Following in his father's footsteps
Schools
As the new principal of one of South Australia’s oldest primary schools, St Joseph’s Clare, Joe Hicks is well aware of the rich history of faith and service that has gone before him.
“We have such a beautiful Josephite tradition here,” he said, referring to the establishment of the school by Bishop Francis Murphy in 1849 and the arrival of the Sisters of St Joseph in 1869, just three years after St Mary MacKillop and
Fr Julian Tenison Woods established the order.
Today the mid-north school caters for approximately 325 students from Reception-Year 9 and continues to share the Josephite mission of the Church, working in partnership with the Sevenhill parish and wider community.
Joe with his parents Daryl and Trish during their recent visit to Clare.
Joe’s own Catholic faith and love of education has been heavily influenced by his father, Daryl Hicks, who was a teacher for many years and chair of the South Australian Commission for Catholic Schools. The SANFL Hall of Famer became a deacon of the Archdiocese in 2007 and retired for health reasons in 2018.
Working within the ministry of the Church has also played a major part in Joe’s life.
“I was a late bloomer to teaching,” he explained.
“At university I committed a lot of time to playing SANFL football (at Sturt and Centrals), then I joined the police force for a brief time, and later worked in Youth Ministry for the Archdiocese of Adelaide for several years.”
Through his wife Rosie, who has worked in Catholic schools for many years, and his close involvement with staff at the Catholic Education Office, he was inspired to pursue a teaching career and after completing his Diploma of Education he began teaching at Nazareth Catholic College. After 10 years there, including time as an assistant principal Religious Identity and Mission (APRIM), he moved to St Paul’s College.
In 2024 the family, which includes Annalise, 18, and Angus, 10, embarked on an “adventure” and spent a year in Darwin where Joe was deputy principal at St John’s Catholic College.
Joe said teaching had always been “a vocation” for him.
“Whether it’s been full-time in the classroom, in the role of APRIM, deputy principal or principal, all these roles I see as a vocational call, as much as they are a profession,” he said.
“I see my role as principal of St Joseph’s Clare as a commitment to guiding and shaping the future through the lens of faith, providing students with the tools they need to succeed academically while also instilling in them the values that will guide them through life.
“It’s about helping students, staff and families live out their faith and build a community of love, service and compassion that reflects the mission of St Joseph’s.
“The work can be challenging, but the opportunity to impact lives in such a meaningful way is incredibly rewarding.”
Joe said as well as being “blessed” to follow in his father’s footsteps as an educator, he felt privileged to be part of “a larger mission”.
“The Catholic education system is rooted in a history of faith and service to others,” he said.
“I have been blessed to be guided in our system by amazing principals such as Dr Neil McGoran, Phil Lewis and, most recently, Paul Belton.”
From a faith perspective, he credited Fr Phillip Marshall, Bishop Charles Gauci and Fr Tom Gleeson for inspiring him to take on various roles in leadership.
“I am honoured to be part of the vibrant school community that is
St Joseph’s Clare, and I look forward to continuing the work of Peter Shearer, the former principal, who was a part of this wonderful community for so many years,” he said.
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