Principal's Page

to the 2026 school year!

This time of year always brings a special energy: new beginnings, renewed hope, and the promise of growth. To the Catherine McAuley students, welcome back. We are so glad to see you and we look forward to walking alongside you as you learn, grow, and discover your gifts this year. To our new students and families, a very special welcome—you are now part of our school community, and we are delighted to have you with us.

New Parent - Student - Teacher Interview Process for 2026

After looking at parent feedback about the timing of interviews, we made the decision to change our processes in line with the feedback received. The changes are that the 3 way interviews will take place in Week 5 of Term 1. At this interview parents and students can discuss with the class teacher(s) anything that they feel is necessary for the teacher to know about the student. The teacher can then share the results of the early assessments conducted in the first weeks of the term, and together the parents, students and teachers set learning goals for the student for the semester. These goals will be reported on in the reports completed by the teacher at the end of Term 2. Parents are of course able to contact the teacher during the term if they would like an additional meeting to discuss their child's learning and teachers may request a meeting with parents if issues arise that require resolution.

As per usual, the interview will take place in Kenna Hall. You will be able to book a time slot via COMPASS. The process for doing this will be shared with you all closer to the time. The interviews are scheduled for Monday 23 February and Tuesday 24th February. 

I hope this new process will prove beneficial for all parties. 

Staff Development Day Thursday 26th February

Catholic Education Diocese of Bathurst has engaged Daniel Principe to work with all the schools in the Bathurst Diocese. His area of expertise is School and Student Safety.  As well as working with school staffs, the CEDB are offering a parent information session on the evening of the 26th. The link to register for this session is below.

Daniel is a highly regarded Youth Advocate and Educator, recognised as a 2025 NSW Australian of the Year nominee. A board member of the DART Institute and ambassador for the Women’s Resilience Centre and Consent Can’t Wait campaign, Daniel has engaged tens of thousands of young people and educators across Australia.

His expertise spans healthy masculinity, respectful relationships, consent, social media harms, and youth wellbeing. 

Please see more information and registration details here

PACE Meeting

Our first Parent and Community Engagement (PACE) Meeting will be held on Wednesday 18th February at 7pm. The meeting will be held via zoom. A zoom link will be shared with you via COMPASS closer to the date. 

I invite all families to zoom in to hear about parent involvement in the school and the plans we have for 2026. If new families need more information about the PACE committee and how to be involved, please do not hesitate in asking.

Have a Great Fortnight

Jo Flynn

Principal