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Faculty Leaders
English and Humanities
Ms. Madelene Pearson
Madelene is a teacher of Humanities, English and Literary Studies, as well as a specialist Media Studies teacher. She moved to Darwin in 2021 with her family, having spent many years living in Melbourne and Asia. Madelene is passionate about the power of language, storytelling and communication with a love of literature, culture, the media and travel. Prior to becoming a teacher, she spent many years working as a print and radio journalist starting as a reporter in rural and regional Australia before extending her skills abroad in countries including India and Singapore. Madelene holds a Batchelor of Arts (Media Studies) and a Master of Teaching (Primary & Secondary) and values experiential learning experiences and embodied teaching as a way to engage students in knowledge building. She loves the hot, wild lifestyle of the Northern Territory and spends her holidays camping and exploring Australia’s unique and exceptionally beautiful country with her family. After almost two years teaching at O’Loughlin, Madelene becomes Head of Humanities with a desire to support students at the College to become powerful and effective communicators.
Faculty: Phillip Cooley, Christine Woods, Tara Tartaglia, Caitlin Orr, Siobhan Shaikh, Madelene Pearson, Justin Zammit, Liza Bowers, John Byrne, Anna Nikolaeva, Mickayla Ward
Assistant Principal Religious Education
Mr. Matthew Bourke
Matt believes that the needs of each individual student are at the heart of everything we do in Catholic Education - this includes not only their academic and pastoral needs but most importantly their spiritual welfare. His desire is that each student, staff member and their families experience the love of Jesus in their lives so that they can proclaim this to others with faith, hope and love.
Faculty: Catherine Hives, Matthew Bourke, Justin Zammit, Megan Evans, Siobhan Shaikh, Maree Hammer, Hannah Smith, Anthony Judd, Matt Holt, Ariel Araos, May Jen Tan, Matthew Bourke, Jake Barnes, Stephanie Sfouggaristos
STEM - Maths and Science
Mr. John Bament
John has been a teacher in the Territory since early 2000. 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.
Science Faculty: Jane Ramsay, Max Jones, 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 Semester 2 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, Cassie Henderson, Mickayla Ward, Jake Barnes
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 Smith
Hannah joined the O’Loughlin Catholic College community in 2018, teaching Humanities and Religious Education across Middle School. In 2020 she started working within the Inclusion Support Department as the Inclusion Support Practitioner. In 2022, Hannah and May-Jen shared the Inclusion Support Coordinator role to oversee the ever-growing Department. They are continuing in the role this year, with Hannah working with the Senior students.
Prior to O’Loughlin, she was teaching in Victoria where she worked as a teacher in the Inclusion Support Department with Senior students who had their own VCE Pathway. Hannah has had many years working within the Inclusion Support Department beginning as an Inclusion Support Assistant and continuing this whilst studying her Teaching Degree. She went on to study her Masters of Learning Intervention to further her knowledge in the area.
Hannah’s goals are to continue to advocate for these students as well as provide and encourage students with their education by giving them the support to flourish and achieve their educational goals.
Faculty: Breda Smyth, Hannah Smith, May-Jen Tan, Donna Nicholls, Sheyvonne Pennefather, Luke Kohler, Luisa Borges, Marianna Pula, Lucy Vallejo
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: Eric Vargas, Aiden Singleton, Cashy Burns
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
