Message from the Director

Dear Colleagues,

Yesterday was an important day for our Diocese and system,  we launched our new name and brand for Armidale Catholic Schools. Our system has been on a significant improvement journey which is yielding amazing results. 

• Our Year 3 reading results are well above state average with over 72% of our students in the strong and exceeding categories. 
• Our attendance rate is continually improving with the number of students attending school everyday increasing by over 200% reflecting a strong connection to their school. 
• Our enrolments are growing year on year with more young people enrolled in our schools than ever before. 

It is fitting that we have a brand that truly reflects who we are as a system of schools in the Armidale Diocese both today and into the future. Our new brand reflects our vision of 

A Christ-centred inclusive learning community that supports young people to realise a hope-filled future.

What an amazing gift it is to be part of a community that nourishes and guides our young people in their faith, learning and supports their wellbeing so that they can truly realise a hope-filled future. Our staff in our schools and office work in strong teams to ensure positive outcomes for all. Our new brand is a celebration of our Christ-centred learning community.  

I want to express my gratitude to Tahnee Denton who has led this project with enthusiasm and passion. Her design and thinking has led to an amazing concept. I would also like to thank Bronte McCann for her tireless work in the background. My thanks also to Jed Trow and the IT team and Carmel Heagney and Admin Team for all their work.

Prac Student Trips

Head of Employee Services, Kate Kenny and I took a number of current prac students and early career teachers on school visits across our Diocese. We travelled over 1,000km to St Joseph’s Walgett, Sacred Heart Boggabri, St Francis Xavier’s Narrabri, St Joseph’s Wee Waa, St Mary’s College Gunnedah, St Xavier’s Gunnedah, St Edward’s Tamworth, and St Nicholas’ Tamworth. Strong systemness was on display at all of the schools visited and it was great to showcase the excellence in teaching and learning across our rural and remote locations.

NCEC Catholic Leaders Meeting - Canberra

Last week I had the privilege of attending the National Catholic Education Leaders Meeting in Canberra. The focus of the three day meeting was focused on our national priorities of Faith, Excellence and Access.

It was an opportunity to hear from the Minister for Education Jason Clare MP on the Australian Government’s national reform agenda. He acknowledged the Catholic education sector for the role it is playing in leading improvement through literacy and numeracy programs. We also heard from the Shadow Minister for Educations Senator Sarah Henderson. 

As part of this meeting, there was also an opportunity to attend the Rural, Regional and Remote Directors forum held at Parliament House. We met with Assistant Minister for Education Senator Anthony Chisholm and Shadow Minister for Regional Education Darren Chester MP to discuss the opportunities and challenges impacting school communities in rural, regional and remote areas.

While in Canberra, I met with our local members Hon Barnaby Joyce MP, member for New England and Hon Mark Coulton MP, member for Parkes to discuss the particular opportunities and challenges for our Diocese.

September Selfie Collection

As this is the last ebulletin for Term 3, I want to thank you for all your continuous hard work this term. I hope if you get some time off it is restful and relaxing. 

Regina