Tuesday August 27, 2019

Challenge for education journey man

Schools

After 42 years working in Catholic schools, most recently as principal of Nazareth Catholic College, Phil Lewis has begun a new challenge within the education sector.

Tuesday August 27, 2019

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Originally planning to retire in 2020, Mr Lewis decided a position as executive officer of the Catholic Secondary Principals Australia (CaSPA) was too hard to turn down.

“For me personally I’d reached an age where professionally I’d had a great 40-odd years in education and it was time to let go of that and leave at a good time, when things were going well,” he said.

“The new building was finished and the Year 7s had started – I was really committed to seeing that under way at Nazareth.”

The transition to CaSPA was an easy one for Mr Lewis who served on the board for seven years, including four as president.

“I really enjoyed my time on the board and as president – working with people from around the country was an amazing experience,” he said.

“When this position came up I thought fancy at my age starting something new; but I thought it was something that I could probably do for a bit longer, which made it appealing to me because I do love my work.”

Mr Lewis, who was principal of Gleeson College for 10 years before moving to Nazareth, began his new role as CaSPA executive officer in Term 2 with his office based at Sacred Heart College, Somerton Park.

CaSPA is the national peak body for Australian Catholic principals, also acting as a federation of the principals’ associations in all states and territories.

The group aims to contribute to the development of the national education policy and practice; support improved education outcomes for secondary students; support professional development of principals of Catholic secondary schools and provide training opportunities.

Despite his change in role, Mr Lewis said he was still as committed as ever to spreading the good works of the Church into schools, now across the country.

“For me in my life and with my own faith it was a great way to give witness and to bring to fruition the values and the teachings of the Church,” he said.