CEB Staff Newsletter #30 - 26 August 2022

CEB Staff Formation - 29th & 30th September

Currently, a working party made up of Bernadette Tolan, Matt Byrne and Jim Waight are formulating our two day formation opportunity. As previously advertised the theme of this experience will be around Catholic Social Teaching and the implications for all of our work.

To find out more about Catholic Social Teaching, please see more information on Principles of Catholic Social Teaching via this link.

The video below is also a short worthwhile resource.

The structure of our time will include keynote addresses and workshops of participants choice. You are invited to consider and would be very welcome to present a workshop that has a through line connected to Catholic Social Teaching. Workshops are 45 minutes.

Please contact one of the members of the working party, if you would like to contribute a workshop to our formation experience.

You are encouraged to imagine large and broadly regarding possibilities. For example a hike in the bush may be quite suitable as a workshop, the focus would be on caring for our common home, the earth and time for reflection about care of the environment while hiking. Clear links could be made with Laudato Si regarding care for the earth and what you experienced on your hike. Another example may be to compare and contrast the music of Archie Roach/Paul Kelly with Catholic Social Teaching.

The possibilities are amazing when we imagine big!

Executive Director's Listening Post

Grit: The power of passion and perseverance.

People & Development Update

R U OK?

Thursday 8 September is R U OK? Day and a reminder we need to stay connected and make asking 'are you OK?' a part of our everyday. That way if someone we know is struggling with something big or small, they'll know we care.

You don't need to be an expert to ask someone, 'are you OK?'. Try and make time for regular chats about life's ups and downs so you can build trust. That way when someone is struggling, they'll know you care and will feel comfortable opening up to you. 

It helps to choose the right time and place for a meaningful conversation. 

• On breaks from work or study 
• When exercising or doing activities together online 
• When you're spending time together socially 
• When you're doing an activity side-by-side 
• When you're sharing a meal 
• When you're travelling together, even a short trip can be a good time to talk 

Ask R U OK? No qualifications needed. Because a conversation could change a life. 

As part of the Wellbeing Webinar Series with Converge International, we will be running a session dedicated to RUOK? on Monday 5 September at 4pm. Information and a link to this webinar will be sent out soon. 

If you need immediate crisis or emotional support, you can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) with Converge International is available to all staff and families on 1300 687 327. 

R U OK? is a national charity dedicated to inspiring all of us to have regular, meaningful conversations to support anyone going through a difficult time. For more information visit ruok.org.au 

There are some great resources available online, especially for schools and the workplace. Click here to access.

Staff Wellbeing Webinar Series - Converge International.

Together with Converge International, we are delighted to share with you the 2022 Wellbeing Webinar Series with the first session commencing on Monday 5 September dedicated to RUOK? Day. 

Looking after yourself is important, and we encourage you to make it a priority, each session offers different insights and strategies for supporting our own and others’ wellbeing 

All seminar details, participant handouts, and session links, are available via this link.

CEB Support for Higher Education & Sponsorship– 2023

Applications Open.

Higher education study support is designed to promote ongoing professional learning of the individual and in support of a high-performance culture aligned to our strategic directions.

Higher education study support is offered for higher education studies in an approved course of relevance and benefit to the person’s role and career at Catholic Education Ballarat (CEB) or the wider DOBCEL community.

CEB employees can apply, on an annual basis, for financial support towards higher education and study leave for approved courses of study by the end of August each year using the CEB Higher Education Support Application. In 2022 the process for 2023 applications has been extended until Monday 26th September 2022.

If you are considering studying next year, have a chat with your Team Leader before completing an application. Applicants will be informed of the outcome in writing in writing by the end of the 4th week of Term 4.

For more information, including how to apply, refer to CEB Higher Education Study Support Operating Procedure on Knowledge Banks or click HERE.

Click on links below for the Higher Education Study Support Application form and Study Support Reimbursement Request, which are also available on Knowledge Banks.

Please find the Application Form via the link.

Please find the Reimbursement Request via the link.

Please note this is separate provision to the DOBCEL Sponsorship: Higher Education Studies in Religious Education, Theology, and Catholic Educational Leadership Policy which is designed to specifically promote higher education studies in religious education, theology and educational leadership. It recognises that higher learning in these areas is an important element of contemporary Catholic leadership and teaching that will enhance the Catholic identity and the learning across our diocesan education community, ensure effective learning outcomes for students and support leadership succession. For more information refer to this policy on Knowledge Banks. 

Sponsorship – Applications now open.

Applications for Diocesan Sponsorship in 2023 are now open. Sponsorship is on the basis of: 

• 1/3 CEB contribution; 
• 1/3 School contribution and
• 1/3 Participant contribution 

except where Accreditation to Teach Religious Education is the reason for the study. In these cases, CEB contributes 2/3 of cost and the school contributes 1/3. Sponsorship is for the cost of unit fees and does not include student amenity fees. 

Priority courses for 2023 are: 

• Graduate Certificate in Teaching Religious Education (CTC and/or YTU) 
• Graduate Certificate Catholic Studies (ACU)
• Master of Theology (Research) (ACU)
• Master of Theological Studies (ACU)
• Master of Professional Studies in Theology (ACU)
• Master of Religious Education (ACU)
• Master of Educational Leadership (ACU) 

Applications close on Monday 3 October. See here for further details and for the application form. 

Planning & Infrastructure Update

Traffic Lights.

The traffic lights on the corner of Gillies St and Gregory St in Ballarat (just outside the office) have been turned on.

Please be aware of this as you approach and leave the Ballarat office, as the traffic flow, management and signaling are all going to be a very different to what we have been used to over the last period of time.

Front Entry Facade.

The next stage of works on the front entry of Gillies Street Office is due to commence on Monday 29 August and is expected to continue for a couple of weeks.

This work will consist of the installation of the signage components which consist of stainless-steel lettering and sandblasted bluestone to complement the already installed Corton Steel (a product that is designed to weather overtime and form a rust like appearance).

It is requested that you please be careful when exiting the car park, or are in the vicinity of these works.

Staff News

We Welcome:

Noel Linayao.

We are pleased to announce that Noel is joining the ICT team as an ICT Support Officer and System Administrator in early October. Noel has extensive experience, most recently as Systems Administrator for Dulkeith Computer Solutions, managing and developing IT infrastructure for East Wimmera Health Service, Beaufort and Skipton Health Service, and Boort District Health.

Emily Delves.

Emily has been working with us as a casual employee since May in a range of financial capacities. We are pleased to welcome her as an ongoing member of the payroll team as a part-time Payroll Officer.

Matthew Freeman.

Matthew is joining the Marketing and Communications Team as Communications Administration Officer next week. Matthew has extensive experience, coming to us from Pyrenees Shire where he has been a Council Officer and freelance editor. Prior to this, Matthew was the Communications Officer for City of Ballarat and Senior Advisor for Media and Government Relations with Federation University.

We Farewell:

Pauline Fahey.

Best wishes are extended to Pauline who finishes up with CEB today. Pauline has worked as part of the Learning Diversity Team in the Southern Zone and will be taking up a position on Bathurst Island. We wish her well.

Happy Birthdays!

Remaining August Birthdays.

• Tom Sexton - 29 August
• Paul Jans - 30 August
• Shraddha Khatiwada - 31 August

September Birthdays.

• Lisa Templar - 03 September
• Matthew Macdonald - 11 September
• Fiona Murphy - 14 September
• Ange Jones - 11 September
• Kevin Brodie - 17 September
• Maree Baker - 18 September
• Bernadette Luckman - 24 September
• Debbie Stabek - 24 September

Career Opportunities in the Diocesan Education Community

Catholic Education Office Vacancies.

• Education Officer (Learning Diversity) – ongoing position at 0.6 FTE in the Ballarat Office (closes 29 August)