Congratulations to Craig Fosdike, current principal of St Martin de Porres, Sheidow Park, who recently was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in the 2023 King’s Birthday Honours list, for services to primary education.
Craig is best described as the leading advocate and supporter of physical education, physical activity and sport among the cohort of primary school principals in the Catholic school sector of South Australia.
He has been a leader in a number of Catholic primary schools over his decades of service, for most of this time as a school principal.
Craig is not only a SACPSSA life member, but has been elevated to the status of “Hall of Fame Legend”, among only 10 people to achieve this level of recognition in over 50 years of the successful conduct of the association.
For over 20 years, he has held the role of Principals’ Representative on the SACPSSA Executive, and at various key moments in our history, Craig has been an essential link between our association and the Primary Principals’ Association, a key body within Catholic Education SA.
His extraordinary advocacy and leadership is renowned within both of these important CESA groups.
Craig’s professional involvement with ACHPER SA is again, a reflection of his extraordinary advocacy and commitment to the development of physical education, activity and sport for both teachers and students.
He has been a member of the ACHPER SA Board since 2005, was made a Fellow of ACHPER SA in 2009, a life member of ACHPER National in 2022, and is the current Co-President of ACHPER SA.
During all this time he has continued his role as a principal in various Catholic primary schools, which is testament to his limitless energy and commitment at all levels of the education process.
In each school Craig has been principal, he has always taken a hands-on, practical role in the development of physical education, activity and sport programs, with an emphasis on establishing developmental programs such as AusKick and Kanga Cricket for those junior primary students starting out in their lifetime journey of physical activity involvement.
In conclusion, a very significant impact of Craig’s time in education, has been his emphasis and support for the professional development of his staff, particularly encouraging them in their own journeys into educational leadership.
The OAM is a fitting acknowledgement of Craig’s extraordinary service and contribution.
Congratulations, Craig!
