Our staff

I am the very proud College Principal of the dynamic and diverse learning environment that is Callaghan College. I have been incredibly fortunate to have had a varied range of teaching and leadership positions in Public Education. I was born in Newcastle and spent the majority of my teaching years on the beautiful Mid North Coast.

As a teacher of History, Society and Culture and Drama, I developed a passion for creative, inquiry-based learning and innovation. My early career was in the unique setting of Bulahdelah Central School, a K-12 rural school. After some extensive overseas travel, my career developed and I was appointed Quality Teaching Consultant for the Forster and Taree areas. Later, as Highly Accomplished Teacher at Chatham High School and the Centre for Excellence program, I was accredited at Lead Teacher status by the National Education Standards Authority.

Most recently, I was appointed to Hastings Secondary College in the scenic shores of Port Macquarie. This was where I developed my deep interest in the College model and the outstanding range of opportunities. As Deputy Principal and then relieving Executive Principal of the College, I was afforded a wonderful professional challenge and an outstanding opportunity to lead a learning community.

It is with enormous Novocastrian pride that I returned to Newcastle as College Principal at Callaghan. I am so very fortunate to lead with my co-principals of Paul Taylor at Wallsend, Hayley Macdonald at Waratah and Roger Macey at Jesmond Campuses. As a leadership team, we are dedicated to empowering every one of the 2600 learners in our care with the highset standard of education.

I hold dear a deep commitment to continuous improvement so that every student is known, valued and cared for. The learning experience that we provide must prepare students for academic and life success. As the only Public Education College in the Hunter, we are unique, we are proud.

It is with great pleasure to introduce myself as Principal of Callaghan College Wallsend Campus. I am a product of, and passionate advocate for, public education. I attended Briar Road Public School and Airds High School in Campbelltown before moving on to Wollongong University where I graduated as an English and History teacher in 1992.

I have been teaching since 1993, beginning my career as an English, History, PDHPE and Careers teacher at Oakland’s Central School in the Riverina. I then spent several years at Vincentia High School on the South Coast before moving to Bulahdelah on the Mid-North Coast as Head Teacher Humanities. I then worked as the Deputy Principal of Vincentia High School on the South Coast for eight years, including relieving as Principal.

I love my role as Principal in such a diverse and dynamic school as Callaghan College Wallsend Campus.

Staff and students continually show me that Callaghan College is a vibrant community of three outstanding comprehensive campuses and that the way of doing things is to constantly strive toward excellence in study, attendance, sport, cultural immersion, caring for others and embracing positive changes.

For me, being a good leader is all about supporting staff and students to be the very best that they can be, not only within the classroom but in all areas of life. It’s important to me to lead a school that can make a difference in our students’ lives, and I work closely with the school and Callaghan College community to ensure we take all the necessary steps to make that difference.

I work closely with the Principals and staff of the Jesmond and Waratah Campuses to ensure the best possible educational experiences for all students in the Callaghan network.

I am thrilled and proud to be the Principal of Callaghan College Waratah Campus. There are many wonderful opportunities for our students on campus, and the College as a whole.

I have been working in public education for almost 30 years and have a passion for the delivery of high quality public education that allows all students to succeed and thrive.

As a student myself I attended my local public school, Singleton High School, and then went on to the University of New England to study a Bachelor of Arts and Diploma in Education. I still maintain a strong love of the Arts and literature as a personal interest.

As a teacher I spent time teaching both English and Drama in rural, metropolitan, comprehensive and selective schools. I began my career in the Riverina many years ago as an English and Drama teacher and have also had opportunities to teach in the Sydney area, the Central West, Newcastle and the Hunter.

Since returning to the Hunter I have been in a variety of roles including Head Teacher English, Deputy Principal, Priority Schools Program Consultant and Curriculum Advisor. My last position before being appointed to Waratah Campus was as Deputy Principal at Merewether High School.

I enjoy working closely with my colleague Principals Roger Macey, Paul Taylor, and Kylee Owen, my staff, students and families on building the best College we possibly can in this rapidly changing world.

I believe that all students require access to a high quality education to make a difference to their lives and I am constantly proud to first and foremost, call myself a teacher. I look forward to working with you all.

I am proud to work in Public Education and am focused on delivering Quality Teaching and Learning that enables each and every student with the right and opportunity to develop into confident, responsible and resilient young adults.

I bring a diverse range of working life experience to my role as Principal at Jesmond Senior Campus. My teaching background is in the areas of English, History and the Performing Arts which I have taught at a number of NSW schools.

As a younger man completing my tertiary teacher training at Macquarie University I worked as an actor musician at Old Sydney Town and also with the Marionette Theatre of Australia. I have also been a Cultural Ambassador for Tourism Australia.

I have a lifelong love of active learning, and have been privileged to lead student and adult tours to Europe for more than ten years, exploring Australia’s military history, a great passion of mine. I am also a passionate advocate for the Arts and have directed over twenty major musicals and plays throughout my teaching career.

Prior to commencing as Principal at Callaghan College Jesmond Senior Campus, I was Deputy Principal at Brisbane Water Secondary College Senior Campus and during that time I was also relieved as both College and Campus Principal.

I believe that great schools are a product of strong learning partnerships, positive engagement and willing participation. As Principal I have been truly impressed with the energy and vibe as well as the broad and growing range of engaging and innovative learning activities that are evident across the Jesmond Senior Campus and indeed the whole College.