Dear Colleagues,

Last Week of Term 2

As Term Two ends, I sincerely thank you for your ongoing dedication and effort during the term. Your commitment to our students and colleagues has positively impacted our school communities. I wish you all a safe, relaxing, and well-deserved holiday break. I hope it brings rejuvenation and refreshment. Take care and enjoy this time with your loved ones.

Loving and Gracious God,
As we come to the end of Term 2, we pause to reflect on the journey we have shared in gratitude.
Thank you for the dedication, patience, and compassion of our staff
For their tireless efforts in teaching, guiding, and nurturing the young hearts and minds in our care.

Amid the busyness and challenges, you have walked beside us.
You have strengthened us in times of weariness and inspired us in moments of joy.

Bless our school community as we enter this time of rest and renewal.
May the holiday break be a time of peace, joy, and reconnection with loved ones.
Restore our energy, refresh our spirits, and prepare us for the term to come.

We place all our work, our students, and our hopes into your hands,
trusting in Your everlasting love.

We make this prayer through Christ our Lord.
Amen.

 Time 2 Discover – A Virtual Academy Showcase

On Tuesday, students in the Virtual Academy Time and Discovery program enjoyed a rewarding day of collaboration, sharing their learning, and improving their presentation and problem-solving abilities with peers. They presented their inquiries within the immersive 360-degree ‘Sim Cave’ at the University of Newcastle, practicing communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills alongside peers of varied experience levels.

Corpus Christi Primary School, Waratah, Celebrates its 90th Anniversary

Catholic education in Waratah traces back to 1875 with the arrival of the Dominican Sisters. It began with an institute for children with hearing impairments, followed by the opening of Rosary School in 1907, which was later renamed St Joseph’s. Growing enrolments led to the construction of a dedicated five-classroom school, opened in 1935, marking its 90th anniversary in 2025. Last week, a celebration event included a Mass, morning tea, a historical display, and classroom tours, with many former students sharing memorabilia and stories. Congratulations to all staff who contributed to making this a memorable day for the community.

The Chisholm community celebrates 10 years of St Aloysius Primary School

A decade has passed since the first students of St Aloysius, Chisholm, began at the school, and last Friday, the school community marked this milestone. The celebration included a variety of activities such as learning about the school's history, playing trivia games, sharing lunch in the playground, attending a special mass at St Bede's, and unveiling the new Indigenous cultural garden.

Annual School Visits – St Joseph’s Primary School, Taree and St Clare’s College, Taree

I sincerely thank Brooke Stephens and Christine Harmer, and their staff for their commitment to our students, staff, and the Taree community. Our visit to St Joseph’s and St Clare’s followed the devastating flood event, which ravaged the region. Of note has been the genuine care and pastoral response extended to those directly affected. Our schools in the region have played a significant role in supporting the recovery, with a focus on healing and hope.

Our visit to St Joseph’s highlighted the passionate advocacy of the executive team and staff for their diverse community. Efforts to build positive parent and community partnerships are reaping rewards, alongside opportunities to reform the staff culture. The improvement agenda is clear and transparent, and strategic moves are being implemented to build the capacity and efficacy of staff, underpinned by effective use of learning and wellbeing data. The goal is to embed consistent evidence-backed practices and prioritise data-informed, professional conversations.

Catholic Identity is encountered every day as a rich lived experience and the Josephite values and charism are deeply embedded. Liturgy and prayer opportunities are intentionally welcoming, relational and inclusive, and the school benefits greatly from positive partnerships with Fr Kevin and Deacon Vince.

The school is commended for their work in enhancing student (and staff) wellbeing. A focus on prosocial behaviours, pre-corrective strategies, whole school PB4L frameworks and restorative practices, and the introduction of systems to respond appropriately to need is affirmed.

St Joseph’s is well known for its commitment and connection to building relations with their Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community. Learnings are being extended to engage effectively with families from culturally diverse, EALD and migrant backgrounds.

Our visit to St Clare’s High School in Taree was a wonderful opportunity to herald the important work being done by the newly formed executive team to launch a reimagined direction and era. Christine Harmer spoke warmly of the community and staff who are deeply invested. Efforts to build team capacity, grow middle leaders, and prioritise stability and structure are recognised.

Catholic identity is a rich, lived experience. The school is commended for their approach to staff and student faith formation and the creative strategies employed to build religious literacy and engage actively with the parish and wider community.

Our visit highlighted the genuine care extended to students to meet their learning and wellbeing needs, with the efforts of the Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Education and Learning Support Teams, a particular strength. Classroom visits revealed the consistent demonstration of effective teaching practices across diverse subject areas and grades. There was authentic evidence of planning, use of learning intentions and success criteria, and descriptive feedback. Teachers are invested and engaged, and students are clearly known and valued, and confidently express pride in their school.

The school executive seeks to renew focus on strategic improvement planning, PP&D processes, and wellbeing practices aligned with PB4L. The school community is committed, hope-filled, and looking ahead to a new era.

Recruitment Timeline update

Please see the updated recruitment timeline for your information by clicking the link.

With my best wishes,

Jacqui

Plant a Tree! 10 years of Laudato Si

The Tighes Terrace Community Garden, supported by St Benedict’s Inner Newcastle Catholic parish, is offering free red cedar (Toona ciliata) trees to individuals, families, schools and community groups to celebrate this significant decade of Laudato Si. Register for your tree at Laudato Si – Plant Hope with Red Cedar Trees - Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle

Create a culture of Invitation in your Parish

Friday 18 July

Join international speaker and author Michael Harvey for a practical workshop on how to make people feel welcome in your parish. This free event includes dinner and is open to all priests, leaders, and parishioners. 6.00-9.00pm, MacKillop Parish, 7 Milson St, Charlestown. To register now - ?? Invitation Changes Everything: Build a Parish That Reaches Out - Divine Renovation Ministry

aMeN caMiNo

August 6-10

For almost ten years, in excess of 100 people from across the Diocese and beyond have journeyed the bush, beach and backyards of our beautiful landscape on the aMeN caMiNo. This Jubilee Year we are each invited to be physical Pilgrims of Hope. Is this your year to ‘step up’ and experience the journey? For the first time we want to offer everyone the chance to tap in, and out over various days of the official 100km walk between August 6-10. To express an interest visit - aMeN caMiNo - Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle

NATSICC Assembly – Hunter Valley

29 September – 3 October

The Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle is incredibly proud to host the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council Assembly. Themed ‘Pilgrims of Hope’ it will welcome hundreds of delegates and bishops from across Australia alongside a keynote presentation from Stan Grant. This will be a powerful moment in our diocesan journey towards reconciliation – not to be missed. For more information and to register visit - 2025 Assembly

Australian Catholic Youth Festival, Melbourne

29 November – 3 December

Expressions of interest have opened for 100 young people across the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle to join Bishop Michael for ACYF25 - a national gathering of Catholic youth, from Grade 10 through to 25 years old. The experience provides young people an opportunity to come together and connect whilst deepening their faith and relationship with Jesus. It’s not a conference; it’s a Catholic festival. For more information and to register visit - Australian Catholic Youth Festival - Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle

We’re excited to announce that Windows 11 will be rolled out across all school-issued Windows devices over the coming months and into 2026. Current devices use Windows 10 and the Windows 11 change is a significant system upgrade that will give a new look and feel to your computer and offers a range of powerful new features and capabilities, including enhanced security and improved performance, all with familiar tools. 

Microsoft has announced that Windows 10 will receive no further updates after October 2025. While Technology Services will continue to support Windows 10 into 2026, most devices will need to transition to Windows 11 to maintain security and support.

As part of this project:

• All school-issued devices will be migrated to Windows 11
• Shared devices will be refreshed and upgraded
• New devices for staff will come with Windows 11 pre-installed along with guidelines and help documents to be provided.
• Incompatible devices will be assessed for replacement or retirement – in consultation with schools and aligned with existing device replacement plans where possible.

We look forward to working with our schools to modernise and enhance the daily technology use of our staff and students.

The move to Windows 11 will allow Technology Services to better support our staff and students through improved device management and remote support, while ensuring our Windows devices remain up to date and secure.

Technology Services is currently planning the rollout timeline and the support required to assist schools through this transition. More details will be shared soon.

San Clemente Catholic College celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture with pride. Congratulations to Bryan Rowe and the San Clemente School community, for organising a moving and memorable NAIDOC Assembly. The event was a powerful tribute to the strength, resilience, and richness of Aboriginal Culture, and brought the whole school community together in reflection and celebration.

Following the assembly, a Dance Workshop with pathway schools was a powerful experience. This much-loved event is part of a community building, transition initiative that supports students moving into high school while fostering Cultural sharing and connection. It was a wonderful opportunity to highlight Aboriginal culture, strong in spirit and rich in knowledge, through dance, storytelling, and community. A great deal of fun was had by all!

These events highlight the importance of cultural Immersion and the deep connections that come from learning together. We thank everyone involved for their contributions in continuing this journey of respect, learning, and celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

Danielle Barry – Education Officer Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Learning and Wellbeing

Please see latest Flyers for Details below.

Links to purchase tickets:

Aspire Presents “The Rise of Bozz” - https://civictheatrenewcastle.com.au/what-s-on/all-shows/the-rise-of-bozz

ASPIRE Battle of the Bands – Secondary Schools Competition - https://events.humanitix.com/aspire-battle-of-the-bands-2025-secondary-schools

We acknowledge the important system-level work happening across our schools through the administration of the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT). As CogAT is currently being finalised across the Diocese for students in Years 2, 4, and 7, we sincerely thank all of our schools who have completed the assessments. Your efforts in coordinating testing schedules and supporting students through the process are greatly appreciated.

If your school has now completed the CogAT for all students in the targeted cohorts, please confirm with Maree Karaka via email. Once confirmation is received, a CogAT Data Analysis Leadership Meeting will be scheduled with your school to explore the results in depth and discuss implications for teaching, enrichment, differentiation, professional learning, and student support.

Virtual Academy - Celebrating Student Innovation, Inquiry & Agency – Term 2 Highlights

As Term 2 draws to a close, the Virtual Academy has celebrated a remarkable series of events that have challenged, inspired, and elevated student learning across our diocese. From immersive experiences to global simulations and entrepreneurial showcases, our students have embraced the opportunity to lead, create, and connect. Here's a wrap-up of the key highlights from the term:

Time 2 Discover | Tuesday 24 June – University of Newcastle, Callaghan Campus

Our Time and Discovery students were immersed in an interactive learning experience in the University’s 360-degree ‘Sim Cave’. They shared their inquiries with like-minded peers and developed their collaborative, presentation, and problem-solving skills in a technology-rich environment.

G20 Summit 2025 | Thursday 26 June – Catholic Schools Office, Newcastle West

Students from the Perspective Unit took part in a dynamic diplomatic simulation, stepping into the roles of world leaders to negotiate responses to pressing global challenges. The G20 Summit offered a powerful platform to practice leadership, cross-cultural thinking, and strategic collaboration.

Empower Exhibition | Monday 30 June – NUspace, University of Newcastle

Empower will provide Agency students the opportunity to showcase their unique voice through original projects developed from personal passions. Family and community members will be attending this experience that will offer a rich tapestry of digital, artistic, and conceptual works that demonstrate the power of student agency and creative expression.

Elevate | Tuesday 1 July – Online via Microsoft Teams

Our Enterprise students will deliver their business pitches during the Elevate event, highlighting innovation, financial literacy, and socially responsible thinking. The event will be a celebration of future-focused learning, with students confidently engaging with real-world challenges through entrepreneurial thinking.

Thank you for your ongoing support and collaboration in nurturing our high potential and gifted learners across our system. We look forward to an exciting Term 3 as we continue to unveil and develop student brilliance.

Kind regards,

Maree

During this past week, I have had the privilege to visit four schools, including St Mary’s Catholic College Gateshead, St Francis Xavier’s College Hamilton, St Clare’s High School Taree and St Paul’s Catholic College Booragul.  During these visits, our conversations are focused on the journey of Curriculum Reform in each school and the importance of professional networks. I thank Brett Donohoe, Greg Ptolemy, Christine Harmer, Nick Wickham and their teams for their generous invitation, and I look forward to using these insights in shaping service to schools in 2026.   

Leaders of Learning – Catherine McAuley Catholic College, Medowie.   

On Tuesday, 24th June, Claudette Stace, Assistant Principal, kindly invited me to participate in the Leaders of Learning Day for Catherine McAuley.  The day included a lovely formation experience led by the Leader of Ministry, Siobhan Kelly, who focused on our need to create space for reflection and creativity in our lives. This was a wonderful start to segue into a session on Leadership, focused on legacy, energy and hope.    

As Catherine McAuley prepares for the graduation of their first Year 12 Cohort in 2025, Leaders of Learning also discussed and planned for Year 12 Trials, where Bronwyn Denham, House Leader and Erin Jordan, Leader of Curriculum, have led great work in being ready for this new adventure.   
  
The day also featured a great presentation from Leticia Nischang, Leader of DIAL on the possibilities and ethical use of AI, as well as a presentation from NESA School Liaison Officer, Erinn Roberts, who provided great insight into the process of moderation of HSC marks and how this works with school-based assessment task marks.   

Congratulations to everyone involved, and best of luck to our secondary school students as you approach the HSC in the coming term.  

Week 10 Engagement  

As we approach Week 10, creativity and planning is a premium commodity when keeping students engaged and, most importantly, at school.  Attendance is just as essential at this time as students make connections to their learning in preparation for new topics in Term 3, and Year 12 students are provided with great study habits in preparation for Trials. It is a great time of review and consolidation.   

Chantelle Dagasso, Pedagogical Mentor from St Francis Xavier’s College, Hamilton, shared some excellent tips for managing classes at the end of the term.   

Thanks Chantelle!  

Non-verbal tool 1: Pace   

How we move around the room in a lesson physically and energetically models the expectations we have of our students. Sometimes we can frantically pace around the room, rushing to hand out worksheets, rushing to raised hands, running back and forth between the board, the door, a desk, a student steadily ripping up a worksheet...    

If you want a calmer lesson, you need to slow it right down. Stop racing to put out spot fires.   

If you are doing a task that requires higher energy and movement, go for it! Match it! It’s about mirroring what you want from your students at that moment.   

If you enter the lesson agitated and cranky, they are likely to mirror it. If you raise your voice over them, they are likely to match it.    

Mirror what you want from your students in that moment.   

Non-verbal tool 2: Presence   

How we hold ourselves, and our general presence makes a huge difference to how our students respond to us. Sometimes we are more relaxed and open to a bit of a chit chat, sometimes we mean business and are more credible.   

Both are important.   

We just need to know when to use them. Think about posture. If we are leaning and relaxing, this is inviting more of a casual and chatty atmosphere with our students. When we are standing up straight and still, we are credible and serious. This sends messages to students that we are ready for them to embody that same tone.  ? I will often pull up a chair and sit at a group/row table to conference with them and where they're 'at'.  

Non-verbal tool 3: Present   

How we present verbal information to our students sends more messages than what is actually being said.  

We can be loud, quiet, formal, informal, bubbly, flat. We can use upwards and downwards inflections. We can speak quickly or slow it right down. All of these decisions are non-verbally communicating and modelling expectations to our students.  

They tell them whether they are expected to contribute or just listen, whether it is a time to seriously crack on with the work or be playful and silly, whether you’re happy for them to have a chat, or you’re asking for quiet work. All without any verbal instruction.   

 ? With Stages 4 and 5, classroom routines can enhance our non-verbal tool kit. Routines are the parmesan cheese on a great bolognaise (yes, the bolognaise is our non-verbal cues, and of course, I am always going to turn to food as a reference). Using visual cues like ClassroomScreen to set out the plan for the lesson, using the timer or the 'Working Quietly, Working Together or Group Work' widget, using our whiteboards to highlight the learning intention and success criteria, are all extremely beneficial to our non-verbal tools... makes it taste better.   

Where to next?   

• Manufacturing your non-verbal teaching persona.  

• Author of 'It's Never Just About the Behaviour' provides class examples.  

• The 6 P's of classroom management to combat challenging behaviours. 

Chantelle also shared a wonderful podcast that I have been listening to during the commute to work. The podcast is hosted by Claire English and is based on her book “It is Never Just about the Behaviour.” I encourage you all to have a listen as well.   

“The Unteachables”  

Here is a link to the podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1CDUex52GKVlrZlWpxIwek?si=66f27bc989ec4fa5  

Thanks is also extended to Maree Pittaway, Project Officer for Gifted Education who sent through a Mathematics and Science lesson for Stage 4 and 5. An Exploration to Mars sounds like lots of fun.   

Stage 4 Mathematics Exploration to Mars.docx  

Stage 5 Science - The Life Cycle of Stars.docx  

NESA Reminder – 30th JUNE  

A reminder that 30th June is the deadline for ANY subject changes in NESA for students in Years 11 and 12.  Therefore, any students who have moved courses will need to be updated before Monday, 30th June.  It is also a timely reminder for students to check Students Online accounts to ensure all details are correct. Year 12 students must log on and change their email to their personal email address and add their personal mobile phone number to ensure they receive their HSC results.   

2024_Students_Online-Tip_Flyer_for_Students.pdf   

Sincerely,   

Liz Stokes   

System Lead – Curriculum and Pedagogy Secondary.