Dear Colleagues,

FLOOD EVENT

This week began with chaotic scenes across the Diocese, as many communities experienced significant impacts of the widespread weather event and resultant flooding. Our schools, Early Education Centres and OOSH services were hardest hit in the Manning Region and Dungog, where closures were enacted. I acknowledge the care, compassion and professionalism of all staff in these communities. I am grateful for the leadership of principals and centre directors, as well as the involvement of our Diocesan Shared Service personnel, who provided advice, guidance, direction, and a coordinated response during this difficult and uncertain time.

Our thoughts and prayers remain with all those deeply affected by the devastating storms and mass flooding along the east coast, especially those who have experienced isolation, displacement, loss of property and livestock, impacts to livelihood, and tragically, loss of life. As a Catholic community, we are reminded of the outreach to one another in times of need and are grateful for the courage and expertise of services and agencies who are called to respond.

In times of crisis and anxiety, may we remain ever faithful, trusting and hopeful.

ACSP CONFERENCE 2025

This biannual conference of principals from Catholic Schools across NSW was hosted by the Diocese of Maitland- Newcastle and held in the Hunter Valley. Despite the challenging weather conditions, 350 delegates prioritised this event, coming together to explore the theme, Living Waters: Leading with hope, Inspiring faith communities.

The conference officially opened with the Acknowledgement of Country, expertly led by St Catherine’s College Singleton students under the care of teacher Lisa Hall.

I was delighted to set the scene for the conference, extending a very warm welcome to esteemed leaders, educators, and those in the privileged role of principal in Catholic schools across the state, as well as our Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle.

I share excerpts of my Welcome Address below.

Leadership is a privilege and an honour, but it also carries immense responsibility. The weight of decisions, the expectations of others, the pace at which we must adapt—all of it demands more than most will ever fully understand. Leadership, by its very nature, demands resilience. It asks us to carry weighty responsibilities, navigate complexities, and inspire our staff, our teams, and our communities.

In your unique role as principals, you are tasked with solving problems before they arise, anticipating needs before they are expressed, and guiding those around you, even when you feel depleted.

It is vitally important that we gather this morning not as visionaries and decision-makers, problem-solvers and hand-holders, or strategists and change agents…but as individuals seeking to reconnect with ourselves, with one another, and with the fundamental purpose and mission that brought us to educational leadership in the context of Catholic Education. Today, in this space, we set aside the urgency of doing… and embrace the necessity of being.

Over the next few days, in this beautiful setting, I invite you to reach out to others and strengthen connections with your colleagues and counterparts within and across diocesan boundaries. Authentic connection is the foundation of effective leadership, celebrated in moments of shared understanding, dialogue, trust, and vulnerability.

I encourage you to lean into rest, not as a sign of weakness but as a strategy for sustained impact. This is the space where creativity is born, perspective is refreshed, and strength is restored.

Just as nature embraces seasons of change, I urge you to use this time of renewal to return to your purpose with fresh energy, refined clarity, and a more profound commitment to leading and inspiring your faith communities.

This conference offers a rare moment to pause, reflect, and reignite our passion for leadership. Let us seek opportunities for connection, embrace the rest we deserve, and welcome the renewal that awaits us as people of hope.

The Opening Liturgy was a reflective experience in which the conference theme was beautifully explored. I acknowledge the involvement of our musicians and the ASPIRE dance troupe, under the direction of Lauren Harvey, whose participation was joy-filled.

I recognise the extraordinary contribution of the Liturgy Team, expertly led by Ryan Gato and our CDMN RE&S team. Reflective opportunities over three days called us to engage deeply with the conference themes with relentless optimism in this Jubilee Year of Hope.

“Ours is a hope that has strong roots, which no storm of life can uproot”. “Hope does not disappoint”, Pope Francis.

Keynotes and Masterclasses throughout the conference featured renowned national and international speakers and educational experts. They covered topics including Wellbeing, Leadership, Educational Transformation, opportunities in an age of AI, and the impacts of change. Of note were contributions from Yong Zhao, Derek Wenmoth, Lea Waters, Austen Ivereigh, Simon Breakspear, and Daniela Felecki.

I appreciated the opportunity to dialogue, deeply listen, and walk alongside colleagues in partnership. I wanted to share the joys, complexities, and responsibilities we carry as leaders in the context of Catholic education and transform hearts and minds.

Across our days together, All Saints College Maitland students captured the insights and reflections of principals and leaders. Later in the conference, Bishop Michael joined the delegation to celebrate Mass, a highlight of our gathering.

Congratulations to the organising committee. Your efforts contributed to the success of this fabulous event and are greatly appreciated.

NATIONAL RECONCILIATION WEEK

National Reconciliation Week is observed from May 27 to June 3, commemorating two significant milestones in the reconciliation journey: the successful 1967 referendum and the High Court's Mabo decision. The theme for National Reconciliation Week 2025, "Bridging Now to Next," signifies the ongoing connection between the past, present, and future.

Click here to find out more about NRW.

PODCAST: CELEBRATING GIFTED AWARENESS WEEK

This Saturday, May 24, signifies the commencement of Gifted Awareness Week 2025. To commemorate this significant week, I had the opportunity to converse with Maree Karaka, the Leader of High Potential and Gifted. We discussed this year's theme, Policy to Practice. We outlined how our Catholic Schools identify gifted and talented students while providing the necessary support to enable them to achieve their full potential.

Click here to listen to our conversation on Spotify. 

TENNIS

Tennis NSW, in partnership with the local Catholic Schools Diocese of Maitland Newcastle, has launched a chance for students to engage in tennis as part of their weekly Friday secondary school sports program. This thrilling new secondary competition features modified equipment, numeric scoring, and mixed-gender teams.

Pat Landy and Talor Hamilton met with the Leader of Sport, Bernadette Duggan, to pilot this weekly Interschool League designed to offer students the chance to improve their tennis skills in a supportive and competitive atmosphere. The focus is not solely on identifying the top players but also on encouraging participation from those interested, ensuring a positive tennis experience, fostering friendships, and allowing students to represent their school within a team context.

Every week, schools submit their ‘League Points’ scores for each team, which are then compiled into the Competition Leaderboard, accessible via a live link on the Diocesan sports website for everyone to view the results.

https://csnsw.sport/maitland-newcastle/secondary/sport/tennis

With my best wishes,

Jacqui