After much prayer and reflection, Mrs Karen Bartlem, Office Manager for The Cathedral College (TCC), has decided the time is right for her to retire from her role at the College.
When Karen turns off her computer and walks out of the grounds of the College for the final time on Friday 6 December 2024, it will truly be the end of an era.
Karen was a foundation member of the TCC staff and was there on Monday 4 February 1991 when a new Catholic College in Rockhampton, TCC, officially opened its doors. 33 years later Karen is the last remaining foundation staff member to still be working at TCC. A truly remarkable achievement.
But the story of Karen’s journey as a Catholic Education staff member had begun almost four years earlier in August 1987 when she accepted an Administration position at The Range College, a Catholic Boarding School for Girls. It was The Range College and St Joseph’s Christan Brothers College (CBC) that closed their doors in December 1990 and a new Catholic College, TCC was born the following year.
Karen was one of the many staff members from both Colleges who accepted a position at TCC and hence became a foundation staff member of a College where all are invited to “Come live life in all its Fullness”. The rest as they say is History.
For the past 33 years, Karen has been a much loved and highly respected staff member at TCC. Karen has carried out all the various roles she has held at the College over those years with dedication and commitment. Her contribution to life at TCC has been significant and there would be thousands of staff, students and their parents who have been blessed to have had Karen assist them during their time as part of the TCC family.
Patient, caring, calm, compassionate, understanding, humble, faith-filled, skilled, mentor, confidant, trustworthy, always ready to help and willing to “go the extra mile” are all words and phrases that could be used to describe the personal and professional gifts that Karen has selflessly and generously shared with the TCC community. But perhaps “friend to many” best sums up all that Karen has meant to generations of TCC staff, students, and parents.
It is hard to contemplate Karen’s contribution to TCC without thinking of the sport of Rowing. Karen has gifted an extraordinary amount of time and her talent to enable many students to participate in the very healthy and character-building activity of Rowing. Countless weekends have seen Karen taking students to Rowing regattas throughout the State, particularly in recent years in Townsville. Well rowed Karen.
Karen fondly remembers and pays tribute to those whom she has had the honour of serving with over these past many years. They are too numerous to mention but Karen is keen to acknowledge the outstanding leadership of the principals who with faith, care, compassion, and wisdom have led TCC and made it the excellent school it is today.
“I so respect and admire Foundation Principal Bob White, Leesa Jeffcoat, Christine Ryan, Br Ted McGee, Mark Stower and Rob Alexander for all they have been and for all they have given to the College through their servant model of leadership” Karen said.
Whilst the footprint of the College and the facilities have changed markedly for the better over the 30 plus years, Karen says that the students of 2024 are still very much the same as the foundation students of 1991.
“I witness each day students who truly appreciate the educational and life skill opportunities that are made available to them at TCC. I see their pride in TCC and their commitment to living out the College’s foundational Values of Gratitude, Respect and Compassion”. Karen said.
Miss Leesa Jeffcoat, who recently retired after 23 years as Director of Catholic Education in the Diocese of Rockhampton, was asked to reflect on what Karen had meant to Catholic Education over the past 37 years.
“In my time in Catholic Education, I have been blessed to work with many amazing people but for selfless service to others delivered with a smile, there have been none better than Karen Bartlem. As Principal of TCC from 1995 to mid-1998, I have very special memories of working closely with Karen and knowing she was much more than a colleague, she was a friend and still is to this day.” Leesa said.
The last word with respect to what Karen has meant to TCC goes to current Principal, Rob Alexander. “Karen epitomises the spirit of TCC, she has assisted me and many others greatly over so many years. She leaves the College with our deep appreciation, our best wishes and our prayers that God will continue to bless her and her family in the years to come. Thank you Karen”.
