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.

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.

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.

Anne Tan has cultivated a rich teaching career in early childhood and primary education, primarily within Catholic schools. It is here that she has nurtured her passion for Religious Education, seamlessly integrating it across various subjects. Throughout her tenure, Anne has embraced leadership roles, demonstrating her commitment to both her students and the educational community. Anne is currently pursuing a PhD that investigates the learning of mathematics in early childhood education. Her academic credentials include two Master’s degrees in Education, one focused on Religious Education and the other on learning challenges, as well as a Master of Business Administration with a specialisation in Strategic Marketing. These qualifications reflect her diverse interests and unwavering dedication to advancing educational practices.

Rebecca Vaccaro has come to CIWA after working for twenty years as an Early Childhood and Primary School Teacher in Western Australian Catholic Schools. She has completed a Diploma of Children Services (Childcare) at the Australian Childcare Academy, Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood) and Master of Education (Religious Education) at The University of Notre Dame Australia. Rebecca has a passion for exploring, teaching and sharing religious knowledge and nurturing the holistic development of individuals. She exhibits a deep commitment to fostering the spiritual growth among both students and staff, guiding individuals on their own faith journey.

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.

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.