News

On Monday 11 July 2022, our very own Principal, David Mezinec, received one of two Excellence in Leadership Awards offered by Catholic Secondary Principals Australia at their biennial national conference. The two-day conference enabled Catholic school leadership teams to gather in Canberra and reflect on the themes of the conference as expressed in the title: “Unity, Voice, Service.”

In accepting the award David made the point that it was not his style to be playing in the space of individual awards. At Tenison Woods College the Leadership Team accentuates the Jim Collins and Jim Maxwell Level 5 Leadership aspiration, imbued by the College’s founders, that focuses on teamwork, individual humility, collaboration and building a strong organisation and an ongoing organisational legacy beyond accentuating individuals. David underlined that the innovative success of Tenison Woods College is due to the wonderfully diverse, collaborative and self-effacing efforts of staff who are committed to serving families, and he thanked the staff for their deliberate efforts and impact.

As such David accepted the award as an acknowledgment of all the wonderful, life-giving work that occurs in Catholic schools across Australia through dedicated staff as they invite young people to a relationship with our God, and become the thriving people, capable learners and leaders for the world God desires. David also accepted the award as a way of recognising and putting a spotlight on the wonderful leadership in Catholic schools across Australia and the work of his talented, committed colleagues who share the vocation of principalship.

David offered thanks for the opportunity to serve as Principal for 16 years in South Australian Catholic schools. David completed 4 years in the Diocese of Port Pirie and 12 years in the Diocese of Adelaide, where he is currently based here at Tenison Woods College. David thanked CaSPA (Catholic Secondary Principals Australia) for instituting the awards to recognise leadership in Catholic schools and extended his thanks to all involved. He also acknowledged the CaSPA Directors on the National CaSPA Board for their service to the profession and specifically advocating for Catholic schools and the leadership in Catholic schools across Australia.

David also extended his appreciation to his principal colleagues and the Executive the South Australian Association of Principals in Catholic Secondary Schools (APCSS) for nominating him for the award, indicating also the support and inspiration of his South Australian Catholic Principal colleagues is something which he greatly values.

David acknowledged the trust that families showed by enrolling their young in Catholic schools. He thanked families for inviting Catholic schools into what he called “their sacred space of family.” David said that he felt so privileged to be serving in a Catholic school and was energised by the unfolding exciting horizon of education in school communities across Catholic Education South Australia and indeed Australia.

Congratulations David! It is wonderful to witness you shining brightly at Tenison Woods College every day and inspiring students, staff, and families through your ongoing commitment to the Tenison Woods College community.