As the 2025 school year ends, Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese (CSPD) farewells some exceptional leaders who have shaped many lives, and wishes them every blessing in retirement.
Image: CSPD/Supplied
Lesley Studans
St Joseph’s Primary Schofields
A faith-filled and dedicated teacher and leader, Lesley Studans has served Catholic education for more than 40 years. Her calm and patient approach has been of great support to the students and teachers within each of the school communities she has served.
Beginning her career at Christian Brothers Burwood Junior School in 1983, Lesley moved to St Bernadette’s Primary Lalor Park in 1984, before the Diocese of Parramatta was formed.
She also worked at St Michael’s Primary Baulkham Hills, St Mary’s Primary Rydalmere, Marist Brothers Parramatta Junior School, St Monica’s Primary North Parramatta and Our Lady of Lourdes Primary Seven Hills. Lesley was Principal of St Joseph’s Primary Schofields from 2016.
Image: CSPD/Supplied
Michael Siciliano
Our Lady of the Rosary Primary St Marys
Michael Siciliano is a compassionate and approachable leader who has always seen his work as a ministry, and Catholic education as an act of love. Guided by his strong Catholic values, Michael has led with dignity and respect for all, committed to championing the needs of all learners to ensure every student is valued and supported.
Michael started his teaching career in 1983 at St Michael’s Primary School in Nowra. His journey in the Diocese of Parramatta began as Religious Education Coordinator at Bethany Catholic Primary Glenmore Park in 1996, before he moved into leadership as Assistant Principal at Sacred Heart Primary Mount Druitt in 1997. Further leadership roles followed, including as Assistant Principal at St Michael’s Primary Blacktown South, Acting Principal at Our Lady of the Way Primary Emu Plains and Principal of St Mary MacKillop Primary South Penrith. He commenced a nine-year leadership role at Our Lady of the Rosary Primary St Marys in 2017.
Image: CSPD/Supplied
Cameron Lievore
St John Vianney’s Primary Doonside
Leading by example with respect, trust, care and compassion, Cameron Lievore is a respected and approachable leader committed to learning and inspiring others to always strive for excellence. Known for fostering deep connections within his school communities, Cameron’s visibility and engagement with families, along with his warm and welcoming nature, contributed to a strong sense of belonging at the schools he served.
Cameron commenced his teaching career in 1985 as a teacher at O’Connor Catholic High School, Armidale. He moved to the Diocese of Parramatta in 1987 as a teacher at St Joseph’s Primary Kingswood, later serving as Coordinator at St Joseph’s and St Thomas Aquinas Primary Springwood, before progressing to Assistant Principal at St Aidan’s Primary Rooty Hill. He has held Principal positions at Our Lady of the Nativity Primary Lawson, St Monica’s Primary Richmond, and most recently, St John Vianney’s Primary Doonside.
Image: CSPD/Supplied
Tim Vane-Tempest
St Nicholas of Myra Primary Penrith
Tim Vane-Tempest is a highly respected leader who embodies compassion, humility, and quiet strength. One of his greatest gifts as a school leader has been his ability to build school communities where everyone feels they truly belong, where purpose thrives and people genuinely care for one another.
Tim’s 40-year journey in Catholic education began in 1985 at St Joseph’s Convent School Wauchope. In 1986, he moved to Patrician Brothers’ Granville, now Delany College Granville. Over the years, he has served in numerous CSPD schools as a teacher, coordinator, assistant principal and principal: Good Shepherd Primary Plumpton, Our Lady of the Way Primary Emu Plains, St Canice’s Primary Katoomba, Mary Immaculate Primary Quakers Hill, St Joseph’s Primary Schofields, Holy Family Primary Luddenham, St Matthew’s Primary Windsor and St Nicholas of Myra Primary Penrith.
Image: CSPD/Supplied
Glenn Patchell
We also extend our gratitude to Glenn Patchell as he departs Sacred Heart Primary Mount Druitt. Glenn will take a period of long service leave and will then return to CSPD in another capacity.
Glenn has held several teaching and leadership roles throughout his career and was Principal at St John Vianney’s Doonside from 2008 to 2016, before commencing as Principal of Sacred Heart Primary Mount Druitt in 2016.
Olivia O’Connor is the Communications Manager at Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese.
This article was originally published in the 2025 Advent & Christmas | Summer edition of the Catholic Outlook Magazine. You can read the digital version here or pick up a copy in your local parish.
