Message from the Director of Schools

Dear Colleagues,

St Mary of the Cross MacKillop - Feast Day Saturday 8th August

On 8 August, across Australia and our Diocese, we celebrated the Feast Day of Australia’s first saint, St Mary of the Cross MacKillop, with deep gratitude for her lasting legacy on our school communities. We hold a special connection to Mary MacKillop, who personally visited our diocese during her lifetime. Many of our schools owe their foundation to the vision and sacrifice of the Sisters of St Joseph, whose dedication shaped generations of students and families across our region. As we honour Saint Mary MacKillop, may we be renewed by her steadfast faith, carrying forward her legacy in our schools and parishes by living out her call to “never see a need without doing something about it.”

Principals meeting 

This week we will hold our combined Principals and Armidale Catholic Schools Board Meeting at Holy Trinity, Inverell. This meeting will have a focus on strategic planning with the draft 2027 AIP for ACS being presented for feedback. This is an important part of ensuring ‘Our Hope-Filled Future’ Strategy 2026 - 2030 comes to fruition.

We will also focus on ‘Our Catholic Identity’ with an address from Bishop Peter Murphy and a workshop unpacking Pope Leo XIV’s encyclical ‘Magnifica Humanitis’ on safeguarding the human person in the time of artificial intelligence. On Friday, we will hold our annual Principals and ACS Leadership Team Retreat at Bingara, an important opportunity for our leaders to connect with each other and our God, who is central in all we do. 

Retreat week

Next week, we will hold our annual retreat week for all staff across our diocese. The theme for the retreats is in line with our diocesan theme Our Hope Filled Future. These are an important part of our faith formation opportunities for our staff offering an opportunity to deepen our connection with God and create time for reflection and prayer. 

The week will finish with Armidale Catholic Schools Office Retreat Day which will be held in Tamworth. All office staff will take part in this day, allowing an opportunity for all staff to connect with each other and reflect on the importance of the work we all do each day. 

The Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary - Saturday 15th August 

This coming Saturday, we celebrate the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a Holy Day of Obligation and a sacred celebration across Armidale Catholic Schools. This Feast Day honours Mary’s assumption into heaven and celebrates her unwavering "yes" to God.  As we gather with our students and parish communities, let us reflect on Mary’s devotion, asking for her intercession as she guides and supports our mission in Catholic education.

Hail, Mary, full of grace,

the Lord is with thee.

Blessed art thou amongst women

and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

Holy Mary, Mother of God,

pray for us sinners,

now and at the hour of our death. 

Amen.

Regina