Education Advisory BoardThe Education Advisory Board of the Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle is a key governance body established to support the Bishop and the Trustees in overseeing Catholic education across the Diocese. This includes Catholic Schools Maitland-Newcastle, St Nicholas Early Education, and other diocesan education and training initiatives.

Peter Hill - Chair

Peter Hill is an educator with experience in Catholic education, higher education, and parish life. Since 2008, he has served as a sessional academic at the University of Newcastle, teaching across the Schools of Humanities and Education. He also spent 27 years teaching in schools of the Catholic Diocese of Maitland‑Newcastle. Peter is active in parish ministry and has previously served on the Diocesan Advisory Board. He holds tertiary qualifications in arts and a Masters in Teaching-Secondary.

Dr Dan White OAM

Dr Daniel White OAM is a Catholic education leader with more than forty years’ experience across teaching, school leadership, system administration, executive governance and strategic reform. He has served as Executive Director of Catholic Education in Hobart and Sydney and held senior appointments on national and diocesan bodies. His qualifications span religious education, educational leadership and a Doctor of Education, complemented by Oxford Advanced Management and AICD programs. His ongoing consultancy work, including prior projects with the Diocese of Maitland–Newcastle have drawn national attention, over a sustained career.

Prue Warrilow

Prue is an experienced non-executive director, CEO and business owner with more than 30 years’ experience across child, youth and family services, social and public policy, and community wellbeing. She has held senior board and chair roles with organisations including YMCA NSW, Families Australia and the NSW Carers Advisory Council. A recognised thought leader, Prue is known for shaping major child safeguarding reforms, influencing public policy, elevating First Nations voices and driving organisational and system-level change.

Richard Rymarz

Professor Richard Rymarz is a Catholic educator and scholar with extensive experience across teaching, tertiary lecturing and research leadership. He has held senior academic roles including Professor of Catholic Education at the University of Notre Dame, Head of Religious Education and Director of Research at Broken Bay Institute. His qualifications include a PhD, Doctor of Education and master’s degrees in theology, education and science. He has served on boards and advisory committees, including Armidale Catholic Schools, and contributes nationally and internationally through research, curriculum development, publications and keynote presentations.

Patricia Hayles

Patricia Hales is an educational leader with over 30 years’ service across Catholic and government education systems. She served as Principal of St Joseph’s College Lochinvar from 2018 to 2024, following senior roles including Dean of Studies, Assistant Principal, and a range of Diocesan educational leadership roles. Patricia brings expertise in curriculum, assessment, quality teaching frameworks, and system‑level leadership. She holds a Master of Educational Leadership, has undertaken doctoral studies, and is a respected contributor to education governance, ethics and safeguarding.

Fr Tony Potts