Five Minutes with Natalie Devenish, Principal, St Dominic's College

We are thrilled to welcome Natalie Devenish as the new Principal at St Dominic’s College starting in Term 3 2025. With a wealth of experience in educational leadership, Natalie brings a fresh perspective and a deep commitment to fostering a positive and inclusive school environment in the Edmund Rice tradition.

Most recently, Natalie has served as the Assistant Principal Teaching and Learning at Christian Brothers High School in Lewisham. Prior to this, Natalie spent 10 years in the Deputy Principal role at St Mary’s Cathedral College with a number of opportunities to act in the Principal role during this period. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated a strong dedication to student success and community engagement.

Throughout Term 2, Natalie has been spending a day at week at St Dominic’s to get to know the school community.  

What are you most looking forward to when you take up your role as Principal at St Dominic’s College?

Building my relationships within the SDC community with staff, students and parents. I am also looking forward to working with our stakeholders on identifying, developing and actioning our future priorities.

What has impressed you the most about St Dominic’s during your visits? 

St Dominic's is a really welcoming and inclusive College. The staff care deeply about the students and their role as educators. They are also very generous with their time, knowledge and experience.  The students have been keen to meet with me and are very proud to attend Dom's. I look forward to building these connections in the coming months

What are the priorities you are hearing from the school community?

While there is much more to be discussed with the College community, especially in the development of our Strategic Plan, there is a desire to continue to build on our academic program, with the focus on literacy (reading and writing), the enrichment stream and our Senior subject selection offerings. 

Thinking about your own leadership journey, what would you say have been the key learning opportunities that have shaped you as an educational leader?

Throughout my leadership journey, some of the most impactful learning opportunities have come from engaging with other leaders—both formally and informally. I’ve found immense value in professional learning programs offered by other institutions, which have broadened my perspective and deepened my understanding of effective leadership in diverse educational contexts.

Equally powerful has been the opportunity to observe and connect with peers. Conversations about their experiences, challenges, and approaches have helped me reflect on my own values and refine my leadership style. These interactions have taught me the importance of listening, adaptability, and leading with authenticity.

Our schools are guided by the Charter for Catholic Schools in the Edmund Rice Tradition.  What aspect of the Chater inspires you most as you take up this new position? 

As I take up this new position, I am most inspired by the Touchstones of Inclusive Community and Gospel Spirituality. Together, they offer a powerful vision of what a school community can be—one that is welcoming, compassionate, and grounded in the life and teachings of Jesus.

The call to build an Inclusive Community resonates with me. I believe every person deserves to feel a sense of belonging, to be respected for who they are, and to be supported in their growth. This Touchstone challenges me to help create a school culture where diversity is celebrated and where all voices are heard and valued. At the same time, Gospel Spirituality reminds me that my work is not just educational—it is spiritual. It invites me to see the sacred in everyday moments, to lead with love, and to nurture a community shaped by hope, forgiveness, and grace. 

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