Reverend Dr Ed Loane BSc(Syd) BD(Hons) DipMin(MTC) PhD(Cantab) commenced as Warden of St Paul’s College in January 2020. As the Head of College, the Warden is responsible for the daily management of the College operations. He oversees the student and academic life, operations, media and governance matters, finances, philanthropy and hospitality.
Dr Loane carries a deep passion for history and academia, with numerous published books and journal articles to his name in the fields of theology and history. His Christian faith is lived out in all that he does. Dr Loane enjoys spending time with his family, reading and watching live sports.
Raised in Wollongong, Dr Loane completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Sydney, graduating with a Bachelor of Science. He went on to complete his graduate studies with First Class Honours at Moore College, after which he completed a PhD at King’s College, Cambridge University.
As an Old Pauline, Dr Loane brings an appreciation for the benefits of collegiate education, seeing the instrumental role it has played in his own personal and professional development. His rich understanding of the unique history and traditions of St Paul’s has enabled him to become involved in the more visionary aspects of the College, such as the planning and opening of major infrastructure projects on campus.
Dr Loane has served the College as a valued Council Member since March 2017, where he led several structural reforms and cultural renewal initiatives, including leading the historic revision of the 1854 St Paul’s College Act.
The Warden is deeply interested in the personal development of the students of the College, seeking to play an active role in their growth throughout this transformative phase of their lives.
Head of Co-residential Transition
Tracey-Jane (TJ) Christie BA DipLaw brings a wealth of experience in collegiate communities to St Paul’s, thanks to her own undergraduate days as a student at Sancta Sophia College. After graduating, TJ worked as a solicitor and human resources manager for more than two decades. She then returned to College leadership and was named the Vice-Principal of Sancta.
In 2014, TJ moved to St John’s College, serving primarily as Dean until 2020. In 2021, she served as the Deputy Head of John XXIII College at ANU. Throughout these roles, TJ has been a passionate advocate for student development and academic advancement, remaining actively involved in pastoral care and wellbeing.
TJ has played a significant role in cultural renewal across her roles within Colleges. She was heavily involved in implementing the recommendations of the 2017 Broderick Review.
In her role as Head of Co-residential Transition, TJ is responsible for the recruitment and leadership development of St Paul’s first undergraduate women, seniors and freshers alike. TJ’s role will ensure the voices of future young women leaders and will directly inform and shape the College transition.
Matthew Newcombe JD(Syd) is the Dean of Undergraduates, living on-site and involved with all aspects of Pauline undergraduate life. Matthew has a particular focus on student welfare, pastoral care, and discipline.
Dr Antone Martinho-Truswell AB(Harvard MA DPjil(Oxon) works alongside the Warden to lead the academic and pastoral life of Graduate House. In this role, as the inaugural Dean, Dr Martinho-Truswell is responsible for building and fostering a happy, inclusive collegiate community.
Dr Martinho-Truswell joined the College from the Department of Zoology at the University of Oxford, where he was a Fellow and member of the governing body of Magdalen College, as well as a Lecturer in Biology at Pembroke College. Dr Martinho-Truswell has also served as Junior Dean of University College, Oxford, and graduate warden of St Cross College, Oxford.
With research focused on the brains and minds of birds, he co-founded the Oxford Duckling Laboratory at Oxford, and has seen his research published in several high-impact journals (including Science). Prior to completing his doctorate in Zoology at Oxford, he graduated cum laude in Neurobiology from Harvard University.
As an avid sportsman, Dr Martinho-Truswell played varsity Water Polo at both Oxford (Half Blue) and Harvard (Major H), serving as Vice-Captain of the Oxford team. He is an unremarkable, but enthusiastic, cricketer.
Rev’d Antony Weiss BD(MTC) BA(UNSW) GradDipEd(UTS) was appointed as the resident Chaplain to St Paul’s College in 2018. Antony has a Bachelor of Divinity from Moore Theological College and was made Deacon and ordained Priest in the Diocese of Sydney. In addition to his full-time licensed ministry at St Paul’s College, Antony also holds the Archbishop of Sydney’s licence as an Honorary Assistant Priest at Christ Church St Laurence at Railway Square.
Before he commenced his theological studies at Moore College, Antony was a long-serving Master at Shore, with over two decades as a boarding housemaster behind him (latterly as Senior Boarding Housemaster). Antony was also formerly the Head of Languages at Shore, where he taught predominantly French and Latin. He coached and coordinated Shore’s junior rowing programme for twenty seasons.
Beyond his work in teaching and ministry, Antony has a passion for extensive travels in the Outback, with his trusty Toyota LandCruiser transporting him to some of the most remote parts of the Australian continent. These semester break journeys often involve current Paulines.
Antony is available to all members of the College community, providing pastoral care or general catch-up opportunities. He can be contacted via email at chaplain@stpauls.edu.au.
Katie Newcombe BA LLB(Hons)(Bond) BCL(Dist) MPhil(Oxon) works alongside the Warden to lead the academic and educational life of the College across all disciplines, and as Senior Tutor presides over the Senior Common Room. Katie has responsibility for all College academic resources, the educational, tutorial and mentoring programs, and more.
Katie takes a pastoral and personal interest in the wellbeing and academic progress of all members of College across undergraduate, postgraduate, doctoral or postdoctoral levels. The Senior Tutor is supported by the Associate Senior Tutor (responsible for managing the tutorial and mentoring programs), the Assistant Senior Tutors and the Student Deans.
A doctoral researcher at New College, University of Oxford, Katie examines how courts adjudicate challenges to public health and public housing provision.She is particularly interested in questions about the allocation and distribution of scarce resources, examining how administrative law may be imagined as we think about these questions. During her time at Oxford, she was Sub-Dean at Magdalen College as part of the college welfare team.
Throughout periods at Exeter College, Oxford and at Bond University, Katie taught across both undergraduate law and JD students in the areas of Equity, Land Law, and foundational Australian law.
Kate has worked as a native title and resources lawyer and as a judge’s associate in Queensland. In the UK, Katie has worked for the Ministry of Justice as Judicial Assistant to the Master of the Rolls. Katie holds a BCL (Dist) and MPhil from the University of Oxford, as well as a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts from Bond University.
Lucy Williams BVA EMASS is Acting Senior Tutor during Katie Newcombe’s maternity leave. Lucy’s substantive role is Associate Dean of Undergraduates.
Philip Barr BA DipEd(Syd) is the Head of Admissions and is responsible for recruitment of undergraduate students to the College. He attended St Paul’s as a resident student from 1973-1976, where he served as Honorary Secretary of the Students’ Club and Director of Mummers.
Philip has enjoyed a distinguished career in secondary education in Australia and the UK, most recently as the widely admired Master of the Lower School at Sydney Grammar School. In this role, he deputised for the Headmaster, interviewed all candidates for admission and scholarship, and was responsible for the general welfare and pastoral care of all boys in their first year at the School.
Across the course of his 39 years as a schoolmaster, Philip has taught English, Art (principally Art History) and French. His early years at Sydney Grammar saw him serve as Rowing Master and a House Master. He is an experienced and enthusiastic rowing coach, continuing to coach schoolboy crews today.
In the mid-1990s, Philip took on a three-year posting at Oundle School, Northamptonshire, the largest co-educational boarding school in Britain.
Philip has a long-standing affiliation with St James’ King Street, where he has served principally as a musician, but also as a parish councillor and parochial nominator. Since retiring from Sydney Grammar School in 2016, Philip has been active in supporting the admissions and academic programs of St Paul’s College.
Tracey Donkin joined the St Paul’s College team in early 2019 after working within the independent school sector as a Registrar for 14 years. Tracey is the first point of contact for all incoming enquiries regarding applications as either a prospective undergraduate or postgraduate resident. Tracey enjoys working alongside future Paulines as they progress throughout the application process until the time of their College commencement. Whether prospective students are looking to tour the College campus, attend a School’s Dinner or a College Open Day, Tracey is the port of call.
Prior to commencing work as a Registrar, Tracey spent many years in marketing roles within the payroll industry.
With two daughters currently studying at university, Tracey is a warm and welcoming support for any questions you may have regarding the transition from school to university.
Brianna Louwen BMus (UWA), MA in Music (York) is the Associate Dean of Postgraduates. In this role she assists the Dean with pastoral and academic support.
Brianna is a freelance professional Soprano, appearing regularly with all of Sydney’s professional choirs and on the concert and operatic stage across Australia. She is also a passionate music educator and conductor, and is currently working with the Australian Childrens’ Music Foundation and the Sydney Children’s Choir.
In addition to her role as Associate Dean of Postgraduates, she is the Senior Lay Clerk of the St Paul’s College Choir and tutors many of the choir’s members.
