Anne Quirk, school chaplain at at St John Bosco Arts College​

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This April marks a significant milestone for Anne Quirk as she celebrates 25 years at St John Bosco Arts College.

Anne walked into the school as a learning mentor, but six years into her journey, Sr Agnes, one of the much-loved Salesian Sisters, told her she would make a lovely chaplain. Since, Anne’s chaplaincy has unfolded through rich experiences, emotional moments, and challenges that have taught her resilience and grace. “I feel blessed to have had the time here at St John Bosco and to have been a part of so many people’s lives over the years,” she reflects.

Anne remembers the doubts she once had about stepping into chaplaincy, but others saw in her what she couldn’t yet see in herself. Today, she is a trusted figure at the heart of the school. “I feel both privileged and humbled to have the trust of the young people who share their stories with me, students who know they can come for a chat and feel loved and supported,” she says.

Over the years, Anne has shaped many of the school’s most treasured traditions including Advent and Lenten services, transition days for new Year 7s, and the annual Passion Play. She strives to be adaptable and honest with her young people, never pretending to have all the answers, but always offering space, compassion, and understanding. Her office and prayer room, filled with cushions and warmth, reflect her belief that chaplaincy must feel like home.

Looking back, Anne is astonished by how quickly time has passed. She loves “seeing the children of some of our former students starting school and remembering what their mums were like when they were here.”

Anne’s visions for the years ahead are rooted firmly in the school’s Salesian spirit. “Young people that come to our school are from many different backgrounds,” she explains, “but I believe chaplaincy brings a new dimension to young people’s lives, and their ever developing and inquiring minds.”