Message from the Director

Dear Colleagues,

Clarity and 14 Parameters

In Week 9 we welcome back to the diocese Dr Lyn Sharratt to continue our learning focused on assessment and the Assessment Waterfall Chart. The work we are doing in supporting our young people to develop the skills needed to realise a hope-filled future is articulated in our Non-Negotiables. I have been visiting many schools over the past two weeks and the embedding of the Non-Negotiables and the 14 Parameters has been evident both on the learning walls and in the classroom. The consistency in learning and teaching is yielding positive results for our young people. I’ve seen physical Data Walls in both Primary and Secondary Schools allowing staff to put faces on the data and plan for learning sprints. Embedding the 14 Parameters into daily work and strategic planning:

St Patrick's, Walcha

St Mary’s College, Gunnedah

Assessment Waterfall Charts:

St Mary of the Angels, Guyra

Use of Data: 

Sacred Heart Boggabri - Data Triangulation

It is evident in every school I visit how each and every staff member is working to achieve our Vision:

A Christ-centred inclusive learning community that supports 

young people to realise a hope-filled future.

Retreat Week

Retreat week was held last week and included an Armidale Catholic Schools office staff retreat today at St Albert’s College. We thank Br John Cantwell (Director of Formation. Lasallian Mission Services) and Lydia Avia-Aumua (Lasallian Mission Facilitator) for leading us through a fabulous day to switch off from our day-to-day work and reflect but also to connect with each other in a way we don’t usually get to. Lasallian educators and staff work with and on behalf of young people to empower them to learn, grow, and reach their potential. This echoes our vision and mission to realise a hope-filled future for our young people, our communities, our families and ourselves. It was a great day!

Congratulations

Fr John Curran’s 50th Anniversary 

Congratulations to Fr Curran on his 50th Anniversary of his ordination. Katie Hanes and I joined with the St Michael’s Parish community, and many people from across the Diocese to celebrate Fr Curran’s Golden Jubilee. It was a wonderful recognition of Fr Curran. The Church was decorated with art work done by students from St Michael’s School. Damian Roff joined the Barraba Parish celebrations.

Dr Justin Matthews - NSW ACEL Awards

School Performance Leader, Justin Matthews was presented with a NSW ACEL Award for Leadership. Individual Leadership Awards are given each year to individuals who have demonstrated excellent performance in leading an educational organisation or initiative which has accomplished significant growth in outcomes for children, students and/or teachers, or major cultural change within that organisation or the profession at large. Justin has demonstrated exemplary leadership in educational innovation within Armidale Catholic Schools. His creation of the Armidale Schools Data Ecosystem and promotion of a Data Inquiry Mindset have significantly enhanced student outcomes and teacher professional development. Through these initiatives, he has built the capacity of educators, transforming educational practices, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement which is having a profound impact across the 24 schools in the Armidale Diocese. 

Congratulations Justin! 

Jacqui Wait - Lead Teacher Module 2 Completion

Jacqui Wait has successfully completed Module 2 of her HA/LT application at the lead teacher level. Her feedback was excellent, emphasising the positive impact that she has had on student learning outcomes and her colleagues across her school and system role. Jacqui now has one more module to complete and her site visit, which will be planned for early next term. Congratulations Jacqui!

Regina