Principal's Report

Dear Parents and Carers,

Welcome back! Our students have returned refreshed after a well-deserved break, hopefully taking time to reflect on their achievements during Semester One. As we begin Semester Two, the challenge ahead is for each student to identify at least one area for growth and set meaningful goals to support their ongoing development.

We are already three weeks into Term 3, and the term is well underway with a range of important activities and events taking place.

• Subject Selection: Year 10 students have engaged in the subject selection process for Year 11, 2027, a significant step in shaping their senior learning journey.
• Student Leadership: We are in the final stages of the Student Leadership selection process for 2027. Candidates delivered speeches either to the whole student body and/or to their house groups, and completed interviews with members of the College Leadership Team. This year’s candidates brought a wonderful diversity of personality and academic strengths, and I was incredibly proud of how they presented themselves. Many shared their personal journeys at O’Connor Catholic College, expressed their motivations for becoming senior leaders, and articulated their desire to make a positive contribution to our school community. Their willingness to lead offered a valuable lesson for all students about striving to be the best version of themselves.
• Senior Retreat: In Week 5, our Year 11 students will attend their Senior Retreat in Coffs Harbour—a highlight on the Year 11 calendar. The retreat provides an important opportunity for students to connect and reflect before beginning their end-of-year exams and transitioning into Year 12.
• Co-Curricular: Across all year levels, students have been participating in a variety of sporting and academic representative competitions, consistently achieving excellent results and representing our College with pride.

Supporting Our Year 12 Students

Our Year 12 students commence their Trial HSC Examinations on Monday, 10th August, while others are finalising their Major Projects for assessment. With approximately 25 days of face-to-face learning remaining before the conclusion of their school journey, this is a vital and often intense period. Please keep our Year 12 cohort in your thoughts and prayers as they navigate this final stage of their schooling.

Staffing & Leadership Updates

This term, we have transitioned to one Assistant Principal, Mr Stephen Chapman, following Mr Fleming’s decision to retire. We thank Mr Fleming for joining us during Term 2 and for his dedication to connecting with staff and students and supporting the growth of the College. We are currently working with Catholic Schools Armidale to review our Senior Leadership structure in preparation for 2027. I would like to reassure all parents and carers that our commitment to providing a safe, respectful, and caring learning community remains completely unchanged.

We also farewelled Mrs Smith at the end of last term, who has returned to her primary teaching roots at St Joseph’s, Uralla. We wish her every success in her new role. The recruitment process for her replacement is complete, and we look forward to welcoming her successor this week.

Thank you, as always, for your continued partnership and support of the O’Connor Catholic College community.

Mr. Phillip Gibney

Principal 

The Fruit of The Spirit is Love