Staff Story: Ms Jane Sulis OAM
Our long-serving Religious Education and Year 5 teacher and ex-student Jane Sulis was awarded an Order of Australia Medal (OAM) in the 2023 King’s Birthday Honours List for service to the community and to education.
Jane Sulis, who is also our Outreach Coordinator, has been employed at Santa Sabina College for 21 years. During that time, Jane has been an exceptional educator and advocate. Her commitment to social justice, outreach and service is not just part of her job, it is a vocation that has influenced Santa Sabina staff, students and families. She has led countless service and social justice initiatives that support a large number of Sydney’s most vulnerable. The impact of her work opens the minds and hearts of people to what they can achieve for others when they had no thought of it prior to meeting her.
Jane’s generosity of spirit and commitment to advocating for those unable to do so addresses systemic social justice problems in her local community and educates others to have an attitude of fundamental respect for all people. Her advocacy provides solutions and structures that address the inequities of people in our community and provides them with tangible and long-lasting outcomes. Our school community is beyond proud of the work that Jane does in not only educating the next generation of social justice advocates but in supporting those in need.
Jane herself is delighted with the award saying it recognises the importance of doing things in the community.
‘Any individual can make a difference’, Jane says.
‘So many people will say “I’m just one person, what can I do? I won’t make a difference to the big problem.” My approach is that although you can’t help everybody you can help somebody’.
Our social media feeds – Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn – lit up with the news of Jane’s OAM when we published it recently. The tributes came pouring in from within and outside the Santa Sabina community – more than 150 comments of congratulations such as these:
Congratulations Jane! I have been honoured to work alongside you and you have inspired me with your generosity and selflessness. The energy and passion for what you do is a special gift and you have helped so many people.
Janet Mg
Wonderful news and a very deserving recipient! Congratulations Jane! Well done!
Steven O’Connor
Congratulations Jane ..one of my fellow class mates ..I feel we were well schooled in Social Justice at Santa Sabina in the 60’s …
Judie Gardiner
Congratulations. So well deserved for all your tireless and loving service, at our school and in the wider community.
Daniela Sicurella
Congratulations, Jane. So well deserved. I’m so happy that your tireless work for social justice has been recognised. You have made an enormous impact educating the girls about social justice issues.
Jeanette Carroll
Congratulations Jane, my girls were constantly inspired by your dedication to social justice issues. You have been a wonderful role model and you absolutely deserve this recognition.
Anne Bell
This is so well deserved. Jane your compassion and commitment to those that are not heard is beyond extraordinary.
Maz Loof
Congratulations Ms Sulis. So happy that your service, generosity and values have been recognised. So grateful that both of my girls had you as a role model during their years at SSC.
Keiren Witting
