The Sisters of St Joseph Award recognises outstanding and innovative leadership in faith leadership defined by presence, passion for mission, and the ability to inspire a Catholic school community to live out the example of Jesus. This year’s recipient is Liz Stokes of St Joseph’s College, Lochinvar, an exceptional educational leader whose vision and faith have left a lasting mark on her community.
Liz’s career has been shaped by a breadth of leadership roles, ranging from Wellbeing and Digital Innovation to her time as Assistant Principal and Co-Principal at St Joseph’s College. She has recently stepped into a new role as System Lead Curriculum and Pedagogy for Secondary Schools across the Diocese, where her influence will extend even further.
Respected for her emotional intelligence and her deep faith, Liz is known for building authentic relationships with students, staff, and families. Her leadership is both compassionate and practical, balancing the pastoral with the strategic in ways that energise and strengthen her school community.
A forward-thinking educator, Liz has been a driving force in adaptive learning and educational technology. She introduced innovative uses of Microsoft Teams to improve student feedback and engagement, while also guiding staff in understanding and applying AI responsibly in the classroom. Through her contributions to the Growth Team and the Leading Learning Collaborative, she has championed data-informed teaching, helping staff use evidence effectively to lift student outcomes.
Her impact on assessment practices has been equally significant. Liz pioneered a whole-school approach to formative assessment and immediate feedback, transforming Stage 4 learning. She also led initiatives connecting wellbeing with academic performance through attendance data analysis. These efforts resulted in meaningful changes, including the integration of essential skills into Stage 4 syllabuses and an updated Grade Point Average system that recognises student growth as well as achievement.
In every aspect of her work, Liz embodies the spirit of the Sisters of St Joseph Award: she is an exceptional leader, an innovative educator, and an authentically faith-filled presence. Her creativity, vision, and faith continue to inspire colleagues and students alike.
Congratulations to Liz Stokes, recipient of the Sisters of St Joseph Award.
