Tom Sexton has been appointed Chair of the Rural, Regional and Remote Directors Group, succeeding Nichii Mardon, who has served in the role since 2019.
Mr Sexton is the Executive Director of Catholic Education for Diocese of Ballarat Catholic Education Limited (DOBCEL), where he provides strategic leadership and oversight for Catholic schools across the Diocese of Ballarat. A long-standing leader in regional education, his work is driven by a strong commitment to supporting rural communities, advocating for equitable access to quality education, and fostering the holistic development of students and staff.
He takes on the national leadership role within the Rural, Regional and Remote Directors Group, a network of senior Catholic education leaders operating under the auspices of the National Catholic Education Commission (NCEC).
The group was formed in 2019 following a dinner conversation in 2018 between Nichii Mardon (Diocesan Director of Catholic Education for the Diocese of Port Pirie), Leesa Jeffcoat (former Director, Rockhampton) and Dr Debra Sayce (former Executive Director, WACE). The initiative brought together director colleagues responsible for dioceses with regional and remote Catholic schools, recognising the need for a stronger national forum to address the distinct opportunities and challenges facing these communities.
The mission of the group is to strengthen Catholic education across rural, regional and remote Australia by promoting faith, excellence and equity in every community. Central to its work is an empathy for the context in which regional schools operate, recognising that geographic distance, workforce pressures and infrastructure limitations often require nuanced approaches to policy and practice. The group advocates for recognition of the systemic barriers facing rural, regional and remote communities and contributes a distinct perspective to the broader national and state Catholic education story. Above all, its work is focused on ensuring Catholic schools continue to provide dignity, hope and opportunity to families, while making a meaningful difference to the life of regional communities.
Nichii Mardon will continue as an active member of the group. During her tenure as Chair, Ms Mardon championed strategic initiatives to strengthen outcomes for students in regional and remote communities. Her leadership has focused on improving educational access, advancing high-quality teaching practice, supporting student wellbeing, and promoting equity of opportunity.
She has also played a significant role in advocacy and workforce development, contributing to regional teacher scholarship programs and national discussions on funding and policy settings affecting non-metropolitan schools. Her work has been recognised through professional awards and participation in national forums, where she has represented the interests of rural and remote Catholic education leaders.
The Rural, Regional and Remote Directors Group brings together Catholic education leaders from dioceses and systems across every state and territory. With around 40 per cent of Catholic schools located in regional, rural or remote Australia, the group provides a coordinated national voice on the distinct challenges and opportunities facing these communities.
Meeting regularly, the directors collaborate on shared priorities including teacher recruitment and retention, professional learning access, boarding provision, infrastructure pressures, student wellbeing and equitable funding. Workforce sustainability remains a central focus, with ongoing advocacy for targeted incentives and strengthened pathways to attract and retain educators in hard-to-staff locations.
The group also engages directly with federal parliamentarians and senior officials in Canberra, ensuring that the perspectives of geographically dispersed communities inform national policy discussions on school funding, education reform and regional development.
Beyond advocacy, the network fosters professional collaboration and innovation, enabling leaders to share best practice and strengthen partnerships in communities where Catholic schools are often at the heart of social, cultural and faith life.
Under Mr Sexton’s leadership, the Rural, Regional and Remote Directors Group will continue its work to ensure Catholic education remains accessible, sustainable and responsive, no matter a family’s postcode.
Photos above: Rural Regional and Remote Directors Group in Canberra, Tom Sexton & Nichii Mardon