College Leadership Team

Paul Clohesy
Principal

Paul began his tenure as Principal of Trinity College at the beginning of Term 4 2019. Since then Paul has relished the opportunity to lead the school and loves the rewards and challenges that principalship of a Catholic secondary school provides.

Paul came to Trinity after serving for four years as principal of Mt St Patrick College Murwillumbah in northern NSW. Prior to that appointment Paul spent seven years as Deputy Principal of St Joseph's College in Geelong and has also worked at Monivae College in Hamilton and Salesian College in Chadstone.

Paul completed his undergraduate degree at Monash University before moving to ACU for his Graduate Diploma of Secondary Education and Graduate Certificate in Religious Education. He returned to study to complete a Master of Education at Melbourne University.

Paul is passionate about making sure Trinity College is the best school it can be and that the students are provided with an excellent and engaging education that meets their needs within a community that supports and cares for them as individuals. He wants all Trinity College students to enter their life beyond school with a clear future pathway and a social conscience that will result in them never seeing a need without doing something about it. When Paul is not at work you will find him amongst the waves at Ocean Grove or watching his children playing sport.

Rachel McGennisken
Deputy Principal

Prior to joining Trinity in 2022, Rachel had extensive experience in leadership in Catholic schools throughout Victoria’s south-west, including Assistant of Principal Teaching and Learning, Assistant Principal of Student Wellbeing, Head of Curriculum and Year Level Leader, as well as being the Senior Education Officer with Catholic Education in Ballarat.

In 2021 Rachel completed a Master of Instructional Leadership at University of Melbourne, receiving Dean’s Award and Australian Council for Educational Leadership Award.

A faith-filled and energetic educator driven by a foundational belief that education defines opportunity, Rachel thrives on working in regional education where community is everything. Often seen behind the keyboards at Trinity’s performance evenings, Rachel loves music, her farm and her family.

Daniel Rodway
Director of Catholic Identity and Culture

Commencing at Trinity in 2014, Daniel’s previous roles at the College include Social Justice Coordinator and English Learning Area Leader. In 2022, Daniel commenced in his current role, focussing on the key areas of social justice, prayer and liturgy, student retreats, and staff formation.

Daniel initiated Trinity's Tanzanian Immersion in 2017, and whilst in Africa his faith perspective was enriched by the spiritual concept of 'Ubuntu', which in English roughly translates to 'we are human together.'

Daniel was awarded a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Secondary Teaching from Deakin University. His further studies include a Graduate Certificate to teach Religious Education (University of Divinity) and the Cambridge Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults (Melbourne Training International). He loves being a Dad and his favourite pastime after hours is spending weekends and holidays with his family.

Natalie Holt
Director of Wellbeing

Natalie has a long-standing affiliation with Trinity, having attended the College as a student in the mid 1990s. After teaching in the primary school sector for a number of years, Natalie stepped back onto Trinity soil as a Homeroom Mentor to Year 7 students in 2004.

Since then, Natalie has gained valuable leadership experience as Year 8 Coordinator for five years before taking on the role of Director of Students. Her Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Teaching was completed at Australian Catholic University in Ballarat, and Natalie continues to undertake various courses that build on her knowledge and passion for promoting relational advocacy, collaborative conversations and implementing evidence-based practices that support the mental health of Trinity students.

Natalie loves reading and when she isn’t glued to the pages of a gripping novel, she can be found spending time travelling this beautiful country of ours with her family.

Mrs Kate Geary
Director of Learning (Years 7-10)

Kate joined the Trinity College community in July 2020, transferring from state education where she had been working since 2004. Her previous leadership roles included Head of Mathematics, Year Level Coordinator for Years 9, 10, 11 and 12, VCE Coordinator and a Learning Specialist of Maths and Science. Kate also spent 12 months teaching in the UK where she upskilled in behaviour management and student engagement.

From 2021 to 2023 Kate has held the position of Mathematics Learning Area Leader at Trinity and this year commenced in the role of Director of Learning.

As a local who grew up in Colac, Kate has strong connections to the community and understands the challenges and opportunities a regional education and lifestyle provides. Her weekends are spent watching her three children pursue their passions of sport, dance and performing like many others in our community. Kate is a strong advocate for providing classrooms where students have a positive learning mindset and believes all kids in Colac deserve quality education and an opportunity to reach for big goals.

Karen Hart
Director of Learning (Years 9-12)

Karen gained a Bachelor of Education and Diploma of Teaching in New Zealand and worked for several years in rural schools in Taranaki focussing on senior curriculum development. In 2004 Karen and her family moved to Australia and she worked for eight years in Human Resource Management developing initiatives around employment retention and implementing legislation requirements for businesses.

In 2019, Karen commenced at Trinity and in 2020 was appointed as VCE Coordinator. She is an advocate for all young people to have access to quality education and opportunities to achieve their goals and is passionate about students discovering their future career, defining their learning pathway through subject selections and achieving their goals.

Karen is an active member of the community and enjoys watching her three children play sport and catching up with family.

School Advisory Council

The School Advisory Council is the leading advisory group for the Principal, as an active forum for parent and community participation, providing support and advice in strategic planning, school improvement, educational outcomes and stewardship of resources.

As outlined in the DOBCEL Governance Charter, SAC members do not have any financial or non-financial decision-making powers.

The School Advisory Council is intended to:
  • provide a voice for members of the school community
  • actively support, in collaboration with the local parish, the Vision and Catholic Identity of the School
  • provide input into and support for strategic planning and directions
  • actively support and promote child safety practices including the National Safeguarding Principles for Child Safe Organisations
  • provide input and contribute advice in the processes of school improvement and school review
  • support the Principal in meeting his/her responsibilities and accountabilities for educational outcomes, effective stewardship of resources, and annual reporting
  • actively support the Principal in the encouragement of family engagement
  • support the ongoing sustainability of the SAC and its members in its succession and learning
In 2024 our School Advisory Council Members include:

  • Fr Michael O'Toole (Parish Priest, St Mary's)
  • Mr Adrian Murphy (Chariperson)
  • Mrs Kate Borch
  • Mr Mark Billing
  • Mr Chris Kemp
  • Mr Jarrod Hay
  • Mr Ian Seuren
  • Dr Zoe Barren
  • Mr Tim O'Farrell (DOBCEL)
  • Mr Paul Clohesy (Principal)