CEB Staff Newsletter #30 - 3 Sep 2021
Staff Announcements
Appointment of Education Consultant - Secondary
I am delighted to announce that Tim O’Farrell has accepted the position of Education Consultant – Secondary (view official announcement).
Tim is currently the Manager, Safeguarding and Standard at Catholic Education Ballarat and, previous to his current appointment, was Principal of Trinity College Colac for 10 years. Prior to that he was Deputy Principal of Monivae College, Hamilton.
Tim has a wealth of experience as a leader within the Ballarat Diocese and he knows and understands the context of our secondary colleges. His work in both DOBCEL and MPJP Colleges ensure that he is very well placed to serve the needs of all secondary colleges within the diocese.
The interview panel were very impressed with Tim’s passion for Catholic education and the desire to be of service to our secondary schools. Tim’s knowledge of school improvement, learning and teaching, wellbeing and governance is outstanding and will ensure the best advice and support for our principals. Tim’s experience as Manager, Safeguarding and Standards will be invaluable in his new role.
Tim will commence his new position at the beginning of next year. I offer our congratulations to Tim on his appointment.
Education Consultants – Northern and Southern Zones
I am pleased to advise that Lee Schlooz has agreed to be the Education Consultant for the Northern Zone in Term 4. Chris Robarts will continue on until week 3 of Term 4, before taking a combination of annual leave and Long Service Leave before retiring in July 2022 after a long dedicated career in Catholic education.
Eugene Dalton will continue in the role of Education Consultant for the Southern Zone in Term 4.
I am grateful for Lee, Chris and Eugene’s flexibility to make these arrangements possible. As many would be aware we have advertised for a new Education Consultant for the Northern Zone twice and have been unable to make an appointment. We will continue the recruitment process with the aim of appointing a person to the position for the start of the new school year.
Happy Father’s Day
Happy Father’s Day to all fathers and grandfathers for this Sunday.
Even though we are in lockdown, we hope that you have an opportunity to connect with your families to celebrate this special occasion.
Tom Sexton
Executive Director, Catholic Education Ballarat
COVID Updates and Reminders for CEB Staff
Working On-Site
A reminder that if you can work from home, you must continue to work from home until otherwise advised. If there is an essential reason to visit the office, please refer to the Authorised Worker Permit information in CEB Staff Newsletter #27 (Sunday 22 August) before proceeding.
Working in Schools
We continue to request that staff minimise school contact during this lockdown period, supporting schools remotely where needed. If there is an essential reason to visit a school, please refer to the Authorised Worker Permit information in CEB Staff Newsletter #27 (Sunday 22 August) and CEB Staff Newsletter #28 (Monday 23 August) before proceeding.
Please continue to refer to the Executive Director’s Updates to Principals for COVID updates pertaining to schools.
Updated Authorised Worker Permit Form
An updated version of the Authorised Worker Permit form is now available – this Word version is pre-populated for CEB staff to use and has also been updated in Newsletter #27.
Gillies Street Office Update
Works at the new Gillies Street office are progressing, with demolition completed some weeks ago and the construction of internal walls and services rough-in almost complete, with the plastering and internal glazing to be worked on next.
This project, just like any other, has had some issues along the way, but these are all being worked through to achieve the desired result. However, the most recent COVID lockdown has affected progress as restrictions have limited the construction site to only five workers at any given time.
With the current limitations on construction and some delays with the sequencing of works due to some unforeseen and regulatory issues, it is unfortunately too early to advise an expected completion date and consequently our moving arrangements, however these details will be shared with you as they become clearer.
It is exciting to see the vision of DOBCEL coming together to provide a purpose‐built environment that reflects the Catholic identity of the Ballarat Education Office, and enables and enhances the opportunity for collaboration and partnerships leading into the future.
Click on the photos below to enlarge them and use the Next link to access further photos.
Decommissioning of the Intranet
We are currently working towards decommissioning the old intranet site. Kevin Brodie and Emma Newman have been working with staff to understand what functionality is currently being used, and migrating staff to utilise alternative resources that are available on the DOBCEL and CEB SIMON websites.
If staff are currently accessing the intranet for functionality and resources that are not in the alternative locations, please contact Kevin or Emma to discuss.
Over the coming weeks we will publish advice on the recording of car kilometres and how this will be collected into the future, as well as information on how to achieve intranet functions using other available technology.
Searching previous CEB Staff Newsletters
All CEB Staff Newsletters are now available to search in this google drive. The full contents of each PDF can be searched.
Note that there are now Search buttons in the top and left hand menus linking directly to the google drive for easy access.
If you have difficulty with access, please contact Emma Newman.
CEB Newsletters also continue to be archived in Knowledge Banks under 11. Communications > 2021 CEB Staff Newsletters.
Staff Prayer
A reminder that Staff Prayer will take place remotely on the morning of Monday 6 September at 8.30am. The google meet link and the prayer for the session will be on our SIMON homepage on Monday.
RU OK? Day
This year’s theme for R U OK? Day is “Staying Connected”. We know a powerful way for staff to feel connected is through relationships with their colleagues and the support they experience. Meaningful connection with our workmates and feeling supported by them is invaluable. These connections help us all cope a little better and get through this year in good shape.
RU OK? Day Free Webinar – Thursday 9 September
We are working with our EAP Partner, Converge International, for an online seminar. You do not need to register in advance, simply join the meeting by clicking the link below. We will publish a recording of the webinar for a short time after the event.
When: Thursday 9 September from 4.00 to 5.00pm
Where: via MS Team – click here to join the webinar
The recordings and handouts from our recent Converge International Wellbeing Webinars are available, including the recording from our final session on 31 August.
The Brown Collective Masterclass Webinar Series
Andrew Fuller and Maggie Farrar
The Brown Collective Masterclass Series has the following two webinars coming up:
- Andrew Fuller: ‘Reigniting children’s learning and getting their mojo back’
An exceptional and a valuable resource for teachers and parents alike
Tuesday 14 September, 5-6pm
- Maggie Farrar: ‘Cultivating leadership presence’
For teachers and school leaders
Wednesday 6 October, 5-6pm