What's your role at Knox?

I am the Senior Chaplain of the Knox Chaplaincy Team. I help navigate the relationship between the Uniting Church and School, as well as lead the chaplaincy team. As an ordained Uniting Church minister, I provide spiritual and social/emotional support to staff and students in times of crisis. I have oversight of the faith and spirituality expression here at Knox in the traditions and ethos of the Uniting Church in Australia.

How long have you been with the School?

I started on 1 January 2023, so almost one year.

What’s a typical day look like for you?

There is very little that is typical about my day which is what I like. My vocation is entwined with the life of the School and so I respond to needs as they present themselves. I love supporting co-curricular events and am always amazed at how much energy staff and students put into these areas of their education. I preside at chapels and ceremonial events for current and past students of Knox. Weekly chapel services across the four campuses are the most regular and typical part of my weeks.

What three things do you love most about working at Knox?

The boys (and girls at WPS), the staff, the pursuit of excellence.

What or who inspired you to pursue a career in education?

I love learning, teaching, community development and my Christian faith. My experience is in ministry, education in many types of institutions, and community development. Education – skills, knowledge and the ethos/attitudes associated with it – is an inspiring part of human and organisational development and I am always thinking about how to contribute to the common good because of my faith.

What part of your role do you gain the most joy?

Having fun and laughing with people, being there in times of crisis, broadening the understanding of Christianity – its traditions, teachings and spirituality, as well as reflecting the God who I serve.

Why did you join Knox?

As an ordained minister we move in response to a ‘call’. I felt a strong call to Knox. It is impossible to meet every expectation but absolutely feel that I am in the right place at the right time.

What is the secret to good teaching and inspiring our young people?

Respect them for who they are as individuals made in God’s image, and to get to know their world.

What achievement are you most proud of?

I think being the first appointed ordained woman leader in chaplaincy is a milestone and credit to Knox.

What’s your leadership style and why have you found this to be successful?

Naturally, I am a collaborative and strategic leader.

What impact do you hope to leave on the students?

An appreciation of the personal spiritual life and a deeper understanding of God and Christianity.

What is the biggest challenge facing the education sector at the moment? What would you like to see in the future or how do you intend to help fix the problem?

Society is putting more and more pressure on school institutions to fulfill the roles that families and various community organisations fulfilled in the past. This puts more and more pressure on individual teachers and school staff as they try to meet these many and broad social expectations.

Who are you outside of Knox?

I am a quiet woman who loves being at home, out of the limelight, with my family and cat. I love reading and academic research, and value being a mother the highest of all vocations. I say that anything I achieve apart from parenting is ‘icing on the cake’.

Share one fun fact that people might not know about you.

I was named after a Cole Porter song, Rosalie.

What advice would you give to anyone joining Knox?

Be prepared to work hard to enjoy the benefits of being part of an excellent team.