Message from the Director of Schools

Dear Colleagues,

30 year Anniversary the Council of Catholic Schools Parents and the 20 year Anniversary of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Parents Committee

On Friday night, I had the privilege of attending the 30 year Anniversary Dinner of the Council of Catholic Schools Parents and the 20 year Anniversary of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Parents Committee celebration. The Council of Catholic School Parents NSW/ACT (CCSP) is the State body, recognised by the NSW Bishops, to provide leadership, advocacy and support for parents and carers in our Catholic schools. The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Parents Committee gives a voice to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander parents and carers in our Catholic schools at the state and national level. The Committee aims to build home, school and community partnerships. It does this through providing information, advocacy and developing resources.

It was a wonderful celebration and it was great to hear from new and past members of the Council and Committee. Armidale Catholic Schools was represented by Jason Allen, ACS Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander parent representative, Caristain Wall, ACS Parent representative, Cathy Ible, ACS Family Engagement Officer and myself. Jason Allen is the Chair of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Committee and gave a wonderful speech about his involvement and the committee itself. 

Our parents and carers are the first and continuing educators of our young people. A strong daily and school connection is so important, and in fact, vital for our young people to thrive. Our families engage in our schools in both formal and informal ways that add so much value to our communities. I thank all families for the trust they put into our schools and recognise our families' role in ensuring our students are literate and numerate for a hope-filled future. 

2026 Annual Improvement Plan 

Our 2026 Annual Improvement Plan has been finalised and is available here. It outlines our four imperatives — Our Catholic Identity, Our People, including Our Students, Our Staff, and Our Families; Our Learning and Teaching; and Sustainability and Stewardship — and maps our work in each of these areas for 2026, along with how we will measure our progress towards our hope-filled future. I know schools have been working on their 2026 AIPs and look forward to attending several AIP review meetings. 

Welcome - Term 4 Appointments

Chris Quinn, Principal St Mary’s Catholic Primary School

We welcome Mr Chris Quinn to Armidale Catholic Schools. Chris has taken on the role of Principal of St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, Armidale for Term 4 while Belinda Burton is on leave. Chris has extensive experience at both the school and system level having held positions of principal and assistant director in the Maitland Newcastle Diocese. We are very thankful to Chris for joining us.

Bindy Abell, Coordinator Sport K-6 and CAPA K-12

We welcome Bindy Abell as Coordinator Sport K-6 and CAPA K-12 with the Armidale Catholic Schools Mission and Learning Team while Heidi Hardaker is on maternity leave. Bindy brings a range of experience as teacher, sports coordinator and in the Sport and Recreation Space. I wish Bindy every success in this role. 

Kelly Walters, Coordinator Wii Gaay & Cultural Assessments

We welcome Kelly Walters as Coordinator Wii Gaay & Cultural Assessments with the Armidale Catholic Schools Mission and Learning Team while Hanne Pedersen is on maternity leave.Kelly has been a Coolibah Dynamic Assessment Assessor and a Wii Gaay Program Facilitator for many years and we appreciate the expertise she will bring ot the role.