Our Teachers


A school can be no greater than its teachers, and MacKillop prides itself on employing the very best. With teachers committed to engaging, challenging, and encouraging each and every student to develop their love for learning, it’s no wonder the students often say that MacKillop’s strength is truly found in its talented staff.

MacKillop has a wide range of talented teachers with different cultural and educational backgrounds. We have many teachers who have completed PhDs, teachers who are elite or semi-professional athletes, published authors, practising artists, experienced builders, award-winning chefs, lawyers, scientists, performers, and more. Our teachers range from the young and enthusiastic to the vastly experienced.

They are united in their dedication to the Catholic mission of the College, the achievement of optimum results for their students, the creation of a positive learning environment, and to ensuring that no child slips through the cracks in this large, vibrant school.

Meet Our Teachers

Introducing six of our talented teachers
Teacher

Mr Lehmensich

Mr Lehmensich is a past student of MacKillop. He worked as a primary school teacher in a number of the local Catholic schools before returning to MacKillop as a staff member. He is now a Nationally Certified ‘Highly Accomplished’ Teacher. He teaches STEM, Technology, Science, Humanities, and also leads the College’s Infinite Program for academically gifted students.

Teacher

Dr Pert

Originally from Canberra, Dr Pert spent a number of years in Melbourne, where she achieved a PhD in Genetics and Developmental Biology. After teaching for four years in Melbourne, Dr Pert decided to return home and joined the Science faculty here at MacKillop. She is currently the Acting Science Coordinator at the St Peter's Campus.

Teacher

Mr Kain

Who do you want as the teacher of your Cooking and Hospitality subjects? You probably want Mr Kain – a teacher with well over a decade of experience working as a chef. After making the switch to education, Mr Kain worked in several local Catholic primary schools before joining MacKillop in 2013, where he could teach in the College’s new industrial kitchens.

Teacher

Mrs White

Mrs White came to MacKillop after working in Public Affairs for over a decade, managing such events as the unveiling of significant war memorials around the world, and helping to manage the media and communications around Anzac Day commemorations in Gallipoli. As the English Coordinator on the Padua Campus, Mrs White brings a passion for helping students to build their communication skills through reading, writing and speaking. Mrs White also runs the Junior Campus Debating Club.

Teacher

Mr Wilson

Mr Trent Wilson’s teaching career began in primary schools before he joined MacKillop eight years ago. Having taught Geography and Religious Studies on both campuses, Mr Wilson currently holds the role of Digital Learning Coordinator, where he looks at how teachers can use technology and online platforms to engage students and support parents. As part of this role, he also explores the implementation of new and improved methods of teaching and learning.

Teacher

Mr Johnson

MacKillop loves to employ teachers who bring industry experience to their areas of teaching. Mr Johnson is a great example of this, with his experience as a lawyer proving invaluable in the education of the College’s Legal Studies students. During his time at MacKillop, Mr Johnson has held the positions of Year 12 Coordinator and International Programs Officer, where he organised international travel and the exchange program with MacKillop’s sister schools in Japan, Italy, and France.

Year 7

What I like about the teachers at MacKillop

Emily, Class of 2022

"The teachers were one of my favourite things about MacKillop. They were clever, prepared for lessons, prompt with marking and feedback to help us improve, and they encouraged us to work hard and do our best. My teachers were very supportive and approachable and they got the best out of us by making sure that we got the best out of them. In the classroom, my teachers kept us engaged, tried to make learning fun and interesting, and they taught for a range of learning styles. They knew if they needed to give you more support or if you required additional work to extend your skills. They wanted us to ask questions and it genuinely felt like they were invested in us and wanted us to succeed. Now that I’ve finished Year 12, I’m thankful to my teachers for the effort they made to connect with us, for the attention they gave to all students, for making us want to come to class, and for pushing us to do our best!"

Want to join the MacKillop team?

Check out our jobs page to see the latest opportunities to join our team.

Join Our Team

Acknowledgement of Country

St Mary of the Cross MacKillop made the statement: “We are but travellers here, so while we are here we should do as much good as we can and live in peace with each other.”

With this in mind, the College respectfully acknowledges the Ngunnawal people who are the Traditional Custodians and First People of the land on which we gather each day. The College also pays its respects to the Elders past, present and emerging, and any other Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander peoples living and working in the MacKillop community.

MacKillop crest

© 2022 St Mary MacKillop College, Canberra. All rights reserved.

ABN 80 979 302 259

Contact Us


Phone: 02 6209 0100
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PO Box 1211
Tuggeranong ACT 2901