Kerrie McDiarmid | Principal
St Mary's Cathedral College

In 2023, Kerrie McDiarmid was appointed Principal of St Mary’s Cathedral College, the oldest school in the Sydney Archdiocese. An innovative and highly accomplished educational leader, McDiarmid is guiding the 200-year-old school into a new era as it expands into a dual-campus, K-12 co-educational College, embracing an exciting new vision for learning. Up until January 2023,  McDiarmid held the role of College Principal at St Clare’s College Waverley, and previously Assistant Principal, since 2015. She was also the Leader of Pedagogy at Marist College Kogarah and had the opportunity to impact the formative years of teacher practice as a sessional lecturer in the Education Faculty at the University of Notre Dame. In these roles Kerrie has delivered energy and innovation to College communities through a dedicated and professional approach to whole school change and improvement.  Kerrie demonstrates strength in organisational and strategic planning and the diversity of her knowledge allows her to effectively build the capacity of both staff and students. With over 27 years of teaching experience Kerrie has adopted a passionate, innovative and reflective approach to curriculum, pedagogy and the development of teacher capacity. It is through an ongoing commitment to a future focused approach to learning and a commitment to educational transformation that has resulted in  significant growth in student outcomes and whole school pedagogical change. Kerrie’s actions are characterised by a commitment to a growth mindset and the realisation of the potential of all members of the school community. Recognised among the Top 50 educators in the country, Kerrie McDiarmid was named one of Australia's Most Influential Educators for 2022 by The Educator. This leadership achievement is further exemplified by St Mary’s Cathedral College being recognized in The Educator’s 5-Star Innovative Schools 2024 awards for its groundbreaking teaching approaches that prioritize student success and well-being. Additionally, St Clare’s College was named an Excellence Awardee in the 2022 Australian Education Awards for Secondary School of the Year (Non-Government), further highlighting a commitment to educational excellence.