In a touching gesture intended to ward off the stress of the coronavirus crisis, Catholic schools around the New England region are offering lunch to staff from other schools - free of charge.
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O'Connor Catholic College principal Regina Menz said they made a decision to "pay it forward" after receiving their own random act of kindness.
Ms Menz' sister - from Albury - bought the school morning tea.
The gesture made the staff feel "really valuable" during a difficult time for the state's educators, she said.
"It's really heartwarming, because we're all in it together, we're all trying to do the best for our students to manage their learning and their wellbeing to ensure that we get through this pandemic and we maintain strong relationships."
- Regina Menz
So they decided others deserved the same feeling. Staff donations paid for lunch for three other Catholic schools in the region.
Tamworth's McCarthy Catholic college last week found themselves the recipients of one of those free lunches.
Principal Geoff McManus, who said the gift was a "great surprise," said he particularly appreciated they had sent four different types of slice.
"The idea of pay it forward has really grown some legs," he said.
"I know it made our staff feel really special. The other staff at the other schools have actually contacted me by email."
Mr McManus said their school had already bought lunch for five other schools: St Nick's, St Joseph's West Tamworth, St Edward's, St Michael's in Manilla and St Joseph's Quirindi.
O'Connor Catholic College has already had the gift paid back, getting a free lunch care of St Mary's Primary School Armidale.
Tamworth's St Nicholas Primary School bought lunch for the local Tamworth public school.
Ms Menz said she hopes the gift-giving will help stressed teachers deal with the unprecedented COVID-19 crisis.
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"It's really heartwarming, because we're all in it together, we're all trying to do the best for our students to manage their learning and their wellbeing to ensure that we get through this pandemic and we maintain strong relationships," she said.
As schools start the slow process of reopening, the burden of the coronavirus crisis has meant extra stress for the sector.
"It's not something you think of when you're in teacher's college," Ms Menz said.
"It's been absolutely amazing to watch teachers and students and parents take on this new form of connected learning, it's been outstanding."
Ms Menz said the gesture had particular meaning, because they had been teaching lessons about charity to students.
