Dr John Topliss

Acting Program Coordinator Religious Education
Dr John Topliss Ph D
School of Edcuation, University of Notre Dame Fremantle
Email: john.topliss@nd.edu.au

  • Biography

    My vocation and own experience as a primary school teacher in Catholic schools for 30 years, an administrator for 23 years and as a practice supervisor and lecturer at The University of Notre Dame (UNDA), has found in daily dealings that Pre-Service Teachers and Early Career Teachers may find the responsibility of teaching a class solo, intimidating.  At times also as a Gifted and Talented coordinator, I have also found when mentoring these ECTs they can feel overwhelmed when teaching learning areas like RE and Philosophy and it is often up to leaders to come up with instant solutions.  It is hoped the development through my PhD study (published at UNDA in December 2017) of the Borromeo Mentoring Framework will assist both leaders, fellow teachers and mentors in assisting ECTs and experienced teachers settling into daily professional life for the betterment of the children in their care.

  • Teaching Areas

    Mentoring; Faith formation; Catholic Mission and Pastoral Care; Catholic Leadership; Religious Education

  • Research Expertise and Supervision

    Religious Education; Faith formation;  Mentoring; and Catholic Leadership

  • Journal Articles and Proceedings

    • John Topliss ORCID  0000-0002-8916-9405
    • Topliss, J. 2017. “Mentoring beginning teachers in Catholic schools in Western Australia: An Exploratory Study.” Doctoral Dissertation, University of Notre Dame, Australia.
    • Topliss, J. 2020. “Exploring a framework for the mentoring of early career teachers in Catholic schools in Western Australia.” Journal of Philosophy in Schools, 7(1), pp.101–131. http://doi.org/10.46707/jps.v7i.111
    • Law-Davis, S. & Topliss, J. (2022). Perceptions of pre-service and graduate early childhood and primary teachers regarding their confidence in teaching Religious Education in Catholic primary schools. British Journal of Religious Education (accepted for publication late 2022).

  • Conference Papers

    • Ignite Conference 2018
    • BBI Conference 2019
    • BBI Conference 2022
    • NCEC 2022

  • Original Creative Works

    Borromeo's Way Professional Development Program Catholic Institute of WA Formation and Renewal Programs

  • Live performances

    • Ignite Conference 2018
    • Australian Catholic Youth Festival presenter 2019- Saintly Play
    • School & University Partnership at St Anthony's Wanneroo- Guest speaker.
    • BBI Conference presenter 2022
    • NCEC Speaker 2022

  • Curated Exhibitions

    Principal and Parish Priest Formation Days

  • In the Media

    The Catholic Record, 2019 'Borromeo's Way.
    Borromeo's Way Podcast

  • Professional Affiliations

    GRACE Catholic research network; Catholic Assistant Principals Association of WA. St Vincent de Paul Society

  • Community Engagement

    Borromeo's Way Professional Development Program for Catholic Leaders; Northern Coastal Principal and Parish Priest Network; St Vincent de Paul; Caritas and Brother Olly's Wheelchairs for Kids program

  • Awards

    E.B.Cook Award (Edith Cowan University) Excellence in Social Science undergraduate teaching  degree.