Staff & Board

Staff

	Siobhan Allen - Executive Director I am the mother of two grown up children who attended Catholic schools in the Perth Hills. They have now moved out into the post school world armed with the gifts they received as part of their Catholic education and although they have finished school, I continue to volunteer on both schools Advisory Council/Board. I am currently the Executive Director of Catholic School Parents WA and have been with the organisation for 13 years. I commenced with the organisation in the role of Liaison Officer which enabled me to connect with parents in Catholic schools throughout the state predominantly through their P&Fs. It was a great opportunity for me to learn about what is important to parents in the Catholic school system and how to subsequently advocate on their behalf. In 2016 I was privileged to be promoted into the role of Executive Director where I continue to ensure that the parent perspective is heard in all conversations pertaining to learning and wellbeing. I am passionate about a parents right to choose the education that best meets their children’s needs and seek to form relationships and partnerships with those who can enable this.
	Jennifer Cotton - Finance Officer I have two children in our local Catholic primary school and am currently the Treasurer of my children's school P&F. I am an Accountant (FIPA) with over 15 years working experience in both commercial and not for profit sectors. As a parent I am very committed to my own school community, volunteering both in the school, as a member of the P&F executive, as well as also volunteering at my local parish. I feel it is very important for my children to see me volunteering for the sake of the common good and hopefully it will encourage them to do the same.
	Nicole Beresford - Liaison Officer I have two sons who attend a Catholic Secondary School. I joined the P&F as soon as my son started kindy as I wanted to learn more about the school, their plans and direction and to have the opportunity to get to know the Leadership Team. I have stayed year after year as I find it so rewarding and I’ve formed some amazing relationships with the other parents at our school, and other community organisations who have supported and attended our school events. I applied for position at CSPWA as I was aware of the great work they do in the advocacy and representation space. I was very keen to be part of an organisation that represents the parent perspective and can support parents to be involved in their child’s school and help build that wonderful sense of community that so many of our schools have.
	Jonelle Schultz - Admin Officer I am a dedicated mum of two energetic boys aged 10 & 8, who are my pride and joy. They, along with our new cavoodle puppy, keep me very busy! I am an active volunteer at their school and sporting clubs and am a strong believer that setting a good example to my boys by volunteering and helping where I can, will encourage them and their friends to do the same.

Board Members

	Alan Buckley - President (Diocese of Bunbury) My name is Alan Buckley, originally from Limerick in Ireland. I am married to Kellie and we live with our three sons in Bunbury. Our youngest is the only one left at school and attends a secondary Catholic School where I have served on the P&F for the last six years. I joined for the same reason most parents join, I was talked into it by someone else, but in that time I have learned that children do better when parents continue to be engaged throughout their children’s years at school. Put simply if they see you are engaged they are more likely to be engaged. I have been on council for 3 years and serve as CSPWA’s representative on RREAC. Working with both our school P&F and the CSPWA council have been incredibly rewarding experiences and in particular I am grateful to have played a part in funding long term teen mental health initiatives.
	Georgie Elle - Secretary I am the sole parent to my only child, who is a non-verbal autistic nine-year-old guy, and I have just turned 50! I am also autistic and am an advocate for people with a disability and their families. I am very connected with the autistic community all over Australia and internationally, and really enjoy supporting families and individuals in navigating their unique experiences with education, therapeutic approaches, finding quality professionals to assist them, NDIS, and the myriad of other things most people do not have to deal with on a day to day basis. I have been a member of our school board/advisory committee for several years and support many of our students with Disabilities and families in our school community. In my career, I have had a varied range of roles—working with celebrities and VIPs internationally, in event production, sales, coaching and leadership, youth work, child protection, and disabilities. I have lived and worked overseas for much of my adult life and travelled a great deal. In more recent years, I have worked in e-commerce while being a full-time carer for my son. These days I am pretty passionate about people and community. I like to support others wherever I can by doing things like cooking meals for people who need a hand or a break, organising items people or organisations may need for progress, and generally being someone willing to help wherever I can. I am a big fan of friend-raising in our school communities and bridging common gaps in culture, ability and various differences that can make people feel excluded.
	Orla Burrows - Board Member I have three children that attend Catholic Primary and Secondary schools at the moment. I joined the P&F after living in the Pilbara for 15 years and moved to Perth when my eldest started year 1. It was a fantastic way to make friends and I loved being part of the school community. After stepping down as president of the P&F I stayed on the committee and decided to study to become an education assistant. I now work in a Catholic school in the hills and volunteer in my local parish. I love that my family are a part of such a wonderful community, and I am looking forward to being involved with CSPWA as an organisation that represents and supports parents.
	Renee Bennett - Board Member My name is Renee and I am Mum to Grace 14 and Max 10 my biggest achievement. Both in Catholic Education schools. I have been active in my children’s school community and recently stepped down as President of the St Peter’s P & F and I am committed to working with the school and the parish to engage the students and local community. As an experienced event manager, I have worked alongside many in Catholic Education across Australia to deliver national conferences and have had the opportunity to see first-hand the wonderful work and commitment that our educators and school leaders make to our students on a daily basis.
	Sofia Ietto-Conti - Board Member Born and raised in Perth, I’ve always had a strong connection to our local community. My professional background includes offshore administration and interior design, and I’m currently working as a medical receptionist in the city. Outside of work, I enjoy travelling, gardening, spending quality time with my two children (a 10-year-old son and 8-year-old daughter), and catching up with friends. I’m actively involved in school life through the St Augustine's Parents & Friends (P&F) committee and volunteer my time collecting donations for Containers for Timor as well as supporting local initiatives. Community involvement and creating a positive environment for our children are things I’m truly passionate about.