NTBOS board members

The Northern Territory Board of Studies (NTBOS) board meets approximately 4 times per year.

NTBOS has a mixed model of membership with 11 members including 6 education experts.

Members consist of:

• 1 Department of Education and Training officer nominated by the chief executive
• 4 stakeholder representatives (parent, teacher, employer and Indigenous)
• 2 expert members drawn from the Catholic Education Office Northern Territory and the Association of Independent Schools Northern Territory
• 4 expert members nominated by the Minister.

This model brings a balance of views to NTBOS and maintains the cooperative arrangement between the government and non-government school sectors in the Northern Territory.

NTBOS can set up committees that will allow the board to inform itself on specific matters and seek the views of particular stakeholder groups.

Current members

Marion Guppy

Chairperson and Expert Member
Term of Office: 02/03/23 to 30/06/25

Mrs Guppy’s career embodies the wealth of opportunities and experiences available to those who teach in the Northern Territory. In her 40 years of service, she has been a teacher, Principal, Regional and Secondary Education Executive Director, and Deputy Chief Executive for the department. Although retired, Mrs Guppy maintains a passion for education, is optimistic about our young people and committed to the staff who dedicate their lives to Territory children. She brings a wealth of knowledge, experience, and skill to the position. Mrs Guppy’s formal qualifications include a Bachelor of Arts, Graduate Diploma of Education (Secondary) and Graduate Diploma of Public Sector Executive Management.

Saeed Amin

Department of Education and Training Representative
Term of Office: 01/01/24 to 30/12/26

Saeed Amin relocated to the Northern Territory (NT), from Western Australia (WA) in April 2022 and is the Deputy Chief Executive Regional Services.

Saeed supports the leadership and development of education improvement utilising differentiated support, regional strategic planning, professional learning communities/communities of practice, evidence, and data translation.

Saeed brings to the Regional Services division an expert education background and a focus on data driven outcomes for students. He consistently promotes the critical importance of system alignment between the phases of schooling from early childhood through to meaningful secondary pathways and post-school transition.

Kellie Opitz

Employer Representative
Term of Office: 02/03/23 to 30/06/25

Ms Opitz is an experienced human resources / employee relations professional with a demonstrated history of working in the government administration industry. She is skilled in Industrial/Employee Relations, coaching, facilitation, management, and strategic planning. Ms Opitz has a strong education background across government and independent schools working in several states across Australia. Ms Opitz obtained a Bachelor of Business focused in Human Resources Management and Business Management from Griffith University and was awarded an accelerated MBA through Griffith University in 2020.

Rachel Boyce

Association of Independent Schools NT Representative
Term of Office: 02/03/23 to 30/06/25

Mrs Boyce is the Deputy Director at the Association of Independent Schools NT.  Mrs Boyce has over 30 years of experience as an educator working in a range of schools in both regional and metropolitan areas with students from the early years through to Year 12, most of these within the Northern Territory. She has experience in Indigenous schools having taught at Yirara College in Alice Springs and in an indigenous school in regional South Australia.  She also has experience in international education having taught in International Baccalaureate schools. She most recently has been a Principal at a Darwin Independent school and throughout her career has held leadership positions within schools across both curriculum and wellbeing. Her passion in education is for students to experience challenging and contextual learning, supported by quality educational programs and with a strong emphasis on student well-being. Her formal qualifications include a Bachelor of Education, Masters of Education and a Graduate Diploma in Theology.

Annalea McCurry

Catholic Education Office NT representative
Term of Office: 01/01/24 to 30/12/26

Annalea McCurry is the Deputy Director: Teaching and Learning for Catholic Education Northern Territory. Her teaching career has included teaching primary and secondary schools overseas, Victoria and the Northern Territory and she holds a Master’s degree in Special Needs and Literacy. Annalea has extensive experience working in education support, curriculum leadership and data informed practice and strategic planning.

Annalea has worked in remote and urban schools and provided school support at a system level for over 14 years in the Northern Territory. She is passionate about supporting inclusive learning environments for all students, including those with diverse learning support needs and who are learning through English while learning English as a language. Her work in Aboriginal communities in the NT highlighted the importance in developing culturally appropriate practice to build and enhance opportunities for students to experience success in remote schooling environments.

Renez Lammon

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Representative
Term of Office: 02/03/23 to 30/06/25

Renez Lammon is the Principal at Casuarina Street Primary School in Katherine in the Northern Territory and a Director on the board of the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership.  She is the Chair of the AITSL Advisory Group for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education and is passionate about working together with teachers and school leaders to ensure that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students achieve their full potential. Renez promotes the value of Highly Accomplished and Lead Teachers (HALTs) and the place of national certification supporting teachers to lead improvement in their own schools. Renez leads teams of teachers and provides coaching and mentoring to support her fellow teachers and school leaders in recognising and articulating the impact they are having on their colleagues, their communities and most importantly, their students.

Dr Felicity McLure

Expert Member
Term of Office:  01/01/24 to 30/12/26

Dr Felicity McLure is a senior lecturer in Education in the Faculty of Arts & Society, Charles Darwin University. Dr McLure is unit coordinator for Assessment and Reporting and Senior Secondary Science units for undergraduate and post-graduate level initial education courses. Her areas of research are in students’ perceptions of the school climate, school change, drawing to understand science concepts and improve written explanations and ways to encourage gender diversity in STEM. Dr McLure has published extensively in each of these areas. Her desire is to provide schools with support in integrating evidence-based, creative and contextualised practice into teaching.

Nicole Thompson

Parent Representative
Term of Office: 01/01/2024 to 30/12/2026

Nicole brings a wealth of experience and unwavering commitment to education in the Northern Territory. She understands the opportunities and challenges faced by educators, students, and communities and has collaborated with stakeholders across the Northern Territory, including Greater Darwin, Wadeye, Katherine, and Tennant Creek.

As a parent with a child in an NT school, Nicole is dedicated to ensuring every child in the NT receives the best possible start in life. She is passionate about fostering an environment where all students can thrive.

Nicole recognises the critical role of the Northern Territory Board of Studies (NTBOS) in shaping education. She is committed to providing valuable advice on curriculum, assessment, and reporting policy, collaborating with educational bodies, and fulfilling additional functions to advance NT education.

Nicole holds a Diploma of Youth Work, Certificate IV in Community Services Residential Care, Diploma of Police Practices, Diploma of Public Safety, and Diploma of Justice Studies.