We would like to inform our community that two remarkable, long-serving staff members will be leaving our community at the end of this term.

Last week, with sadness and mixed emotions, I accepted the resignations of Ms Rachel O’Brien and Mrs Belinda McGleenon.

Mrs McGleenon, FDL Mirragin Program Coordinator, has decided to take a period of Long Service Leave in 2027 before retiring from teaching. 

Since joining Lourdes Hill College as a teacher in January 2009, Mrs McGleenon has made a wonderful contribution to our community. She held the role of Mirragin Support Teacher before being appointed Mirragin Program Coordinator in January 2013, a role she has held with great care and commitment ever since. In leading the Mirragin program, she has walked alongside our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and their families, nurturing a strong sense of belonging, culture and connection within the College. Mrs McGleenon has been instrumental in developing the College's On Country Immersion Program for Mirragin students, creating meaningful opportunities for students to deepen their connection to culture, Country and community. She has also made a valued contribution to the broader College Immersion and Outreach Program, helping students to encounter, serve and learn alongside others.

Beyond her work in the Mirragin program, Mrs McGleenon has contributed to the broader education community through her work with CEQL (Catholic Education Queensland Limited) RI/PJP and Good Samaritan Education First Nations committees, forums and networks. As a past parent, she is a strong supporter of our College traditions and stories and has modelled these in her work and interactions every day.

Throughout her almost two decades at the College, Mrs McGleenon has demonstrated compassion, warmth and professionalism, positively influencing the lives of many Lourdes Hill College students and their families. Her commitment to ensuring every student feels known, valued and supported will remain a lasting part of her legacy.

As Mrs McGleenon embarks on this new chapter, we extend our deepest gratitude for her many contributions and wish her every happiness in her retirement. Her final day at Lourdes Hill College will be Thursday, 3 December 2026.

After more than two decades of dedicated service to Lourdes Hill College, Head of Faculty – The Arts & Creativity, Ms Rachel O’Brien has decided to take the next step in her professional and personal journey. 

Since joining Lourdes Hill College as a teacher in January 2002, Ms O’Brien has made an outstanding contribution to our community. She has been a driving force behind the growth of Music and the Arts at the College, nurturing the creative talents of our students and building a vibrant culture of performance, creativity and artistic excellence.

Alongside her teaching, Ms O’Brien has held a range of leadership roles, including Acting Coordinator of Music (Term 4, 2003), Director of Extra-Curricular Music (2005), Coordinator of the Music Department (2006–2007), Subject Coordinator – Music (2008–2014), Arts Faculty Leader (2015–2018) and Senior School Head of Faculty – The Arts (2019–2022). Since 2023, she has led the College as Head of Faculty – The Arts & Creativity. In each of these roles, she has supported and guided staff, enriched the learning experiences of our students and helped shape the Arts as a vital part of College life.

Beyond the classroom, Ms O’Brien has enriched the life of the College in many ways. An accomplished cellist, she is regularly seen on stage, accompanying our students and supporting them as they pursue their talents and passions. She truly lives our three stories, generously contributing to the College’s service and outreach program and coordinating our annual Curricular Art Show, which gives students the opportunity to showcase their creative work. These contributions reflect the qualities that have defined her time at Lourdes Hill College.

Throughout her tenure, Ms O’Brien has demonstrated exceptional dedication, compassion and professionalism. Her love of the Arts has positively influenced the lives of many Lourdes Hill College students and their families and enriched those of our staff.

As Ms O’Brien embarks on this new chapter, we extend our deepest gratitude for her many contributions and wish her every success in her future endeavours. She will conclude her time at the College following a period of Long Service Leave, with her final day being Friday, 4 December 2026. As a college community we will farewell Ms O’Brien during our final week of classes this term.

As we celebrate all Lourdes Hill College staff on World Teachers’ Day today, we thank Mrs McGleenon and Ms O’Brien for their dedication, wisdom, and quiet faithfulness. 

We wish them every blessing as they begin the next chapter of their journey, carrying with them the gratitude and admiration of the Lourdes Hill community.