News from our Principal

Dear Parents and Carers,

I recently attended the NSW Association of Catholic Schools Principal Conference in the Hunter Valley where I had the pleasure to meet and connect with many other principals and leaders of education from our diocese and around NSW in a region that features rolling hills, lush vineyards, and scenic views, creating a tranquil and inviting atmosphere. The theme of “Living Waters: Leading with Hope, Inspiring Faith Communities” enabled us to really engage with each other in rich discussions that were inspired by leaders of faith, learning and wellbeing.

We felt reaffirmed and recognised that principals are crucial to the success of our future, nurturing not only the intellect but also the spiritual, social, and emotional wellbeing of our young people, our future. 

Some of the key messages I took away were:

• We want our students to be hopeful and agile enough to navigate their way to a future that is ready for the future!

• How will we build a school that meets the needs of all learners? Engaging our learners in meaningful ways provides them with the opportunity to flourish in the future and build hope.

• How do we foster hope? What if we saw the possibilities…not problems? What if we share the ownership of learning with each other?

• My job as a leader is to create the conditions for people to work effectively, create spaces where people feel safe to learn and share, connect and grow and provide the resources for people to access in order to thrive! 

• Life is a journey to be experienced, not a problem to be solved!

I came back not with a list of things to do or copy but a renewed sense of purpose. The best schools and education systems do more than prepare students for learning — they give them hope and prepare them for life. And I believe we do that right here in our school at Our Lady of Fatima, in our communities, together. 

Mrs Sue Clay | Principal

“May we always seek what is good, true and beautiful”.