Principal's Report

Dear parents, carers and community members,

It’s been a busy few weeks here at the college, full of great opportunities for growth—for our staff, students, and even myself. Recently, I had the chance to attend the Association of Catholic School Principals Conference in the beautiful Hunter Valley. The theme this year was “Living Waters: Leading with Hope, Inspiring Faith Communities.” It was a wonderful time to connect with other school leaders and reflect on the future of Catholic education in NSW.

I want to take a moment to talk about one word that really stood out to me: HOPE. As we celebrate the Jubilee year, Pilgrims of Hope, it's a timely reminder of just how important hope is in our lives especially for our young people. Today’s world needs hopeful leaders, young people who are kind, courageous, resilient, and grounded in strong values.

In our Catholic tradition, hope isn’t just wishful thinking. It’s about trusting in God’s promises and doing our part to make the world a better place. That’s what we want to instil in our students, to lead with hope, speak with kindness, act bravely, and dream with faith.

At O’Connor, we focus a lot on helping students grow not just academically, but as people. We encourage the development of strong character, values, and a belief in themselves and in God’s love. For our students, hope might mean a fresh start, a belief in their ability to improve, and the motivation to keep going, even when things get tough. We want them to know that setbacks are just part of the journey—not a sign to give up, but a chance to grow.

At O’Connor, we also encourage students to look beyond themselves—to recognise the needs of others and work for justice and positive change. We hope the education they receive helps them believe in themselves and gives them the tools to make a difference in the world around them.

In the end, I really believe that if we have hope all have the chance to grow, to learn, and to take a step closer to who we are meant to be. So I want to encourage all our students to stay hopeful, face challenges with determination, and trust that they’re on the right path even if it’s not always easy.

Let’s keep supporting our children as they aim high, stay grounded in faith, and try to be the best version of themselves.

‘The Spirit of the Fruit is Love’

Phillip Gibney

Princi