Message from the

Director

Dear Colleagues, 

Welcome to the 2024 school year! A very special welcome to all new staff joining our Catholic professional learning community, I wish you all the very best for the year ahead. Please click here to view my welcome message.

The 2024 theme for Armidale Catholic Schools is ‘Pray with Hope’. In preparation for the 2025 Jubilee, Pope Francis inaugurated 2024 as The Year of Prayer. This year is dedicated to rediscovering the great value and absolute need for prayer in our personal life, in the life of our  Church, and in our world. Our theme resonates with our Vision: A Christ-centred inclusive learning community that supports young people to realise a hope-filled future. 

In embracing this theme, we acknowledge the power of hope as a driving force in shaping our lives, and the lives of those around us, especially our young people.

I would like to welcome our new Principals: Dominica Bearman (St Joseph’s Barraba), Claire Ryan (Sacred Heart Boggabri), Philip Gibney (O'Connor Catholic College Armidale), Michael Whitton (McCarthy Catholic College Tamworth), Malcolm Frend (St Francis Xavier’s Narrabri), Alison Hatton (St Edward’s Tamworth) and Catherine Martin (St Mary’s College Gunnedah). Thank you to Simon Fleming for accepting the position of interim Principal at St Philomena’s Moree for Terms 1 and 2. We are fortunate to have such a great team of educators ready to make a difference in our communities.

As the new Director for Armidale Catholic Schools, I am filled with hope and excitement for the year ahead. Our Catholic schools in rural and remote areas are vital for both the communities they serve and society as a whole. We truly make a difference in people's lives. Throughout this term I will be visiting all schools in our Diocese and I look forward to meeting all of you as together we work towards: 

Literate, numerate student for a hope-filled future

Regina

Vale Rick McEvoy

It is with deep sadness I share the news of the passing of our colleague and friend, Rick McEvoy. Rick was a long-standing and valued educator in the Armidale Diocese. He taught at schools across our Diocese including Holy Trinity Inverell, St Xavier’s Gunnedah, and Sacred Heart Boggabri. He led the school community as Principal of Sacred Heart Boggabri for over ten years.

Rick's dedication to education, passion for young people, and commitment to Catholic education was an inspiration to others. His kindness, warmth, and positive outlook touched the lives of students and colleagues alike, creating a positive and inclusive environment for all. He was a kind, caring, and supportive colleague and friend.

Rick’s loss is deeply felt by the entire community, and our thoughts and prayers go out to his family during this difficult time. 

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord.

And let perpetual light shine upon him.

May he rest in peace.

Amen.

May the souls of all the faithful departed,

through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

Amen