Message from the Director of Schools

Dear Colleagues,

Armidale Catholic Schools held Retreat Week last week. My thanks to the team of Damian Roff, Darryl Martin and Kate Frazier for developing a faith-filled program based on our theme ‘Pilgrims of Hope’ and the Emmaus Story. 

The Emmaus Story is one of great significance and is one that resonates deeply in this Jubilee Year 2025 with the theme of Pilgrims of Hope. Reflecting on the Gospel story of the two disciples on the road to Emmaus serves as a reminder for all of us that we walk together with Christ. The disciples were despondent and heartbroken after the crucifixion, they walked away from Jerusalem feeling hopeless. It was on this road of despair that the Risen Jesus joined them, though they did not recognise him. He listened to their sorrow and then "opened the Scriptures" to them, explaining how the Messiah had to suffer. As he spoke, their hearts began to burn within them. This encounter mirrors our own spiritual journeys. Christ walks with us, even when we feel lost, listening to our struggles and helping us see our hardships in the light of his divine plan.

The turning point for the disciples came at supper when Jesus "took bread, blessed and broke it." In this moment, their eyes were opened, and they finally recognised him. Filled with a renewed faith, the disciples immediately turned around and journeyed back to Jerusalem, transforming their walk of despair into a pilgrimage of hope. The Jubilee Year 2025 calls us to make this same transformation. Like the Emmaus disciples, we are called to be Pilgrims of Hope, nourished by our encounter with Christ and sent out to share his light with a world in need.

Congratulations

2025 HaLT Recognition Ceremony

Congratulations to Jacqui Wait, Katie Daley, Amanda Scott and Tim Unwin whose achievement of Lead and Highly Accomplished teacher was recognised at the 2025 HaLT Recognition Ceremony at the State Library on 22nd August. A wonderful recognition of these outstanding educators. NSW is now home to 446 HALT accredited teachers, who are driving quality teaching in classrooms and early childhood services across the state.

Conference Presentations

Echoes of The Past Voices of The Future PULiiMA Language Conference Darwin 2025 

Congratulations to St Joseph’s Walgett Aboriginal Education Assistants, Uncle John Brown and Whitney Skuthorpe, along with Principal Donna Fiechtner who presented “Revitalising Language and Culture in Remote Education,” that was well received and deserves high commendation.

Viscon 2025 Empowering Every Learner: Technology, Inclusive Resources, Bold Ideas

Congratulations to Karen Croake who presented ‘Pedagogy that supports the sustained development of braille literacy in a mainstream classroom.’ with a focus on supporting the sustained development of braille literacy so that young braille readers can achieve academic success on the same basis as their peers.

Australian Catholic Education Conference, NCEC Biannual Conference ‘Hope Anchored in Faith’

ACS Leadership Team showcasing some of the great work that is happening across our system: 

• Leading School Improvement in Literacy: a journey from accountability to celebration - John O’Connor and John Clery, School Performance Leaders, ACS

• Strategies and Partnerships to engage and maximise opportunities - Sally Egan, Notre Dame University, Regina Menz, ACS, Paula Leadbitter, Wilcania-Forbes and Fiona Dignam, Broken Bay. 

• Prayer Reflection ‘Pilgrims of Hope:  Based on the Emmaus Story’ - Damian Roff, Leader of Catholic Life, Mission and RE, ACS