Announcements from the Director – People and Culture

On behalf of the Executive Director of Schools, I wish to announce the following:

Announcement for St Brigid's Catholic Parish Primary School, Gwynneville

The Principal of St Brigid's Catholic Parish Primary School, Gwynneville, Kathy Uroda, will be taking a period of leave across Weeks 1 to 6 of Term 3 (inclusive).

Amy-Louise Sammut is the successful candidate to perform the role of Acting Principal at St Brigid's whilst Kathy is on leave. Amy is currently the Assistant Principal at St Michael's Catholic Parish Primary School, Thirroul, and has previously held the position of Acting Assistant Principal at St Brigid's (2021-2022).

Please join me in congratulating Amy on this excellent opportunity. 

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Beth Woodstone – Senior Child Protection Advisor has made the decision to resign from her position to take up a senior leadership role at a women’s trauma recovery service. Beth’s last day will be 4 July 2025.

Beth was appointed to the substantive position of Senior Child Protection Advisor in January 2022 within the sub-team of Child Safety and Professional Services (CSaPS) in People and Culture.

During her time with CEDoW, Beth has been exceptionally dedicated, bringing significant experience from front line and senior management roles across the Child Safety spectrum, including statutory multi-agency teams, early intervention, program development and workforce capability building.

Throughout her tenure, Beth demonstrated outstanding leadership and expertise in child safety system initiatives and training. Her academic background, including a Bachelor of Arts in Social Science and a Master of International Relations, underpinned her strong professional capabilities. Her dedication and commitment have greatly benefited our organisation and the students and families we serve.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude for her significant contributions. We wish her the very best in her future endeavors and every success and fulfilment in her next chapter. 

We will begin the process of recruiting for a new Senior Child Protection Advisor in due course.

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Kylie Stephens, Religious Education Coordinator at St John’s Catholic Parish Primary School Dapto, will be taking leave for all of Term 3. Following a recruitment process, William Whittle is the successful applicant for the position of Acting Religious Education Coordinator at St John’s Dapto, during Kylie’s leave.

William has been teaching and leading in the Wollongong Diocese since 2007 and is currently Acting Middle Leader 3 at St John’s. William holds a Master of Educational Leadership (ACU), a Graduate Certificate in Theology (BBI), and a Bachelor of Education (ACU).

William is a member of St John the Evangelist Catholic Parish, Dapto.

Julia Choice is the successful applicant for the substantive position of Education Officer - Improvement, Learning and Wellbeing - Diverse Learning (K-12) working in the Wellbeing and Student Support Team, commencing at the beginning of Term 3, 2025.

Julia has over 17 years’ experience teaching and leading within Catholic Education in the Diocese of Wollongong and is currently employed as Dean of Students at St Mary Star of the Sea College, Wollongong.  In this role and her previous role of Academic Care Coordinator, Julia has worked extensively in the case management of students and was an active member of the school’s NCCD team.

Julia holds a Bachelor of Arts (Politics and History), a Master of Education (Educational Leadership) from the University of Wollongong, and a Graduate Diploma of Education from Macquarie University.

Natasha O'Donoghue
Director – People and Culture