West Australia Member Profiles
Santa Maria College, Attadale - Jennifer Oaten
St Clare's School, Lathlain - Clare Kanakis
Christ the King Catholic School, Lombadina - Sharon LeRay
Luurnpa Catholic School, Halls Creek - Robert Ninkama
Ngalangangpum School, Kununurra - Deb Finn
St Mary Mackillop College, Busselton - Frank Norton
St Francis' School, Maddington - Ian Hagen
Holy Cross College, Ellenbrook - Mandy Connor
Seton Catholic College, Samson - Joseph Hoyne
John XXIII College, MT CLAREMONT - Robert Henderson
Newman College Churchlands - John Finneran
Mercy College, Kondoola - Julie Hornby
Catholic Agricultural College, Bindoon - Marie Barton
Chisolm College, Bedford - John Bormolini
Aquinas College, Perth - Mark Sawle
Lumen Christ College, Martin - Darren O'Neill
Mater Dei College - Barry Alfirevich
Aranmore Catholic College - Declan Tanham
Mandurah Catholic College - Chris Wallace
Sacred Heart College, WA - Peter Bothe
St Clare's School, Lathlain
Clare Kanakis
Where is your College located in relation to the Capital of your state/territory | My school is quite close to the Perth CBD (6km) |
What is the nature of your College |
My school, St Clare's School, is a CARE school (Curriculum and Reengagement Education) for girls in Years 8 12. |
How many students | 35 |
In what year did you commence as Principal of this College | 2017 |
What was your role prior to taking up this appointment |
Prior to this I was a consultant in CEWA for 6 months; prior to this, I was a Deputy Principal in another Catholic school in Perth. |
What parts of the role of Principal give you greatest satisfaction: |
not sure yet (only been in the role for 8 weeks)e. |
What are the one or two aspects of your College that you are especially proud of |
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What are the main challenges to you and other Catholic schools in your local area |
My challenges are different from the other schools in my area. |
What do you believe are the one or two main issues confronting Catholic Secondary Colleges nationally |
I think we've become too elite. Bums-on-seats equals $, and schools are competing instead of collaborating.
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Christ the King Catholic School, Lombadina
Sharon LeRay
Where is your College located in relation to the Capital of your state/territory | 200 kms above Broome on the beautiful Dampier Peninsular. Lombadina is right on the beach and a rich cultural history and Catholic history is part of this culture. |
What is the nature of your College |
K-10 school |
How many students | 67 |
In what year did you commence as Principal of this College | 2017 |
What was your role prior to taking up this appointment |
Deputy Principal of Seton Catholic College |
What parts of the role of Principal give you greatest satisfaction: |
Teaching and Learning: The Arts, Cultural studies, VET and the wellbeing and walfare of students and staff. The relational aspects of the role. |
What are the one or two aspects of your College that you are especially proud of |
The beautiful location, the culture and the rich Catholic history which we carry on in honour of the people who came before us in doing God's work. |
What are the main challenges to you and other Catholic schools in your local area |
Remoteness, lack of specialized staff, wellbeing of staff and students, mental health issues and the need of a Psychologist and Social workers to provide assistance to the students who suffer trauma. Attendance impacts daily on the community as well as other health issues |
What do you believe are the one or two main issues confronting Catholic Secondary Colleges nationally |
For Aboriginal students, an education that caters for their cultural needs as well as prepares them for the opportunities available to other Australian students.
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Luurnpa Catholic School, Halls Creek
Robert Ninkama
Where is your College located in relation to the Capital of your state/territory | 3200 km north of Perth in the Kimberley |
What is the nature of your College |
K-10 school |
How many students | 112 |
In what year did you commence as Principal of this College | 2017 |
What was your role prior to taking up this appointment |
Assistant Principal |
What parts of the role of Principal give you greatest satisfaction: |
Consistency in all areas to achieve positive outcomes |
What are the one or two aspects of your College that you are especially proud of |
Providing safe, secure and healthy environment for our kids |
What are the main challenges to you and other Catholic schools in your local area |
Isolation since our school and two others are located in the remote Kimberley |
What do you believe are the one or two main issues confronting Catholic Secondary Colleges nationally |
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Ngalangangpum School, Kununurra
Deb Finn
Where is your College located in relation to the Capital of your state/territory | 3500 km north east of Perth in the East Kimberley |
What is the nature of your College |
Co-ed K-10 school |
How many students | 98 |
In what year did you commence as Principal of this College | 2017 |
What was your role prior to taking up this appointment |
Deputy Principal/Reading Recovery EMU |
What parts of the role of Principal give you greatest satisfaction: |
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What are the one or two aspects of your College that you are especially proud of |
Our "Ngapuny Way" |
What are the main challenges to you and other Catholic schools in your local area |
Attendance and sometimes our remoteness |
What do you believe are the one or two main issues confronting Catholic Secondary Colleges nationally |
Ensuring a Faith journey for all involved in Catholic Education
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St Mary Mackillop College, Busselton
Frank Norton
Where is your College located in relation to the Capital of your state/territory | St Mary MacKillop College is in Busselton which is approximately 220km south of Perth, home of magnificent beaches and gateway to the iconic wine and surfing region of the South West. |
What is the nature of your College |
St Mary MacKillop College is a K-12 Systemic Co-Educational Catholic College. |
How many students | 1314 |
In what year did you commence as Principal of this College | 2017 |
What was your role prior to taking up this appointment |
Deputy Principal of Teaching and Learning, Lumen Christi College |
What parts of the role of Principal give you greatest satisfaction: |
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What are the one or two aspects of your College that you are especially proud of |
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What are the main challenges to you and other Catholic schools in your local area |
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What do you believe are the one or two main issues confronting Catholic Secondary Colleges nationally |
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St Francis' School, Maddington
Ian Hagen
Where is your College located in relation to the Capital of your state/territory | Maddington, a suburb, on the outskirts of Perth 16 kms from the CBD |
What is the nature of your College |
Systemic, co-educational, Care School |
How many students | between 30 and 40 |
In what year did you commence as Principal of this College | mid 2016 |
What was your role prior to taking up this appointment |
DP Corpus Christi College Senior School |
What parts of the role of Principal give you greatest satisfaction: |
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What are the one or two aspects of your College that you are especially proud of |
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What are the main challenges to you and other Catholic schools in your local area |
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What do you believe are the one or two main issues confronting Catholic Secondary Colleges nationally |
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Holy Cross College, Ellenbrook
Mandy Connor
Where is your College located in relation to the Capital of your state/territory | Ellenbrook, a relatively new suburb, on the outskirts of Perth 23kms from the CBD |
What is the nature of your College |
Systemic, co-educational, Pre-kindergarten Year 12 |
How many students | 770 (Opened in 2010 with 69 students in Years 7 and 8, growing to become a College with an enrolment of 1600) |
In what year did you commence as Principal of this College | I was appointed as foundation Principal of Holy Cross College in 2008. (The College opened in 2010.) I also did some work for the system on whole school improvement while setting up the new College. |
What was your role prior to taking up this appointment |
2007 Principal - Bunbury Catholic College (Regional Secondary); 1999 2006 - Principal - St Joseph's College Albany (Regional K-12) |
What are the one or two aspects of your College that you are especially proud of |
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What are the main challenges to you and other Catholic schools in your local area |
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What do you believe are the one or two main issues confronting Catholic Secondary Colleges nationally |
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Seton Catholic College, Samson
Joseph Hoyne
Where is your College located in relation to the Capital of your state/territory | 15 Kilometres SW from Perth |
What is the nature of your College |
Co-educational secondary college |
How many students | 1061 |
In what year did you commence as Principal of this College | 2016 |
What was your role prior to taking up this appointment |
Principal John Paul College Kalgoorlie |
What are the one or two aspects of your College that you are especially proud of |
1. Our students are honest and respectful young men and woman. 2. A strong pastoral care system for both students and staff |
What are the main challenges to you and other Catholic schools in your local area |
1. Maintaining the Catholic dimension of the College 2. Building a strong learning community to provide opportunities for all students to ensure future success
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What do you believe are the one or two main issues confronting Catholic Secondary Colleges nationally |
1. Funding issues both Federal and State. 2. To create an educational environment which harnesses the potential to engage and empower the students in our care.
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John XXIII College, MT CLAREMONT
Robert Henderson
Where is your College located in relation to the Capital of your state/territory | Located in Perth; 15 minutes west of the CBD. |
What is the nature of your College |
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How many students | 1527 |
In what year did you commence as Principal of this College | 2016 |
What was your role prior to taking up this appointment |
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What are the one or two aspects of your College that you are especially proud of |
It is a dynamic Catholic Co-educational environment. I have been immediately impressed with the calibre of our exceptional students and staff and our faith, academic, pastoral and co-curricular programs. I love that the College has a Mary Ward facility for students with disabilities.
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What are the main challenges to you and other Catholic schools in your local area |
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What do you believe are the one or two main issues confronting Catholic Secondary Colleges nationally |
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Newman College Churchlands
John Finneran
Where is your College located in relation to the Capital of your state/territory | North of Perth |
What is the nature of your College | Newman College is a Catholic co-educational Pre-Kindergarten to Year 12 School which educates inthe Marist Tradition. It is owned and governed by theMarist Brothers. The College endeavours to providestudents with a sense of community where they feelwelcome, accepted, valued and believed in, so theycan reach their potential both as individuals and asmembers of society. The College lives out thefoundational characteristics of Marist education - Family Spirit; Presence; Love of Work; Simplicity; and In the Way of Mary. The College is in the enviable position of being able to offer an integrated, varied and seamless curriculum from Pre- Kindergarten to Year 12. The development of literacy and numeracy is central to the educational program. The basics are developed in Kindergarten and built on through to the completion of Year 12. The College focuses on identifying and meeting the individual needs of each student, whether in providing support for those experiencing difficulties or maximising opportunities for those showing significant potential. The College also offers an extensive extra-curricular program including the Visual and Performing Arts, Sport, Immersion, Social Justice and Service Activities. |
How many students | 1884 |
In what year did you commence as Principal of this College | 2016 |
What was your role prior to taking up this appointment | Principal - Marist Catholic College Penshurst, NSW. |
What are the one or two aspects of your College that you are especially proud of |
1 Tremendous sense of community, welcome and care of our students |
What are the main challenges to you and other Catholic schools in your local area |
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What do you believe are the one or two main issues confronting Catholic Secondary Colleges nationally |
To create an educational environment which harnesses the potential to engage, affirm and empower the students in our care. As a faith-oriented context, our school and Catholic School systems needs to continue its evangelising mission whilst striving to be a centre of excellence which continually reflects upon its practices. |
Mercy College, Kondoola
Julie Hornby [centre back row]
Where is your College located in relation to the Capital of your state/territory | North-Eastern region - Kondoola |
What is the nature of your College | Composite K-12 Co-educational |
How many students | Approximately 1650 |
In what year did you commence as Principal of this College | 2015 |
What was your role prior to taking up this appointment | Principal - Clontarf Aboriginal College |
What are the one or two aspects of your College that you are especially proud of |
Diversity in culture K-12 initiatives and community connections The students attitudes to learning The commitment of staff |
What are the main challenges to you and other Catholic schools in your local area |
Pastoral issues and levels of support needed for some students and their families
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What do you believe are the one or two main issues confronting Catholic Secondary Colleges nationally |
Funding models to schools
Enrolment numbers of Catholic students The number of Aboriginal students in Catholic schools. |
Santa Maria College, Attadale
Jennifer Oaten
Where is your College located in relation to the Capital of your state/territory | On the Swan River in the suburb of Attadale, with magnificent views of the Perth CBD |
What is the nature of your College | Santa Maria College is a Years 5 12 school for girls founded by the Sisters of Mercy in 1938. It is also a boarding school. Our governing body is Mercy Education |
How many students | 1290 (including 152 boarders). |
In what year did you commence as Principal of this College | 2018 |
What was your role prior to taking up this appointment | Deputy Principal Teaching & Learning at Santa Maria College |
What parts of the role of Principal give you the greatest satisfaction..: |
The positive stories our graduates share about their time at the College. |
What are the one or two aspects of your College that you are especially proud of |
Our focus on our Mercy Values and service to others |
What are the main challenges to you and other Catholic schools in your local area |
Lack of involvement of families in their parish. |
What do you believe are the one or two main issues confronting Catholic Secondary Colleges nationally |
The impact of the Royal Commission. |
Catholic Agricultural College, Bindoon
Marie Barton
Where is your College located in relation to the Capital of your state/territory | situated 10km north of the township of Bindoon in the beautiful Chittering Valley, an hour's drive north of Perth |
What is the nature of your College | Order owned &c]: Year 7 12 Co-ed, boarding |
How many students | 150 |
In what year did you commence as Principal of this College | 2013 |
What was your role prior to taking up this appointment | Vice Principal K-12 St Mary's Broome |
What are the one or two aspects of your College that you are especially proud of |
Focus on vocational education and training which provides a hands on curriculum for all students, pastoral care of our students |
What are the main challenges to you and other Catholic schools in your local area |
Limited resources and sustainable student numbers
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What do you believe are the one or two main issues confronting Catholic Secondary Colleges nationally |
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Chisolm College, Bedford
John Bormolini
Where is your College located in relation to the Capital of your state/territory | 6 kms from CBD |
What is the nature of your College |
Co-educational, 7 -12. Formed in 1989 with the amalgamation of St. Thomas Aquinas and CBC Highgate. |
How many students | 1770 |
In what year did you commence as Principal of this College | 2014 |
What was your role prior to taking up this appointment | Principal of Emmanuel Catholic College |
What are the one or two aspects of your College that you are especially proud of |
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What are the main challenges to you and other Catholic schools in your local area |
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What do you believe are the one or two main issues confronting Catholic Secondary Colleges nationally |
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Aquinas College, Perth
Mark Sawle
Where is your College located in relation to the Capital of your state/territory | 6 kms south of CBD |
What is the nature of your College | All boys K- Year 12 including Boarding Year 7-12 |
How many students | 1370 |
In what year did you commence as Principal of this College | 2007 |
What was your role prior to taking up this appointment | Deputy Headmaster at Aquinas |
What are the one or two aspects of your College that you are especially proud of |
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What are the main challenges to you and other Catholic schools in your local area |
Funding and rising student numbers |
What do you believe are the one or two main issues confronting Catholic Secondary Colleges nationally |
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Lumen Christ College, Martin
Darren O'Neill
Where is your College located in relation to the Capital of your state/territory | 15 km SW of Perth CBD |
What is the nature of your College |
Co-educational secondary college Years 7-12 |
How many students | 991 |
In what year did you commence as Principal of this College | 2013 |
What was your role prior to taking up this appointment | Deputy Headmaster at CBC Fremantle |
What are the one or two aspects of your College that you are especially proud of |
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What are the main challenges to you and other Catholic schools in your local area |
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What do you believe are the one or two main issues confronting Catholic Secondary Colleges nationally |
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Mater Dei College
Barry Alfirevich
Where is your College located in relation to the Capital of your state/territory |
Edgewater (a suburb 25 minutes north of Perth CBD) |
What is the nature of your College |
Co-educational secondary college Years 7-12 |
How many students | 1050 |
In what year did you commence as Principal of this College | 2010 |
What was your role prior to taking up this appointment | Principal of MacKillop Catholic College, Busselton |
What are the one or two aspects of your College that you are especially proud of |
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What are the main challenges to you and other Catholic schools in your local area |
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What do you believe are the one or two main issues confronting Catholic Secondary Colleges nationally |
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Aranmore Catholic College
Declan Tanham
Where is your College located in relation to the Capital of your state/territory | Leederville is approximately 5 kilometres north-west of the CBD. |
What is the nature of your College | Co-education Yr 7-12 |
How many students | 725 |
In what year did you commence as Principal of this College | 2014 |
What was your role prior to taking up this appointment | Principal of Nagle Catholic College, Geraldton |
What are the one or two aspects of your College that you are especially proud of |
1. Inclusivity. |
What are the main challenges to you and other Catholic schools in your local area |
Operating in an inner city context. |
What do you believe are the one or two main issues confronting Catholic Secondary Colleges nationally |
1. Finance and reaching out to the margins. |
Mandurah Catholic College

Chris Wallace
Where is your College located in relation to the Capital of your state/territory | South of Perth CBD |
What is the nature of your College | Co-education K-12 |
How many students | 1650 |
In what year did you commence as Principal of this College | 2017 |
What was your role prior to taking up this appointment | Principal Catholic College, Busselton |
What parts of the role of being a Principal gives you the greatest satisfaction |
Seeing growth and development in students |
What are the one or two aspects of your College that you are especially proud of |
Development of a learning culture |
What are the main challenges to you and other Catholic schools in your local area |
Downturn in the financial economy. |
What do you believe are the one or two main issues confronting Catholic Secondary Colleges nationally |
The Royal Commission in Sexual Abuse |
Trinity College

Ivan Banks
Where is your College located in relation to the Capital of your state/territory | 2km due East Perth CBD |
What is the nature of your College |
Single sex (Male) Year 4 12 Edmund Rice Education Australia |
How many students | 1350 |
In what year did you commence as Principal of this College | 2007 |
What was your role prior to taking up this appointment | Principal Bunbury Catholic College |
What are the one or two aspects of your College that you are especially proud of |
1. The commitment of the entire community to our Christian Service Program. 2. The co-curricular program, especially in Sport, Music and Drama. |
What are the main challenges to you and other Catholic schools in your local area |
1. Offering a firsts class education that is affordable for Catholic families. |
What do you believe are the one or two main issues confronting Catholic Secondary Colleges nationally |
1. To offer an authentic Catholic Education in an increasingly secular world. |
Sacred Heart College, WA
Peter Bothe
In what year where you appointed as a Director of CaSPA:
2014
Where is your College located in relation to the Capital of your state/territory:
On the beach at Sorrento, twenty minutes north of Perth
What is the nature of your College [e.g. single sex, 6-12, Order owned &c]:
A co-educational Year 7-12 school in the charism of the Sisters of Our Lady of the Missions.
How many students:
1300
In what year did you commence as Principal of this College:
2010
What was your role prior to taking up this appointment:
Principal of St Lukes College in Karratha, WA.
What are the one or two aspects of your College that you are especially proud of..:
The College has
- a wonderful connection to social justice through a very active Young Vinnies group.
- a vibrant Arts culture,
- a peerless sporting record
- a strong academic program.
- these are the College's "Four Pillars
What are the main challenges to you and other Catholic schools in your local area:
A challenge in our region is to ensure we can provide enough places for Catholic students in the region.
What do you believe are the one or two main issues confronting Catholic Secondary Colleges nationally...:
- The funding uncertainty is a challenge for schools on a low fee base.
- Another challenge is to maintain a true counter cultural Catholic education in our schools.