March 31, 2026
As Term 1 winds down, well-known South Burnett teacher Sarah McCarthy has settled in as the new principal at St Patrick’s Primary School in Nanango.
Sarah is no stranger to Nanango or Brisbane Catholic Education … she joined the staff of St Patrick’s in 2024 after 15 years at St Mary’s Catholic College in Kingaroy and an earlier three-year stint at St Joseph’s, Murgon.
Her long regional career has created a deep understanding of the South Burnett community.
“At St Patrick’s, one of the great advantages of being a small school is the strong sense of community we share,” Sarah said.
“In the mornings, our whole school gathers, and this has become a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the achievements and learnings of our students.
“Over time, our students have also learnt to celebrate one another, which has been incredibly special to witness and has helped foster a culture of encouragement and connection.
“I genuinely enjoy being present with students throughout the school day, whether that’s visiting them in their classrooms, chatting with them during playtimes or celebrating their learning.
“I want students to understand the importance of building strong literacy and numeracy skills, and I take opportunities to reinforce this in positive, everyday interactions.
“In a small town like Nanango, I see many of our students at local sporting events and community activities on weekends or after school. These moments outside the school gate help me connect with them through shared interests, and they often become great conversation starters back at St Patrick’s.”
