Catholic Schools Maitland-Newcastle proudly celebrated the outstanding achievements of students and staff from across the Diocese at the Catholic Schools Awards Evening, an event recognising excellence, dedication and service within Catholic education.
Held as a celebration of the many successes witnessed each day across the Diocese’s schools, the evening brought together students, families, staff and leaders to honour the achievements of the 2025 Higher School Certificate cohort, alongside the extraordinary contribution of teachers, leaders and support staff who continue to shape the lives of young people.
The evening showcased the richness and diversity of Catholic education across the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle, highlighting schools as places of faith, learning and transformation where Jesus Christ remains at the heart of all they do.
The first awards presented recognised the academic excellence of students in the 2025 Higher School Certificate. The HSC Awards celebrated the dedication, perseverance and commitment demonstrated by students throughout their senior studies, acknowledging exceptional achievement across a range of disciplines.
Attention then turned to the staff whose commitment and service continue to strengthen Catholic education across the Diocese. Milestone service awards recognised staff who have devoted decades to supporting students, families and school communities.
Recipients of the 25 Years of Service Awards were honoured for their sustained dedication, resilience and unwavering commitment to Catholic education over a quarter of a century.
The evening also celebrated recipients of the 40 Years of Service Awards, recognising individuals whose extraordinary contribution has left a lasting impact on generations of students and colleagues.
A particularly moving moment of the evening came with the presentation of the 50 Years of Service Awards. Honouring half a century of faithful service, the awards recognised two remarkable individuals whose lifelong dedication has shaped communities, inspired countless young people and created an enduring legacy within Catholic education.
Guests also heard from inspiring keynote speaker Natalia Hogan, a proud graduate of St Paul’s Catholic College, Booragul. Since graduating, Natalia has built a successful career as a physiotherapist with Up N Adam Performance Training and Physiotherapy while also becoming an accomplished endurance runner and advocate for young people experiencing homelessness.
Natalia shared insights into her remarkable ultra-marathon initiative, “Running Home”, where she ran more than 170 kilometres from Sydney to Newcastle, raising awareness and vital funds for vulnerable young people. Her story of courage, resilience and compassion reflected the values nurtured within Catholic Schools.
The evening concluded with the presentation of the Emmaus Awards, which formally recognise and celebrate outstanding contributions to Catholic education within the Diocese. Each recipient was nominated by peers and school communities, reflecting the deep respect and admiration earned through their dedication, leadership and service.
The Catholic Schools Awards Evening once again highlighted the extraordinary people who make Catholic education in the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle such a vibrant, faith-filled and inspiring community.
