Chris has extensive experience in teaching and coordinating Religious Education in Catholic secondary schools and tertiary institutions. During the 1990s, he worked as a Religious Education consultant for the Catholic Education Office of Western Australia developing RE materials. Chris is currently the Chair of the Religion and Life Curriculum and Assessment Committee for the School Curriculum and Standards Authority. He has been the Chief Examiner and Chief Marker for the WACE exams in Religion and Life. As Director of the Catholic Institute, Chris is a commissioner on the Catholic Education Commission of Western Australia. He is also the Associate Dean of Religious Education in the School of Education at The University of Notre Dame Australia.

Chris teaches in the areas of Religious Education and Catholic studies at the undergraduate and postgraduate tertiary levels as well as teaching in the areas of pastoral care, values education, and spirituality education. He also supervises doctoral students at Notre Dame in Religious Education and in values education. Chris has a particular interest in teacher formation and has published articles and presented at conferences on this subject, especially in regards to the formation of beginning RE teachers. He has also co-published with Associate Professor Shane Lavery in the areas of service learning, student ministry and school retreat training.

Wendy joined the Catholic Institute in January 2022. She has worked previously as a Personal Assistant to the Director of Education, Department of Education, South Metro Regional Office. Prior to that, Wendy worked for 12 years as an Administration Assistant in the School of Education at The University of Notre Dame Australia, Fremantle and brings with her many years of experience in the public and private education sectors. She has worked closely with Academics, Coordinators and students while at Notre Dame and has a sound understanding of the tertiary sector, undergraduate and postgraduate.

Wendy enjoys a challenge and working with colleagues to build productive relationships within a team environment, she is excited to be part of the CIWA team.

Damian obtained his teaching degree in Victoria in the late 1970s and came to Perth in 1981. Since then, he has taught in a number of Catholic schools (both small and large) holding the positions of classroom Teacher and Assistant Principal Religious Education.

In 1991, he commenced employment with the Catholic Education Office of Western Australia as a Religious Education Consultant before he was appointed to the position of Coordinator of the K-7 Religious Education Team in 1999. Following that, Damian was appointed Coordinator of the K-12 Religious Education Team in 2005. His role as Coordinator was to oversee the teaching of Religious Education in Catholic schools in Western Australia.

Damian commenced his current position with CIWA at Edith Cowan University (ECU) in 2005. He teaches units in Education, Religious Education and Theology at both the undergraduate and postgraduate level. Damian has a special interest in the spirituality of teaching and religious education pedagogy and is currently completing his PhD in the area of the spirituality of teaching.

John 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.

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.

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.

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.

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 including distinction grades in Religious Education and Theology. 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 began her teaching career at Santa Maria College in HASS and Religious Education. Juliette then expanded her teaching practice at John Paul College Kalgoorlie and Corpus Christi College in Bateman where she 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 whilst on maternity leave and relief teaching/sessional university tutoring. Juliette has a strong interest in service learning and staff faith formation.