Mr Lovering, who was acting principal at Katherine High school, has taken up the position permanently.

"I studied a bachelor of education in the '90s," Mr Lovering said.

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"I've been teaching for 21 years now. I played sports as a young fella and originally got into teaching because it was a good way to combine the love of sport and travel.

"My first five years of teaching were spent in England. I played a lot of cricket and taught whilst over there.

"I moved back to Australia and have been teaching in the Northern Territory since 2006."

With more than a decade spent in the Katherine community, Mr Lovering wants change and has outlined some of the goals he's set for the school.

"I've been working in Katherine for 11 years as an assistant principal and a principal," he said.

"I was doing some work as the senior director looking after all the schools.

"Katherine High School had experienced some challenges and I stepped in an interim capacity to begin with.

"I liked the work, the people, so I've decided to stay on and continue to contribute where I can.

"We want to ensure that as the only government high school in town, we can be seen as a viable option for all families.

"A place where students can come find a pathway to their future.

"Whether that's university or the workforce, we want to make sure that we can provide all the opportunities for students and can access what they want.

"We want them to be successful later in life."

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It doesn't just finish at the end of the student's studies - he hopes to see his students happy on whatever path they take.

"It's always exciting to help shape these young students in their earlier life," Mr Lovering said.

"A lot of my students from when I first arrived, they're young adults at university or finishing off apprenticeships now and that is always encouraging to see.

"Seeing them achieve their dreams is wonderful. I tell the students that I can't wait to run into them five or six years down the track, see them in the street and ask how their journey is going.

"It's a nice thing seeing the kids grow up as a local in the town."

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The high school will look to bring back some much-missed activities and grow them into long term, accessible events.

"One of the things we'll be looking to do is bring in the Katherine Sports Academy," Mr Lovering said.

"We'll be looking to revamp that, and we have a new Sports Academy Manager too. The facilities will also look at a revamp.

"Boys and girls football teams and basketball squads are big ones we're looking to promote. We have the only indoor basketball court in town.

"We really want to encourage the recently reformed Katherine Basketball Association to come run their competition here.

"We're looking to create pride within the school and make the school a proud place for the town."

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