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Tel: +61 3 9828 3075
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.
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.
Mr Robert Marshall
Mr Robert Marshall’s passion for analysis, strategies and continual improvement ensures the School is at the forefront of pedagogical practice.
Previously leading St Catherine’s School’s in strategy and culture, Mr Robert Marshall’s passion is for our school to be a vibrant and cohesive community which has at its heart, the building and maintenance of strong and healthy relationships.
With over 40 years experience largely within the independent sector, teaching at schools in Melbourne and Canberra, Robert has held positions as Head of Boarding, Head of Faculty, Campus Head of a residential campus, as well as Director of Teaching and Learning. In each of these positions, he has had a long term interest in valuing the importance of relationships between students, teachers and parents.
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.
Mrs Alison Cassidy
An accomplished educator, Mrs Alison Cassidy brings to the Director of Senior Years role a wealth of experience in teaching, learning and wellbeing. In her many years of teaching, Alison has worked across the Catholic, Independent and Government schooling systems enabling a diverse range of skills and approaches to teaching and learning.
As the Director of Senior Years, Alison is responsible for the overall academic, social and emotional wellbeing of students in Years 10-12. This includes working with teachers, career practitioners, psychologists and parents to ensure that all students have the guidance, tools and resources to achieve individual success.
Ms Freda Armstrong
Freda has been teaching in the classroom for over 20 years and holds a strong belief that girls’ schools offer a unique environment in which girls can feel empowered and have the opportunity to thrive in any area of their choosing.
As the Director of Middle Years, Freda’s role is to oversee the academic journey and wellbeing of each student as she progresses through the middle years. Freda has a particular passion for the wellbeing programs being offered in the middle years and building the skills that will enable and empower girls to function at their best.
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.
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.
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.
