“I feel a real sense of returning home,” says new Head of Ministry Bernice Roche of her move down to the South West during the holidays. She grew up on a sheep and wheat farm in Noggerup (near Boyup Brook), and has loved coming back to the country after twenty years living in Perth and Mandurah. “I’m looking forward to more opportunities for walking in Tuart forests and listening to the sounds of nature.”
Bernice’s love of nature led her into Science and microbiology at UWA, learning to splice DNA and work with bacteria and viruses, before she sought a more diverse career in teaching. “I wanted to work with people, not microbes,” she said. She has not looked back, finding her student’s energy and zest for life contagious – “In a good way!” she adds.
Mrs Roche has been teaching now for over 18 years, and she has enjoyed a number of roles including boys’ education and hockey coach, Head of RE and more recently Director of Ministry at Aranmore Catholic College in Bateman. “I love the enthusiasm of young people,” she says “and the honesty and love shown by Primary students.” She is looking forward to experiencing this especially at the College Retreats and our celebrations for St Joseph’s Day and MacKillop Day.
Bernice has three sons: a student in Perth, a budding scriptwriter completing a Media & Production degree at Edith Cowan University and a software engineer at Google in Sydney. She is also grandmother to 5 month old Kora, and is loving the addition of two more girls in her family. “My daughter-in-law and granddaughter are so much fun to hang out with.”