Principal Profiles 2025

Heidi Senior

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Name: Heidi Senior

Current School: St Mary’s College, Adelaide

Previous Position: Director of Professional Practice and Partnerships, Edmund Rice Education Australia

First Year as a Principal: 2025

My big picture for my current school is: To realise the deep history and traditions of the College through a modern lens. To enable young women to activate and develop those same dispositions that have shaped our story – compassion, independence, bravery, grit, curiosity and kindness.

The Joy of becoming a Principal is: The gift of story.

Favourite Book: A Short History of Nearly Everything – Bill Bryson

Favourite Food: Cheese

Interests / Hobbies: Baking, gardening and landscaping, home improvement and renovation, reading.

My Favourite Well-Being Strategy: Working on a project that I can finish.

Advice for an Aspiring Leader: Be curious and work hard to understand and be confident in your own strengths.

Favourite Leadership Quote: The really important kind of freedom involves attention and awareness and discipline, and being able truly to care about other people and to sacrifice for them over and over in myriad … ways every day. David Foster Wallace

What Title would you give to your TED Talk or Book: Elder wisdom and current learning.

Dr Napoleon Rodezno

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Name: Dr Napoleon Rodezno

Current School: Caroline Chisholm Catholic College, Braybrook, Vic

Previous Position: Aquinas College, Ringwood, Vic

First Year as a Principal: 2025

My big picture for my current school is: Continue to offer our students the opportunities they deserve

The Joy of becoming a Principal is: In living Jesus' Ministry, having impact and promoting Gospel Values

Favourite Book: 100 Years of Solitude, Gabriel Garcia Marquez

Favourite Food: Anything Vietnamese

Interests / Hobbies: Playing AFL Masters, reading, stand up paddle boarding

My Favourite Well-Being Strategy: Dinner with my wife; walking and playing with my dogs

Advice for an Aspiring Leader: Be yourself and be a long-life learner

Favourite Leadership Quote: Leadership is about transforming limitations into possibilities, Robin Sharma.

What Title would you give to your TED Talk or Book: Displacement: insights of a life as a young refugee and the impact on a lifetime.

Stuart Ralph

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Name: Stuart Ralph

Current School: St Brendan-Shaw College

Previous Position: Deputy Principal St. Patrick’s College

First Year as a Principal: 2023

My big picture for my current school is to provide a contemporary education for students in grades 7-12 that meets the needs of every student in my care, where they learn skills and knowledge that prepare them for the future.

The Joy of Principalship is: Working and leading people.

Favourite Book: Da Vinci Code - Dan Brown

Favourite Food: Steak- eye fillet pepper sauce

Interests / Hobbies: Fishing/gardening/fitness

My Favourite Well-Being Strategy: Running / Gym

Advice for a Beginning Principal: Your personality is your greatest strength

Favourite Leadership Quote: Seek first to understand and then be understood

What Title would you give to your TED Talk or Book:  Each day, you are leading by example

Vince Bellini

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Name: Vince Bellini

Current School: Our Lady of Mercy College, Australind

Previous Position: Vice Principal at Emmanuel Catholic College

First Year as a Principal: 2023

Year of Birth: 21/04/1973

My big picture for my current school is to create a nurturing environment where students and teachers grow spiritually, academically, and socially. This is achieved through a holistic education that integrates faith and learning, emphasising Catholic values and providing a supportive community.

The Joy of becoming a Principal is: being able to empower and mentor aspiring leaders, equipping them with the necessary skills to develop into the next generation of leaders.

Favourite Book: The Dry by Jane Harper

Favourite Food: Indian cuisine

Interests / Hobbies: reading, travelling and cooking.

My Favourite Well-Being Strategy: Getting outside and doing something away from the hustle and bustle of our roles.

Advice for an Aspiring Leader: Believe in yourself and have the confidence to make a positive difference in your community.

Favourite Leadership Quote: “I can do things you cannot, you can do things I cannot; together we can do great things.” St Teresa of Calcutta

What Title would you give to your TED Talk or Book: 

“Why are you leading? Who are you leading? Becoming a leader for today.”

Matt Ryan

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Name: Matt Ryan

Current School: James Sheahan Catholic High School

Previous Position: Assistant Principal - Domremy College

First Year as a Principal: 2025

My big picture for my current school is: To retain the current welcoming nature and have students realise their academic potential

The Joy of becoming a Principal is: Building relationships with a local community to support students, families and staff. This is a privilege and a joy.

Favourite Book: I enjoy a fast-paced action book to relax - Matthew Reilly’s collection is good for this.

Favourite Food: Indian

Interests / Hobbies: Getting involved in, and watching, my own children in their various sports, fitness, Brumbies and Canberra Raiders, visiting family and friends, travel

My Favourite Well-Being Strategy: A long walk

Advice for an Aspiring Leader: Listen and take on board feedback from people who are good mentors. Being able to

Favourite Leadership Quote: Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other. (John F Kennedy)

What Title would you give to your TED Talk or Book: The power of connections.