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Dare to imagine

College Board & Strategic Plan

College Board of Governance

Responsibility for the governance of St Patrick's College Townsville rests with a Governance Board of Directors and by Mercy Partners, a canonical body which governs Mercy ministries in Queensland.

Members of the St Patrick's College Townsville Board:

Sr Helen Mary Peters rsm - Chair

Ms Josie Gabrielli - Deputy Chair

Ms Tia Cox

Ms Maria Larkin

Ms Stephanie Naunton

Ms Jess Keir

Towards 2025 - Strategic Plan

As a ministry of Mercy Partners, our Catholic identity as a day and boarding secondary school for girls has been etched in Townsville history since 1878. Inspired by Catherine McAuley, founder of the Sisters of Mercy who dared to imagine a better future for young women 190 years ago in Dublin Ireland, the College remains focused on living out her legacy through an unwavering commitment to providing excellence in girls’ education. An education in the Mercy tradition reinforces this commitment to excellence, inspiring genuine action and engagement by both staff and students.

Our community is joyful and immensely proud of its unique location, inclusive culture and ethos, where an education for girls is reimagined for brave and confident women of the future, who dare to imagine a better world for all. Innovative and strategic opportunities for young women through secondary schooling become fundamental to preparing our young graduates for their future.

The Towards 2025 Strategic Plan showcases the shared vision, mission and hope of our community, as a result of close consultation with current and past student, staff and families. The result is an exciting and visionary document that encapsulates the strategic framework to which the custodians of our College will use to take our community through the next five-year phase.  Strategic pillars are outlined, providing an overview of the areas of strength and focus, with robust statements of intent and practical strategies to support the aspirational goals.

Excellence is a consistent theme in the tradition of a Mercy education and this plan continues and strengthens that commitment. Students are encouraged to commit to excellence and learning growth whilst being supported in developing their unique gifts and talents and the skills needed for lifelong learning and achieving their potential.

We look to the future with hope and joy.

Contact Us

If you wish to contact the Chair of the Board, please email chair@stpatscollege.qld.edu.au

Towards 2025 Strategic Plan

Sr Helen Mary Peters rsm

I am a North Queenslander by birth and education. Upon leaving school I joined the Sisters of Mercy – a decision that has enriched my life in ways I had not thought possible. My professional background is in teaching, adult and religious education and administration at diocesan, parish and school levels. I filled many roles both in the Townsville Mercy Congregation and on national committees and task forces, and was Congregational Leader of the Townsville Sisters of Mercy prior to its amalgamation into the current Institute of the Sisters of Mercy of Australia and Papua New Guinea.  In recent years I have become heavily involved in ecumenism at the local level and have a role in the management of Stable on the Strand.  I have an abiding passion and interest in the mystery and beauty of our individual journeying into faith and relationship with our God, and all things to do with spiritual formation of people.

Ms Maria Larkin

Maria graduated from James Cook University with a Bachelor of Commerce degree and has been a Certified Practicing Accountant for over 30 years. During this time, she has primarily worked in accounting and taxation divisions in public accounting firms. Maria has extensive experience working with small to medium businesses in a variety of industries including, construction, primary production, retail, manufacturing and professional services. She has volunteered as treasurer for numerous committees over the years including the Rose Bay Kindergarten and St Joseph’s School. Maria has also been on a Board Member of St Raphael’s College, JCU (now Combined Catholic Colleges).

Ms Josie Gabrielli

Josie grew up in Townsville and has deep connections within the community. She began her career, as a Registered Nurse, training at the Mater Hospital and later completing her Bachelor Degree at James Cook University. Josie has held positions of responsibility with St Thomas' Parish (Sydney), Board Member of Timor Leste Charity, LETS and Board Member Townsville Hockey Association. She spent over 20 years in Sydney building her career and now works in the field of Project Management in Hospital Capital Works. Her current role as Projects Director at Mater Private Hospital Townsville has brought her back to her Mercy roots and she is thrilled to offer her skills and experience to St Patrick's College Townsville at this time of significant capital development.

Ms Stephanie Naunton

Stephanie Naunton graduated from St Patrick’s College Townsville in 2005. In 2011, Stephanie graduated from James Cook University with a Bachelor of Laws and later went on to complete her Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice at the Australian National University. She was admitted as a solicitor to the Supreme Court in 2015 and is a Board member of Townsville Community Law..

From 2012- 2014, Stephanie lived in London UK, where she worked in asset management and luxury investment. In 2015, Stephanie became the electorate officer and North Queensland adviser to Minister for Disability Services, Minister for Seniors and Minister Assisting the Premier on North Queensland. More recently, Stephanie worked for Wellways Carer Gateway as the Coordinator of Community Engagement & Volunteers and held the First Nations portfolio assisting to set up services across North Queensland and remote parts of Far North Queensland.

Stephanie’s passion and commitment for equality led her to study at Harvard University completing her Leadership, Action and Organising Course. In 2020, Stephanie completed her Certificate in Pathway to Politics at Queensland University of Technology. In 2022, she graduated her Masters with High Distinction in Politics and Policy at Deakin University. Stepahnie is also an Advisory Board Member for Deakin University.

Stephanie is the CEO of Unify Intercultural Australia.

Ms Jess Keir

Jess is a former student of St Patrick's College Townsville and graduated from James Cook University with a Bachelor of Laws and Economics. Jess commenced her legal career with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, and has also worked closely with not for profit legal organisations, including establishing Legal Aid Queensland's Civil Law Service in Townsville and managing the QPILCH Legal Clinic which provides legal assistance for the homeless and those experiencing mental illness. Jess has spent the last 12 years working in private practice as a Commercial Litigation and Employment Senior Associate for the North Queensland law firm, Keir Steele Waldon Lawyers.  

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Contact Us

St Patrick’s College Townsville
45 The Strand (PO Box 721)
Townsville Qld 4810
College Administration:
T (61) 4753 0300
F (61) 4753 0336
Email Administration
College Absence Line:
47530377

CRICOS No. 03317K

Call in and visit us on Townsville’s Strand beachfront...Where Ambition Meets Compassion

A Ministry in Mercy Partners

Acknowledgement of Country: We give thanks and respectfully acknowledge the Wulgurukaba people, the Traditional Custodians of this beautiful country whose land our College shares. We recognise their ongoing deep spiritual connection to this Country, and the care they gave for thousands of years. We also acknowledge the Bindal people as the neighbouring Custodians of their Country. We pay our respects to the Elders, past, present and emerging and extend that respect to other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples here today.