Nick Lovering named as new principal for Katherine High School

Katherine High School’s new principal has revealed some of his plans for the provider, including restoring the community’s pride in the school.

THE new principal of Katherine High School is determined to rebuild community pride in the institution and has a vision to propel his students to become some of the most successful in the country.

Well-known and respected educator Nick Lovering begins his tenure on Tuesday as the school’s new leader following the resignation of previous principal Sharon Oldfield.

Mr Lovering has more than 20 years experience in education across multiple roles, including principal, assistant principal and a teaching principal. He has worked

overseas and in remote NT schools. He has also lived in the Katherine region for more than a decade.

Mr Lovering was eager to tackle the school’s challenges and make it a source of pride for the people of Katherine.

“I brought my family up here in Katherine, my kids love Katherine. I’m passionate about the town and the people,” Mr Lovering said.

Katherine High School’s new principal Nick Lovering, pictured in 2018. Picture: Patrina Malone

“I’m really looking forward to the challenge and having been a member of the Katherine community for over a decade, I’ve always had my eye on the high school as a great challenge.

“The school needed some help and it needed a change of direction. For me to be able to stay and lead that change of direction, the next phase and a new future, it’s exciting.”

Mr Lovering said a focus on building stronger relationships with parents, partnerships with local business and capitalising on Charles Darwin University’s expanded presence in Katherine was part of his plan to transform the school.

“I want families to feel that they can be involved in the education of their children as they form their pathway in life, whether that’s to university or the workforce,” he said.

“We want the whole community engaged in it. We want local businesses to be engaged in the school and understand how to support our students.

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“We want to build connections with CDU and for our diverse range of students to continue to develop and build on partnerships with Clontarf and Stars.

“I’ve had many conversations with students and they are desperate to see this school succeed and desperate to be part of a successful organisation.

“I know that with the staff we have here and the families supporting us that we can make it happen.”

Mr Lovering said he understood parents’ concerns in recent years about staff turnover and quality of education but he was confident in his team’s abilities and urged parents to continue voicing their worries with him.

“I’m a parent at the school, I understand and I’ve lived their experiences and all I can say to them is ‘my door is always open. I’m here to listen’.

“I feel like I’m capable of understanding what the plan is for every child that comes into the school.”