Speaking through a statement to the Catholic Education Diocese of Wagga Wagga (CEDWW), Mr Whelan said he would "not be seeking a return to Kildare Catholic College".

"I also want to thank the Kildare community for the opportunity to be part of the Kildare story, and the wider Diocesan school community for the opportunity to be part of a bigger team doing great work for our students and families," Mr Whelan said.

"I wish the Kildare community and CEDWW, and the new leadership of both, all the best in the coming years."

Since his departure in August 2019, parents and students have continued to call for his reinstatement.

The independent review into the processes and procedures leading to Mr Whelan's resignation resulted in a formal apology from the Reverend Archbishop Christopher Prowse earlier this year.

On Friday, Archbishop Prowse again apologised to Mr Whelan for his unfair treatment at the hands of the CEDWW.

"On behalf of the Wagga Wagga Diocese of which I am the former apostolic administrator, I would like to reiterate my previous apology for the processes that occurred around Mr Whelan's resignation. Mr Whelan is a highly regarded educator of long standing," the Archbishop said.

"The review found that Catholic Education Diocese of Wagga Wagga failed to afford Mr Whelan procedural fairness in its dealings with him prior to his resignation. This was not fitting for a principal of his experience."

Archbishop Prowse furthered the apology by acknowledging, without naming, some of the recent controversies.

"In addition, certain actions taken and statements made by former staff of CEDWW and others following Mr Whelan's resignation caused significant harm to Mr Whelan and should not have been made, and I would like to extend a further apology for these actions and statements," he said.

In response, Mr Whelan thanked the Archbishop for "his commitment to ensuring that Kildare Catholic College continues to be a strong and authentic Catholic school".

On August 17, the school began advertising for a permanent principal to begin next year, following the appointment of Richard Sidorko in the interim.

Since November 2019, Mr Whelan has taken a position at the Armidale Catholic Schools Office. It is understood he will continue in this role.