The Establishment Board of Trustees of St Ignatius of Loyola Catholic College, in Drury, south of Auckland, has announced that Dean Wearmouth has been appointed as the foundation principal of the college.
St Ignatius of Loyola College, a year 7-13 coeducational school, will open in Term 1, 2024, with a maximum of 340 Year 7-9 students. The roll will grow to 900 Year 7 to 13 students by 2030.
Mr Wearmouth will take up his new role on day 1 of Term 4, 2022, and brings to this position a wealth of knowledge, skills and experience. His qualifications include a BA(Hons) in History, postgraduate qualifications in Religious Education, Innovation in Education, as well as Level 2 Te Ara Reo Māori. He is currently principal of Marcellin College.
According to a statement from Linda McQuade, chair of the St Ignatius of Loyola Catholic College Establishment Board, under Mr Wearmouth’s leadership, Marcellin College has seen strong roll growth and rapidly growing popularity. It is this demonstrated experience of establishing an excellent education in a growing school, and his strong commitment to honour each and every member of the communities that he serves, that provided the board with the confidence in making this appointment.
Born in the UK, Mr Wearmouth, his wife and two children, immigrated to New Zealand when he was appointed to a position at Marcellin College. The family lives in southern Auckland. He is a member of St Anne’s Catholic Parish, Manurewa, and is a regular Minister of the Word. He is an active member and supporter of his Kahui Ako, provides support for beginning Catholic principals, and serves on the executive committee of the Auckland Secondary Principals’ Association.
Ms McQuade noted that one of Mr Wearmouth’s first tasks will be establishing contact with the wider community, but more specifically with the parishes of St Patrick’s Pukekohe, St Mary’s Papakura, St Andrew’s Tuakau, and St Anthony’s Waiuku, and the local Catholic primary schools, St Joseph’s School, Pukekohe, St Mary’s Catholic School, Papakura, and Holy Trinity Catholic School, Takanini. Through the college’s enrolment scheme, priority will be given to preference students from these three schools.
“We are confident that Dean has the qualities, skills and attributes to ensure that the Establishment Board’s vision that St Ignatius of Loyola Catholic College will provide quality Catholic education, in a safe and caring community that embodies the Jesuit charism, where God is at the heart of learning, loving and serving, will become a reality,” Ms McQuade said.
“He is committed to implementing a high-quality curriculum with academic rigour, cocurricular opportunities, and a pastoral care system all developed through an Ignatian lens. He is passionate in the pursuit that every staff member and every student achieve their own personal excellence.”
Mr Wearmouth said: “People have been working hard to make the dream a reality for a long time, and I will serve the community wholeheartedly to establish and lead the college. I am honoured to be appointed as Foundation Tumuaki of St Ignatius of Loyola Catholic College. It is an exciting prospect to grow our Church through the establishment of Jesuit education in southern Auckland.”
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