College Leadership Team
Our leadership team works with all members of staff to ensure that every student achieves ‘his own best standard’ in a supportive environment where all aspects of the curriculum and learning are held to be equally important to the students’ holistic development.
If I have questions about my child’s progress, there’s always a senior member of staff on hand who knows the students and is ready to help me.
Mr K Guest – Headmaster
Karl was born and brought up in South London and was educated by the De La Salle Brothers. He is married with two children, one who lives and works as a Physiotherapist and the other studying at University. After more than a decade working in various school environments including overseas in Australia, Karl spent seven years as Deputy Head of Sydenham High School in London before taking up his first Headship at Alton School, Hampshire in April 2020. Karl has a wealth of experience in both single-sex and co-educational leadership and is thrilled to be joining the Columban community. He is a keen follower of sport and enjoys cooking, music and travelling.
Brother Joseph Holthaus, MA, Dean
Brother Joseph Holthaus serves as Dean of the College. As Dean, he is the liaison between St. Columba’s College and the Brothers of the Sacred Heart of the Province of the United States. He works with Senior Management and the Governors to maintain the ethos and foundational charism of the Brothers. Brother Joseph was born into a military family in Syracuse, New York and as such grew up residing in seven domestic and international cities. His responsibilities as a Brother include new faculty charism formation, institutional advancement and administrative roles with the Brothers’ schools, as well as province leadership. Brother Joe holds a BA in Secondary Education from Spring Hill College in Alabama, and an MA in English from Notre Dame University.
Mrs K. Marson MA, Deputy Head
After gaining a First Class Honours Degree in Modern European Languages from Edinburgh University, Katie worked as a Management Consultant for Accenture. She subsequently decided that her real vocation was in teaching, retrained and embarked on her new career, gaining considerable experience in a number of high-performing faith schools in the Midlands and London including 10 years as Assistant Head at Finchley Catholic, one of the top boys’ Catholic schools in London.
Katie joined St Columba’s as Deputy Head in 2016 and quickly established herself as a popular and respected member of staff, bringing energy and enthusiasm to her role on the College Leadership Team, in which she touches the lives of all the staff and students in the Senior School. Katie lives in St Albans with her husband and two young children. With characteristic Columban generosity, she gives very freely of her time to the College and its pupils. When she does have some time to herself, she enjoys reading, walking and swimming.
Mr R. McCann BA, Head of Prep
Richard hails from Belfast and gained a BA in History and Ancient History at Queens University. After travelling and teaching in Thailand, Richard joined St Columba’s College in 2002 and has been a loyal and committed Columban ever since, teaching History at GCSE and A Level with great success over his years with us. In 2005 he became Head of Guertin House, in which capacity he looked after the pastoral and academic needs of the boys under his care, building strong House bonds across all year groups. After seven years as Head of House, Richard was appointed Head of Sixth Form and has recently completed the Coindre Leadership Programme. As their Head, he has established a powerful sense of legacy and leadership among the Sixth Formers and has overseen eight years of excellent A Level results and personal achievement among the boys. In September 2020 Richard becomes Head of the Prep School, and is looking forward to bringing his knowledge of the whole school community and the 4 to 18 journey to the role. Richard has two daughters and enjoys travelling, hiking, music, cinema and sport, predominantly from the safe distance of the stands these days!
Mr K. Boland BA, Deputy Head of Prep
Kevin is immersed in the spirit of St Columba’s, having taught here since 2007. After qualifying with a degree from St Mary’s University, Kevin served as Senior School form tutor and taught PE from Prep to Sixth Form. Always pursuing his vocation to specialize in the pastoral care of students, he was appointed Deputy Head of Joseph House then Head of McClancy House, a role he filled successfully for five years. Kevin is part of the Coindre Leadership Programme and has mentored numerous new teachers. Since 2016, Kevin has been Pastoral Deputy of the Prep School. Through a tutor programme promoting the 3Cs, Courage, Courtesy and Compassion, and the Growth Mindset, he has established a strong sense of self-discipline and personal responsibility in the children, drawing on his specialist knowledge of mental wellbeing and child protection. Kevin oversees a fair but firm system of consistent discipline while rewarding positive behaviour and involving the whole community in celebrating and promoting the ideal of a good Columban. Kevin has set up a programme of counselling and personal growth opportunities for pupils within the Prep and he brings his own faith and family values to bear upon his role in the Prep Liturgy Team. Kevin has made enormous use of his passport in the service of St Columba’s, quoting as his most memorable school trip his visit to Zambia with Project Respond. He is a keen and accomplished sportsman, particularly enjoying skiing and rugby. Occasional black eyes gained on the rugby pitch add considerably to his charisma in the eyes of the students!
Ms L. Cronin MA, Assistant Head: Director of Studies
Lucy has worked at St Columba’s College for 16 years, first as Head of RE and then as Assistant Head: Teaching, Learning and Professional Development, before taking on her current role. She gained her MA at Cambridge and continues to maintain a keen interest in the fields of theology, world religion, philosophy and social ethics. In addition to teaching RE throughout the Senior School and thus contributing to the spiritual life of the Columban community, she now serves the College as Assistant Head: Director of Studies. In this capacity she is responsible for the timetable, assessment data and reporting to parents, options at both GCSE and A-Level and all internal and external examinations. Thus, she ensures that we offer our students a consistently high-quality learning experience from Form One to the Sixth Form.
Mr J. Tatham BA, Assistant Head (Student Formation)
Joe is the Assistant Head for Student Formation. He has served the school in different roles over many years. He led Art Departments in different schools, including seven years here at St Columba’s, and is an experienced exam moderator. He continues to teach the subject in the lower years, at GCSE, and A Level. Joe was Head of Joseph House for many years, leading a team of dedicated staff, as well as working with many wonderful students and their families. He especially loved developing charity projects within the house and exchanges with our sister school, St Joe’s, in Metuchan, New Jersey.
In his current position as Assistant Head (Student Formation), Joe draws on his experience and interest in both the pastoral and academic spheres of Columban life. As well as developing the SHAPE co-curricular programme, Joe is the coordinator of the Senior School trips, of which there are over one hundred each academic year. He is also the longest serving member of the Ministry team, responsible for coordinating school charities and many service projects. He has always enjoyed travelling and continues to take part in many different sports and outdoor adventure activities, as well as having a passion for the creative arts.
Mr D. Waters BA, Head of Sixth Form
David studied History at Liverpool University before taking a PGCE in History at Cambridge University. He taught for 16 years at St George’s Harpenden, rising to Assistant Headteacher for Teaching & Learning and Curriculum. His subject specialism is History, and his experience as an examiner and consultant has given him insight into a range of educational settings as well as a deep understanding of the challenges that A Level students face. David enjoys providing strong pastoral support and giving the students a range of leadership opportunities they can grow into. He is also passionate about learning, and is committed to nurturing and developing the students’ academic potential. David lives in St Albans with his wife and two children, and enjoys reading, running, hockey and cricket.
Miss C. Maton, Assistant Academic Deputy of Prep / SENCo
With a First Class Degree in History and Politics from Sussex University, Miss Maton went on to qualify as a teacher through the Schools Direct initiative at Canterbury and Christchurch University. She began her career at a large Academy in Wembley, gaining her first experience in a 4 – 18 environment.
Since joining St Columba’s as a Prep 1 Form Teacher in 2014, Miss Maton has established herself as a teacher with the very highest academic standards. Since 2015 she has been applying this ethos to English teaching throughout the Prep as Subject Leader, instituting a successful systematic Phonics programme and many other initiatives for raising standards in students’ reading, writing and spoken English.
Mr N. Hele, Assistant Head (Learning, Teaching & Professional Development)
Nick read French and Russian at Birmingham, then completed his PGCE at Cambridge.
He has enjoyed substantial spells in single-sex and co-educational independent schools, teaching languages from beginners up to A-level. His work as Head of French, Head of MFL in a boarding school, Director of the Mathematics Faculty in a large, selective day school and Deputy Headteacher of a small international school has given him extensive experience of working with people from different backgrounds and cultures. Nick moved from Leeds to Hertfordshire with his family, drawn to St Columba’s by its faith values, community and the focus on enhancing teaching and learning in his role as Assistant Head: Teaching & Learning and Professional Development.
Nick has coached and officiated team games including cricket, hockey and rugby throughout his career. In his free time, he plays and watches various sports, travels with his family and reads.
Mrs R. McHattie, Bursar
Mrs McHattie has a long association with the College, with two of her three sons having completed their education with us. Rachel has also worked as part of the Finance team at St Columba’s College, before seeking promotion three years ago, where she was working as Director of Finance. We are delighted to welcome her back to undertake this role.
