Karen Shannon-Duhigg

Head of Junior School, Richard Johnson Anglican School

Karen Shannon-Duhigg believes in taking the joy with you. In teaching, “some days are hard, so you have to find the glimmers of joy” to share with your colleagues and students. Karen’s joy in and capacity for guiding and supporting her colleagues shines through in every aspect of her role. 

Appointed as Head of Junior School at Richard Johnson Anglican School in 2020, she faced the immediate challenge of the first lockdown with remarkable composure and grace: “One day it was Grandparents’ Day, the next a school in the next suburb was closed due to Covid!” 

Karen skilfully managed the pandemic through prioritising both the welfare of her team and the needs of her students, organising drive through pickups for learning and connecting with her teachers. Her interpersonal skills are evident in her effective handling of demanding situations, interactions with parents, and collaboration with staff. Karen’s commitment to preserving the dignity and intrinsic worth of each individual is central to her leadership and as a person.

Karen’s leadership extends to innovative educational initiatives to ensure the teaching and learning at the school is evidence informed. Her involvement in the Learning Power Framework initiative, the AISNSW Maths Pilot Project and InitialLit program highlight her dedication to improving educational outcomes and ensuring the school is well placed to meet the requirements of the new syllabuses while focusing on student learning needs. Balancing this, she has also expanded the school’s music program, such as staging the musical “Finding Nemo Jr”. Karen’s background in performing arts enriches her communication, making her assemblies warm and engaging, and she takes time to accompany the school choir, which helps the students see her in a different light.

Karen remains deeply connected to her students, often stopping to listen to their achievements and discoveries. Her teaching load allows her to maintain an authentic perspective on teaching, ensuring that she remains present and engaged. Karen loves to read to students, as it builds a strong emotional connection to literature, and encourages students to be active in their learning. Her principal, Alan Dawson, remarks on Karen’s “ability to connect the dots,” when team building, making sure her teachers feel valued and supported. Through her innovative approaches and compassionate support, Karen continues to create a nurturing environment where everyone thrives, ensuring that every challenge is met with grace and every success is celebrated with joy.