ST Joseph’s Mungindi Primary School principal Frances Reynolds has been presented the JA Sutherland Memorial Award at the recent New England Education Co-Operative Awards for her significant contribution to education.

The annual awards, held last month at the Armidale Golf Club, recognises outstanding achievements in education within the New England and north-western area of New South Wales.

With a distinguished career in education spanning more than 46 years, Ms Reynolds has demonstrated exceptional leadership and commitment at Catholic schools across New South Wales.

Her journey began in the classroom, where she honed her skills as a dedicated teacher before advancing into various principal roles.

She has served as a principal at Our Lady of the Rosary in The Entrance; St Joseph’s Catholic School at Condobolin; St Patrick’s Catholic School at Brewarrina; Sacred Hearts Infants School at Forbes; and St Ignatius Catholic School at Bourke.

(from left) Matt Hobbs from New England Education Co-Operative, St Joseph’s Mungindi Primary School principal Frances Reynolds and director of Armidale Catholic Schools Regina Menz at the New England Education Co-Operative Awards.

Ms Reynolds has served as St Joseph’s Primary School principal at Mungindi for the last three-and-a-half years.

She also applied her deep understanding of educational systems as a kindergarten to Year 12 schools consultant for 17 schools in the Diocese of Broken Bay, in the northern regions of Sydney and the Central Coast.

Ms Reynolds’ leadership style is a compelling blend of relational and transformational approaches. While her focus on building strong connections and fostering a sense of community is a hallmark of her leadership, her actions also demonstrate the core tenets of transformational leadership.

Her work is a powerful example of how a leader can not only manage but also genuinely transform the people and systems around them by connecting individual goals to a shared, inspiring vision.

Ms Reynolds’ exceptional communication skills and dedication to community building have strengthened bonds between staff, students and families and enhanced the environment at Mungindi Primary School.

Through evidence-based practices and inspiring leadership, she has continually driven improvements in student outcomes and cultivated vibrant, caring educational communities.

Other award recipients from the Armidale Diocese Catholic Schools system include Kahlia Whalan from St Joseph’s Warialda, winner of the Cynthia Briggs Award for Empowerment Through Education. Matthew Mills, also from St Joseph’s Warialda, and Tim Unwin from Armidale Catholic Schools Office,

were presented Sister Cath Duxbury Memorial Awards for Outstanding Emerging Education Leaders.

The William Walker Award for Excellence in Educational Leadership went to Amanda Sheridan from St Edwards Tamworth, Catherine Martin from St Mary’s College Gunnedah and St Joseph’s Quirindi’s Pauline Long.

The Alan Kerr Memorial Award for Early Career Service was presented to Moira Watts, from St Edwards Tamworth and Georgia Mackson, from McCarthy Catholic College Tamworth.