A LETTER FROM THE PRINCIPAL
14 November 2016

Vale Paul Goonan
13.06.1954 - 12.11.2016

Update: The Funeral for Mr Paul Goonan will be held at 11am on Thursday 24 November at Holy Family Catholic Church, Gowrie.

It is with great sadness that I write to advise you that teacher Mr Paul Goonan entered into eternal life on Saturday night.

Paul had been employed at St Mary MacKillop College and Padua High School for over 25 years, usually as a teacher of Religious Education but also for many years as Religious Education Coordinator.

Paul had not been well for some time and died around 8.30pm on Saturday evening of complications with pneumonia and failing organs.

Paul was a much-loved colleague of all of us and some staff have worked with him for their entire careers.

At this stage, funeral arrangements are unknown, but the College has extended every assistance to the family in the preparation thereof.

Given that all priests of the archdiocese are on retreat, the Holy Rosary will be said for Paul on the junior campus and the MacKillop community, past and present, and his extended friends and family, are welcome to attend.

View the Holy Rosary Notice

School will proceed as usual today and appropriate relief lessons will be prepared for Paul's classes. I will speak to each year group and counselling will be available for students who would like to access that.

This is not the first time that the MacKillop community has sustained difficult news such as this, and I know that the maturity of our students, ably led by a professional and caring staff, will ensure that the next few days will be dignified, appropriate, and purposeful.

I am aware that many of you will know Paul Goonan, and you will have your own particular memories of your relationship with him. Please accept my heartfelt sympathy and regrets, and be comforted by the certain knowledge that Paul left in the loving arms of Jesus.

With sincere regrets,

Michael Lee
Principal