This term we welcome Joe Kinder to our St Stephen’s School community. Joe’s journey to the School has been shaped by a decade of experience across Catholic education, including his recent role as Assistant Principal at Holy Rosary School. His career has taken him from metropolitan Perth to Karratha, giving him a deep appreciation for the diverse needs of school communities.
Along the way, he developed a strong interest in special needs education, an area that continues to influence his leadership today. “It’s shaped a lot of how I approach supporting students and staff,” he says. “Every child deserves to feel seen, understood and capable.” Now as Deputy Head of Primary (Years 3–6) at Duncraig, Joe brings both experience and heart to a role that perfectly aligns with our School’s core values.
When asked about what stood out to Joe when he joined the St Stephen’s School community he said “It was really the service pillar of the School that stood out to me, the way it’s woven into everyday school life rather than just being a value on a wall. And beyond that, there’s a calm, warm feeling you get the moment you walk through the campus. It’s hard to put into words, but you can very easily tell that it’s a genuinely happy place to be.”
When Joe is not on campus, you will find him outdoors. “I’ve played rugby for as long as I can remember and I still love both watching and playing whenever I get the chance. Outside of that, you’ll usually find me at the beach or doing something outdoors.” He also has a secret love for country music, “Anytime you walk through the Primary school, you’ll hear some sort of country tunes coming from my office.”
We are delighted to welcome Joe to Duncraig Primary and look forward to the wisdom, warmth and steady guidance he will bring to our Years 3–6 students and families and the wider School community.
