Dear Colleagues,

CELEBRATE: CHOIRS AT THE CIVIC

On Tuesday, June 10, 2025, and Wednesday, June 11, 2025, ASPIRE VoiceWorx joyfully presented Celebrate: Choirs at the Civic. Throughout these evenings, seventeen primary school choirs showcased their remarkable talents. For the very first time, a tremendous variety of ensembles took centre stage at the Civic Theatre, creating an uplifting atmosphere brimming with music. The repertoire was a lovely mix of traditional choral pieces and hymns, alongside popular hits from The Beatles, John Paul Young, Taylor Swift, and the Spice Girls. 

The event at the Civic Theatre wonderfully highlighted our students' talents, and offered a fantastic opportunity to share in the excitement of performance, to a live audience, under lights. 

With over 700 enthusiastic students participating in this year's showcase, it’s clear that Music and the Arts shine brightly within our school communities. 

I want to express my warm congratulations to all the students and staff who contributed their efforts and to the ASPIRE team who coordinated this event.

Concert 1 Performing Schools (performance held Tuesday 10th June) 

St Patrick’s Primary School CESSNOCK 

St Joseph’s Primary School, CHARLESTOWN 

Holy Cross Primary School, GLENDALE 

St Therese’s Primary School NEW LAMBTON 

St Paul’s Primary School RUTHERFORD 

St Catherine’s Catholic College SINGLETON 

St Patrick’s Primary School, WALLSEND 

VoiceWorx Lower Hunter 

Concert 2 Performing Schools (performance held Wednesday 11th June) 

St Joseph’s Primary School KILABEN BAY 

St James’ Primary School KOTARA SOUTH 

St Patrick’s Primary School LOCHINVAR 

St John the Baptist Primary School MAITLAND 

St Joseph’s Primary School MEREWETHER 

St Brigid’s Primary School RAYMOND TERRACE 

Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School TARRO 

St Mary’s Primary School, WARNERS BAY 

VoiceWorx Lakes 

A Journey Through Time: St Joseph’s Wingham Commemorates 90 Years of Faith and Learning

On Friday, 6 June, St Joseph’s Wingham celebrated 90 years of Catholic Education in Wingham with a nostalgic event. It was delightful to attend as the school buzzed with students dressed as 90-year-olds or in vintage attire, complete with wigs and walking sticks. Everyone enjoyed browsing through past photos, recognizing their younger selves as well as relatives and familiar faces. In the hall, school memorabilia were displayed, alongside old school items generously loaned by the Wingham Community Museum.

Check out more from the day here: A Journey Through Time: St Joseph’s Wingham Commemorates 90 Years of Faith and Learning | Catholic Schools Maitland-Newcastle

Messages of Hope for the Manning

The recent flooding event has had a profound impact on many of our Manning area school communities. Considering this, we invited our Catholic school community to provide a message of support and solidarity for our school communities that have been directly and significantly affected by these events.

Messages were collated into a HOPE word cloud and distributed to schools in the Manning area affected by the flooding event.

Some even sent video messages that can be viewed here - https://youtu.be/N29OPExi6ro

For more information, including the art submissions from students, visit https://www.mn.catholic.edu.au/news/messages-of-hope-for-the-manning/

Catherine McAuley students win National Artwork for 2025 NATSICC Assembly

Two talented Year 11 students from Catherine McAuley College, Medowie, have received national recognition after their collaborative artwork was selected as the official logo for the 2025 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council (NATSICC) Assembly.

Chosen from a list of impressive entries submitted across the Diocese, the student-created artwork was described as a standout by the selection panel, selected for its powerful reflection of the Assembly’s theme and profound cultural and spiritual symbolism.

To read more about it, click here.

Annual School Visits – St John Vianney Primary School, Morisset

Nestled in the heart of Morisset, SJV serves as a place of faith, learning, and community, set amidst the picturesque surroundings of Lake Macquarie and the Watagan Mountains.

I sincerely thank Mark Konik and his staff for their commitment to our students and the Morisset school community. It was gratifying to witness the collaborative efforts of the newly formed leadership team, who are courageously and creatively reviewing current practices as part of their improvement journey, drawing on the school motto, Every Day Our Best. Our visit acknowledged their focus on enhancing community engagement and mutual efforts to strengthen parish ties, with Fr Darryl Mackie keenly engaged in school life.

Classroom visits revealed the integration of the LLC to develop the collective efficacy of staff in Literacy, including the skilling of Learning Support Assistants. The school has implemented a cycle of goal setting, reflection and review to drive Literacy growth. Support is being provided to staff to develop a comprehensive data tracking model and to sustain agreed practices in Spelling.

Congratulations to the dedicated and hardworking staff team, who are clearly invested in student wellbeing and learning. Your hard work, passion, and care shape not only the minds of our learners but also their character and future. Your tireless efforts to effectively meet the social/emotional needs of students and families, implementing PB4L structures, MJR and trauma informed practices, are valued, alongside initiatives to impact outcomes for your Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.

With my best wishes,

Jacqui

Praise & Worship

Sunday 22 June, 3-5pm

Supported by MacKillop Parish Charlestown and the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle you are invited to experience an encounter of Praise and Worship - a beautiful opportunity to express our Catholic faith through music, led by local worship leaders. Whether this is something new and unfamiliar to you, or already a rich part of your prayer, this event is for you. We extend the welcome to all people from around the Diocese to come and see, and to worship together with us! For more information and to register – https://mn.catholic.org.au/event/praise-worship-evening/ 

Diocesan Young Adult Retreat

27– 29 June

Calling all young adults in the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle. You are invited to come away on retreat together, stepping into a weekend of community, praise, Adoration, inputs by expert speakers, and an opportunity to encounter Christ's personal love for you.

For more information and to register - Young Adult Retreat 2025 - Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle

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

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

SRE Reflection Day with Bishop Michael

Thursday 10 July

Are you a teacher of Special Religious Education or someone eager to explore this vital ministry? Come and be inspired at Bishop Michael's Reflection Day—a special gathering to reflect, learn, and connect. Join us 9:30am – 12:30pm at St Stephens, Tea Gardens. Deepen your understanding, share experiences, and be encouraged in your role. For more information and to register - SRE Reflection Day with Bishop Michael Kennedy - Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle

NAIDOC Week Prayer Service

Sunday 6 July – 1:30 for 2pm

Sacred Heart Cathedral will host the NAIDOC Week Prayer Service celebrating the theme “The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy”. This is the 50th year of NAIDOC Week and will feature the burial of a time capsule, a symbolic gesture preserving this legacy for generations to come. For more information and to register visit - 2025 NAIDOC Week Prayer Service - Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle

Monday 7 July – 9am

Be a part of this year's NAIDOC Week celebrations, which coincides with its 50th anniversary. Hosted by Awabakal Ltd, and sponsored by the Catholic Diocese Maitland-Newcastle, the event starts at Civic Park, with a flag raising ceremony at 9am before a united procession to Foreshore Park where the festival is held. For more information and to register - 2025 NAIDOC Week Community Festival - Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle

Introductory Unit to Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE)

CPE is a formation program that focuses on developing the skills needed for pastoral and spiritual care. This course is a pre-requisite for some Chaplaincy roles within the health care sector. The course will take place at MacKillop Parish Centre, Charlestown over the course of five consecutive Mondays, commencing on Monday July 14 from 9am to 3pm. Further enquiries can be sent to Fr Roger Zohrab: rzohrab@bigpond.com

Click here for application form

Caritas Australia appeals for support for amputees in Gaza

The UN described Gaza as being “home to the largest cohort of child amputees in modern history”. As of April, the UN reported that 4,500 people have been made amputees due to the current conflict. 

In response, Caritas Jerusalem is working to support those affected by the loss of limbs, as part of a program supported by Caritas Australia’s Gaza Emergency Appeal.

We urgently need your support. Please donate to Caritas Australia’s Gaza Crisis Appeal. You can donate online www.caritas.org.au/gaza or phone 1800 024 413

This year’s Reconciliation Week theme, Bridging Now to Next, encourages all Australians to move forward together guided by the lessons of the past as we work toward a more just and equitable future.

As part of our ongoing journey of reconciliation, Mr Chris Devorsine, and the students from Saint Patrick's Lochinvar have created a meaningful artwork that reflects their understanding, pride, and hope. Their work is a powerful reminder of the importance of connection, culture, and shared commitment to change.

I am proud to share this creation with our community as we continue to walk together in the spirit of reconciliation.

Danielle Barry

Education Officer – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education and Wellbeing

The AEDC NSW invites school leaders and teachers with oversight or interest in AEDC data to the livestream of the Australian Early Development Census (AEDC) NSW 2025 Research Symposium.

It is their expectation the AEDC 2024 data will be published ahead of the symposium.

The event will incorporate the AEDC 2024 data published at the community, state and national levels. Participants will have the opportunity to reflect on the evidence and engage with the AEDC data alongside other key data. 

The symposium aims to inspire your own work in connecting evidence to planning children’s learning, development and wellbeing. Presenters will highlight how the AEDC data can inform planning and practice in an educational setting.  

If you can’t join live, register anyway as a recording of each speaker’s presentation will also be made available after the event.

Symposium livestream details:

Date and time: Wednesday 18 June, 8:30 am – 3:30 pm

Agenda: Visit the AEDC NSW Research Symposium 2025 webpage for the symposium agenda, including the full list of presenters

Cost: The livestream is free to attend

Theme: Shaping Futures – The impact of the AEDC on Early Years Education

Who should attend: School leaders and teachers with oversight or interest in AEDC data

How to register: Complete the livestream registration.

If you have any questions, please email Bridie (Education Officer – Early Learning) on bridie.stanger@mn.catholic.edu.au or the AEDC directly  aedc@det.nsw.edu.au

Over the last three weeks, Kindergarten teachers in the Norths, Central and Lower Hunter regions have had the opportunity to visit, connect and network with other Kindergarten teachers. At each host school, participants explored indoor and outdoor environments, engaged in a facilitated conversation and collaborative planning to continue play as pedagogy following Successful Foundations. The connection between schools and prior to school services in preparation for Preschool visits in Terms 3 and 4 was also explored to strengthen the connection and collaboration with our Early Childhood colleagues through a lens of transition.

Thank you, Corpus Christi, Waratah; St Columba’s, Adamstown and St John the Baptist, Maitland, for opening your school and classrooms to visitors for this professional learning opportunity. We are also grateful for the Year 1, Year 2 and Year 3 teachers who offered to open their classrooms up for our participants to see how they embed play beyond Kindergarten.

This week, teachers in the Upper Hunter region will be meeting at St Catherine’s Catholic College, Singleton. Our other remaining dates this term include:

• Lakes:  Friday June 20, 2025 (Week 8) - St Joseph’s, Charlestown 
• Manning:  Thursday June 26, 2025 (Week 9) - Holy Name, Forster 

If you have any questions, please email our Education Officers – Early Learning

Bridie Stanger on bridie.stanger@mn.catholic.edu.au

Rachelle Mitchell on rachelle.mitchell@mn.catholic.edu.au

Registration for CFDs is available through mnPeople. Support documentation, including an overview of the Self-Evaluation Resource process, Curriculum Focus Day, planning documents, and CFD questions, are now available through the School Improvement Tile under Curriculum Focus Days.

The Self-Evaluation Resource will be due:

• Primary: 2 weeks prior to Curriculum Focus Day for your region.
• Secondary: Tuesday, 24th June (Term 2, Week 9) for all subjects, unless an earlier date is specified by your school executive.
• Stage 4 Religious Education: 21^st

Secondary CFD

Primary CFD – Creative Arts Stage 1 + Mathematics Stage 3

 Please contact alicia.dibben@mn.catholic.edu.au if you have any questions about the CFD or SER or would like to book a time to meet.

Last week, I had the privilege of visiting St Joseph’s Catholic College, Aberdeen, to participate in the Quality Teaching Professional Development offered by Leader of Growth and Development, Aaron Dent and Pedagogical Mentor, Sarah Paine. The focus of this professional development is based on the Quality Teacher Framework, and teachers were encouraged to collaborate with members of their faculty to look for access to deep understanding, particularly in summative assessment.

The QT Model is an evidence-based framework that supports teachers to understand high quality teaching practice that makes a positive difference to student learning.

By treating teaching holistically, it reflects the complexity of teaching and respects what teachers already know and do in the classroom. The QT Model centres on three key dimensions:

• Intellectual Quality: Developing a deep understanding of important knowledge
• Quality Learning Environment: Ensuring positive classrooms that boost student learning
• Significance: Connecting learning to students’ lives and the wider world

It was a great opportunity to witness great teaching reflection in action, and I thank Aaron and Sarah for the opportunity and Principal Veronica Rolfe and Assistant Principal Joel Bristow for the invitation.

Stage 6 Selection Evening – Catherine McAuley Catholic College

Last week, along with Education Officer Kylie Peattie, I attended Catherine McAuley Catholic College’s Year 10 Subject Selection Evening. Students and their families filled the school hall to hear about the process of HSC subject selection and visit one of the many classrooms to hear about courses offered for 2026.  Students were very excited to learn about the range of courses offered, and I was excited to witness subject experts talking about the variety of learning in Stage 6.

I thank Principal Bernard Burgess, Assistant Principal Claudette Stace, Leader of Curriculum Erin Jordan and the staff of Catherine McAuley for their hospitality on the evening. I can’t wait to go back to see their production of High School Musical very soon!

NESA Reminder: Enter the number of HSC Drama Group Performances is due on Friday 13^th June.

Sincerely,

Liz Stokes

Congratulations to schools performing in this year’s Celebrate! Choirs at the Civic. Hosted by Aspire VoiceWorx, the diocesan vocal program, Celebrate! Choirs at the Civic is the annual primary school vocal showcase. Students took to the Civic Theatre stage, in a joyfully uplifting evening of music. Repertoire included traditional choral pieces and hymns as well as songs by The Beatles, John Paul Young, Taylor Swift and the Spice Girls. 

The performance at the Civic Theatre was a beautiful snapshot of our students' God given talents, and a beautiful way to share them with the community. With over 700 students performing in this year's showcase, Music and the Arts are definitely a strength in our school communities. 

Thank you to the teachers, school staff and leadership for supporting this initiative.  

Concert 1 Performing Schools (performance held Tuesday 10th June) 

St Patrick’s Primary School CESSNOCK 

St Joseph’s Primary School CHARLESTOWN 

Holy Cross Primary School GLENDALE 

St Therese’s Primary School NEW LAMBTON 

St Paul’s Primary School RUTHERFORD 

St Catherine’s Catholic College SINGLETON 

St Patrick’s Primary School WALLSEND 

VoiceWorx Lower Hunter 

Concert 2 Performing Schools (performance held Wednesday 11th June) 

St Joseph’s Primary School KILABEN BAY 

St James’ Primary School KOTARA SOUTH 

St Patrick’s Primary School LOCHINVAR 

St John the Baptist Primary School MAITLAND 

St Joseph’s Primary School MEREWETHER 

St Brigid’s Primary School RAYMOND TERRACE 

Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School TARRO 

St Mary’s Primary School WARNERS BAY 

VoiceWorx Lakes 

Feedback: 

“It was an awesome performance, my child enjoyed it so much- it helped boost their independence and confidence more”  

“Students felt so proud, going on stage in a beautiful theatre. They loved the lights and the audience. Memories which will make them feel special” 

“It was a triumph of showing and hearing the joy of singing - which was evident in the faces of the students how much they were enjoying themselves. A just reward for all the time put into rehearsals” 

“We honestly just hoped our child would get over their stage fright through this experience, and it was amazing to watch them brave it out there last night. They want to do more choir singing now”  

Jessica Lopez- Education Officer, Musical Director (Aspire)