This year’s Australia Day Honours saw Ms Kathleen “Kitty” Guerin, a former teacher and educational leader in the Diocese of Parramatta, awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the General Division for her significant service to Catholic secondary education.
It is not the first time Kitty has received a special award. In 2013, Kitty was awarded the Woman of Mercy Award by the Sisters of Mercy Parramatta for having “shown the face of Mercy” in her life’s work.
Humbled and “surprised” by the latest recognition, Kitty said it was “good to have women that are acknowledged in their careers.”
Her family, including her two adult daughters, were also delighted to hear the news. “It was wonderful. The reaction of the family, they have been so supportive and excited,” she said.
Kitty’s connection to Catholic education runs deep. She grew up in the Blue Mountains and attended Catholic schools: Our Lady of the Nativity Primary School in Lawson and Mt St Mary’s in Katoomba (which has since closed).
Kitty describes her faith as part of her DNA.
“It’s always been there, guiding me. It’s comforting, and it’s something I carry with me, no matter the role I have held,” she said.
Her career journey began in the government system, but after some years, she ventured overseas, teaching in London and Nigeria. Upon returning, Kitty taught at Parramatta Marist High School where she was Head of English and Head of Senior English at Santa Sabina College, Strathfield. From there she was appointed Deputy Principal at OLMC Parramatta, then Principal at St Clare’s College, Waverley; Principal at OLMC Parramatta and Acting Principal at Lindisfarne Anglican College, Tweed Heads.
As a result of her teaching at Parramatta Marist High, Kitty has had a long association with the Marist Brothers as she was on the Marist Regional Council in New South Wales for a long time, referring to her 15-year membership with the Council, part of Marist Schools Australia.
Kitty leaves a strong legacy as the first lay Principal of Our Lady of Mercy College, Parramatta, where she led the OLMC community for more than a decade. During that time, she was active in keeping the Mercy values alive in the College community, with a keen focus on academic excellence and social advocacy.
Her imprint in the College’s history is reflected by the success and positive wellbeing of female students who attended the College during her leadership.
Kitty Guerin OAM. Image: OLMC Parramatta.
Kitty has a lot of gratitude for the support of the Sisters of Mercy and her long-standing friendship with Sr Ailsa Mackinnon rsm, for the reason she receives such recognition today.
“When I came to OLMC Parramatta, I was the Deputy Principal. When I came back as Principal, Sr Ailsa was the Congregation Leader. We’ve spent a long time together!” she said.
Sr Ailsa shared the sentiment.
“It has been a privilege to work with Kitty over the years,” Sr Ailsa said.
“She has been a trailblazer, an outstanding educator, a powerful leader, and a strategic thinker,” she said.
“She combines this with a sense of compassion and dedication.
“She is a worthy recipient of this award.”
Reflecting on her time as Principal at OLMC Parramatta, Kitty said the toughest part was entering the leadership role as a lay person.
“I was the first lay Principal at both St Clares College and OLMC Parramatta, and it comes with challenges,” she said, elaborating that up until 1998 and 2004, the communities had been accustomed to “religious leadership”.
She described the transition as a “delicate process”. But she had some great mentors in her corner.
Kitty made significant physical and practical contributions to the schools she led, including at OLMC.
Under her leadership at OLMC, the school underwent important renovations and updates, such as the refurbishment of classrooms, the addition of air conditioning to ensure staff and students had a comfortable working environment, the introduction of one-to-one technology for students and staff and the refurbishment of the Edith Angel Hall and the Janet Woods Building,
Kitty as Principal of OLMC Parramatta, giving a speech to students. Image: OLMC Parramatta.
Her legacy remains visible today, even as schools like OLMC have adopted new forms of governance; transitioning ministries to Public Juridic Persons, which is an entity established under Canon Law.
Today, Kitty remains highly involved in the governance of Catholic education.
She serves as the Chair of the Santa Sabina College Board, CRMNA, an organisation whose members are the Catholic RI and MPJP School Authorities in NSW and ACT and as a Trustee of Kildare Ministries. She has also been the Chair of the Boards of Brigidine College, St Ives and St Lucy’s School, Wahroonga.
Reflecting on her journey and achievements, Kitty emphasised the importance of teamwork in school leadership.
“You can’t do it alone,” she said.
“It’s the collaboration with your Executive Team, Board, staff and community that truly makes a school run successfully.”
One of Kitty’s many achievements was the academic excellence of her students. Hills Shire Times news article dated 7 January 2014. Supplied.
She believes in the intangible benefits of a Catholic school, citing the sense of “calm”, “confidence” and “compassion” that it instills in students particularly in the area of social justice. It is also important to ensure strong academic success which ensures they are fully rounded young women and men when they leave our schools.
“There’s a spiritual element in Catholic schools that you don’t necessarily see in other schools, and it creates a caring and supportive environment for students,” she said.
Kitty Guerin OAM.
For more information about our Catholic schools, please visit Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese.
