Principal's Report

A Year of Golden Milestones: 50 Years of Excellence

Dear Parents, Carers, Students, and Community Members,

As we bring this significant year to a close, it is a moment for reflection, a time to look back at the journey we have traveled together. At the beginning of 2025, I reminded our community that this year marked a major milestone: 50 years of O’Connor Catholic College.

I encouraged every member to be attentive to the many opportunities our anniversary celebrations would bring. I am profoundly proud to say that our students and staff embraced these moments with enthusiasm, gratitude, and pride. We also remember the many past members of this college who supported and celebrated the long history of education and learning on this site.

Rising to the Challenge

I also spoke of the tremendous opportunity before us: to strengthen our College, enrich our learning environment, and ensure that every student feels safe, valued, and respected. I challenged the students to step beyond their comfort zone and approach each day with an open mind. This Year, I can confidently state that many of our students rose to that challenge with remarkable determination and integrity.

Throughout 2025, our students have demonstrated genuine growth, academically, socially, and spiritually. This growth was rooted in vital expectations:

• Preparation: Arriving ready for learning every day.
• Pride: Wearing our uniform with dignity and respect.
• Character: Offering genuine kindness and unwavering respect to all.

• Participation: Engaging fully in the vibrant life of our school.

   

Our dedication to these standards reflects our 50-year legacy of faith and excellence, built upon the vision of our founders, the Ursuline Sisters and De La Salle Brothers.

"The Fruit of the Spirit is Love"

Whether through spirited sporting carnivals, reverent liturgies, academic challenges, or our special anniversary celebrations, our students lived out our College motto: "The fruit of the Spirit is love." This love has been evident in your support for one another and our commitment to making O’Connor a welcoming, inclusive environment.

A Heartfelt Thank You

• To our Staff: Your unwavering commitment to excellence and genuine care for our students are the bedrock of our success.
• To our Parents and Carers: Thank you for your essential partnership and trust. Your role in the success of our students is invaluable.

• To our Students: Whether this year was a series of high achievements or a struggle through challenges, I commend your effort. You are growing into young people of character and resilience.

   

Fond Farewells

We would like to acknowledge a special group of educators whose service forms a vital part of O’Connor’s legacy. These long-term staff members have dedicated years to shaping our students, and while they move on to their next chapters, they remain cherished members of our community.

We say farewell and thank you to:

• Mr. Bryan Allerton
• Mr. Nicholas Bolger

• Ms. Jenny Roff

   

With a mixture of immense gratitude and a touch of sadness, we also bid farewell to Fr. Damien, who will be moving to serve as Parish Priest in Manilla and Administrator at Barraba Parish. We thank him for his spiritual guidance and wish him every blessing in his new ministry.

Looking Ahead

As we conclude this historic year, I encourage all our students to reflect on their achievements and consider their goals for 2026. May the holiday season bring you rest, joy, and renewal.

May God bless all our community members, and may you always remember that "the fruit of the Spirit is love."

Wishing you all a safe, joyful, and peaceful Christmas break.

Warm regards,

Mr Phillip Gibney

Principal