Dear Parents, Carers, and Community Members,

It has been a wonderful start to the school year here at St Philomena’s. It has been fantastic to see all of our students settle into their learning. There is quite a buzz around our school, and it is exciting to be a part of it. It was also a wonderful way to finish our week by our school community coming together for our Beginning of the School Year Mass, and commissioning our new student leaders. Next week is also going to be a busy one, with our Year 3-10 Swimming Carnival on Tuesday (17 February) at the Narrabri Aquatic Centre. I wish all of our students well and hope they enjoy this day.

Next week marks a vibrant and significant time for the St Philomena’s community as we enter the season of Lent. As we kick things off with a splash at our Swimming Carnival next Tuesday, this coincides with Shrove Tuesday—traditionally a day of feasting to use up rich ingredients before the Lenten fast—we encourage families to keep the spirit alive by serving up some pancakes for dinner after a big day at the pool.

On Wednesday, we transition into a more reflective space for Ash Wednesday, the official start of our 40-day journey toward Easter. This day is defined by the receiving of ashes on our foreheads, a visible symbol of our commitment to "turn back" to God and recognise our shared humanity. We warmly invite all families to join us for our Ash Wednesday Mass at 12:15 pm in the school hall as we gather to commemorate the beginning of this holy season together.

Lent is built on three pillars: prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. It is an opportunity for us to make extra space in our hearts for kindness and renewal. Here are a few ways your family can participate:

Project Compassion: Support Caritas Australia by placing a donation box in a central spot at home to collect loose change for global communities in need.
The "Digital Fast": Consider choosing one night a week to turn off all screens and spend time sharing a meal or a conversation.
Acts of Service: Encourage children to perform one small, "secret" act of kindness for a sibling or friend each day.
Prayer Space: Create a simple focus point on your dining table with a purple cloth or a candle to help centre your thoughts during family meals.

Just before our students started back for the year, our school had the distinct honour of hosting the Western Schools Conference. We welcomed staff and leaders from across the Armidale Catholic Schools (ACS) system, specifically from our schools serving the western area of our Diocese. It was a proud moment for our St Philomena’s community to lead these conversations and reflect on our shared mission for regional Catholic Education.

One of the major themes for this year is our commitment to a “Hope-Filled Future.” This is the driving force of our school’s 2026 Annual Improvement Plan, as well as Armidale Catholic Schools' theme for 2026. Our goal is to ensure every student—from our newest Kindergarteners to our young adults in Year 10—becomes a highly literate, numerate, and confident person, ready to lead a life of purpose.

To achieve this, we look to the foundations of our Catholic faith. We often refer to the teachings of Pope Leo XIII, specifically his first encyclical, which is a formal letter written to guide the global Catholic community. In his writing, Pope Leo emphasised the inherent dignity of every human being and the importance of the Common Good. For us at St Philomena’s, this means our school is more than just a place of study; it is a community where we look out for one another because every person is of equal value. This vision connects us deeply to our broader ACS system. By working together with our other schools in the western area of the Diocese, we ensure that every child in our region is treated with the respect and dignity that these teachings champion.

To bring these big ideas to life in the classroom, we utilise our Living Well, Learning Well framework. This is our "way of working" with your children to ensure they thrive. This year, we are focusing on our three core rules for living in a specific order to create the best environment for your children:

I am Safe: This is our first priority. We work hard to ensure our school is a calm, welcoming environment. Following the call for peace within our faith, we use consistent, kind language to resolve conflicts. Whether in the playground or the classroom, your child deserves to feel physically and emotionally secure.
I am Valued, Respected, and Cared For: We believe in "speaking to the heart." Every child at St Philomena’s is treated with "unconditional positive regard." When a student knows they are truly respected by their teachers and peers, they find the courage to grow and the confidence to take risks in their learning.
I am a Learner: Once a student feels safe and valued, they are ready to excel. We are a school that celebrates determination and "grit." We have high expectations for our students because we believe in their potential, and we love nothing more than celebrating their success as they work hard to reach their academic goals.

An environment that is safe, calm, and conducive to learning is built by a team.

At St Philomena’s, that team includes our dedicated staff, our inspired students, and most importantly, you—our parents and carers.

By working together, we ensure that the values of respect and safety we teach at school are supported at home. This partnership is what allows us to create a truly "Hope-Filled Future" for every student in our care.

Thank you for your ongoing support of St Philomena’s. We are looking forward to a productive, calm, and successful year ahead.

Alistair Stewart

Principal

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