Diocese of Wollongong


CrestThe Diocese of Wollongong is situated approximately 100 km south of Sydney, NSW, Australia.

The diocese stretches from Ingleburn and Varroville in the north, through Helensburgh down the coast to Milton-Ulladulla and west through the southern highlands to Moss Vale.

There are currently 29 systemic Catholic Primary schools and 7 systemic Catholic High schools in the diocese. There are also 7 Congregational High Schools within the diocese.

Services of the Catholic Education Office

The Catholic Education Office, Diocese of Wollongong is responsible for the delivery of its strategic intent: high quality Catholic Learning and Teaching in Diocesan schools from Kindergarten to Year 12. In doing so the Catholic Education Office, through its schools, meets the needs of children and young people in the acquisition of school education and post compulsory education including vocational training, together with the provision of high standards of pastoral care and education in faith. This commitment includes the provision of services in schools to children with special learning needs.

In 2008, the Catholic Education Office coordinates the management of the system of twenty nine Parish Primary and seven Regional Secondary Schools across the diverse geographic areas of the Illawarra, Shoalhaven, Southern Highlands and the Macarthur. Over 16,000 students are enrolled in these 36 schools. In addition, a liaison is maintained and services offered to the seven Congregational schools in the Diocese. These schools enrol a further 5,000 secondary school students.

A range of services is provided to schools through the Catholic Education Office Service Areas in Administration (including building and finance operations), Religious Education and Learning (including major provision of professional development, direct support with curriculum and the provision of spirituality courses), Employee Services (including industrial relations, recruitment and payroll) and School Services (schools supporting and monitors).
The Catholic Education Office is responsible for the allocation, distribution and administration of the funds provided by Federal and State governments and from parent fees and for the accountability of these funds to government, the Diocese and the wider Catholic community. Included in this financial responsibility are the salaries of over 1400 staff (teaching and support staff), permanent and casual in Diocesan schools.

A close liaison with schools and parish priests is maintained through the Director of Schools, the Heads of Services and more directly by the close contact of Heads of School Services with principals. Two Primary and one Secondary Head of School Services provide direct support to schools and principals.

A wide range of resources and services are provided to schools including curriculum expertise and pastoral care, education for students with special needs, vocational education and training, sports coordination and training in religious education and learning technologies. Assistance is also provided in school finances and budgeting. The Catholic Education Office also has a responsibility for the planning, building and maintenance of schools and of primary schools in cooperation with the Parish.

Diocesan Map

The Organisation

View our Organisatinal Chart (in .pdf format).

Bishop of Wollongong

In Church Law the Diocesan Bishop has the right and corresponding responsibility of oversight in regard to all Catholic Schools within his territory. Furthermore, Catholic religious instruction and education provided in any school is subject to his authority. Clergy and laity, each according to their own competency and according to Canon Law, share in these responsibilities of the Bishop.

Director of Schools

The leadership and strategic management of the Wollongong Catholic System of Schools is the responsibility of the Director of Schools, who is in turn, responsible to the Bishop of Wollongong. The Director is accountable for the operation of the systemic schools, the management of the Catholic Education Office and for providing creative leadership in the provision of resources, policy formation, strategic positioning and implementation processes in order to ensure the effectiveness of Catholic schools in the Diocese. This role supports the evangelising mission of the Church in the Diocese. The Director is supported by the senior positions of six Heads of Service who support Schools in their provision of quality Catholic Learning and Teaching.

Staff

In addition, Professional Officers, Senior Education Officers, Learning Officers, Support Teachers and Administrative Officers make up the Catholic Education Office work force. These positions carry either office or school-based responsibility and are accountable to the Director of Schools through their Head of Service.

Diocesan Schools Council

The Bishop has established a Diocesan Schools Council to advise him on matters pertaining to Parish and Diocesan Schools, with particular emphasis on the evangelising thrust of Catholic Schools within the mission of the Church, Catholic religious education, learning and teaching, strategic planning and resourcing. To assist in these matters three Standing Committees have been established in the areas of Religious Education, Learning Services and Planning and Finance.

Diocesan Schools Council Members

Name

Organisation

Designation

Most Rev Peter Ingham

DD Bishop of Wollongong

President

Rev Bryan Jones PP VG

All Saints Parish, Shellharbour City

Vicar General and Chairperson

Rev Ron Peters Adm

St Brigid’s, Gwynneville & St Francis Xavier Parish, Wollongong

Clergy

Mark O’Donogue

Diocese of Wollongong - Office of the Bishop

Diocesan Financial Administrator

Jenny Allen

Corpus Christi Catholic High School, Oak Flats

Principal

Ken Bryant

Nazareth Primary School, Shellharbour City

Principal

Peter Turner

Catholic Education Office

Director of Schools

Peter Fogarty

Catholic Education Office

Head of Administrative Services

Peter McPherson

Catholic Education Office

Secretary

Associate Professor Jude Butcher

Australian Catholic University

Community Representative

John Gamble

 

Community Representative

Mike Halloran

 

Community Representative

Suzanne Wilson

 

Parent Representative

Maria Wiley

 

Parent Representative

Malcolm Shearer

 

Parent Representative

Mark Beswarick

 

Parent Representative

Catholic Education Office Leadership Team

Peter Turner
OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR
Director of Schools – Mr Peter Turner

The Office of the Director supports the administration and organisation of the Catholic
Education Office. It provides:

  • Organisation and administrative support to the Director of Schools
  • Coordination of Policy Development
  • Publications including the Circular to Schools. Media support to the Catholic Education Office
  • Provision of the Catholic Education Office Annual Report
  • Strategic Planning
Mark Raue
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION AND LEARNING SERVICES
Head of Religious Education and Learning Services – Mr Mark Raue

The Head of Religious Education and Learning Services is responsible to the Director
of Schools for:

  • Managing and coordinating the Religious Education and faith formation initiatives of the Catholic Education Office
  • Coordination of the Learning Services and Religious Education Teams
  • Professional development which supports schools to improve the quality of learning and teaching
  • Managing the implementation of contemporary curriculum and pedagogy, special education, and student health and wellbeing in schools
  • Development and implementation of policies, processes, programs and support materials
Peter Fogarty
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
Head of Administrative Services – Mr Peter Fogarty

The Head of Administrative Services is responsible to the Director of Schools for:

  • Budgeting and financial reporting of the Catholic Education Office and System Schools
  • The accounting processes of the Catholic Education Office
  • The daily administration of the Catholic Education Office and its communication with schools
  • The management of the computer network and business systems
  • A joint role in Diocesan properties management as it relates to the planning, maintenance and development of schools
Jane Comensoli
EMPLOYEE SERVICES
Head of Employee Services – Mrs Jane Comensoli

The Head of Employee Services is responsible to the Director of Schools for:

  • Managing and coordinating the recruitment and appointment of staff for schools and the Catholic Education Office
  • The professional development of staff through induction, performance review and executive development
  • The provision of legal, industrial and occupational health and safety advice
  • The provision of employee services including pay and leave, superannuation and school staffing formula.

Netty Broekman

Head of School Services – Secondary
Mrs Netty Broekman

Noel Henry

Head of School Services – Primary
South Eastern
Mr Noel Henry

Paul McCann

Head of School Services – Primary
North Western
Dr Paul MaCann

SCHOOL SERVICES

The Head of School Services (Primary or Secondary) is directly responsible to the Director of Schools for the leadership of a nominated cluster of schools. Their role requires the:

Each Head of School Services is responsible for a cluster of schools and deals directly with principals in supporting them in their management of a school.

Heads of School Services play a direct role in staffing of schools including membership on selection panels for school leadership positions.

School Clusters

NORTH WEST PRIMARY CLUSTER - Dr Paul McCann

BOWRAL

St Thomas Aquinas Parish Primary School

BULLI

St Joseph’s Parish Primary School

CAMDEN

St Paul’s Parish Primary School

CAMPBELLTOWN

St John’s Parish Primary School

EAGLE VALE

Mary Immaculate Parish Primary School

HELENSBURGH

Holy Cross Parish Primary School

INGLEBURN

Holy Family Parish Primary School

MITTAGONG

St Michael’s Parish Primary School

MOSS VALE

St Paul’s Parish Primary School

NARELLAN VALE

St Clare’s Parish Primary School

PICTON

St Anthony’s Parish Primary School

ROSEMEADOW

Our Lady Help of Christians Parish Primary School

RUSE

St Thomas More Parish Primary School

THIRROUL

St Michael’s Parish Primary School

SOUTH EAST PRIMARY CLUSTER - Mr Noel Henry

ALBION PARK

St Paul’s Parish Primary School

CORRIMAL

St Columbkille’s Parish Primary School

DAPTO

St John’s Parish Primary School

FAIRY MEADOW

St John Vianney’s Parish Primary School

GWYNNEVILLE

St Brigid’s Parish Primary School

KIAMA

Ss Peter & Paul Parish Primary School

MILTON

St Mary’s Star of the Sea Parish Primary School

NOWRA

St Michael’s Parish Primary School

PORT KEMBLA

St Patrick’s Parish Primary School

SHELLHARBOUR

Stella Maris Parish Primary School

SHELLHARBOUR CITY

Nazareth Catholic Parish Primary School

UNANDERRA

St Pius X Parish Primary School

WARRAWONG

St Francis of Assisi Parish Primary School

WEST WOLLONGONG

St Therese Parish Primary School

WOLLONGONG

St Francis Xavier Parish Primary School

SECONDARY CLUSTER - Mrs Netty Broekman

ALBION PARK

St Joseph’s Catholic High School

BELLAMBI

Holy Spirit College

NARELLAN

Magdalene Catholic High School

NOWRA

St John the Evangelist Catholic High School

OAK FLATS

Corpus Christi Catholic High School

ROSEMEADOW

John Therry Catholic High School

VARROVILLE

Mt Carmel Catholic High School