Introducing Mrs. Sue Branson

I love travelling, learning by listening and experiencing the lifestyle of “the locals.”. I love the wisdom shared by the old and wise and the spontaneity of small children. I appreciate the challenges faced by living on the land. If all of these are stirred together, perhaps they explain why teaching became my career and how I “arrived” at Saint Mary’s:

I began my teaching career 'a long time ago’, having graduated with a Bachelor of Education.

Initially, I was employed in the Broken Bay Diocese. I taught for eight years in Catholic Schools on the North Shore of Sydney. I spent many happy years at Our Lady of Dolours Primary, at Chatswood.

From there, I was very fortunate and was offered a teaching position overseas: I taught at Saint Mary’s Infant’s School in North Kensington, in London for two years. This was a very rewarding experience professionally. However, I yearned to return to the lifestyle of Australia.

After a few more years in Sydney, I successfully applied for a position at Saint Joseph’s Catholic School in Goulburn. I worked there for three years. During that time frame, I was living some distance from Goulburn. Commuting each day became a challenge due to kangaroos and wombats. So when a position at Saint Mary’s in Crookwell was advertised, I was quick to apply.

 I have been at Saint Mary’s “a long time.”  Over the years, the network of connections that have grown from my experiences within this workplace has satisfied my desire for a sense of “community.” I appreciate our school being encompassed by honest, open Australian rural living. I also appreciate the history of the school and the way in which the Catholic ethos is embedded in its existence.

Saint Mary’s school is full of positive energy. I believe the staff, students and parent body combine to provide an educative environment of the highest order.

I feel blessed to be a member of this successful “community.”