Principal's Report

Dear Parents and Carers,

CSO Armidale - Ireland Pilgrimage

During the holidays, I was privileged to take part in the Catholic Schools Office pilgrimage to Ireland. I joined 22 other Principals, RECs, Assistant Principals and CSO staff with Fr Anthony Koppman as our Chaplain. We visited many significant sites as well as celebrating Mass in many different churches across Ireland. The pilgrimage was a chance to reflect and pray. The most significant places for me were Crough Patrick and the Mercy International Centre.

Crough Patrick is near the town of Westport in County Mayo. Croagh Patrick is considered the holiest mountain in Ireland.  The tradition of pilgrimage to this holy mountain stretches back over thousands of years. It is known for its Patrician Pilgrimage in honour of St Patrick, Ireland’s patron saint. It was on the summit of the mountain that Saint Patrick fasted for forty days in 441 AD.

The day I set out to climb Crough Patrick with one other Principal was the day Hurricane Lorenz hit Ireland. I must say I said a few prayers as we battled the elements. Due to the high wind and rain we were only able to complete ⅔ of the climb, so I will have to go back! It was amazing to think as we walked how many other pilgrims had followed this same path.

The Mercy International Centre in Dublin was a chance to hear the story of Catherine McAuley the founder of the Mercy sisters. I have a significant connection with the Mercy Sisters. I was born in a Mercy hospital and my primary education was with Mercy Sisters. As soon as we walked into the centre, a sister from Australia recognised me as she knows my mum really well. It was a lovely connection to home. 

Catherine McAuley was born in Dublin, Ireland, in 1778. In 1824 she used her inheritance to build a large House of Mercy where she and other lay women would shelter homeless women, reach out to the sick and dying and educate poor girls. The House on Baggot Street opened in 1827. This is now where the Mercy International Centre is. Catherine and her co-workers founded a new religious congregation. On 12 December 1831, she and two others professed their vows as the first Sisters of Mercy. Source - https://www.mercyworld.org/catherine/

Visiting a number of different charisms including, Patrician Brothers, Brigidine Sisters, Christian Brothers and Mercy Sisters, made me reflect on the significant contributions that religious people have made to education, and Catholic education in particular, in Australia. In many places education would have come much later except for the work of sisters and brothers starting schools in remote and rural locations. We have much to give thanks for. 

Fr Anthony was our Chaplain for the pilgrimage and we celebrated Masses in many beautiful churches across Ireland. This added significantly to our Pilgrimage.

I would like to thank the CSO for their support of this pilgrimage. I’d also like to thank Damian Roff, Eli SImpson, Jon Hawthorne, Stephen Chapman, James Russell, Gemma Creagan and all the O’Connor staff who covered various positions while I was on leave.

Year 12

Our Year 12s have started their HSC exams well and it is great to see so many coming to school to study. The HSC exams continue for the next three weeks. I look forward to joining our students and parents and friends at the Formal on Friday 15th November.

Staffing

We welcome to our staff - 

Mrs Liz O’Hara as our new School Finance Officer. Liz has a wealth of school and system financial experience. Mr Stephen Kirkaldy returns to O’Connor replacing Ms Lauren Clarke for Term 4. Mr Ross Conlon returns to O’Connor replacing Mr Garry Osborne while he is on Long Service Leave and also sharing some of Ms Clarke’s load. We are so pleased to have these outstanding people join our learning community.

Student Leadership 2019/20

Student Leadership Team 2019/2020

I’d like to congratulate all the students who nominated for positions. The applications and speeches were of a very high standard. I am pleased to announce the student leadership team for 2019/2020:

Captains: Ellen Hawthorne and Liam Smith

Vice Captains: Sam Bible and Emily Meehan

Faith and Service Captains: Kieran Wicks and Ruth Toakley

Arts Captains: Georgia MacMahon and Madeleine Holmes

Sports Captains: Nathan Czinner and Tori Brazier

What new learning will you undertake this week?

Regina Menz

Principal