NTBOS board members

Chairperson and expert member
Term of office: 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2026

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.

Association of Independent Schools NT representative
Term of office: 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2026

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, Master of Education and a Graduate Diploma in Theology.

Parent representative
Term of office: 1 January 2024 to 30 December 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 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.

Expert member
Term of office:  1 January 2024 to 30 December 2026

Dr Felicity McLure is a senior lecturer in education at the Faculty of Arts and 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.

Catholic education office NT representative
Term of office: 1 January 2024 to 30 December 2026

Annalea McCurry is the deputy director of 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.

Expert member
Term of office: 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2026

Dr. Philip Russell is currently the principal of MacFarlane Primary School in Katherine having worked in a variety of contexts across the length and breadth of the Northern Territory over the last 35 years. He commenced work with the Department of Education and Training as a principal of a small school in Arnhem Land in 1991, spending the next 30 years in remote and very remote contexts.

Dr. Russell had his doctor of philosophy conferred by the University of Queensland in 2012. His research investigated remote Indigenous education from a specific contextual perspective. Dr. Russell is currently focused on school improvement initiatives and the transfer of theory to practice to student learning impact.

Expert member
Term of office: 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2026

Dr. John Cleary is an experienced former principal and system executive, with previous roles including principal Casuarina Street Primary School in Katherine, senior director education improvement and general manager school and system improvement, as well as a member of the executive board and as a subcommittee chair within the previous Department of Education.

Dr. Cleary has also been recognised as a Gold Medal Recipient in 2024 and National Fellow of the Australian Council for educational leaders. He is an advisor and contributor to policy design for organisations at the state, territory and national level, including Education Services Australia, the Australian Council for Educational Research, Learning Creates Australia, the Menzies Foundation, Ochre Education and as a researcher through the Faculty of Education, University of Melbourne, exploring the factors that contribute to a successful partnership with students in leading improvement at the school and system level.

Teacher representative
Term of office: 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2026

Ms Lauren Penny is currently the inclusion support coordinator at St Paul’s Catholic Primary School in Darwin. She has previously held leadership roles including curriculum coordinator, intervention leader and data informed practitioner.

Ms Penny brings 17 years of teaching experience in the Northern Territory across both urban and remote settings, having begun her teaching career in the remote community of Ltyentye Apurte, south-east of Alice Springs. Her work across diverse contexts has strengthened her commitment to equity and excellence in education for all students.

Throughout her career, Ms Penny has been passionate about high-quality teaching practice grounded in educational research, the implementation of multi-tiered systems of support, and the use of data to inform targeted intervention. She is particularly committed to supporting students with diverse learning needs and to building strong, collaborative partnerships with families to ensure positive educational outcomes.

Her leadership focuses on strengthening inclusive practice, embedding evidence-based teaching strategies, and ensuring systems and structures are in place to support both student wellbeing and academic growth.

Teacher representative
Term of office: 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2026

Ms Stephanie Blitner is a dedicated Indigenous educator with a wealth of experience in the Northern Territory education sector. She has devoted many years to teaching and leadership roles within the NT Department of Education and Training, making a significant impact on the lives of students in remote Indigenous communities.

Currently serving as the principal of Borroloola School, Ms Blitner has demonstrated exemplary skills in leadership and mentorship, guiding both staff and students towards academic success and personal growth. She also serves as one of the co-chairs for the NT Aboriginal Employee Reference Group and as an advisor to the Borroloola Child and Family Centre, further contributing to the betterment of Indigenous education and community development.

Ms Blitner’s passion for seeing young people thrive in their learning is evident in her commitment to providing valuable perspectives and support for the academic development of Indigenous students. She believes in the power of education to transform lives, enabling students to access quality education and opportunities for a bright future.

Department representative
Term of office: 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2026

Ms Kerry Hudson is currently the executive director, teaching and learning services within the Department of Education and Training. She has held key roles including executive director of school improvement and leadership, senior director for Top End remote schools and principal of Anula Primary School.

Ms Hudson is a member of several high-level boards and committees including the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority, the Asia Education Foundation and the National Online Safety Education Council. She is a certified school reviewer, growth coaching Australian practitioner and a leadership accreditation recipient from the Early Life Foundation Victoria.