Staff & Council

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 both Primary and Secondary Catholic Schools. 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.

Councillors

	Marina Hayward - President I am Marina Hayward, the president of CSPWA. I have had children in Catholic Schools in WA for 22 years with my youngest child currently in Year 12. My involvement in my children’s schools has led me in several directions, however namely it has presented me with the opportunity to sit on this state council for 10 years – initially PFFWA and more recently the accurately named Catholic School Parents Western Australia. I am the proud mother of 4 children, three who have graduated from Catholic Schools who these days are gainfully employed respectively as an architect, a PR & marketing officer and an apprentice electrician. I have no doubt that the Catholic School education received has played a pivotal role in their development as all-rounded individuals, with the ability to productively contribute in a meaningful way to society.
	Richard Bone - Treasurer I have comprehensive Board leadership experience and is a Graduate of the Company Directors Course. He served on the Executive Committee of the WA Internet Association for 6 years including 2 years as President. During this time, I served as a Director of the national Internet Industry Association. My NFP experience includes serving on the Board of Ruah Community Services for 8 years including 2 years as Board Chair. I also served on the Board/Advisory Council of my children's school for 13 years including 8 years as Chair. I have corporate leadership experience having led a software company for 18 years. I am currently founder of a HR-tech start-up MATCHD, applying psychometric assessments to matching the right people with the right jobs.
	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.
	Catherine Howarth - Councillor
	Orla Burrows - Councillor 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 - Councillor 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.
	Alan Buckley - Councillor (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.
	Annette Morey- Ex Officio Councillor (CEWA Representative) Annette has worked in Catholic education for more than thirty years, most recently as Mater Dei College Principal for six years. She has previously been Principal at St Norbert College and Deputy Principal at both Mater Dei College and Prendiville Catholic College. For 2024, Annette has been seconded to the role of Deputy Executive Director of Catholic Education Western Australia. Annette has also served in several education leadership roles, including as the Catholic Secondary School Principals Australia, Director for Western Australia and as the CEWA representative on the Pathways to Post-School Success Review Expert Panel for the Minister of Education, Hon Dr Tony Buti. In addition, Annette has served on the Catholic Education Commission WA School Improvement Committee and as a member of the Catholic Secondary Principals Association Executive. Annette holds a Master of Education (Religious Education) from the University of Notre Dame and a Master of Education (Leadership) from Edith Cowan University. She is also an active member of her local parish, Immaculate Heart of Mary in Scarborough.
	Fr George Kolodziej - Ex Officio Councillor (Priest Advisor) I am Congregational Leader of the Salvatorians in Australia, Chaplain at CEWA, priest advisor for CSPWA, council member of the CYM Committee of Management and a registered Clinical Psychotherapist/Counsellor. From 1997–2000 I worked as chaplain at Chisholm College and from 2000-2007 as chaplain at St Leo’s Catholic College, Wahroonga NSW. I hold two Master’s degrees in Theology and in Psychotherapy and Pastoral Care. I worked for many years in a recovery centre for drug addicts and alcoholics in NSW during which time I was also involved in youth ministry and WYD pilgrimages.