From the Board of Trustees: New Principal Announcement

Last Saturday members of the board assisted by 2 representatives of Jesuit Education Australasia interviewed candidates for the position of Principal | Tumuaki of our College, and I am delighted to announce that Mrs Catherine Bamber-O’Malley was appointed to the position effective from today 2 February 2026.

The Board is confident that Mrs Catherine Bamber-O’Malley has the necessary personal and professional skills and abilities to be a most effective Principal | Tumuaki. Cath’s qualifications include a BA(Hons) in Theology and Religious Studies, postgraduate qualifications in Religious Education and a Masters in Educational Leadership. Cath brings to the position her experience in New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the Philippines. In broad and varied contexts, she has led at a strategic level to grow and develop high-achieving educational communities which reflect and animate the  Catholic tradition they are grounded in. She has a breadth of leadership experience in curriculum, inclusion and well-being, and Special Character.

As a member of the College’s foundation leadership team since 2023, Cath assisted in developing a culture of excellence, and the holistic development of each student | ākonga, who is known, cared for and created uniquely in the image and likeness of God, enabling each young person to discover their own personal excellence and discern the place God has for them in the world. We are confident Cath has the knowledge, professional skill and attributes to ensure our College continues to be the secondary school of choice in the district; known for being a school of excellence in all aspects of College life but also fostering a genuine care for each member of its community and for our distinctive Catholic and Jesuit Special Character. A passionate, competent, innovative and experienced leader, with a deep personal faith, Cath personifies competence, commitment, compassion and conscience in all she does.

As the Principal | Tumuaki of St Ignatius of Loyola Catholic College Cath will provide our students | ākonga with a 21 st century education which enables them to personally encounter Christ Jesus, to find God in all things and to live as people for and with others. It is this encounter with Christ which will enable our students | ākonga to, in the words of St Ignatius, ‘go out and set the world on fire’ and do it all for the “Greater Glory of God”.

Yours sincerely in Christ,

Linda McQuade

Presiding Member.