Welcome Mr Jim Baird, Deputy Principal St Mary’s

CMC welcomes to the Leadership Team, Mr Jim Baird, Deputy Principal St Mary’s. Mr Baird joins us from the Mornington Peninsula where he has spent the majority of his teaching life at Rosebud Secondary College and Padua College. He has also taught at an International School in Brunei Darussalam, in South East Asia.

Mr Baird is thrilled to have the opportunity to be part of the Catherine McAuley College community, having admired the work of the Mercy Sisters for some time.

“While teaching at Padua I became aware of the pioneering efforts of the Sisters of Mercy and was always eager to explain to parents the journey of the Sisters to Australia and the roles that they played in establishing Catholic education in Australia. Ironically both my daughters were in McAuley House and Mercy House while at school and they are both advocates of the Mercy values.”

Mr Baird has already enjoyed a warm welcome in Bendigo and throughout the CMC community where people have been quick to help him and his family settle in. The students have taken the time to say ‘hello and welcome’. Now he is looking forward to becoming part of the community and getting to know the staff as well as parents, carers and students.

He has many goals for 2023 and believes in encouraging the students to develop pride in their school.

“I have already set the students a challenge to be the best that they can be this year. I have asked them to represent the College and themselves in the best light at all times, through their actions, their words and their deeds.

“Young people today face many challenges, they need support, guidance and role models. I hope that the CMC community can offer this to our young people and together we will allow them to be the best that they can be in the Mercy way.”