'Historic milestone': Catholic schools office appoints first female director
Jacqueline Wilkinson has accepted the position after holding multiple roles in 2024 as assistant head of schools and acting director of schools.
The latter position had been held by former CEO Sean Scanlon, who made a shock exit from the CSO in February.
Ms Wilkinson was recently appointed acting head of schools when Steve Lemos resigned in 2024.
"I was in that role for about eight weeks and then interviewed for the role permanently," she said.
She said her focus was on stabilising the diocese and bringing a sense of community back.
"I have a focus on schools and what they need to enhance teaching and learning, and I'm really focused on building a high leadership team," she said.
"I've always been committed to the experience that students have in the classroom, which really depends on the quality of teachers, the great leadership that happens in schools, and the way we can all partner to make that happen."
Ms Wilkinson said, despite a shift of positions in the CSO, she was confident in the diocese's future.
"I think that comes from having the right people in the right roles who are promoting our Catholic Schools. I think that sense was lost that we're all in this together, but now we are doing great work in that space," she said.
She said change happens, and anyone who comes along offers a new vision.
"Change is a very natural thing. It's how we respond to change, rather than react to change," she said.
"I'm always thinking about how we can improve and our ultimate mission. I'm clear on what that is. So, I think we're we're in a good place."
Ms Wilkinson said she felt privileged and excited to take on the role and was in it for the "long haul".
She brings over 35 years of experience with the Hunter Catholic education system, having started her career in 1990 as a classroom teacher at St Joseph's Primary School in Dungog.
"I moved around a little bit as a kid and came to Dungog as a child of a police sergeant and then stayed," she said.
She has also held various leadership roles, including assistant principal at St Brigid's Raymond Terrace and first female principal at St Patrick's Lochinvar.
THE Maitland-Newcastle diocese's Catholic Schools Office has appointed its first female Director of Schools.
Jacqueline Wilkinson has accepted the position after holding multiple roles in 2024 as assistant head of schools and acting director of schools.
The latter position had been held by former CEO Sean Scanlon, who made a shock exit from the CSO in February.
Ms Wilkinson was recently appointed acting head of schools when Steve Lemos resigned in 2024.
"I was in that role for about eight weeks and then interviewed for the role permanently," she said.
She said her focus was on stabilising the diocese and bringing a sense of community back.
"I have a focus on schools and what they need to enhance teaching and learning, and I'm really focused on building a high leadership team," she said.
"I've always been committed to the experience that students have in the classroom, which really depends on the quality of teachers, the great leadership that happens in schools, and the way we can all partner to make that happen."
Ms Wilkinson said, despite a shift of positions in the CSO, she was confident in the diocese's future.
"I think that comes from having the right people in the right roles who are promoting our Catholic Schools. I think that sense was lost that we're all in this together, but now we are doing great work in that space," she said.
She said change happens, and anyone who comes along offers a new vision.
"Change is a very natural thing. It's how we respond to change, rather than react to change," she said.
"I'm always thinking about how we can improve and our ultimate mission. I'm clear on what that is. So, I think we're we're in a good place."
Ms Wilkinson said she felt privileged and excited to take on the role and was in it for the "long haul".
She brings over 35 years of experience with the Hunter Catholic education system, having started her career in 1990 as a classroom teacher at St Joseph's Primary School in Dungog.
"I moved around a little bit as a kid and came to Dungog as a child of a police sergeant and then stayed," she said.
She has also held various leadership roles, including assistant principal at St Brigid's Raymond Terrace and first female principal at St Patrick's Lochinvar.
THE Maitland-Newcastle diocese's Catholic Schools Office has appointed its first female Director of Schools.
Jacqueline Wilkinson has accepted the position after holding multiple roles in 2024 as assistant head of schools and acting director of schools.
The latter position had been held by former CEO Sean Scanlon, who made a shock exit from the CSO in February.
Ms Wilkinson was recently appointed acting head of schools when Steve Lemos resigned in 2024.
"I was in that role for about eight weeks and then interviewed for the role permanently," she said.
She said her focus was on stabilising the diocese and bringing a sense of community back.
"I have a focus on schools and what they need to enhance teaching and learning, and I'm really focused on building a high leadership team," she said.
"I've always been committed to the experience that students have in the classroom, which really depends on the quality of teachers, the great leadership that happens in schools, and the way we can all partner to make that happen."
Ms Wilkinson said, despite a shift of positions in the CSO, she was confident in the diocese's future.
"I think that comes from having the right people in the right roles who are promoting our Catholic Schools. I think that sense was lost that we're all in this together, but now we are doing great work in that space," she said.
She said change happens, and anyone who comes along offers a new vision.
"Change is a very natural thing. It's how we respond to change, rather than react to change," she said.
"I'm always thinking about how we can improve and our ultimate mission. I'm clear on what that is. So, I think we're we're in a good place."
Ms Wilkinson said she felt privileged and excited to take on the role and was in it for the "long haul".
She brings over 35 years of experience with the Hunter Catholic education system, having started her career in 1990 as a classroom teacher at St Joseph's Primary School in Dungog.
"I moved around a little bit as a kid and came to Dungog as a child of a police sergeant and then stayed," she said.
She has also held various leadership roles, including assistant principal at St Brigid's Raymond Terrace and first female principal at St Patrick's Lochinvar.
THE Maitland-Newcastle diocese's Catholic Schools Office has appointed its first female Director of Schools.
Jacqueline Wilkinson has accepted the position after holding multiple roles in 2024 as assistant head of schools and acting director of schools.
The latter position had been held by former CEO Sean Scanlon, who made a shock exit from the CSO in February.
Ms Wilkinson was recently appointed acting head of schools when Steve Lemos resigned in 2024.
"I was in that role for about eight weeks and then interviewed for the role permanently," she said.
She said her focus was on stabilising the diocese and bringing a sense of community back.
"I have a focus on schools and what they need to enhance teaching and learning, and I'm really focused on building a high leadership team," she said.
"I've always been committed to the experience that students have in the classroom, which really depends on the quality of teachers, the great leadership that happens in schools, and the way we can all partner to make that happen."
Ms Wilkinson said, despite a shift of positions in the CSO, she was confident in the diocese's future.
"I think that comes from having the right people in the right roles who are promoting our Catholic Schools. I think that sense was lost that we're all in this together, but now we are doing great work in that space," she said.
She said change happens, and anyone who comes along offers a new vision.
"Change is a very natural thing. It's how we respond to change, rather than react to change," she said.
"I'm always thinking about how we can improve and our ultimate mission. I'm clear on what that is. So, I think we're we're in a good place."
Ms Wilkinson said she felt privileged and excited to take on the role and was in it for the "long haul".
She brings over 35 years of experience with the Hunter Catholic education system, having started her career in 1990 as a classroom teacher at St Joseph's Primary School in Dungog.
"I moved around a little bit as a kid and came to Dungog as a child of a police sergeant and then stayed," she said.
She has also held various leadership roles, including assistant principal at St Brigid's Raymond Terrace and first female principal at St Patrick's Lochinvar.
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