciplinary space will become a centre for innovation in learning where the physical space reflects the nexus between industry, the world of work and school.”
41-51 Carrington Road, Waverley, NSW 2024
02 83057100
fleur.cane@syd.catholic.edu.au
linkedin.com/in/kerrie-mcdiarmid-09062938
stclares.syd.catholic.edu.au
Kerrie McDiarmid
Principal
St Clare’s College, Waverley
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Profile
Milestones
2020–present
Insurance Business Magazine | Key Media
Deputy Principal at Australian Christian College - Southlands
Doctor of Education
2020–present
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2021
Ted Talk in collaboration with key media
Year 7 Community Leader and Leader for Learning Technologies and Platforms at Northern Beaches Christian School
Master of Business Administration, 2017–2019
2021
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2013
Ted Talk in collaboration with key media
Master of Education (Curriculum and Pedagogy)
2013
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Ted Talk in collaboration with key media
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Ted Talk in collaboration with key media
Bachelor of Education (Primary)
2009–2012
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1998–2010
2011–2015
2015–2019
2020–present
2021
Kerrie McDiarmid
Principal
St Clare’s College, Waverley
Read on
Special Report
Home
Bio
Milestones
Profile
Milestones
Insurance Business Magazine | Key Media
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Ted Talk in collaboration with key media
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Ted Talk in collaboration with key media
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Ted Talk in collaboration with key media
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Ted Talk in collaboration with key media
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1998–2010
2011–2015
2015–2019
2020–present
2021
Kerrie McDiarmid
Principal
St Clare’s College, Waverley
Read on
Special Report
Home
Bio
Milestones
2021
2020–present
2015–2019
2011–2015
1998–2010
2021
Insurance Business Magazine | Key Media
St Clare’s College placed 29th in the state, the top-performing Catholic Systemic School in NSW
ST CLARE’S COLLEGE AWARDED 5-STAR INNOVATIVE SCHOOL 2021
St Clare’s College received Excellence Award for 2021 Secondary School of the Year (nongovernment)
2021
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2020–
present
Human Resources Magazine | key media
Principal at St Clare’s College
St Clare’s College placed 29th in the state, the top-performing Catholic Systemic School in NSW
ST CLARE’S COLLEGE AWARDED 5-STAR INNOVATIVE SCHOOL 2021
St Clare’s College received Excellence Award for 2021 Secondary School of the Year (nongovernment)
2020–present
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2015–
2019
Human Resources Magazine | key media
Assistant Principal at St Clare’s College
2015–2019
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2011–
2015
Human Resources Magazine | key media
Leader of Pedagogy at Marist College Kogarah
Lecturer/Tutor at University of Notre Dame
2011–2015
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1998–
2010
human resources | key media
Head of Department English/HSIE at St MarouN’s College
1998–2010
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Milestones
McDiarmid says the space will harness the latest technology and the architectural design “will reflect a focus on sustainability and will reflect industry.”
“It is here that we will run some of our entrepreneurship programs, create our own start-up hub and continue our collaboration with tertiary and industry partners,” she says.
“This year we will also begin to reimagine Stage 5 electives as we design our own bespoke courses that reflect our commitment to innovative approaches to learning.”
Reflecting on the changes the Catholic school sector has seen since the beginning of the pandemic, McDiarmid says the experience has taught educators that flexibility and agility are necessary.
“It has also shown us how we can be more creative and innovative in our approach to learning. However, one of the challenges emerging from lockdowns and an over-reliance on technology is a lack of sustained focus,” she says.
“Students have also emerged needing to re-learn how to engage in a traditional learning environment again. Increasingly, it is important to ensure that the learning experiences of students are meaningful and a focus on engagement has become paramount.”
She says project-based, real-world learning that requires students to think beyond themselves and solve problems that benefit the common good facilitates engagement and activates empathy.
“In a girls’ context improving attitudes, STEM skills, and career aspirations of young women is also an ongoing challenge,” she says.
“Positioning young women for success through targeted collaboration with industry and the tertiary sector to foster efficacy is a key focus of the College.”