With an emphasis on providing strong leadership for the implementation of the St Catherine’s Towards 2025 Strategic Vision, the  Leadership Team is responsible for the educational needs of the School, ensuring our commitment to empowering and nurturing women of the future is evidenced through all our outstanding and dynamic educational programs.

 

Meet our Principal

Ms Natalie Charles

Ms Natalie Charles brings a visionary and dynamic approach to leadership. Appointed as the 14th Principal in January 2025, Ms Charles joins us following a distinguished career as Principal of Mentone Girls’ Grammar, where she championed excellence, innovation, and student empowerment.

With extensive experience across leading educational institutions, including Melbourne Grammar and Carey Baptist Grammar, Ms Charles is dedicated to fostering academic success, wellbeing, and global citizenship. Passionate about empowering young women, she cultivates a culture of continuous improvement, ensuring students and staff alike thrive in a caring, vibrant, and high-achieving community.

Meet our Deputy Principal – Student and Staff Wellbeing

Ms Vasiliki Spanos

Vasiliki Spanos has worked in education for over 30 years, with 22 of those years serving the legacy and integrity of St Catherine’s. Vasiliki holds extensive qualifications, having obtained a Bachelor of Arts with Honours at the University of Melbourne, a Diploma of Education, a Postgraduate Diploma in Educational Studies and a Master’s of Education. She is currently undertaking a Master’s of Adolescent Health and Wellbeing at the University of Melbourne.

For the past 15 years, Vasiliki has been a Head of Year with a clear focus on student wellbeing and care, more recently supporting the Year 12s over a three-year period. In her time at the School, Vasiliki has coordinated the Leadership Diploma program and facilitated a range of Community Service initiatives, whilst simultaneously fostering the students’ resilience as they move into the tertiary sphere and nurturing a sense of perseverance and gratitude amongst the students and staff.

 

Meet our Director of Teaching and Learning

Ms Lisa Hanlon

Lisa Hanlon is an experienced educational leader with a proven record of promoting academic success. Lisa joins us from Mentone Girls’ Grammar, where she was the Head of Teaching and Learning, a position she has held since 2020. Here, Lisa drove a culture of excellence by refining curriculum to improve teaching and learning. Under her guidance over the last five years the VCE results have steadily increased to be the best in the history of the school.

Prior to this, Lisa held various leadership roles including Chair of the Curriculum Committee, Head of English, Head of Student Leadership and Head of Year. She has also worked extensively with the VCAA as an exam panel member and assessor for VCE English and Literature.

Lisa believes in the transformational power of education and believes that the greatest gift you can give a girl is an excellent education.  She is committed to lifelong learning, holding a Master of Educational Leadership, Master of Arts, Graduate Diploma in Education, Post Graduate Diploma in Public Policy and a Bachelor of Arts. Lisa is looking forward to joining this beautiful community.

Meet our Head of Junior School

Dr Brendan Kean

Dr Brendan Kean is a passionate educator dedicated to building strong communities in which students have the opportunity to reach their full potential. A firm believer in life-long learning, Brendan has earned a PhD, MBA, MEd, BEd, and PGCE in International Studies.

With over 15 years of senior leadership experience, including his previous role as Head of Junior School at the Australian International School in Hong Kong, Brendan is deeply committed to junior school education. He values the significance of girls’ education and strives to create an environment where girls are empowered and have the agency to become who they want to be.

Meet our Head of Early Learning Centre

Ms Sarah Bethune

Sarah Bethune is the Head of Early Learning Centre, a role which involves supporting the children, families and staff in Campbell House, as well as teaching within each of our four learning rooms. With exceptional organisational and managerial skills, a specialised knowledge of child development and an innate ability to provide pastoral care to children and families, Sarah is a true asset to St Catherine’s Early Learning Centre.

Meet our Director of Business

Mrs Rebecca Brodie

Rebecca Brodie serves as the Director of Business, bringing a wealth of expertise and strategic leadership. With a keen focus on financial stewardship and operational efficiency, Rebecca plays a vital role in ensuring the smooth functioning of the School’s business operations. Her commitment to excellence and innovative solutions contributes significantly to the overall success and sustainability of our School.