In October 2017, Fr Brian McCoy SJ, the Provincial of the Society of Jesus in Australia, announced significant changes to the governance of Jesuit owned schools in Australia.
From 2 December 2017, Saint Ignatius’ College, Riverview became an incorporated entity with a board that is responsible for the local governance and management of the school. Saint Ignatius’ College Riverview Limited (Ltd) is the legal entity that conducts the College and is the employer of all of the staff at the school.
At the same time as announcing the move to incorporating the Jesuit owned schools, the Provincial announced the establishment of a new incorporated entity called Jesuit Education Australia (JEA). JEA is the member of the entity that operates Saint Ignatius’ College Riverview. In turn, the Society of Jesus in Victoria, which is a legal entity of the Australian Province of the Society of Jesus, is the member of JEA. The Principal reports to the board of the school which in turn reports to the Province through its member, JEA.
The purpose of JEA is to:
- Advance and provide leadership in Catholic education in the Jesuit tradition;
- Ensure, support, and facilitate communication and collaboration between, the Jesuit Colleges, Jesuit Companion Schools and other entities that operate to advance Catholic education in the Jesuit tradition as specified by the Provincial;
- Ensure that each of the Colleges is conducted as a Catholic school in the Jesuit tradition of such character as may from time to time be specified by the Province;
- Carry on or assist in the carrying on and promotion of the charitable activities of the Province in connection with education;
- Ensure that the Jesuit Colleges and Jesuit Companion schools give authentic witness to the Ignatian vision and Jesuit mission of education; and
- Do all other things necessary for, or ancillary to, the fulfilment of the purposes listed above.
Under our governing constitution, the Chair, Deputy Chair and directors of the board are appointed by JEA, taking into account nominations from the Chair of the board and/or the Provincial. The boards are non-representative bodies but in making appointments to the board JEA must ensure that there are directors with an appropriate range of skills, experience, and expertise including the ability to understand and competently deal with current and emerging issues in connection with Jesuit education. Before JEA appoints a Chair, Deputy Chair and/or director, it must seek the prior approval of the Provincial. Directors are usually appointed for an initial 3 year term.
Our School Board Members
The current directors of the board are:
