Meet the Principal – Terry Cooney

This is an exciting time for Our Lady of the Way, as we prepare to welcome our first students in 2018.

Let me introduce myself. I am Terry Cooney, founding Principal at Our Lady’s. I have been teaching for around 30 years across both Primary and Secondary. Approximately half of these years have been as part of Catholic Education in the Parish of Kilmore – firstly at St Patrick’s Primary School, then Assumption College and now Our Lady of the Way Catholic Primary School.

A lot of my experience in schools has been in the area of Catholic Identity, Faith and Ministry. This has led me to becoming very passionate about the role of Catholic social teaching in education. Through participation in social justice activities like Immersions, Vinnie’s Winter Sleep outs and Vinnie’s Soup Vans, we can help foster a strong sense of morals and values in our students. This is an area that will be a focus for Our Lady’s.

Outside of teaching, I have a loving and supportive wife, and I am the father of beautiful twin daughters who are also teachers. I cherish the family time we spend together. I also have a very faithful family dog named Harvey,  named after the St Kilda footballer Robert Harvey. From this you will gather that I am a long suffering St Kilda supporter.

I am an avid golfer, playing as often as I can which is usually once a week. I love travelling especially experiencing the aspects of history, culture and way of life of different communities. Gardening, reading and walking are times when I am able to relax and appreciate all that I have.

I feel honoured being given the opportunity to be the Foundation Principal of Our Lady of the Way and I look forward getting to know the students and their families and wider community.