Chisholm’s Former Principal Recognised in Queens Birthday Honours

We warmly congratulate Ms Patricia Rodrigues for her great achievement in being granted the 2022 Queen’s Birthday Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for her service to secondary education.

Ms Rodrigues was the Principal of Chisholm Catholic College from 2000-2013, but her association with Chisholm’s heritage went back as far as 1976 at Sacred Heart School in Highgate. From 1981-1988, Ms Rodrigues was the Deputy Principal and Head of Religious Education at St Thomas Aquinas College. She became the Vice Principal of the then newly amalgamated Chisholm from 1989-1992.

On this occasion, Ms Rodrigues commented that: “I was quite shocked and surprised at the nomination and indeed it is hard to put into words how humbling it is to be considered in the same light as the many hard-working people who have received the award before me.”

“I am very happy that educators are seen in the same light as other professionals. It is wonderful for our profession that any educator is recognised for the work we do with young people. I have been blessed to be able to serve three schools as a principal and to watch young people develop to their potential is an extra ordinary privilege,” she added.

Apart from being a principal of three schools, Ms Rodrigues’ leadership roles extended to various committees, councils and associations of education, state and nation-wide, over the last couple of decades.

The Medal will be presented by the Governor General at a date yet to be confirmed in October.  

“Chisholm holds a special place in my heart and continues to employ my daughter and educate my three precious grandchildren. How lucky am I?”

Ms Rodrigues is currently the Principal of Court Grammar School.

Mr John Bormolini
Principal