Mrs Healy will join the college community in January 2022 after relocating from Sydney where she is currently the assistant principal at St Andrew's College in Marayong.

With teaching qualifications in mathematics and science key learning areas, Mrs Healy has held leadership positions in pedagogical processes, student wellbeing and science.

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Mrs Healy's qualifications include a Bachelor of Education (Australian Catholic University), Certificate IV in Human Resource Management with Distinction (South-Western Sydney Institute of Technical and Further Education) and a Certificate of Religious Education (Catholic Education Office Sydney).

She has also commenced studying a Masters of Educational Leadership (Australian Catholic University) and is a member of the Australian Council for Educational Leaders.

Mrs Healy will be moving to Armidale with her husband Padraig and their four children in the new year.

"Being a woman of strong faith we look forward to welcoming her into the Saints Mary and Joseph's Cathedral Parish Community," director of schools Chris Smyth said.

"With a depth of experience from her leadership roles in two very large comprehensive and innovative Catholic secondary schools, Clare also has a strong commitment to the importance of Catholic schools as a mission of the church."

At the announcement to staff on Monday, Mr Smyth said Mrs Healy was well placed to take O'Connor Catholic College forward into the next stage in its improvement journey.

"As we investigate more ways to improve performance and provide more flexible student pathways for their learning," Mr Smyth said.

"I would also like to take this opportunity to thank outgoing principal Regina Menz for her outstanding leadership during the last five years.

"Regina has led significant cultural change and has earned the respect of the community through her strong commitment and high expectations for the faith and learning outcomes of all students and the professional learning of the staff."

Ms Menz will take up the position of school performance leader at the Catholic Schools Office (CSO) in January 2022. Where she will have responsibility for the leadership of the CSO mission and learning team in collaboration with the other school performance leaders.

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