CEB Staff Newsletter #29 - 8 September 2023
DOBCEL School Visit
Trinity College Colac welcomed members of the DOBCEL Board, Tracey O’Neill, Barry Bennett and Executive Director, Tom Sexton for a tour of their wonderful facilities with some Year 7 students.
The weather held out for a nice walk around the campus, including taking in the athletic track and playing fields, the modern performing arts facility as well as older buildings that date back to 1967 when the Christian Brothers opened Trinity College with 90 students. In 1983, Trinity amalgamated with St Joseph’s College, the Sisters of Mercy girls’ school that was opened in Colac in 1888, and the College has flourished as a thriving community that has been the school of choice for generations of local families.
Staff Formation Workshops
Our staff formation days are not far away (26 & 27 September)! The format of the days has been created as a response to feedback that was sought following our formation experience last year. Our content this year follows on from last year's work on Catholic Social Teaching.
The format will include 3 keynote presentations facilitated by Fr. Justin Driscoll. Two keynotes will take place on day one and one keynote will take place on day two. After each keynote a variety of workshops will be presented. Participants choose 2 workshops for day one and one workshop for day two.
Below are the summaries of the workshops that will be presented over the two days. From here, your job is to sit down with a nice glass of red or cuppa and peruse the workshops and make a decision regarding the three workshops you would like to attend over the two days.
On Monday 11 September, Tina Munro will send out a form asking you to record what workshops you would like to attend. This will be open until 1.00pm Wednesday 13 September. Every effort will be made to accommodate your choices. Participants will be notified on Friday 15 September, of the workshops they are enrolled in.
The agenda and any other relevant details will also be sent to you on Monday 11 September.
Article submitted by Jim Waight.
Catholic Identity and Mission Update
Are you interested in dialogue from a Catholic Ed perspective?
Pope Francis says,
Dialogue is much more than the communication of a truth. It arises from the enjoyment of speaking and it enriches those who express their love for one another through the medium of words. This is an enrichment which does not consist in objects but in persons who share themselves in dialogue.
Pope Francis, Evangelii Gaudium, Apostolic Exhortation (2013), n.142
Similarly, from the Congregation for Catholic Education,
The history of Catholic schools is characterized by welcoming pupils from different cultural backgrounds and religious affiliations. In this context, “what is required […] is courageous and innovative fidelity to one’s own pedagogical vision, which is expressed in the capacity to bear witness, to know and to dialogue with diversity...as well as to “respect students’ different intelligences and guide them towards significant and profound learning”. Accompanying pupils in getting to know themselves…
Congregation for Catholic Education (for Educational Institutions) The Identity of the Catholic School for a Culture of Dialogue (2022) n.27, n.28, n.29.
Please follow these links if interested to read a recent article from the National Catholic Reporter (NCR), Pope Francis blasts reactionary American Catholics who oppose church reform
… in dialogue with an excerpt from, Dialogue as the Future. A Catholic Answer to the 'Colourisation' of the Educational Landscape
In relation to the quotes and readings,
What challenges you?
What do you find affirming?
What questions do you have and where/from whom will you find help?
Article submitted by Gina Bernasconi.
People & Development Update
DOBCEL Staff Wellbeing Survey 2023
You are invited to take part in the DOBCEL Staff Wellbeing Survey 2023.
This survey will take 5 minutes of your time with the objective to assess and quantify the information already gathered during research, consultations, and workshops. Your response to this survey will contribute to the development of DOBCEL’s Staff Wellbeing Framework.
Please note that this survey is not intended to replace or replicate other wellbeing surveys currently used in Schools or the CEB Office, such as Insight SRC, iPulse surveys, ReLATE, Culture Amp, and others.
Flourish Wellbeing eMagazine – September 2023
The September 2023 edition of Converge International’s Flourish Health and Wellbeing eMag is now available.
Featured Articles:
- Supporting Australians during The Voice to Parliament referendum.
- R U OK? Day
- Podcast – Meditation vs Mindfulness
- Be bold this Liptember.
- 7 health ways to deal with anger.
- What’s the best way to move.
- The benefits of resistance training.
- Snooze silence.
- And more!
For more information about the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) visit Converge International.
Article submitted by Tania Lund.
Career Opportunities in the Diocesan Education Community
Catholic Education Ballarat Vacancies:
- Psychologist – ongoing position at 0.8 FTE (closes 15 September)
Article submitted by Sarah Hanley.