CEB Staff Newsletter #45 - 16 December 2022

From the Executive Director

With this being the final CEB Staff Newsletter of the year, I wish to share my own reflections with each of you as fellow colleagues of Catholic Education Ballarat.

2022 continued to present us with challenges, both existing and new. The first half of the year was certainly dominated by the COVID-19 Pandemic, as it complicated our service to schools and to each other. The uncertainty of who may fall ill next, navigating the knock-on effects of seven-day isolation measures, staffing, teaching and servicing implications was an ever-present set of circumstances.

Despite this, each of us persevered and continued to be adaptable throughout this time of adversity.

I am particularly proud of the fact that whenever we could be in schools – we were. This should never be understated. Rather, this is to be celebrated. Our Principals across the Diocese are very grateful for your willingness and dedication to share your knowledge and skills with their school communities.

This celebration is also extended to our ability to quickly come to the aid of schools when things go wrong, or when accidents happen. From logistical planning and support for the extreme weather conditions we have faced this year, to being readily available to provide assistance in response to the terrible Loreto College bus accident.

The very start of this year literally saw a brand-new beginning for Ballarat-based staff. For the first time ever, we shared the same roof as all departments came together, fostering a renewed sense of teamwork and comradery in the new Gillies Street office.

Sometimes, our work extends to state-level. An example of this continues to be the ongoing Enterprise Bargaining Agreement Negotiations, where members of the CEB Team work diligently to ensure that DOBCEL views were well represented.

With our shared dedication to work as partners in Catholic Education and open to God’s presence and pursue fullness of life for all, there are many examples of often times quiet but no less tremendous support to schools from across all of our teams.

Throughout the year, we have been blessed by many new and enthusiastic CEB staff joining our various teams across the Diocese. This increased resourcing is in line with the positive direction required to meet the needs of our DOBCEL Board and schools.

Wrapping up, I wish to thank each of you for all you have done in 2022. I wish you a holy, peaceful and joyful Christmas and earned holiday break.

Tom Sexton
Executive Director, Catholic Education Ballarat

People and Development Update

ONLY 7 SPOTS LEFT!

Workplace Mental Health First Aid training – Pilot Program for CEB Office Staff.

CEB is conducting a pilot program for Blended Workplace MHFA in 2023 and would like to extend an invitation to all CEB Office Staff to take part in the training.

All information regarding the training is available in the attached document below.

If you would like to be a part of this pilot program please send through your interest via email to Tania Lund, Staff Wellbeing and Engagement Advisor by Wednesday 21 December 2022. 

CEB Christmas Giving.

A big THANK YOU to everyone for the donations contributed to Vinnies through the Reverse Advent Calendar Initiative. The Reverse Advent Calendar initiative promotes the act of giving through small acts of kindness for those who are doing it tough at Christmas time.

The reverse calendar initiative also aligns with Catholic Social Teachings Preferential option for the Poor and thanks to your generosity and compassion we have filled seven boxes to support some of our most vulnerable local communities who are experiencing food insecurity this Christmas.

We are also very happy to let you know that through the CEB Staff Donation Program and individual staff contributions via the collection box in the staff room we have been able to donate $550 each to the Vinnies Christmas Appeal and the 2022 Vic Flood Appeal. At total of $1100.
AMAZING!

The Warrnambool Office has also been busy collecting food donation over the last three weeks for Warrnambool and District Food Share, an independent and not-for-profit organisation that provides emergency food relief to the Warrnambool and the South West community for families and people in need.

With the help of 100 volunteers and over 120 partner organisations, Food Share is able to get emergency food out to over 35,000 people each year across South West Victoria through emergency food hampers, food programs in schools, community meal programs and via large charities like St Vincent DePaul, along with community and church groups.

Articles submitted by Tania Lund

Central Zone Mass - Ballarat Diocese

CEB staff are invited to join colleagues from Central Zone Primary and Secondary School communities to celebrate the beginning of the 2023 school year with mass at St Patrick's Cathedral.

Further details can be found on the flyer.

For those who do not work in the Ballarat Office you might like to enquire how your local community is marking the start of the year.

Article submitted by Jo-Anne Bond

Christmas Shutdown Cleaning Schedule - Gillies Street Office

Please note that the last day for cleaning at the Gillies Street Office over the Christmas Shutdown Period will be on Friday 23rd December.

Cleaners will commence back in the office in the afternoon on Friday 13th January to undertake a detailed clean prior to return of staff on Monday 16th January when the normal cleaning schedule will resume. 

It is also requested that all staff please remove any food from fridges over the closure period.

Article submitted by Ashley Wiseman

Staff News

Debbie Stabek 

After almost 21 years of dedicated service to Catholic Education Ballarat, Debbie Stabek will say goodbye at the end of the year. Debbie has seen incredible change over her time with us, starting in a receptionist/administrative support role for a team of just six Central Zone people in what is now the MacKillop/Glowrey Room in Dawson Street South. This team included current staff: Susan Rampling, Robyn Cranage, Allan Hutchison, Jeanette Morris and Lee Schlooz.   

Deb then moved into a role that saw her working with Central and Northern Zone Principal Networks, before another restructure required her to take on the coordination of DET meetings, retreats and Diocesan professional development events. This included the Diocesan 30 Year Awards event that is still a highlight of the CEB calendar each year. 

Now a much-valued member of the People and Development Team, Debbie has supported her work colleagues in so many ways. She goes with our sincere thanks and very best wishes. We will miss her greatly. 

Vicky Hodgson and Paul Brown – Compliance and Risk Support Officers 

Vicky Hodgson and Paul Brown will commence with CEB in January 2023 as Compliance and Risk Support Officers. 

Vicky comes to us from Federation University where she has been Project Manager in Policy and Quality Assurance Services. 

Paul has been a Risk and Compliance Officer in the Hampden Catholic Schools Network for the past 5 years. 

Jacqui Pierce and Maria Richards – Education Officers 

Jacqui Pierce and Maria Richards will join the Wellbeing Team as Education Officers in January 2023. 

Jacqui will come for a brief secondment from St Patrick’s Parish School, Ballarat and Maria will be servicing schools in the Mid-north. 

Article submitted by Jo Huntley

Career Opportunities in the Diocesan Education Community

Catholic Education Ballarat

• Finance and Fleet Officer – full or part-time opportunity (closes 23 January) 
• Education Officer (Learning and Teaching) – Mildura, Swan Hill or Horsham – full or part-time opportunity (closes 1 February) 

Article submitted by Jo Huntley