Mr Chris Gabbett

Principal

E: chris.gabbett@twb.catholic.edu.au

Chris’s career in education has spanned Australia and the United Kingdom, working as a classroom teacher, middle leader, Education Adviser, Deputy Principal and Principal. Although his ancestral roots go back 6 generations in Toowoomba and the Darling Downs, he was born in Brisbane and educated at Darra-Jindalee Catholic School and Marist Brothers, Rosalie.

He holds a Bachelor of Arts in History with Honours and Postgraduate Diploma in Education from the University of Queensland, a Master of Arts in Catholic School Leadership from St Mary’s University, Twickenham and a Postgraduate Diploma in Educational Studies from the University of Oxford with a thesis focused on the use of pedagogy to engage disaffected learners. He is currently completing a PhD on the leadership of Catholic schools in 21st century Australia.

Chris was a Winston Churchill Research Fellow in Education in 2011 through which he studied the education systems in Norway and Queensland.

Chris has been a Catholic school Principal since 2012 and Principal at Mary MacKillop Catholic College since 2019.

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Mr Richard Coe

Deputy Principal

E: richard.coe@twb.catholic.edu.au

Richard’s is a vastly experienced educator working as a teacher, Head of Department, Director of Teaching, Consultant, Assistant Principal, and Deputy Principal in the United Kingdom. Since moving to Australia, Richard has worked as Curriculum Leader for Arts and Performance within Toowoomba Catholic Schools and has supported with mission and identity-focused initiatives and events.

Richard holds a Bachelor of Arts in Performing Arts and English with Honours from Cheltenham and Gloucester College, a post graduate certificate in education from Goldsmith’s College, University of London, the National Professional Qualification for Headteachers from the University of Winchester, and a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership with Distinction from University College London where his dissertation was on developing inclusive student leadership.

Richard senior leadership roles have included teaching and learning, student protection, staff professional development and school-wide wellbeing. His true love lies in the arts, and he still secretly hopes to be ‘discovered’ one day – until then he will work tirelessly to help the college strive for continuous improvement, and provide a world-class education for the local community.

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Mr Sean Albion

Assistant Principal: Wellbeing 

E: sean.albion@twb.catholic.edu.au

Sean undertook his preservice training at the University of Southern Queensland and completed a Bachelor of Middle and Senior Schooling with a HPE major. Sean is a highly motivated educator who has previously held the roles of Head of Department HPE, House Leader and Pastoral Leader at St Mary’s College Toowoomba. 

In these roles, Sean has developed high expectations, responsibility and accountability for student learning and wellbeing. He has a proven track record in the design and delivery of whole school pastoral care programs to build a culture of belonging. Sean is passionate and focused on providing students with opportunities to grow and build relationships based on respect.  Sean was delighted to accept this position and is looking forward to working collaboratively with the staff, parents and students within the community to enhance the educational opportunities at Mary MacKillop Catholic College. 

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Mrs Natalie Adler

Assistant Principal: Teaching and Learning 

E: natalie.adler@twb.catholic.edu.au

Natalie has a Diploma in Teaching, a Bachelor of Education (PE) and has been teaching for 27 years. Over the course of her career she has worked in both the Armidale and Toowoomba Diocese.

She is passionate about education, specifically curriculum and has a wealth of knowledge and experience in this area. She leads by example, building capacity to both strengthen the professional competence of people to work at their highest potential to ultimately achieve high academic success for all students. Natalie began teaching at Mary MacKillop in 2008. She has witnessed tremendous growth and change over this time. Since beginning at Mary MacKillop Catholic College, Natalie has held the role of classroom teacher, PLT facilitator, Acting Assistant Principal and Middle Leader

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Mrs Paula O'Rourke

Assistant Principal: Religious Education

E: paula.orourke@twb.catholic.edu.au

Paula started her teaching career St Finbarr’s, Quilpie as Year 1 & 2 teacher.  Since then Paula has taught all primary year levels at St Joseph’s School Tara, for 17 years and St Maria Goretti School, Inglewood, for 8 ½ years.  Paula comes to us from Inglewood where she has been Principal for 8 ½ years and before that Principal at Tara for 4 ½ years.  

Paula has a Bachelor of Teaching and Masters of Educational Leadership.  She has also supported staff in their professional development – RCIA program, spiritual development and REAP program.  She has lead Lenten prayer reflections for Parish and staff members as well as worked with students for sacramental programs and retreats. 
 
Paula also has more than 25 years working in Josephite schools across the Diocese of Toowoomba.  One of her strengths is her knowledge and connection with St Mary MacKillop and the importance she has played in the lives of young Australians.  She looks forward to recontextualising the Josephite way to the College’s motto – We celebrate God in all things.
 
Paula is passionate about developing the whole child – academically, spiritually, emotionally and physically.  She is a strong believer in young people having a voice.  

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Mrs Claire Clapham

Assistant Principal: Academic Success and Professional Development

E: claire.clapham@twb.catholic.edu.au

Claire began her teaching career at St Mary's College, Maryborough. She has always loved learning, mainly Physics and Mathematics. She has passionately taught both subjects at Padua College and St. Mary's College, Toowoomba and was head of Curriculum: Science and Curriculum Leader Mathematics, respectively. After completing her Master's in Education (Educational Innovation and Futures), she developed and taught the Gifted and Talented program for St Patrick's College.

Fostering quality teaching is a passion that has developed throughout her career. As Assistant Principal: Academic Success and Professional Development, Claire believes schools must develop innovative curricula delivered through engaging, explicit and purposeful pedagogy. Student success relies on the consistency of pedagogical practices, curriculum development and behaviour standards across the school. Underpinned by the Gospel values captured by the Josephite Charism to empower our students with faith and wisdom.

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Mrs Leisa Radley

Acting Assistant Principal: Administration

E: leisa.radley@twb.catholic.edu.au

Leisa began her teaching career in 2005 at St Thomas More's College, Sunnybank. From here, she has taught Religious Education, Physical Education, English and Study of Religion at Iona College, Lota; St. Mary's College, Toowoomba and St Joseph's College, Toowoomba, where she was Middle Leader for Religious Education.

Leisa has a Certificate IV in Foundations of Christian Theology and successfully completed the NESLI Women in Leadership course. Having completed a Catholic primary and secondary education and having only taught in Catholic schools, Leisa is passionate about Catholic education and building staff and students' appreciation of the uniqueness of belonging to a Catholic school.

Importantly, Leisa believes that RE in Catholic schools should be a combination of meaningful and rigorous curriculum, along with opportunities for faith in action. For staff, parents and students, an understanding of how MMCC's Catholic history and Josephite mission can be applied in the contemporary world is important.

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Mrs Kirsty Gillett

Business Manager

E: kirsty.gillett@twb.catholic.edu.au

Kirsty has been a member of the Highfields community for 13 years, with 2 years on the Board and 2 children currently enrolled at the College.

After attaining a Bachelor of Commerce and completing her CPA accreditation, Kirsty worked in Tax Compliance for over 20 years, with consultancy experience in Hospitality and Tourism Management.

As the Business Manager of Mary MacKillop Catholic College, Kirsty is responsible for overseeing the financial and operational aspects of our community.  This is more than a numbers game for Kirsty, incorporating her passion and commitment for a sustainable future and expertise in business management to provide practical resourcing and acts of stewardship to the College and wider community.

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