TheHallowian-2021Vol2 - Flipbook - Page 25
160 STORIES
Pearls of Wisdom
Wendy Florey, Deputy Principal – Students, 2002-2021
My 20 year part of the 160 year All Hallows’ story commenced
towards the end of 2001 when at the last minute I applied for the
position of Deputy Principal Students which was being vacated by
my long standing friend Jan Neumann after 14 years.
I had decided against applying for the position because I had just
accepted a permanent leadership role at another school. Jan
was convinced I should apply regardless, and a couple of days
before the closing date insisted I at least put in an application.
We worked on my application together at her house over the
weekend and Jan delivered it in person on the Monday morning
it was due.
Jan loved All Hallows’ and made an amazing contribution to this
School through her pastoral care of thousands of our students.
After leaving All Hallows’, Jan became Principal of St Monica’s
in Cairns, and I was offered and accepted the position at All
Hallows’.
“
After her passing, Jan’s sisters
gave me a beautiful string of
pearls [...], and I wore them
proudly in her honour when
I made my farewell speech
as I retire from All Hallows’
after twenty years as Deputy
Principal Students.
Jan and I remained friends throughout her time in
Cairns and then as Principal of Brigidine College,
Indooroopilly. Sadly, Jan passed away from ovarian
cancer in December 2013 and as I said in her
eulogy, Jan’s love of All Hallows’ and ties to the
Mercy tradition never ceased.
After her passing, Jan’s sisters gave me a beautiful
string of pearls given to Jan by the All Hallows’ P
& F when she left, and I wore them proudly in her
honour when I made my farewell speech as I retire
from All Hallows’ after twenty years as Deputy
Principal Students.
“
Jan passed her love of All Hallows’ onto me, and
I have been so blessed to have been so lovingly
embraced by the All Hallows’ community over
the years. Overseeing the implementation of the
8 House vertical pastoral system in 2003 and watching it flourish over the years to provide ongoing
pastoral care and support to thousands of All Hallows’ students and their families has been my greatest
joy. As I retire from teaching after forty two years and from my beloved All Hallows’ after twenty years,
I know that just like my friend Jan, All Hallows’ and all of the staff, students and families that I have
been privileged to meet and work with will forever remain dear to my heart.
2021 | The Hallowian
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