The longest serving Principal in St Ursula’s College history, Mrs Catherine Dunbar, will finish her tenure at the end of the 2020 school year. Mrs Dunbar commenced at the College in the role of Deputy Principal in 2002, and has been ‘at the helm’ as Principal since 2005.

Throughout her 15 year Principal-ship, Catherine has steered the College through the impact of Central Queensland’s mining boom and subsequent downturn, the introduction of Year 7s to Secondary School, and the College’s Centenary in 2018.

“During the mining boom, our Day students outnumbered the Boarding students, for the first time in St Ursula’s College history.  The subsequent downturn in mining saw enrolment numbers drop considerably; though, within a few years, we welcomed Year 7 to Secondary school in 2015.  Year 7s joining the College for their first year of Secondary school was a special moment as I believe their energy and enthusiasm enliven everybody,” Catherine said.

“The Centenary celebrations in 2018 were a great opportunity to unpack and display the proud history of St Ursula’s and to acknowledge the enormous contributions of the Presentation Sisters who owned St Ursula’s until 2014,” said Catherine. “Celebrating our Centenary made me realise how proud I am of the way the College has stayed true to its Catholic identity, values and great academic traditions and used these to embrace the challenges of preparing young women for life and work in the 21^st century.”

Catherine’s personification of the College values - simplicity, excellence, respect, hospitality, faith and compassion – is recognised by students as much as staff and parents.

“To welcome us to St Ursula’s, Mrs Dunbar has invited a different group of Year 7s to have afternoon tea with her each week in her office; we sit down and chat with her over biscuits and fruit,” Year 7 student, Sienna Lovegrove said.

“Mrs Dunbar is really supportive and encouraging; we love seeing her cheer us on at sporting events, and she is always so proud of us and excited for us, too,” said Year 8 student, Paige Jones.

This sentiment was echoed by Catherine herself.  “I love being present when our students engage in activities they love inside or outside the classroom.  Everyone has a different time to shine and I believe that deserves acknowledgement.” 

Before commencing at St Ursula’s, Mrs Dunbar worked at Rockhampton Girls Grammar School as an English teacher and Head of Department as well as other leadership roles. “My teaching career started in Brisbane, at Cavendish Road High School but, after marrying my husband Peter, we moved to the Burdekin area in North Queensland when he took up a position at the local hospital,” Mrs Dunbar said. “I was appointed to Home Hill State High School where I taught English, History and French and then, at a young age, accepted a Headmistress role, responsible for the well-being and learning of the girls in the school.”

Catherine and Peter relocated to Rockhampton – Peter’s hometown - just prior to the birth of their first child.

“I was a stay-at-home mother while our three children were small but later I took short term contracts at both Rockhampton and North Rockhampton State High Schools, before I accepted a permanent position at Girls Grammar. I have been fortunate to work at some great schools across the State, Independent and Catholic sectors and am still in contact with colleagues and former students from those schools.  St Ursula’s, however, is very special to me; there would never be a good time to leave this school; my departure now is simply a result of timing,” Catherine said.

“My last contract reached an end – and the Board which governs St Ursula’s offers five year appointments to Principals. I could have re-applied but had to weigh up a number of family and personal circumstances and decided that, whereas, I would have loved another year or two, five years was more than I could confidently commit to.”

Catherine said she found the decision quite heart-wrenching, particularly in such an unusual and challenging year.

“I know I will really miss St Ursula’s; I regard leading this wonderful community as a very special privilege. This College has been a large part of my life and I will watch its future development with pride and affection.”