TIPIAC X Riley Callie Resources National First Nations Education Conference

Karen Tighe along with Kelly Walters attended the TIPIAC X RILEY CALLIE FIRST NATIONAL FIRST NATIONS EDUCATION CONFERENCE in Brisbane (Meeanjin).

Karen presented the Wii Gaay Program and was one of 16 First Nation Presenters at this powerful gathering of First Nation Educators, leaders, practitioners, researchers and community voices.

Karen and Kelly meet up with Dr Anita Heiss (our MC from Spirit on Country Conference 2024 in Tamworth), past Wii Gaay student Lena Jade Cochrane (current 5th year Medical student) and past ACS educator and TIPIAC X RILEY CALLIE RESOURCES Conference founder Bronwyn Cochrane.

The second National First Nations Education Conference will be hosted by Sydney in 2027.

NSW AECG

ACS schools have been busy meeting at local and Regional AECG (Aboriginal Education Consultative Group) meetings across North West 1 and North West 2 Region.

Karen Tighe represents the ACS and the Moree Local AECG as a regional delegate at the North West 1 Regional AECG meetings.

North West 1 Regional AECG Delegates

Last Week NSW AECG State Vice President & North West Region President Anne Dennis met with the Moree Local AECG members including St. Philomena's School Principal Alistair Stewart and ACS Karen Tighe as part of an information session regarding constitutional changes to the NSW AECG.

Strong Teams - Collaboration and Programming Day

On Friday, 14 August, Aboriginal Education Assistants and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Leaders of Learning from St Edwards and St Nicholas Tamworth came together for a valuable day of collaborative programming and resource sharing.

The day provided an opportunity to strengthen our shared practice and support one another in the teaching and learning of Aboriginal language and culture across our schools. The morning commenced with a collaborative working party, where staff openly discussed challenges, shared experiences and celebrated successes in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education.

The day concluded with observations of cultural learning sessions across both the Primary and Infants campuses at St Edward’s Tamworth. These sessions provided an opportunity to observe effective approaches to embedding Aboriginal language and culture into the curriculum.

It was a productive and meaningful day that highlighted the importance of collaboration, shared knowledge and continued professional learning in supporting authentic Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education across our school communities.

NAIDOC “50 Years of DEADLY” Celebrations continue

During Week 5 McCarthy Catholic College celebrated 50 Years of Deadly beginning with a Smoking Ceremony and Welcome to Country performed by Uncle Len Waters. Special Guest speaker Kylie Taylor delivered a meaningful speech cleverly interweaving NAIDOC Themes past throughout. Aaliyah Morley from Gomeroi Education lead the traditional dances and the audience was also wowed by both these and McCarthy's contemporary dance group. The assembly was concluded with the presentation of NAIDOC awards presented by ACS Director of Schools Regina Menz and the inaugural award went to Year 12 student Indi Brazier for her demonstrated commitment to education and culture as well as her leaderships skills. Congratulations to all.

CDA Across the Diocese

We are excited to continue to highlight the journey of work of the Coolabah Dynamic Assessment (CDA) Team.

With over 100 students across 18 schools, involving 3 site visits, the team is two-thirds of the way through! Celebrating strong teams!

The team continues the ‘Intervention Process’ phase with many Year 3 students across our Armidale Catholic Schools. Celebrating the students in the following school who participated in the ‘Thinking Skills’ program along with the CDA:

St Edward’s, Tamworth

St. Michael’s Manilla

Curriculum News

Upcoming 2026 Curriculum Dates