Quicklinks
Faculty Leaders
English and Humanities
Ms. Caitlin Orr
Caitlin joined our college community in 2013 and has been a dedicated member of the Humanities Faculty, teaching across multiple year levels and subjects. Caitlin completed her double degree in Teaching and Learning and Creative Arts and Industries before her commencement at the college. She has since completed a Master of Children’s Literature. Caitlin considers herself a lifelong learner and hopes to inspire a love for learning within her students.
Faculty: Christine Woods, Tara Branco, Liza Bowers, John Byrne, Anna Nikolaeva, Rachel Mitchell, Nicholas Lohmeyer, Donna Nicholls, Emily Peacock, Thai Margetic, Angie Marshall, Maree Hammer, Helena Brain, Richard Bryant, Rahul De Sylva, Shevonne Pennefather, Alex Ward
Assistant Principal Religious Education
Ms. Kathryn Pettersen
Ms Kathryn Pettersen is an educator committed to fostering a sense of agency among our students, encouraging them to think critically, ask meaningful questions, and engage in open and respectful dialogue. Deeply passionate in empowering youth and young adults, Ms Pettersen has a core philosophy in seeing activities and events being student-led. She believes that Religious Education should not be confined to textbooks and a classroom, but should nurture the whole person and help students uncover their purpose and full potential. Ms Pettersen believes wholeheartedly that every student has the power to change the world for the better and strives to give students the opportunities to do so, starting with their own school community. The students of today are our leaders and saints of the future.
Ms Pettersen grew up in Adelaide and has been working in Catholic Education in the Darwin/Palmerston region since 2016. She has degrees in the fields of Education, Theology, and Science.
As Assistant Principal Religious Education, Ms Pettersen is passionate about creating an environment where everybody can explore their faith in an inclusive nurturing environment by igniting the flame of curiosity, compassion and a deep understanding of one's faith.
Faculty: Catherine Hives, Megan Evans, Richard Bryant, Mary McPhee, Cathy Hives, Alexandra Ward, Liza Bowers, John Hamburg, Hannah Foody
STEM - Maths and Science
Mr. John Bament
John has been a teacher in the Territory since early 2001. Originally from the UK, where he studied his Maths/Teaching degree at Warwick University, he has taught in a variety of secondary schools both in England and Australia. He uses this depth and breadth of experience to inspire both his students and staff to be the best they can be and have a love of learning, with an inquisitive mind for wanting to know the "why" answer.
You may also hear John on Mix104.9 with Katie Wolf on a Friday morning, for his weekly "Testing the Territory" Maths question or see him umpiring AFL on the weekends.
Maths Faculty: Luke Beatty, John Bament, Dan Sivan, Daniel Boyle, Miranda Colquhoun, Estia Sales, John Kensey, Gurmeet Kaur, Rahul De Sylva, John Hamburg, Bodie Sowter, Hannah Gubb, Sapan Lamichhane
Science Faculty: Jane Ramsay, Cathy Hives, Thai Nguyen, Courtney Furlan, Maree Hammer, Siobhan Watts, , Cathy Hives, Shevonne Pennefather, Daniel Boyle, Gurmeet Kaur
Physical Education and Health
Mr. Luke Beatty
Luke Beatty joined the O’Loughlin Catholic College team in 2018. He had previously taught Physical Education at both Primary and Secondary schools in Queensland. Luke had also spent 2 years teaching and coaching in the United Kingdom. Along with his role as Head of Faculty of Health and Physical Education, Luke also takes on the responsibility of being O’Loughlin’s Sports Coordinator organising Athletics and Swimming Carnivals, along with inter-school sports days.
Faculty: Luke Beatty, Dan Sivan, Miranda Colquhoun, Lisa Fox, John Kensey, Hannah Gubb, Bodie Sowter, Louis Gross, Ned Smith, Mary McPhee, Amy Chittick, Karl Hochman
Arts and Technology
Ms. Kate Smith
Faculty: Joanne Green, Liza Bowers, Debbie Walters; Jantina Bos, Bodie Sowter, Matthew Holt, Nick Jack, John Hamburg, Kate Smith, Timothy Angus, Caitlin Orr
Inclusion Support Coordinator
Ms. May-Jen Tan
May Jen has been part of the O’Loughlin Catholic College community since 2017, initially in the position of Assistant Inclusion Support Coordinator and Middle School teacher. She has taught in a number of departments including Humanities, Religious Education and Creative Arts (Music), while continuing her work with the Inclusion Support Department. In 2023, May Jen is working alongside Hannah Smith as Inclusion Support Coordinator, with May Jen leading the coordination of the Middle School years.
Before commencing at O’Loughlin, May Jen spent 5 years teaching on the Tiwi Islands at Xavier Catholic College, first as a classroom teacher and then as Literacy Coordinator. Here, she developed her passion for needs-based classroom interventions, and saw the strength and value of meeting students at their level. She completed her Graduate Diploma in Special Education (Inclusive Education) in 2018 and is now working towards a Masters Degree in Cognitive Psychology and Educational Practice.
May Jen believes in celebrating all students for their strengths, and supporting them with their challenges. She is a firm advocate for students with additional needs, and continues to work hard to support students, teachers and families
Faculty: Breda Smyth, Hannah Smith, May-Jen Tan, Donna Nicholls, Sheyvonne Pennefather, Luke Kohler, Luisa Borges, Marianna Pula, Lucy Vallejo
Inclusion Support Coordinator
Ms. Hannah Foody
Faculty: Breda Smyth, May-Jen Tan, Donna Nicholls, Sheyvonne Pennefather, Luke Kohler, Luisa Borges, Marianna Pula,
IEW (Indigenous Education Worker) Coordinator
Ms. Cashy Burns
Catherine (Cashy) Burns is the IEW (Indigenous Education Worker Coordinator) at O’Loughlin Catholic College. Cashy comes from the Tiwi Islands and has been working and supporting students in the catholic schools for over fifteen years. She joined O’Loughlin Catholic College in 2015 coming across from St John’s Catholic College where she has worked with various students coming from remote and urban areas across the Northern Territory.
“It is great to work with staff and students at O’Loughlin Catholic College as it has a wonderful feeling around the school and everyone is so friendly and makes you feel welcome.“
Faculty: Xavier Vallejo, Cashy Burns, Lucy Vallejo
Careers and PLP
Mr. Nicholas Jack
Nicholas came to O'Loughlin in 2018 as Acting Deputy Principal in 2019; he then moved into the Head of Senior School position. He has had extensive experience in several educational sectors, including Catholic, independent, and government schools in Victoria, the Northern Territory, and the United Kingdom. Over his twenty-five-year career, he has been dedicated to providing students with opportunities to achieve their best. He is committed to working with colleagues to create supportive and rewarding learning environments and pathways.
Nicholas has held management positions across a variety of faculties, including Health and Physical Education, Creative Arts, and VET. He has also led whole school extra-curricular activities as Director of Musical Productions and overseen choir, band, and instrumental programs. Nicholas’ musical background has provided him with considerable music industry experience in performance, production, and business management.
Nicholas understands that to engage students fully, a school curriculum and timetables need to allow learners to experience and excel in creative and physical learning environments, as well as the spiritual and academic. He encourages more comprehensive learning outside and inside the usual regular school hours to support a thriving wider school community.
Faculty: Dan Sivan, Phillip Cooley, Mrs Christine Woods, Ms Caitlin Orr
