Message from the 

Acting Director

Dear colleagues,

As we approach the end of another extremely busy term of learning and teaching, and students and teachers look forward to a well-earned holiday period, I am also approaching the end of my time as Acting Director of Schools.

As I reflect on my school visits and conversations with school and CSO staff and students, I am amazed and impressed by the dedication and tireless work of all of our staff: grounds and cleaning staff who help to give us clean and safe spaces to work; administration staff who perform so many tasks that we often don’t even realise happen in the course of the day; ancillary staff who manage uniform shops and canteens; librarians who always have the perfect recommendations for texts and other resources; early-, mid- and late career teachers, APs and principals who share their experiences with each other for the best outcomes for students; LoPs, ISTs, RECs, MaSTs, LoLs and other coordinators; and our CSO teams in administration, Employee Services, payroll, finance, facilities, ICT, mission and learning and the SPLs who must all work together to ensure that every day counts for every student.

It is now clear to me why Chris has always been so enthusiastic about his work—he has such great people to work with and for in the office and every school. Sometimes it is easy to feel that our individual contributions don’t make much difference or aren’t noticed, and perhaps we should all try to notice and comment more when we do notice the work of others and recognise how much we appreciate it. Acknowledging genuine appreciation is important. So I would like to thank you all very much for the work that you do every day, for going above and beyond so often for the work that is more important than it has ever been; our future is in the hands of the young people we are helping to shape. I’m confident that the young people who attend Catholic schools in the Diocese of Armidale will make significant, positive contributions to the world because their academic and spiritual growth has been supported by such caring, talented teams.  

Working in education is very demanding but it is critically important, so enjoy your break… And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up (Galatians 6:9). Thank you for making me so welcome and I hope that I will see some of you again when I attend Board meetings.

Best wishes,

David