Sharon West is a self-effacing person who says there’s not much to tell about her work as a friend to St Cuthbert’s Catholic School community. Others beg to differ.
School principal Mrs Elizabeth McDougall commends her real generosity of spirit and her role as community builder and supporter of the marginalised.
“Wherever there was a request for parent volunteers, Sharon would always put up her hand. She has always come to school Masses and is very supportive of everything we do,” said Elizabeth.
Kindergarten teacher Lucy Morgan enthusiastically describes Sharon as ‘very dedicated and helpful.’
Sharon has been involved in Catholic Education since her own school days at Chevalier College in Bowral, NSW. Although not a Catholic herself, Sharon values a Catholic education very highly and was very grateful that her own children have been accepted at a Catholic school, first Our Lady of Mercy’s in Deloraine, then St Cuthbert’s in Lindisfarne. Now her children are enjoying their time at MacKillop Catholic College in Mornington and the family attends Mass regularly at Corpus Christi Catholic Church, Bellerive.
Sharon was on the Board and Parents and Friends at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic School when her eldest child started school there. When the family moved to Lindisfarne in 2007 it was natural to become involved there too. Sharon says it is her way of saying ‘thank you’ to the school. Last year Sharon finished 6 years as secretary of the School Board. While on the Board, she helped with plans to complete the refurbishment of the school, including improvements made to St Cuthbert’s through the Federal Government’s Building the Education Revolution initiative.
She has been a member of the Parents and Friends Association and is always involved with their activities such as sausage sizzles and working bees. Although Sharon’s children have left St Cuthbert’s and her role on the board has ended, she is still an important part of the school community as she works part time as a teacher assistant.
Sharon West is well-deserving of the Award for Outstanding Contribution as a Friend in Catholic Schools.