College Leadership

Cameron Hughes is the proud Principal of St John’s Catholic College and is privileged to lead a community Strong in Faith and Strong Together.

Cameron is inspired by the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart (MSC), the Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart (OLSH) and the students, staff and families who have contributed to St John’s over 60 years.

Cameron is committed to leading a college that aspires for its graduates to flourish, by leading, living, loving and learning with a strong sense of heart spirituality. A college that has an aspiration that its graduates have the opportunity to pursue their dreams, make positive contributions to the local and global community, and make good moral decisions that promote a better world.

Cameron holds a Bachelor of Business (Management) from the University of Queensland, a Bachelor of Education (Secondary) (Postgraduate) and a Masters of Educational Leadership from the Australian Catholic University, TEFL Certification from the University of Toronto and Certificate IV in Training and Assessment from Youth Plus. Cameron’s teaching areas are Religious Education, Economics and Business.

Cameron commenced teaching for Catholic Education Northern Territory in 2004 and has worked across St John’s Catholic College, Xavier Catholic College Wurrumiyanga and Murrupurtiyanuwu Catholic Primary School holding teaching, middle management and senior leadership positions. Cameron served as Principal of Xavier Catholic College (2012-2013) and was appointed as Acting Principal of St John’s in 2018 and was endorsed in the substantive position from 2019.

Cherilyn holds a Bachelor of Visual Arts and a Bachelor of Secondary Education from QUT completed as a double degree, a Graduate Certificate in Theology from Broken Bay Institute, a Graduate Certificate in Cross-Disciplinary Art & Design from the University of NSW College of Fine Arts, a Diploma of Fine Arts from Southbank Institute of TAFE, TEFL Certification from the University of Toronto and Certificate IV in Training and Assessment from Youth Plus.

Cherilyn began teaching in Catholic Education Northern Territory in 2004 and has worked across O’Loughlin Catholic College, Xavier Catholic College Wurrumiyanga, Murrupurtiyanuwu Catholic Primary School and St John’s Catholic College in a range of middle management positions. Cherilyn was appointed to the position of Assistant Principal: Teaching & Learning at St John’s Catholic College in 2016.

Cherilyn leads the Academic Care Team of the College whose aim is to ensure students receive a valid, reliable and challenging curriculum in a high expectations environment.

Cherilyn’s teaching areas are: Design (Digital Communications), Visual Arts, English and Religious Education.

BPsychSc DipYouthWork

Scott has worked at St John’s Catholic College in different roles across the last 10 years. He has worked in all aspects of the Boarding operations from Houseparent, Assistant Head of Boys Boarding, Head of Boys Boarding, and now, has been the Director of Boarding for the last 6 years. During this time, the residential community has developed and improved its operational guidelines and professionalism to be in line with the National Standards and provide an exceptional home away from home for residential students.

Scott has been studying part time through Charles Darwin University and completed both his Diploma of Youth Work and Bachelor of Psychological Sciences while working at the College. He also has extensive experience working with the Restorative Principles of Engagement framework and is passionate about leading and mentoring Indigenous youth.

Prior to working at the College, Scott worked in tourism related positions in both Alice Springs and Darwin, over a period of 6 years, after a move from his home town of Adelaide. He enjoys most sports, including cricket and golf and played Australian Rules in Adelaide for a number of years. He enjoys camping and bushwalking with his wife and family, including two children, aged 12 and 9.

Mrs Ayesha Fatima holds a Bachelor of Education (Physical Science and Biology), a Bachelor of Science (Botany, Zoology and Chemistry) and a Master of Arts from Osmania University in Hyderabad, India. She also holds a Certificate of Exceptional Childhood, from Atlanta, TEFL certification from the University of Toronto and is enrolled in a Masters of Educational Leadership at Australian Catholic University.

Ayesha began her teaching career in 2005 and has worked in a number of countries including India, America and Australia.

Ayesha was appointed to the position of Assistant Principal: Administration in 2018 and leads the Pastoral Care Team focusing on the wellbeing and learning of all students in our Catholic community.

 Ayesha’s teaching areas are Chemistry, Psychology and Science.  

Mr Richard Bryant brings a broad range of experiences and professional qualifications to the role of Assistant Principal Religious Education. Richard has a Bachelor of Education (Humanities and Religion) and a Masters in Educational Leadership from the Australian Catholic University.

Richard joins St John’s from Waverley College, Sydney where he was the Assistant to the Director of Student Formation and Wellbeing, a role that focuses on spiritual development and formation of students in addition to developing the First Nations Program.

Richard has experience in mission and formation programmes within all the schools he has been employed. Richard has taught across a number of learning areas such as Religious Education, Geography, and most recently in HSC Economics, Commerce and Business Studies. He has held leadership roles in various capacities in his 20+ year teaching career including Head of House, Head of Year Level and Social Justice Coordinator in Colleges in Sydney, Melbourne and London. Richard has extensive experience in boarding as Acting Assistant to the Director of Boarding in schools such as Xavier College Kew, St Ignatius Riverview and Shore College.

Ruth Suriyagoda holds memberships of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand, CPA Australia and is a Fellow Member of CA Sri Lanka. She is also a registered BAS agent with the Tax Practitioners Board.
Ruth is an experienced professional with over fifteen years of experience in audit, financial accounting, taxation and financial management. Throughout the course of her career, she has held senior finance positions as Chief Financial Officer of Kentish Lifelong Learning and Care, Senior Finance Officer of the Department of the Legislative Assembly NT and a dynamic stint as a Senior Manager at Ernst & Young; Young (Sri Lanka). Her association with Catholic Education NT commenced in 2019 as Finance Manager of the Aboriginal Catholic Community Schools (ACCS).
Ruth has been a Darwin local since 2017 and loves the Territory lifestyle. She has a passion for training and mentoring aspiring accountants and students, to develop skilled professionals in the Territory.
Ruth is a committed Christian and takes a keen interest in theology, Bible study and church history.