CEDoW Staff Announcements
Resignation of Bede Ritchie - Assistant Director - Information, Communication and Learning Technologies
After a period of reflection and prayerful discernment Bede Ritchie has decided to resign from his role as Assistant Director - Information, Communication and Learning Technologies with Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong (CEDoW). Bede’s final operational day in this role will be 10 October 2025.
Throughout the course of his career, Bede has made an extensive contribution to CEDoW. He commenced working in the diocese as a Secondary Teacher at Holy Spirit College, Bellambi in 1991 and since then has held the significant leadership positions of Head of Service - Finance & Administrative Services (2013-2017), Head of Finance, Facilities, Planning, Information, Communication and Learning Technologies (2017 - 2022), and Assistant Director - Information, Communication and Learning Technologies (2022 - present). He has also had extensive experience in teaching and leadership roles across Sydney Catholic Schools. Bede also served as the founding General Manager/Chief Executive Officer of CEnet from 2005 - 2012, leading the creation and growth of an organisation that supports Catholic education across Australia.
I trust that Bede will reflect on his career with great pride and satisfaction. The significant impact he has had upon CEDoW has been characterised by a drive to innovate and to lead high quality professional services to Catholic schools, staff and the young people we are all privileged to serve.
There will be many opportunities in the coming months to appropriately acknowledge and celebrate Bede’s contribution to Catholic education, recognising and thanking him for his many professional achievements.
On behalf of Bishop Brian Mascord and CEDoW staff, I wish Bede and his family every best wish and blessing and pray that Bede continues to find joy and fulfilment in all his future endeavours.
Sincerely
Peter Hill
Director of Schools
Diocese of Wollongong
Assistant Director - Strategy and Communications
Following recommendations from review processes and consultation, the role of Strategy and Communications will report to the Director of Schools and be represented on the CEDoW leadership team, effective 24 February 2025. Matt Baxter will continue his leadership of this important function as Assistant Director - Strategy and Communications.
This appointment reflects the recommendations of an independent organisational and structural review, conducted in 2022. This structural change emphasises the importance of the Strategy and Communications function to the organisation, recognising its impact and influence in aligning messaging and strategy to foster coherence and organisational alignment.
Matt joined CEDoW in 2020 and in his current role of Head of Strategy and Communications has worked closely with the Leadership Team to guide the development and implementation of strategy across our 38 Catholic schools and the Catholic Education Office. He is an active member of the St Joseph’s, Bulli Catholic parish and is committed to supporting the mission of the Catholic Church in education by leveraging his expertise to enhance outcomes for all students. With experience in the corporate, government, and nonprofit sectors, and a background spanning education, communications, and management consulting, Matt brings a demonstrated ability to the Leadership Team to align stakeholders, build strategic capability, and deliver tangible results.
Please join me in congratulating Matt on his appointment.
Sincerely
Peter Hill
Director of Schools
Diocese of Wollongong
On behalf of the Director of Schools, I wish to announce the following:
Following a recruitment process, Anita Pierro is the successful applicant for the substantive position of Assistant Accountant within the Finance Facilities and Planning service area commencing 24th March 2025. This role is predominantly responsible for working with the school finance teams to provide guidance and support with the budget, forecast and general finance reporting.
Anita has substantial experience as an Assistant Accountant working with a variety of software applications within diverse industries including manufacturing, not for profits and business advisory services. Anita is a graduate of St Mary’s and has completed a Bachelor of Commerce at UOW.
Following a recruitment process, Peta Idstein is the successful applicant for the substantive position of Education Officer - Curriculum Implementation Support, Learning K-12 in the Improvement, Learning and Wellbeing service area. Peta will commence once a suitable replacement at the school has been finalised.
Peta has worked in the Diocese since 2004 commencing her teaching at St John the Evangelist Catholic Parish Primary School, Campbelltown before moving to St Paul’s Catholic Parish Primary School, Albion Park and St John's Catholic Parish Primary School, Dapto. In 2022, Peta joined the School Improvement - Primary Team as an Education Officer before returning to Dapto, and more recently Nazareth Catholic Parish Primary School, Shellharbour City.
Peta holds a Bachelor of Education, Australian Catholic University, Strathfield. She has extensive experience in middle leadership and has led the implementation of English and Mathematics in response to curriculum reform over the past three years.
I take this opportunity to congratulate Anita and Peta and wish them every success and fulfilment in these appointments.
Natasha O’Donoghue
Assistant Director - People and Culture