Message from the Director of Schools

Dear Colleagues,

After a wild weekend of weather, I hope you are all settling in to week three. As we have commenced the term, many of our schools have celebrated NAIDOC week. With over 15% of our students identifying as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, it was amazing to see the strong connection to culture in each school's celebrations.  Meaningful participation from all of our young people and staff ensures more students feel safe, valued, and respected. The work you do to ensure our young people have a hope-filled future is important and valuable.

NAIDOC Week 2025

This year, 2025 marks the 50th Anniversary of NAIDOC Week. The official celebrations were held in week 1 of the school holidays. Many schools have celebrated with their communities at the end of Term 2 and early Term 3, with some schools holding celebrations later in the year. It has been wonderful to see via social media the wonderful celebrations that have taken place across our diocese. NAIDOC Week is our chance to celebrate the amazing history, cultures, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in our schools, communities and across Australia.

The theme for this year, "The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy," is all about looking to the future with hope. It reminds us that as well as celebrating the past, we are also supporting our young people in our schools to become strong leaders in our community.  Our Catholic faith calls us to act with love and justice. NAIDOC week is a chance for us to show that commitment by walking with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, listening to stories, and celebrating the vibrant cultures. We believe in a hope-filled future where all Australians value the unique gifts each of us brings.

I was privileged to attend the NAIDOC Week celebrations at McCarthy Catholic College last week. The assemblies were filled with celebration, reflection and dance. Uncle Len Waters led a reflective and thoughtful Welcome to Country. There were two fantastic dance performances and a wonderful and inspiring address by Jodie Herden, a Gomeroi artist from Tamworth NSW. 

Congratulations St Patricks, Walcha

What a fantastic achievement for St Patrick’s Primary School Walcha, winning the ‘Best School in the New England’. This is well deserved recognition for a wonderful learning community supporting our young people to be literate and numerate for a hope-filled future. Congratulations and thank you to all staff for doing such a wonderful job led by Dallas Hyatt and Libby Makeham. Congratulations! 

Congratulations to Melita Roache

It was great to announce the Principal appointment for St Joseph's, Mungindi, Melita Roache. She  will commence for the 2026 school year. Melita brings extensive experience in educational leadership, having served as Assistant Principal K-6 at St John’s Parish School, Cobar, and as Leader of Curriculum and Religious Education Coordinator K-10 at St Philomena’s School, Moree. At O’Connor Catholic College, she held several leadership roles, including Religious Education Coordinator (7-12), Leader of Learning for Creative and Performing Arts, and Leader of Learning for Pastoral Academic Care. She has also taught music and religious education for nearly a decade.  I wish Melita all our congratulations, prayers and best wishes in her new role.

Winter Wonderland 

It was a weekend of snow and floods around our Diocese. I hope everyone managed to stay warm and dry.