CEB Staff Newsletter #32 - 13 October 2023
People & Development Update
Engagement Survey Update
At the July CEB staff gathering, we tabled a set of nine proposed areas for CEB-wide focus informed by previous feedback from the Engagement Survey. Positively, feedback from the July workshop highlighted that the team debriefs and ongoing attention in teams is addressing the key areas for improvement.
The most frequent focus area for improvement was communication. The feedback suggested that with a CEB-wide focus on communication, as outlined below, an uplift would be felt across the organisation, supporting engagement and a positive culture.
Some of the things proposed to keep communication in focus include:
Crucial conversations
- Encouraging participation in Crucial Conversations PD by all CEB staff.
- Use the framework of Crucial Conversations to provide feedback and have necessary conversations, even tough ones.
- Being cognisant of the link between the principles of Catholic Social Teaching (in particular, the Dignity of the Human Person), Dialogue (listening to understand and without judgement) and Crucial Conversations.
Communicating – flow of and connection to information at a team level
- Provide regular feedback and recognition of efforts - consider existing tools available to do this.
- Continue to consider ways of being inclusive to all team members in all office locations.
- Engage in genuine dialogue with people.
- Keep Engagement Survey actions on the agenda for teams to work on.
Spirit of communication - across DOBCEL
- Partnering and working together for greater outcomes and reduce duplication of effort.
- Presumption of good intent of others, begin with a sense of trust.
So, what can you expect now?
Some whole of organisation actions you can expect:
- Engagement Survey actions to stay on team agendas – noting agenda items may move away from being called ‘Engagement Survey activities’ and name the detail of the actions from the survey feedback.
- Continuation of updates on the Survey and feedback provided.
- The continuation of updates on the survey and iterations to respond to feedback received.
- Crucial Conversations professional learning will be offered a minimum of four times next year – one session per term (please see 2024 PL calendar for dates).
- A continued focus on communication in all directions – top-down, bottom-up, 2-way flow, Dialogue etc.
- An engagement pulse check in 2024, to make sure we are still on track and progressing and to provide another feedback opportunity.
Thank you for your continued support and feedback on the staff engagement survey.
If you would like to read more about the feedback from the July session please click here.
2024 Blended Working Arrangement (BWA)
CEB staff are invited to apply for a new Blended Working Arrangement for 2024. Applications must be submitted to your Team Leader no later than 30 November 2023 for approval.
BWA Operating procedure has been updated to reflect dates for the 2024 school year, updated contact details and to improve overall readability (no material changes have been made).
Staff can access a copy of the updated Operating Procedure, Health and Safety Checklist and Application Form via Knowledge Banks. These resources will provide all the necessary information and guidelines for submitting the BWA application.
Please note, approval of a BWA request is conditional on the home office endorsement by the OHS Coordinator, Leah Crough.
If you have any questions about the Blended Work Agreement, please speak with your Team Leader in the first instance or contact the Human Resources Team.
Catholic Identity & Mission Update
In light of Pope Francis’ apostolic exhortation, Laudate Deum (praise God), following are excerpts from Vatican and Enhancing Catholic School Identity sources, in dialogue with each other.
Please click this link if interested to enter the dialogue and perhaps keep these questions in mind:
- What shared understandings do you see across the two Vatican documents cited and Enhancing Catholic School Identity (ECSI)?
- What is one insight you have gained from reflecting upon the two Vatican documents cited and Enhancing Catholic School Identity (ECSI)?
- What world events happening now could benefit from insights offered from the two Vatican documents cited and Enhancing Catholic School Identity (ECSI)?
- What single thing will I do/change in my life as a result of reflecting on the two Vatican documents cited and Enhancing Catholic School Identity (ECSI)?
Article submitted by Gina Bernasconi.
Staff News
We are delighted to announce the appointment of Jacqui Gore as Education Officer: Learning and Teaching to be based in the Warrnambool office.
Jacqui comes to us from Brauer College in Warrnambool where she was MYLNS Network Literacy Teacher and Literacy/Instructional Coach, as well as a Lecturer for Deakin University in Warrnambool for 2nd Year Preservice Teachers on Student Health and Wellbeing.
Jacqui will commence in the role on Tuesday 17 October.
Article submitted by Sarah Hanley.