Filter Content
- Message from Director of Schools
- MISSION AND EVANGELISATION - Upcoming Events
- Religious Education & Spirituality – Liturgy Symposium
- National Child Protection Week 2025 Children’s Activity Booklet
- Write a Book in a Day – 2025 - St Catherine’s Catholic College Singleton
- ASPIRE upcoming programs and events
- Youth Mental Health First Aid Training
- ASPIRE YOUNG ACTORS PROGRAM PRODUCTION - ‘THE MISSING DIARY’
- Early Learning – 2024 AEDC NSW Reports Update and Upcoming Webinars
- Early Learning: 2025 Early Years Symposium
- The HSC Examinations have Begun!
- Upcoming iPadOS Update
- Important Security Update for student BYOD Devices
- Safety Alert: Preventing Electric Shock from Laptop Cords
- Updated Code of Conduct Now Available
- Invitation to Provide Feedback on SchoolTV
Dear Colleagues,
Feast of the Assumption
On Friday, 15 August, we celebrated the Feast of the Assumption of our Lady. For us, Mary is the link between Jesus’ humanity and divinity. As our heavenly mother and a model, I ask that we pray and trust in God’s plan.
“Heavenly mother, filled with God's grace, pray for us today and all days,
that we may strive to trusting, patient, and faithful, as you were,
so that we may one day join you and all saints in heaven.
In Jesus' name, we pray. Immaculate Mary, assumed into heaven,
teach us to trust in God's plan the way you did. Amen”
Knights V Panthers Indigenous Round
Last Friday night, students from Saint Francis Xavier's, Hamilton, and Catherine McAuley Catholic College, Medowie, represented our Diocese by dancing at the Knights vs Panthers game during the Indigenous round. This opportunity was provided to the students through the NRL School to Work program, which supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in transitioning from Year 12 to the workforce or tertiary studies.
It was an incredible experience for the Year 12 NRL School to Work students, and they greatly appreciated the chance to strengthen their cultural ties and share their culture with a broad audience. The schools are proud of their strong partnership with the NRL School to Work program, which allows them to offer such meaningful opportunities for students.
Thanks also go to the staff who facilitate the program.
NSWPSSA Rugby
NSWPSSA Rugby was held at Gateshead last week. Polding had three outstanding group games, defeating South Coast, MacKillop, and Sydney Southwest to reach the semi-finals, where they faced a tough Sydney West team, narrowly losing to finish third overall.
A special mention to Parker Herrmann, who was named in the NSWPSSA team — one of six students from our Diocese to make the Polding team. Having this many players from the Diocese in the team highlights the strength of rugby in our region, which is a credit to our sporting pathways and our partnership with Rugby NSW, who support our schools.
ECT Programming and Assessment Professional Learning Day
Over 70 Early Career Teachers attended the Programming and Assessment Days at the Catholic Schools Office on 14 and 15 August 2025.
This professional learning focused on developing the knowledge and skills of Early Career Teachers in programming and assessment, catering for EALD learners in the classroom and creating awareness and understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures.
The essential components of programming, organising content using syllabuses as a basis for programming, and understanding quality assessment and compliance were unpacked.
Thanks to Liz Stokes, Julie Mulhearn, Bec Zammit, Louise Robinson, Danielle Barry, Craig Duncan and Maree Adams, who facilitated on the day.
Special mention to Narelle Cross and Jane Scahill, who organised the days as part of the Early Career Teachers Professional Learning.
Liz Stokes (System Lead Secondary Curriculum and Pedagogy)
Julie Mulhearn (System Lead Primary Curriculum and Pedagogy)
Invitation to Provide Feedback on SchoolTV
Dear Principals,
As part of CSMN’s ongoing commitment to enhancing quality and effectiveness, we invite you to complete a brief survey regarding SchoolTV.
SchoolTV is an online platform currently available to all 57 diocesan school communities and offers a wide range of wellbeing resources to support families.
Complete the Survey Here
Your feedback will help CSMN better understand the platform’s perceived value and its effectiveness in supporting school staff as they partner with parents and carers to promote student wellbeing.
The survey should take no more than 5 minutes to complete. Please submit your responses by Tuesday, 26 August.
Thank you for your time and valuable insights.
The 2025 theme is “Book an Adventure!”
This year's theme celebrates the joy of reading and the adventures found within books. The featured artist for the year, Jess McGeachin, has brilliantly captured this adventurous spirit in his artwork, which features a whimsical map filled with imaginary characters. Jess’s illustration invites young readers to embark on fantastical journeys, inspiring them to explore the worlds that books open.!
This is a fantastic chance to spark imagination and celebrate the delight of reading.
I can't wait to see all the incredible Book Week costumes from our students and staff next week across our schools!
It's always such a pleasure to witness the creativity and excitement from everyone involved.
Annual School Visits
Catherine McAuley College, Medowie
I sincerely thank Bernard Burgess and his staff for their dedication to our students and the Medowie school community.
The college shared its targeted approach to enhancing student learning through implementing the Collaborative Inquiry model—Insight and Ignite. This model is being effectively integrated to support the development and consistent application of high-impact literacy and numeracy strategies across the school.
The college's commitment to basing its practices on research and data is particularly commendable. By developing localised strategies, we learned how staff are promoting consistency in active reading techniques and establishing a shared language and methodology in mathematics across faculties. This deliberate and collaborative effort is helping to foster a culture of continuous improvement and shared professional growth.
The school has made substantial progress in embedding its Mercy values into daily practice through its Positive Behaviour for Learning (PB4L) framework. By aligning expected behaviours with these core values, the school has created a clear and consistent foundation for its learning environment. It was encouraging to hear about the focused approach to targeted praise, and we look forward to observing the ongoing PB4L journey strengthen and evolve.
With my best wishes,
Jacqui
Graced Encounters in the Community of Creation: Cultivating Hope in Action
10 September, 3:30pm or 6pm
Join Presenter, Dr Ann-Maree O’Beirne RSM for a Season of Creation Workshop. With a focus on the Ignatian motif of “finding God in all things,” this workshop will explore the wisdom of living our lives through a lens of grace that generates hope for all in our community of creation. Choose from one of two sessions as we take time to discover how God is present in all of creation as experienced in our everyday lives. Register: Graced Encounters in the Community of Creation: Cultivating Hope in Action - Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle
Praise & Worship Experience – NEWCASTLE WEST
24 August, 2:30pm
Supported by Mackillop Parish Charlestown, the Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle invites you to Praise & Worship, a beautiful opportunity to experience and express our Catholic faith through music, led by local worship leaders. All welcome! For more information and to register visit - Praise & Worship Experience - Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle
Children’s Formation - The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd – BERESFIELD
29-31 August (Level One)
The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is offering a formation opportunity for those interested in facilitating faith formation of children aged 3-12. The central aim of this faith formation program is to enable the child to experience and form an authentic relationship with God using sensory rich materials. Level One course is for adults working with young children. It is a pre-requisite for Levels Two and Three that cover training for the formation of 6-12 year old children. Contact Siubhan Sadler on 0432 477 181 or email chisholm.atrium@gmail.com.
Ecumenical Quiet Garden Day – MURRURUNDI
Friday 5 September - 9:30am
Step away from the busyness of life and enter a gentle, reflective space in the spirit of shared Christian friendship. This ecumenical retreat day invites all to pause, listen deeply, and discover anew the presence of God in stillness, nature, and community. Learn more: Ecumenical Quiet Garden Day – Murrurundi - Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle
aMeN caMiNo Weekend Experience – MYALL COAST
Saturday 6 / Sunday 7 September
Experience an aMeN caMiNo weekend walk during this year's Season of Creation at the beautiful Myall Coast. Suitable for both beginner and practiced walker, with opportunities for prayer and reflection in nature, set amongst the beautiful wildflowers and gorgeous coastline. Join us for one day or two, walking 5km or 12kms. Start and end point is St Stephen’s Catholic Church, Tea Gardens. Learn more: aMeN caMiNo Weekend Experience - Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle
NATSICC Assembly – POKOLBIN
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. Full week and day registrations available. For more information and to register visit - 2025 Assembly
Australian Catholic Youth Festival - MELBOURNE
29 November – 3 December
Registrations are filling fast 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. For more information and to register visit - Australian Catholic Youth Festival - Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle
On Wednesday 13 August, the Religious Education & Spirituality team hosted its inaugural Liturgy Symposium. This day was attended by those working in Religious Education Coordinator (REC) and Ministry Coordinator (MC) roles in our schools, aspiring RECs and MCs in the SEEDS program, as well as diocesan clergy.
The symposium was bookended with lively celebrations of liturgy, modelling creative approaches that encourage full, conscious, and active participation from the congregation.
The day’s presentations began with a keynote from Br Michael Callinan fms, Associate Director of Marist Schools Australia’s Mission and Life Formation Team, who shared his understanding of the hallmarks of high-quality liturgical experiences. This presentation challenged participants to consider the strengths and weaknesses of their celebrations, how the treasure of the Catholic tradition can contribute to their efforts, and provided practical strategies for engaging leadership of liturgy and prayer.
Participants then had their choice of five workshops throughout the day, covering topics that included crafting quality prayers of intercession, models for student leadership in liturgy and retreat spaces, and choosing appropriate liturgical music. There was a palpable energy as participants moved throughout the various workshops, deepening their understanding in this vital area of their ministry.
The Religious Education & Spirituality team would like to thank all those who attended and those who supported this event with their rich contributions. Due to the success of this inaugural event, the next symposium is earmarked for 2027.
Can you write a book in a day? We did! 35 students in 5 teams accepted the challenge on Friday August 8 from 8am to 8pm. Students from Year 5 to Year 9 were involved.
Write a Book in a Day is a fun and creative team writing competition for students in years 5 - 12 with some very unique aspects: It involves a collaborative team effort (5 – 10 per team) where students plan, write and illustrate a book. Every story grows from a unique set of parameters given to each writing team, the book must be completed within 12 hours. Completed books are shared digitally with children in hospitals across Australia. In 2024, 523 schools and writing groups from across Australia participated
This wonderful project covers advanced curriculum outcomes, provides a hands-on learning experience, engages High Potential and Gifted students in teamwork, inclusiveness and collaboration, provides an opportunity to teach empathy and engages the wider community.
The result is hours of entertaining and inspirational reading for sick kids in hospital. Plus, all sponsorship funds raised go toward scientific research to discover better treatments and ultimately a cure for children with cancer.
The Kids’ Cancer Project is an independent national charity supporting childhood cancer research. Since 1993, thanks to strong community support, the charity has contributed tens of millions of dollars to research projects to help children with many types of cancer.
We are so proud of our students’ efforts on the day.
Ms Alana Partridge (Pedagogical Mentor)
Mr Nigel Richardson (Gifted Education Mentor Project Officer)
St Catherine’s Catholic College Singleton
ASPIRE 2026 Production – AUDITIONS ARE NOW OPEN!!!
Register TODAY: https://forms.office.com/r/8MEB5G79rA
Further Information: https://www.mn.catholic.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/0008436-CS-ASPIRE-2026-Info-Sheet-A4-INHOUSETRIMF-combined-1.pdf
ASPIRE Battle of the Bands Final – Purchase your tickets
- Tues 19 Aug 2025
- ⏰ 6 pm
- Warners Bay Theatre, baramayiba
Battle of the Bands is a competition for schools from the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle. Join us for an evening of excellence in live performance and music as the bands battle it out for the chance to be crowned winner. It is sure to be an exciting spectacular!
Purchase your tickets here: https://events.humanitix.com/aspire-battle-of-the-bands-2025-secondary-schools
ASPIRE Young Actors Program Presents “The Missing Diary”
- Fri 29 Aug 2025
- ⏰ 11am & 7pm
- Performance Arts Culture Cessnock
Darren writes in his diary every day. He puts all his thoughts in there. What he thinks about people at school, the race for class president , even what he dreams about.. It comforts him to write things down until One day he can’t find his diary and he feels like his voice has been taken away. Join Aspire’ Young Actors program in this relevant original play about friendship, imagination, and acceptance.
Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.mypacc.com.au/Whats-on/25-Aspire
ASPIRE WOW GALLERY - Submissions are OPEN
Your submission should be your own personal interpretation of ‘Finding WOW in the Everyday - How ordinary moments can be extraordinary.’ Your artwork can be created in any medium, it’s completely up to you! You will just photograph or film your artwork and submit via the form.
Submit your artwork NOW: https://form.jotform.com/250408147207855
2025 Create Choreographic Program – Regional Workshops
ASPIRE invites interested students to participate in the Create Choreographic Project which offers Stage 2 and 3 students the opportunity to participate in an intensive contemporary dance and collaborative choreographic program.
Register TODAY: https://forms.office.com/r/wN49gqcfa8
Further Information: https://www.mn.catholic.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2025-FLYER-CREATE-CHOREOGRAPHY-Regional.pdf
2025 Create Content Choreographic Program
Spend two days creating a choreographic artwork to be filmed and edited by a professional director and videographer. You will work as groups and solo to achieve a unique choreographic video to use for show reel and content purposes.
Register TODAY: https://forms.office.com/r/EDURw28qhT
Further Information: https://www.mn.catholic.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/ASPIRE-Create-Content-Choreographic-FLYER-SENIOR-2025-1.pdf
2025 Senior Theatre Makers Program
ASPIRE’s Senior Theatre Makers Ensemble is for students in Years 9-12. This initiative is all about the devising process. Working as a company of theatre makers the group will create an original performance piece that will be shared at the end of the process at the Playhouse, Civic Theatre in Newcastle.
Register TODAY: https://forms.office.com/r/WZyavrb1kx
Further information: https://www.mn.catholic.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/0008759-CSO-ASPIRE-STM-A4-01_TRIM-IN-HOUSE-WEBF.pdf
ASPIRE VOICEVOX - Secondary Choir Positions still available
The diocesan vocal program VoiceWorx is open to any diocesan student who wants to join a vocal group or choral ensemble and learn more about singing with like-minded students.
Register TODAY: https://forms.office.com/r/iniPJ8LbEH
Further information: https://www.mn.catholic.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/ASPIRE-VoiceWorx-Secondary-2025-FLYER.pdf
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AEDC NSW Reports Update
The AEDC 2024 NSW data report provides a summary of NSW AEDC data and explains data outcomes for children from various equity backgrounds. This report can be used by families, stakeholders and communities to plan, develop initiatives and measure the impact of these initiatives on developmental outcomes.
You can find the National and NSW reports on the AEDC reports page.
*Please note, this AEDC reports page refers to the AEDC on Scout. Currently, all NSW Catholic Schools do not have access to their AEDC school profiles on Scout. This is only available to NSW Department of Education schools. If you require access to your school’s AEDC School Profile, please contact the AEDC NSW project team aedc@det.nsw.edu.au or the AEDC Helpdesk helpdesk@aedc.gov.au for support.
Upcoming Webinars
You can also engage with the 2024 AEDC data at upcoming webinars in August & September:
T3 Week 6 - 26 August: ‘New findings from the AEDC: Implications for policy and practice in NSW’. Register now
In this webinar, Dr Mary Taiwo, AEDC NSW state Coordinator with the NSW Department of Education, will present the 2024 AEDC findings for NSW and share how they can be used by practitioners and policy staff. Mary will present case studies that show AEDC data has been successfully used in the early years context. Lauren Anderson and Toni Kember from the NSW Department of Education will discuss the broader implications of the AEDC findings and how they are informing changes to key educational policies and programs, including early learning environments and the Brighter Beginnings program.
T3 Week 7 - 3 September: ‘Responding to the 2024 Australian Early Development Census – Planning your next steps with Nathan Wallis’. Register now
In this session, Nathan Wallis (International consultant on child development) will discuss what the research tells us are the most effective, low-cost techniques that can be implemented immediately to support the vulnerabilities identified in emotional maturity, language and cognitive skills (school-based), social competence domain and the communication skills and general knowledge domain measured in the 2024 AEDC NSW data. These techniques can be adopted by both children and caregivers to increase the resilience of emotional maturity and repertoire of skills in the children we work with.
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
Catholic Schools NSW is thrilled to invite early years educators to the 2025 Early Years Symposium.
Date: Thursday, September 4, 2025 (Term 3, Week 7)
Time: 9am – 3pm
Location: Australian Catholic University - North Sydney Offices
8-20 Napier Street Tenison Woods House North Sydney, NSW 2060 Australia
Cost: $160
In light of recent national events highlighting critical gaps in child safety and wellbeing, Catholic Schools NSW is honoured to welcome Commissioner Anne Hollonds to the Early Years Symposium.
Commissioner Hollonds, Australia’s National Children’s Commissioner, has been a leading voice calling for urgent reforms in early childhood care and education. This is a rare opportunity to engage directly with her on live issues shaping the future of child safety, leadership, and policy in the early years space.
Featured speakers include:
Br David Hall fms
Dean of La Salle Academy, Australian Catholic University
Br David Hall will offer an insightful Catholic perspective on the day’s theme, thoughtfully aligning it with the spiritual significance of the Jubilee Year of Hope.
Dr Amie Fabry
Director of Early Childhood, The Learning Future
We are pleased to welcome Dr Amie Fabry, a passionate educator, researcher, and thought leader in early childhood education. In this session, Dr Fabry will explore the critical role of early childhood leadership in shaping school cultures that support children’s transitions and lifelong learning. Drawing on her groundbreaking PhD research and her pioneering framework, Lead with Intention, she will challenge us to rethink how we position the early years within the broader school ecosystem.
Topic: Leading Early Years for the Future: The Case for Early Childhood Leadership in Schools
Experts from the Australian Institute of Family Studies
Presenting key findings from their rapid evidence review on Understanding Preschool Delivery and other significant early years research.
This event is designed for NSW Catholic early childhood educators, teachers, and leaders committed to empowering children (0–8) to thrive in the early years and beyond.
Click here to register - Tickets are limited!
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
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This week, we extend our best wishes to all students undertaking the HSC Language Speaking Examinations. We also acknowledge our Dance, Drama, and Music students who are preparing for their upcoming practical assessments.
While the media spotlight will shine in October when the written examinations commence, many of our students are already deeply engaged in finalising their major projects. These include Industrial Technology, Visual Arts, Design and Technology, and Textiles and Design.
The quality of work being produced—guided by the dedication and expertise of their teachers—is truly impressive, showcasing remarkable craftsmanship, creativity, and commitment.
Reflection and Renewal
Last week, Emma Bennis, Leader of Learning English from Catherine McAuley Catholic College Medowie, initiated a review of current programming in Stage 6 in preparation for the implementation of the new English Syllabi in Stage 6 2026.
The opportunity to delve deeply into text choices, as well as forms of Assessment and delivery of curriculum, was an evaluative moment to interrogate the quality of teaching and learning, which was especially important as the College entered its first full cycle of 7-12 instruction.
During the day, I was reminded of the passion of teaching, the spark that ignites when students engage in a text and explore its meaning, bringing their own interpretation and world view to the conversation, or when the imagination is nurtured in the classroom by wonderful educators. The English Faculty at CMCC have been deliberate in their delivery of pedagogy, and this level of intentionality was evident in a range of learning experiences for students and in a cycle of continuous review and renewal. Thank you for a very rich opportunity to be part of this process.
Secondary Pedagogical Mentor Professional Learning Opportunity
Pedagogical Mentors from across our secondary schools met to share practice, spotlighting the sentence writing focus of Trinity Catholic College Adamstown, led by Rachel Logan. Trinity Catholic College has developed a School Improvement Goal in relation to sentence structure. The ‘Bubble Sentence’ method is targeted at improving the overall quality and sophistication of sentences across all Key Learning Areas. The student work samples showcased sentences featuring increasingly complex verb choices coupled with the expansion of ideas. Pedagogical Mentors were also treated to the opportunity to put this learning into practice. A similar initiative has been adopted at St Bede’s Catholic College, Chisholm. There were many moments of sharing throughout the day, with each school highlighting their current focus within the Pedagogy space.
In addition, Education Officer Lauren Carlson led a session entitled, ‘Leading with Insight,’ focused on the research of William Moulton Marston, a physiological psychologist with a Ph.D. from Harvard. This work was pioneered by Marston in 1928 and has been expanded upon by the work of many others throughout the years.
Liz Stokes
System Lead – Curriculum and Pedagogy Secondary
Read LessWe want to let you know that the CDMN iPads at your school will be updated to the latest iPadOS on Friday, 22 August 2025. You may notice a notification about the update on the iPads, but no action is needed from you. The update will happen automatically after 4:30 PM on Friday, August 22, outside of school hours. Please disregard the notification.
An updated version of the Diocese's Code of Conduct is now available.
You can view the link here: Updated Code of Conduct
Dear Principals,
As part of CSMN’s ongoing commitment to enhancing quality and effectiveness, we invite you to complete a brief survey regarding SchoolTV.
SchoolTV is an online platform currently available to all 57 diocesan school communities and offers a wide range of wellbeing resources to support families.
Complete the Survey Here
Your feedback will help CSMN better understand the platform’s perceived value and its effectiveness in supporting school staff as they partner with parents and carers to promote student wellbeing.
The survey should take no more than 5 minutes to complete. Please submit your responses by Tuesday, 26 August.
Thank you for your time and valuable insights.
