Message from the Director of Schools

Dear Colleagues,

Our Hope-Filled Future" - Launch of Our Strategic Plan 2026-2030

It was a privilege to launch ‘Our Hope-Filled Future’, our new five-year strategic plan for Armidale Catholic Schools. Please watch this short animation to learn more: Our Hope-Filled Future - Video

My ebulletin this week draws from the speech I gave at the launch:

This plan was formulated through strong collaboration and forms our roadmap for the next 5 years. It is a testament to our shared faith, and  our promise to the over 6,000 students and more than 1,000 staff who are the heart of our system.

This is not just a launch of our new plan; it is a celebration of our shared commitment, our collective wisdom, and the tireless work each of you has contributed to our system. As Bishop Peter has articulated in his message, we are all pilgrims on a journey.  For the past five years, we have travelled this path together, building on 

• a foundation of collaboration, 
• a focus on learning, and 
• data-informed decisions, 

all underpinned by our Catholic principles and values. We are truly blessed with 24 schools in this remarkable regional rural and remote area. 

At the heart of our Catholic faith lies the profound virtue of hope — not a passive yearning or optimism, but an active trust in God's love. It is the light that sustains us through challenges and leads us on the path towards a brighter future - a hope-filled future. 

For our schools, this means forming young people who are literate and numerate and also have a deep sense of purpose and possibility.

Our new plan, "Our Hope-Filled Future," is framed around four core imperatives that will guide our collective efforts for the next five years:

1. Our Catholic Identity: We commit to being a missionary, welcoming, and faith-filled community. We will continue to ignite the faith in our staff, students, and families, fostering strong partnerships with our parishes and creating opportunities for prayer, liturgy, and social justice. 

2. Our People: This plan is centered on our people. We are committed to fostering a thriving, faith-filled learning community  where our young people, staff, and families all experience a deep sense of belonging. 

• Our young people will be confident and adaptable, 
• Our staff are valued as highly skilled professionals, and 
• Our families will be deeply connected and included in their children's education.

3. Our Learning and Teaching: We will continue to provide purposeful, future-focused education, ensuring all students—regardless of their background—have access to exceptional learning. We are committed to a systematic approach where literacy and numeracy are at the core, while embracing opportunities to expand options for students in rural and remote centers. 

4. Sustainability and Stewardship: We will steward our resources and environment responsibly, ensuring long-term viability and a strong commitment to our rural and remote communities.

These four imperatives are all working toward one powerful and unifying vision: to be a Christ-centred inclusive learning community that supports young people to realise a hope-filled future.

And what does that future look like? It looks like a graduate,  being able to confidently say:

"My future is better because I went to Armidale Catholic Schools." 

This is our mission. This is our promise to them, and to each other. Thank you for your leadership, your hard work, and your belief in our young people. Let us work together to ensure our hope-filled future.

For more information please see Our Hope-Filled Future Documents 2026-2030 .