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