Robert Holstein is taking over as acting principal while John O’Brien will serve as his assistant.

Mr Holstein has a long association with the school, having worked at St Joseph’s in 1999, then from 2001-2009 before returning in 2013.

In between, he also spent three years at St Catherine’s High School, Singleton. 

Over the course of nearly 30 years in Catholic education, he has worked across a host of other dioceses including Maitland, Newcastle, Bathurst, Sydney, Brisbane, and Rockhampton.

He said his new role was “exciting but also slightly daunting”.

“This school has had one principal [John Tobin] for 19 years so it’s a big change,” he said.

“[But] one of the big bonuses is the dedicated and hard-working staff here.

“I know that I’ll have their support throughout the year, and there’s also a great student and parent body.”

Mr Holstein added the school had a great tradition and reputation.

“There’s an expectation from our parents that students are community-oriented, present well and achieve well, which occurs here on a pretty regular basis,” he said.

“It is a Catholic school and those traditions and followings are expected.

“We hope it will continue with greater parish involvement in our school.”

Acting assistant principal, Mr O’Brien, said he was looking forward to working alongside Mr Holstein.

“I’ve worked at the school for a number of years in a variety of roles,” Mr O’Brien said.

“Robert and I have had quite a long working relationship and we think along the same lines.

“So, that’s why this opportunity is a good one.

“He [Robert] is a team player and he likes to have everyone’s input.”

The duo’s roles are effectively standby positions, with John Tobin having the chance to return at the end of the year.