Catholic Schools Week

A Massive Week of Celebration – Catholic Schools Week at O'Connor

Last week was a huge one for our community as we celebrated Catholic Schools Week with a range of events and activities that brought our school spirit to life. Throughout the week, students reflected on what makes O’Connor Catholic College such a special place – a school grounded in faith, learning, and community. You can hear directly from some of our students below as they share their thoughts on the many elements that come together to make O’Connor the vibrant and supportive community it is today.

A highlight of the week was the Catholic Schools Week Mass, held in the De La Salle Chapel. We were honoured to welcome students and staff from many of the wonderful Catholic schools across the Armidale Catholic Schools Diocese, coming together in faith and unity.

We are also incredibly proud to share that Madeleine Cowley and Garry Osbourne were both honoured with The Spirit of Catholic Education Awards. This award recognises individuals who embody the values of Catholic education in their daily lives. Please see below for their award citations, which reflect their outstanding contributions to our school and the broader community.

Staff Catholic Spirit Award 

Garry Osborne 

Teacher, O’Connor Catholic College, Armidale 

Over the past 40 years, Garry has contributed so richly to the unique and special culture of O’Connor Catholic College, and the broader Armidale community. Upon graduating university, Garry taught at a number of schools before returning to his alma mater and rubbing shoulders as a peer with some of the De La Salle brothers who taught him at De La Armidale. This return was in July 1979, the Principal was Br John Pill and the now co-ed school was named O’Connor Catholic High School. Garry has been instrumental in maintaining the strong charism of the De La Salle Brothers and the Ursuline Sisters. 

Garry taught in the Humanities area, teaching a range of subjects in this KLA as well as Religious Education. He was always prepared to take on new challenges such as the teaching of Legal Studies. The core of O’Connor has always been its Pastoral Care encompassing effective teaching. Garry has been a committed pastoral care teacher, Year Leader, Stage Leader, Careers Advisor and organiser of special events. Best of all though he is recognised as an excellent teacher and this is where Garry has directed all of his educational knowledge. He is a first rate practitioner and this should be celebrated. 

Garry is held in the highest esteem by his students and colleagues for his effective teaching, classroom management, sense of the best way forward, collegiality, musicianship and sports administration. He has been an excellent mentor for many young teachers. 

Garry made enormous contributions to the school’s participation in rugby league, union and cricket having coached many teams in each of these disciplines, including the 1982 under 18 Premiership Rugby League side. Garry’s leadership in these sports led to him 

establishing the Armidale Old Boys Rugby Union Club, later becoming the Armidale Blues which now includes Netball teams. Garry is a long standing president of this club providing a pathway for O'Connor students past and present to have a sense of community beyond school. In the days when finances were lean, Garry became the oval caretaker and he had the playing field worthy of an international standard. 

Garry is also a gifted musician sharing his talent amongst the school community and also in bands outside of school where Garry “Drummer” Osborne has been an inspiring ambassador for the College. 

Above all Garry has maintained a strong connection with the Cathedral Parish, he is a regular presence at Mass and this example has been an example to staff and students alike. 

There are times when those that work and live to quietly contribute to the betterment of a community should be celebrated. Garry has been consistent with this for over 40 years where his leadership, quality teaching and community service has provided inspiration and a beacon for Catholic Life. 

He is a worthy recipient of the Staff Catholic Spirit Award.

Student Catholic Spirit Award 

Madeleine Cowley 

Student, O’Connor Catholic College Armidale 

Madeleine Cowley has been enrolled as a student at O’Connor Catholic College for the past five years. She is currently in Year 11 and is an exemplar of the values and attributes enshrined within the Spirit of Catholic Education awards. Through her words and actions, Madeleine lives out the teachings of Catholic Social Justice and is an inspiration to the entire school community. 

Since commencing at O’Connor Catholic College, Madeleine has been an active member of, and advocate for, the school’s St Vincent de Paul group. She has worked diligently to ensure the group’s survival through difficult periods, and today is the face of St Vincent 

de Paul at O’Connor. Madeleine’s untiring efforts have resulted in a heightened awareness of the group and its work in the student body and the local community. This is exemplified through her support of the school’s St Vincent de Paul Winter and Christmas appeals, as well as the annual Pauper’s Banquet, which raises hundreds of dollars for Project Compassion every Lent. 

Madeleine is an exemplar of the Ursuline philosophy of service, and the Lasallian commitment to justice. Her commitment to these philosophies extends beyond her leadership of the school’s St Vincent de Paul group. In Year 10, Madeleine was selected to become an Assistant Catechist, supporting adult Catechists in the SRE program in local State public schools. She was one of the most responsible and highly sought after Assistant Catechists and could be relied upon to engage wholeheartedly in the weekly sessions. Madeleine has been appointed as a Lasallian Youth Leader (LYL) at O’Connor, mentoring junior students as well as leading faith formation activities during retreats and other gatherings such as the regular Stage Three Enrichment Program days, leading small groups from O’Connor feeder schools. Madeleine has also been involved in the school’s Z Club, an offshoot of Zonta, helping to fundraise for aid projects improving life outcomes for women and children in developing countries. She has done all of this whilst working as an accelerated student in HSC mathematics for the last two years. 

Madeleine has represented the school with pride at Parish events and regularly attends Sunday Mass. She frequently takes on important roles in school liturgical celebrations, whether they be small group liturgies or whole school Masses. She displays the highest 

degree of reverence during these liturgical gatherings. Outside of school, Madeleine is actively involved in the St Gerard’s Conference of St Vincent de Paul, running information sessions at the Armidale Markets in the Mall and helping to deliver much-needed services to needy locals within our community such as home visitation. She is involved in the Headspace Youth Reference Group in Armidale, addressing issues around youth mental health. In 2024 Madeleine won the public speaking award in the Rotary Youth of the Year competition, her speech focussing on social justice issues affecting young people in our community. 

Madeleine Cowley is an exemplar of the Spirit of Catholic Education, living it daily through her words and actions. She is an inspirational young Catholic who exemplifies

the New Evangelisation espoused by the late Pope Francis, and is a highly deserving recipient of the Student Catholic Spirit Award. 

Congratulations again to Madeleine and Garry – and thank you to everyone who helped make Catholic Schools Week such a meaningful celebration for O’Connor.