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- Message from Director of Schools
- NEW RE CURRICULUM DOCUMENTS
- THE RE TEACHER SELF EFFICACY PROJECT
- Mission and Evangelisation Upcoming Events
- 2026 ASPIRE AUDITIONS
- Get involved in Decorate Your Space!
- High Potential and Gifted Education
- Early Learning – ES1 Regional Networking Days
- Early Learning – Stage 1 Professional Learning Day
- Early Learning – AEDC NSW Research Symposium 2025
- Early Learning – Risky Play Position Statement for Young Australian Children
- System Lead Curriculum and Pedagogy – Secondary: Welcome to Term 3
- Change to Student Accident Cover
- Updated Risk Assessment Library
- Annual School Reports Submitted to NESA
Dear Colleagues,
Welcome back!
As we embark on a new school term, I offer the following reflection to guide you in your work as missionary people.
It is said that the Church doesn’t have a mission, rather Jesus’ commission ‘go into all the world and preach the Gospel to all creation’ has a Church. St John Paul II spoke of the new evangelisation, of the uncommitted, the converted and diverted across all cultures in the world. Far from being missionary ‘to the people’ Fr Antonio Pernia, describes the modern experience of mission ‘as dialogue with people, as encounter between peoples and as finding a home among the people’.
The Church is called to be a missionary people who enter into the cultural world of our society and preach all of the Gospel, to all of the people, all of the time. This is indeed our shared calling.
I encourage you then, to embrace the opportunities that lie ahead, to model the example of Jesus, and to approach each day with enthusiasm and curiosity, guided by our shared values and faith.
May God's grace be with our school communities and our dedicated staff who commit to providing the best learning opportunities for every student and work tirelessly to meet the needs of students and families. Your efforts are truly valued.
NAIDOC Week 2025
During the holiday break, NAIDOC WEEK was commemorated (July 6-13), celebrating the incredible contributions, strength, and resilience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This year's theme, "The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy," highlighted the vital role of young people in carrying forward these rich cultures. I was fortunate to join the local community celebration and march at Civic Park, uniting with First Nations Peoples. I thank you for prioritising this important event in your school communities.
Aspire 2025 – THE RISE OF BOZZ
I am thrilled to welcome everyone to this year's highly anticipated ASPIRE production, "The Rise of Boss"! For fourteen years, ASPIRE has been a showcase of creativity and artistic expression within our diocese, constantly expanding its offerings in the arts. Our students take part in a variety of programs, including music ensembles, songwriting, choreography, scriptwriting, musical theatre, and visual arts theatre-making.
The Rise of Bozz” Is the future: after a long war, technology and emotions have both been banned. Young people are sent to school to learn how to make a ‘positive impact’ in the new world. When mysterious artworks bearing the tag “Bozz” start appearing around the city, questioning the government's decisions, a small group of outlaws called “The UnEducated” is inspired to challenge their leaders’ choices.
Featuring an impressive soundtrack that highlights an original script, the 2025 Aspire Production brings together over 150 young creatives from the Maitland-Newcastle Catholic Schools for a performance at the Civic Theatre stage.
I am deeply grateful to our talented students, our passionate ASPIRE team, and our visionary Artistic Director, Anna Kerrigan, whose leadership and inspiration are driving ASPIRE's success.
Welcome to "The Rise of Bozz"! Celebrating 14 incredible years of ASPIRE's contributions to our schools and students, I feel proud and eager for what’s next.
Performances will be held at the Civic Theatre Newcastle from Wednesday, 30 July 2025, to Saturday, 2 August 2025.
You can purchase tickets by contacting the Civic Theatre Box Office on
4979-1977
https://civictheatrenewcastle.com.au/what-s-on/all-shows/the-rise-of-bozz
All Saints’ College Maitland – Farewell to Principal Brian Lacey
On Brian Lacey’s final day as Principal of All Saints’ College, Maitland , the entire school community gathered to express their heartfelt appreciation for his dedication to the school over the past 4 years.
As he embarks on the next chapter of his life, the Catholic School of Maitland-Newcastle community extends its deepest gratitude to Mr. Lacey for his exceptional service and leadership.
Link: Mr Lacey's final day as Principal | Catholic Schools Maitland-Newcastle
St Joseph’s Primary School, East Maitland
St Joseph’s Primary School in East Maitland recently participated in a transformative teacher training initiative by partnering with the University of Newcastle. They hosted their innovative ‘Super Prac’ for Term 2.
This progressive program involved 15 teaching students working collaboratively across all classrooms, from Kindergarten to Year 6. Benefits included team teaching, group learning, boosted confidence, and practical experience, all while infusing classrooms with new energy and ideas.
With my best wishes,
Jacqui
NEW! Children’s Ministry Network
July 9
Are you passionate about nurturing faith in children within your parish? Join us for a special gathering of the new Children’s Ministry Network where we’ll explore ways to grow and support ministry with children. The session will feature a demonstration from the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, with a beautiful approach to children’s faith formation grounded in Montessori principles. 10:00am – 12:00pm, The Atrium, 37 Delprat Ave, Beresfield with morning tea provided. RSVP: nicola.graham@mn.catholic.org.au
NEW DATE! Celebrating the 1700th Anniversary of the Nicene Creed
July 30
Mission & Evangelisation invite you to this premium formation offering with Associate Professor Joel Hodge, National Head, School of Theology, Australian Catholic University. Choose from one of two sessions at 3:30pm or 6:00pm at St John the Baptist Shrine, Maitland as he immerses us in the history and theology of the Nicene Creed. This ‘deep-dive’ into ‘what we believe’ is not to be missed. Register now - NEW DATE: Celebrating the 1700th Anniversary of the Nicene Creed - 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
Our school communities are invited to decorate a space that uniquely reflects their commitment to children’s safety and wellbeing in line with the theme of National Child Protection Week ‘Every conversation matters: Shifting Conversation to Action’, for the chance to win some fantastic prizes.
Information on entry requirements and how to enter can be found here - https://officeofsafeguarding.org.au/national-child-protection-week/
Entries close 6pm Sunday 14 September.
We can’t wait to see your entries!
Virtual Academy Semester 2 – Units Commencing Week 2
Semester 2 Virtual Academy units will commence in Week 2 across the Diocese. We are excited to continue delivering rich, transdisciplinary learning experiences for our high potential and gifted students.
In response to newly emerging Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) data from our Year 7 cohort, additional selection opportunities into the Virtual Academy will be made available. Schools will be contacted directly regarding eligible students.
CogAT Administration Update
We are pleased to share that all CogAT data has now been successfully uploaded to Power BI, enabling access for Principals, Assistant Principals, and Gifted Education Mentors (GEMs). This ensures visibility of student ability data to support targeted planning and provision.
In addition, all secondary school CogAT data has been uploaded to Compass Data and Analytics, providing an integrated platform for ongoing monitoring and strategic decision-making.
CogAT Data Analysis and Next Steps
As we continue to analyse the recently collected CogAT data alongside schools, we are coordinating online Teams meetings with school leadership teams to unpack the data and identify appropriate follow-up actions.
These collaborative sessions will explore:
- How the data will be interpreted and shared with relevant staff
- How it can meaningfully inform teaching, learning, and extension strategies
- Identification of student needs for enrichment or intervention
We encourage the participation of the Principal, Assistant Principal, and GEM, with the option to include Pastoral Coordinators (PCs), Pedagogical Mentors (PMs), and Leaders of Learning (LOLs) as required. Each session is expected to run for approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour. If a meeting has not yet been scheduled for your school, we will be in touch shortly to arrange one.
GEM Term 2 Report – Submission Reminder
A reminder that your GEM Term 2 Report is due by Friday, 25th July. Please ensure you:
- Consult with your Principal prior to submission
- Include accurate and reflective information and evidence regarding student identification, support, and initiatives.
Submit via the Forms link previously provided to you.
High Performing Students Program – Graduation Ceremony
We warmly congratulate the students who have successfully completed the 2025 High Performing Students Program in partnership with the University of Newcastle.
Adamstown, Trinity Catholic College
- Alexis Turkovic
- Clancy Scanlon
- Lillian Scanlon
Booragul, St Paul’s Catholic College
- Bridget McEwan
- Elina McElhone
- Lily Walmsley
- Olivia Buch
- Zachary Blyth
- Finn Betts
- Gabriella Maratos
- Joshua Barrett
- Madeleine Maxwell
Chisholm, St Bede’s Catholic College
- Angelique Currey
- Hamish Dibley
- Olivia Taylor
- Jocelyn Black
- Lucy Richardson
- Isabella King
Gateshead, St Mary’s Catholic College
- Hayley Cummings
- Laura Smith
- Lillian Coddington
- Tom Chapman
- Victoria Chong
- Sheridan Owen
Maitland, All Saints’ College
- Paige Burton
Mayfield, San Clemente Catholic College
- Mayah Lewis
Medowie, Catherine McAuley Catholic College
- Chace Brind
- Ebony Baker
- Makayla Kelly
- Mateo Koegelenberg
- Thomas Lynch
- Alana Sepos
- Charlee Wattus
- Daisy Russell
- Islay Scheerlinck
- Lainey Russell
- Skyla Buman
- Zaliah Spencer
- Hamish Vaughan
Singleton, St Catherine’s Catholic College
- Callan Hannigan
- Tobias Galloway
- Mia Millgate
Taree, St Clare’s High School
- Bonnie McMaster
- Flynn Small
- Jaylah Koenig
These students will be celebrated at a formal graduation ceremony:
Wednesday, 23 July 2025
9:00 AM – 12:30 PM
The Great Hall, University of Newcastle, Callaghan Campus
HPGE Networking Day – Professional Learning
Gifted Education Mentors (GEMs), Project Officers, and Virtual Academy Educators will gather for a professional learning session designed to enhance leadership in high potential and gifted education:
Thursday, 14 August 2025
St Bede’s Catholic College, Chisholm
9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
MNPeople Professional Learning Link https://cdmn.elmotalent.com.au/learning/courses?courseview=520
Casual Release Code: No (occurs on the system-allocated GEM day)
Focus Areas:
- Diocesan HPGE Data Insights
- Data Analysis and Power BI
- GEM Role Clarity and Impact
- Evidence-Based Demonstrations of Practice
- Personal Plans: Exemplars and Implementation
- Differentiation in Curriculum and Pedagogy
- Virtual Academy 2026 – Nomination Opportunities
Virtual Academy End-of-Semester Events – Celebrating Innovation and Student Voice
Elevate 2025 – Enterprise Business Pitches
Held via Microsoft Teams on Tuesday, 1 July 2025, the Elevate event featured over 80 students pitching creative business solutions to real-world challenges. The projects showcased not only financial acumen and digital literacy, but deep care for community, environment, and Catholic values.
Highlights included:
- Jasper’s “Clean Eyes” VR anti-bullying initiative
- Imogen’s “EasyLunch” healthy lunch solution
- Carter’s “Flood Block” – eco-friendly flood barriers
- Amity’s “GettingYouReady” netball coaching guide
- Jessica’s “Paws and Cups” cat café concept
Each pitch reflected a unique blend of entrepreneurship, empathy, and purpose. A heartfelt thank you to the Virtual Academy Educators and families for their support.
Empower 2025 – Celebrating Student Agency
Held at NUspace, University of Newcastle, Empower highlighted the expressive talents of students engaged in the Agency Unit. Projects ranged from digital media and gaming to original art installations; all anchored in student choice and voice. Parents and community members were invited to explore and affirm the diverse passions on display.
Virtual Academy G20 Summit
Virtual Academy students transformed the CSO Board Room into a hub of international diplomacy, taking on the roles of world leaders to debate and solve global issues. A powerful showcase of leadership, collaboration, and critical thinking in action!
Time 2 Discover – Inquiry in Action
At the immersive Sim Cave at the Callaghan Campus, students in the Time and Discovery Units presented their research to peers across learning stages. The event encouraged collaboration, advanced presentation skills, and critical thinking in a high-tech learning environment.
ICAS Academic Enrichment Grant Recipient!
We are proud to announce that our Diocese HPGE initiative has received an ICAS Academic Enrichment Grant from Janison. The funding will support the development of a Holiday Enrichment Program for students, offering intellectually rich, high-interest workshops during the school break.
World Scholar’s Cup – Hunter Valley Round
Another exciting opportunity on the horizon is the 2025 World Scholar’s Cup, hosted at St Philip’s Christian College, Cessnock on 7–8 August 2025. Selected students have been identified and will participate in four academic challenges - the Scholar’s Bowl, Team Debate, Scholar’s Challenge, and Collaborative Writing - under the global theme “Reigniting the Future.”
This is a unique chance for selected students from across the diocese to explore current global issues, develop critical and creative thinking, and build lasting connections with peers.
For any questions regarding the above initiatives, please contact:
Maree Karaka
Leader of High Potential and Gifted Education
maree.karaka@mn.catholic.edu.au | 0428 120 620
Over the last three weeks of Term 2, Kindergarten teachers in the Upper Hunter, Lakes and Manning regions had the opportunity to visit, connect and network with other Kindergarten teachers in their region. 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, St Catherine’s, Singleton, St Joseph’s, Charlestown, and Holy Name, Forster, for opening your school and classrooms to visitors for these professional learning opportunities.
We’re pleased to let you know, the session recordings and presentations are now available on the AEDC NSW Research Symposium 2025 webpage.
A detailed report that highlights the key findings from the AEDC NSW data (that includes a breakdown of AEDC outcomes for different priority groups) will be available on the AEDC reports page soon.
If you have any questions or need further clarification, please reach out to the AEDC NSW project team at aedc@det.nsw.edu.au or visit the AEDC webpage.
Thank you again for your interest in the AEDC NSW Research Symposium 2025!
On 24 June 2025, Play Australia launched the Risky Play Position Statement for Young Australian Children.
This Position Statement is a benchmark for guiding all adults in children’s lives, to actively promote positive and engaging playful learning opportunities which include risk.
Our colleague, Kim Moroney, contributed significantly to the creation of this position statement and receives well-deserved recognition within the statement.
We encourage you to read and share the statement as we continue to advocate for a child’s right to play.
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
Welcome to Term 3, which is always a busy term ahead, especially for our Year 12 students.
To reflect on Term 2, this week I share an article from Cathy O’Gorman, Assistant Principal Learning and Teaching from St Mary’s Catholic College, Gateshead. At the end of Term 2, St Mary’s used a number of their pupil free days concurrently to develop a Learning Conference which aligned to their Strategic Improvement Plan and to embrace Curriculum Reform more fully.
I share with you Cathy’s wonderful report.
St Mary’s Catholic College Gateshead - Learning Conference 2025 – Building Strong Foundations
What if…? How about we…? Maybe …
It was during our 2024 Diocesan Annual School visit that our St Mary’s Catholic College Leadership Team first began to question how best to provide quality time for our teachers to undertake the significant load of implementing the new NSW Curriculum – time that would allow teachers to work in faculty teams for a sustained period, rather than a series of single days; time that would allow us, as a college, to strengthen our “compelling narrative”, designing for the future – not just “rolling out a required change” (Breakspear, S. 2024 CSNSW Curriculum Conference).
With a focus on the writing of quality teaching programs and in response to the Curriculum Review and “Building Strong Foundations”, our three-day conference saw our educators and support staff engage in professional learning, including Keynote speakers, workshops and faculty collaboration time.
Drawing on the themes of Inclusion, Excellence and Engagement (the basis of St Mary’s 2025 School Improvement Plan) the Key Note presentations included Differentiating Stage 5&6 Assessment (Rachel Wright and Liz Stokes – Catholic Schools), PB4L (Craig Moore - Catholic Schools) and Strategies for Increasing Engagement (Sue Hatfield-Smith - The Novo School), while a series of smaller optional workshops were also held. Many of these workshops were led by members of our teaching community and covered such topics as Redesigning Assessment (with a focus on using AI), Integration and Assessment of the Capabilities in the Curriculum, Restorative Practice in Action, Microsoft Teams, OLT- ADHD Course, Leadership – Open to Learning Conversations, Selfcare and Introduction to Neurodivergence. Our Support Staff were also engaged in relevant training, including sessions such as Safeguarding, Self-Care, Diabetes training, Microsoft Teams and Enrolment Process Refresher training.
Over the course of three days, provocative questions, deep discussion, planning and collaborative writing enabled our teams to deepen knowledge and understanding of new syllabi as well as make strong cross-curricular connections based on these common threads:
Inclusive Practices - Adjustments for our SWD students; Stretching our HPGE students; Scaffolding and support for ALL students
Opportunities for students to APPLY knowledge - Using skills of Collaboration, Communication, Creativity & Critical Thinking
Designing Quality Learning Experiences & Assessment Tasks - through the integration and use of technology in learning, and designing tasks that build the self-efficacy of every student, increasing engagement in and ownership of learning
Making X-KLA Connections – and strengthening the connection between learning and wellbeing.
The conference served not only as a valuable learning experience but also as a great opportunity for our learning community to share time together, building relationships and social capital, as we shared expertise, time, food, coffee and experiences across the three days.
Thank you to all our presenters, educators and support staff for what was a truly uplifting three days!
Wishing everyone a wonderful week.
Liz Stokes
System Leader Curriculum and Pedagogy – Secondary
All Annual School Reports were successfully submitted to the regulator as of June 30, in full compliance with current legislative requirements.
This marks a significant milestone in the COSI compliance calendar, ensuring transparency and accountability across each of our schools. Each school’s report was made available on its respective website at the end of Term 2, allowing parents, students, and stakeholders to access the latest updates and performance insights.
The Communications and Marketing team coordinated the publication of these reports, ensuring that each school’s website was updated promptly and accurately.
Stay tuned for further updates and be sure to check your school’s website to view the report.