Diocesan News

Update to the Code of Conduct

We have updated our  Code of Conduct to align with new laws regarding Hate Speech. 

The new Code of Conduct has been placed on all schools and ACS website today. Please ensure you have read the new sections. 

The changes can be found on page 28 -

Hate speech by a worker is prohibited in our schools and represents serious misconduct. For the purposes of this Code, hate speech is conduct that is an offence under sec 93ZAA of the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW), whether or not the person engaging in the conduct has been charged or convicted.

And also in the glossary on page 38

Hate Speech - has the same given in section 93ZAA of the Crimes Act 1901 (NSW).

Students as Authors Writing Competition

Last week we launched the 2026 Students As Authors Writing Competition with our Diocese librarians. Please promote this wonderful opportunity to celebrate creative writing with your school communities.

You can find the publications for last year’s winning entries on SORA:

• My Sister The Snoring Dinosaur. By Charlotte Hammond - St. Mary's Armidale
• Boris the Bruise: Tale of Jealousy and Adventure. By Jessica Hammond - St. Patrick's Walcha
• The Case of The Killed Kookaburra. By Elsie Walshe - St. Mary's Gunnedah
• The Thread Between Us. By Eva Maloney - McCarthy Catholic College Tamworth

Entries close April 17th.