Dear colleagues,

The Sisters of St. Joseph in the Diocese of Armidale

The Diocese of Armidale is proud of our part in the Josephite story. Invited into the Diocese by Bishop Torreggiani at a difficult time for Saint Mary and the sisters, the first Josephite Sisters arrived in the parish of Tenterfield on 30th March 1880: Sisters Mary Gonzaga, Mary Justina, and Mary Cyril. Their mission was to provide basic care for poor families, educate their children, and teach them the Catholic Faith.

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Chris Smyth

Director of Schools

I firmly believe, as do many other wiser individuals than me, that we are relational beings and that we need to be in loving relationships to be fully human.  We need to love who we are, love others and be loved by others.  Being in true loving relationships is what will bring me true joy in my life.

Too easily we can get caught up in thinking that all these material things are what will bring me joy.  I think they can bring you a sense of happiness (until the next best thing comes along) which is a short term feeling.  True joy comes from a deeper, more spiritual place in our being.

In yesterday’s Gospel (Jn 6:24-35) the crowds come looking for Jesus and they too have missed the point of Jesus’ teaching.  They think because he has just fed them (miracle of the loaves and fishes) he will continue to meet their physical, short term needs.  But what Jesus was trying to communicate to them was that he is not here to give them quick fix physical or mental nourishment but a deep spiritual nourishment and way of seeing the world that will provide a more lasting, nourishing and joy filled life.
 

Therefore one loving relationship we Christians do need to nurture is our relationship with Christ.  We need to grow in our understanding of his teachings, his values to live by and be able to listen “with the ear of the heart”, as St Benedict tells us, when he speaks to us through our daily lives.

If we can, in faith, truly believe Jesus’ words of, “I am the bread of life.  Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty” then we can truly live joy-filled lives full of opportunities for love.

Gary Burdett

Deputy Director

Expression of Interest to be appointed to another Armidale Diocesean School
Expressions of interest are now open for teachers to express an interest in being appointed to another Armidale Diocesean School. Expressions of interest are made through the principal at the school where the teacher is employed using the Expression of Interest To be appointed to Another Diocesan School Form. 

The current principal provides a statement endorsing the application. Expressions of interest are to be forwarded to the Employee Services Team at the Catholic Schools Office by Friday 6 August 2021, email jobs@arm.catholic.edu.au

(Leanne Woods)

Working With Children Check Extended For Three Months

The Office of the Children’s Guardian (OCG)  has advised that working with children checks due to expire between 19 July 2021 and 26 September 2021 have been extended for three months. The three-month period applies from the date of the person’s current expiry date. Anyone granted an extension will be advised by email from the OCG.

(Leanne Woods)

Income Statements for 2020-21 Financial Year

Term 3 - Curriculum Audits

A reminder to Leaders of Curriculum - 

Stage 5 PDHPE  - documentation due Friday 6th August 

Audit zoom is on Friday 13th August

Please register here

Stage 3 PDHPE  - documentation due Friday 20th August

Audit zoom is on Friday 27th August

Please register here
(Kerrie Priddis)

Diocesan Men's Gathering

These gatherings are a project of the Australian Catholic Bishops’ Conference. See link. There are two phases but participation in the first, while recommended, is not a prerequisite for participation in the second. In the first, available from early August, men in small groups from parishes, schools etc. are invited to come together for three one hour sessions, each based on a pre-recorded talk of about 20 mins. For Phase 2, a gathering is planned to take place at St Nicholas’s Tamworth on Saturday 16 October. Male staff members are urged to consider taking part, either as part of a parish group or by forming a school-based group. If the group is school-based, a leader should contact the organisers as indicate in the linked flyer.
(Gerard Hore)

Catholic Mission: “One Heart, Many Voices” Virtual Conference

RECs may wish to consider their schools’ being involved in this event (1-3 September). Registration not only leads to participation if and when time allows but also to access conference materials after conclusion of the event.
(Gerard Hore)

Vinnies Winter Sleepout Postponed

The COVID outbreak has led to the postponement (perhaps optimistically?) of the sleepout until 27 August. So schools can still register.

While the Society of St Vincent De Paul is not an official Diocesan or Papal Agency  (unlike Caritas or Catholic Mission respectively) most Australian Catholics recognise “Vinnies” as another marvellous example of the Church in action. See this for information about Vinnies’ 2021 Winter Sleepout. Schools may wish to engage in it as their additional “charitable works fundraiser” for this year.

(Gerard Hore)

Health and Safety Committee Training For High Schools POSTPONED

The event scheduled for 12 August 2021 to be held at McCarthy Catholic College has been postponed until further notice.

(Geraldine Chapman)

Professional Development Update

NESA is still updating eTAMS to reflect the new PD policy changes. Please continue to log Elective PD on your NESA account. The CSO will communicate to schools the new processes once NESA has updated eTAMS. Please contact Millie Woolaston if you need assistance.
(Millie Woolaston)

New Teachers Updating Employment on eTAMS

Please ensure you update your employment by attaching yourself to your current school on your NESA account. Please Contact Millie Woolaston if you need assistance.
(Millie Woolaston)

Extension on Maintenance of Accreditation and Proficient teacher Accreditation due this term
Teachers who are overdue or due to complete Proficient Teacher accreditation or maintenance of accreditation in Term 3, 2021 have been given an extension to the start of Term 4, 2021 (5 October 2021).

(Millie Woolaston)