Dr John Topliss comes to the Catholic Institute having spent the last 30 years as a teacher in six Catholic schools in Western Australia. He has also over 23 years experience as either an Assistant Principal or as an Acting Principal in both city and country locations. John enjoys implementing latest teaching methodology and engaging active learning in the Religious Education Learning Area, whilst relishing the opportunity to mentor both teachers and leaders. The former involved a major part of his PhD thesis completed at The University of Notre Dame Australia, with John also assisting Catholic Education WA with the re-introduction of their Early Career Teacher program.

Margaret, joins us as an experienced Office Manager. She has worked in a variety of financial roles working with many WA Catholic primary and secondary schools. Before that she worked in the United Kingdom. She originally graduated from Academy of Economics in Poland with bachelor’s degree in finance and marketing.

Roz joined the Catholic Institute in May 2022 and brings a wealth of administrative knowledge, having worked for 16 years in the School of Education at The University of Notre Dame Australia. In her role as Administrative Coordinator for Postgraduate Studies, she worked supporting the postgraduate program coordinator and postgraduate student. Roz also provided administrative support to the School’s leadership, lecturers and office staff in utilising office technology, online learning management systems and newly introduced software systems. Prior to working at the Notre Dame, Roz worked for 12 years as an Administration Officer at the Telstra Business Centre during the inception of mobile communication and technology within Australia.

Roz enjoys using her positive attitude and tireless energy to help and support others in both her professional and personal life.

Megan joined CIWA after many years teaching in secondary Catholic schools in NSW and WA. She has taught classes from Years 7 to 12 in a diverse range of subjects and has worked in a number of roles including Head of Department, Year Coordinator, and Faith and Liturgy Coordinator. Megan began her involvement with CIWA on a sessional basis delivering courses at The University of Notre Dame Australia.

Joanne comes to the Catholic Institute with a vast experience in Catholic Education. She spent many years working in Catholic schools both in WA (regional and urban) and in Papua New Guinea. Jo has worked as an Assistant Principal (Religious Education) and short-term Principal at numerous schools. More recently, she has worked at the Catholic Education Western Australia as a Religious Education consultant in the Perth, Broome and Geraldton dioceses. Jo has completed her Master of Education (Religious Education) and has special interests in Biblical storytelling (being a trained Godly Play storyteller) and embedding Aboriginal perspectives into Religious Education.

Dr Margaret Scharf OP is a Dominican Sister whose major ministry involves the spiritual and faith formation of adults. Sr Margaret is the chief spiritual and faith formation facilitator for CIWA. Margaret also offers professional development and retreat days for staff of Catholic schools in WA and facilitates the Galilee ‘grassroots’ programs. She holds a doctorate in Ministry in Spiritual Direction, and is a spiritual director, doctoral supervisor, and highly experienced and engaging adult faith facilitator.

Tania is an experienced educator who is passionate about fostering student spiritual growth across the curriculum. Her research in this field earned her Doctor of Education from the University of Notre Dame Australia. Tania’s career includes a depth of academic and pastoral leadership roles in the Catholic and government secondary school settings. Now in the university sector, she enjoys teaching a variety of Catholic education courses at an undergraduate and postgraduate level. She is a member of Global Researchers Advancing Catholic Education (GRACE) and holds strong interests in spirituality, pastoral care, and student and staff wellbeing.

Nathan has worked across Australia in tertiary, secondary and primary education in independent, Catholic and government schools. He holds a PhD in Classic and Ancient History from the University of Western Australia and a Master of Education (RE) from The University of Notre Dame Australia.

Nathan has a strong affinity with Ignatian Spirituality, having worked with the Jesuits in Sydney and Adelaide, and is passionate about pastoral care, Catholic identity, and the Catholic Social Justice Tradition.

Before CIWA, Nathan worked as a Justice Educator for Caritas Australia, the international aid and development agency of the Catholic Church in Australia. He has a keen interest in scripture and its continuing relevance and revelation and, prior to his career in education, was a professional musician trained at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts.

Juliette has come to CIWA after working as a Secondary School Teacher in both country and metropolitan areas in Western Australia. She has completed a double degree Bachelor of Education (Secondary) / Bachelor of Behavioural Science (Education) at The University of Notre Dame Australia. Juliette received the Br Gerald T Faulkner award for contribution to Notre Dame’s School of Education through community service and contribution to the Retreat Leaders Training Program from 2005-2010. Juliette was instrumental in establishing the Notre Dame Education Society as the inaugural President. She has held the positions of ATAR Specialist Teacher and Christian Service-Learning Coordinator Years 7-12. Juliette has completed a Master of Education (Religious Education) at The University of Notre Dame in Fremantle with distinction grades. Juliette has a strong interest in service learning and staff faith formation.

Tom Gourlay is a Senior Lecturer at the Catholic Institute of Western Australia (CIWA). He completed his PhD at the University of Notre Dame Australia with a thesis titled ‘To Broaden the Scope of Reason: The Significance of Relational Ontology for the Catholic University’.

Prior to working for the CIWA he served as the National Director of Chaplaincy and Faith Formation, and Lecturer in the School of Philosophy and Theology at the University of Notre Dame Australia, and previously as a teacher and department head of religious education in Western Australian Catholic schools.