Executive Director’s Update to Principals #34 - 4 July 2025

Lee Schlooz Retirement

This week Lee Schlooz has informed Tom of his intention to retire from his position of Education Consultant in the Southern Zone at the conclusion of the 2025 school year. I congratulate Lee on his contribution to Catholic Education over the past 41 years.

Lee commenced his working life in Catholic Education in Alice Springs in 1985 before moving to Altona North in 1989. He commenced in the Diocese of Ballarat as a teacher at St Alipius in 1991. He progressed to Deputy Principal at Our Lady's in Wendouree in 1997 and took up his first principalship of Gordon and Springbank in 2002 following a period at CEB as a curriculum advisor. He moved into the Principalship at Lumen Christi in 2007, where he remained until 2013. Lee then returned to the Catholic Education Office as an Education Consultant in 2014 where he has worked in the service of schools until today.

In notifying Tom of his pending retirement, Lee reflected;

Being an educator in Catholic Schools and CEB has been an important and rewarding part of my life. Throughout my career I have worked with many exceptional educators, children and parents with barely a day passing where I have not been inspired by what I have seen or experienced. I have been privileged to be able to do what I do. I cannot express the gratitude I have for what Catholic Education (especially in the Ballarat Diocese) has afforded me. Throughout it has been both challenging and life giving. Seeing the Gospels in action every day in so many forms is truly a Grace given by God.

I recognise the many colleagues I have worked with throughout my career and their role in bringing joy to what I do.

Lee has worked collaboratively with the principals of the Diocese, particularly in the South and has been an enthusiastic contributor to the work of the DOBCEL team. His work is always grounded deeply in his beliefs, and his Catholic leadership has been fundamental to his contribution.

We are pleased that Lee will remain with us to the end of the year, continuing to support the leadership of schools in the Southern Zone. Recruitment for Lee’s successor will commence in due course.

Please join us in thanking Lee for his outstanding contribution and commitment as an educator, principal, and diocesan leader, and in supporting him as he prepares for this next chapter.

Resignation of Lisa McDonald

For personal reasons, Lisa McDonald has made the decision to resign from her role as Principal of St Joseph’s Primary School Penshurst. Lisa has expressed her gratitude for the support of the school community, particularly acknowledging Mick Ross and Fr Paddy Mugavin.

DOBCEL thanks Lisa for her contribution and service and wishes her all the very best for the future.

To ensure continuity, Sue Paulka will continue to support the school in a leadership and operational capacity during this transition period. Further updates will be shared at the beginning of Term 3.

Primary School Business Central Training

Business Central training for primary schools will begin in late July and run throughout Term 4. Staff will attend a four-day, in-person program covering accounts receivable, accounts payable, fixed assets, banking, and GST/BAS processes, with training aligned to the new SIMON interface.

Training is scheduled across nine regional groups, with sessions held in Ballarat, Hamilton, Maryborough, Horsham, Camperdown, Warrnambool, and Merbein.

Invitations for the first two groups are being sent today; others will follow early in Term 3. Morning tea and lunch are provided and accommodation reimbursement is available if needed.

Time in lieu applies where training falls outside normal hours. Principals will receive tailored training during upcoming Zone meetings. Schools will receive onsite SIMON admin support before training and helpdesk support following go-live.

For full details, download the training overview here:

OHS Updates

Please find an Occupational Health and Safety alert linked below as well as a guide for some new HINT wonderings with the transition to the upgraded platform.