CEB Staff Newsletter #1 - 25 January 2024

From the Executive Director

Welcome to all CEB staff to another school year - and a warm welcome to our new staff. I look forward to talking with you at our first CEB staff meeting on Monday.

On Monday, CEB staff are invited to join the staff of our schools to attend Mass in the Central Zone and the Southern Zone, commencing at 9.00am. We encourage CEB staff within these regions to show solidarity with school staff as they commence the school year. More information about Mass can be found in the article below.

Our CEB staff meeting will be held via VC (meeting link). Please see below for an outline of the day.

• 9.00am: Mass with Zone schools

• 11.00am: Executive Director welcome, presentation and updates 

• 11.30am: Presentation by Pasi Sahlberg and Dave Runge on High Performing System of Catholic Schools and Phase 1: The Strategic Planning process

• 11:45 am: Executive Director presentation and updates continues

• 1pm: Lunch

• 2pm: Team meeting time

Early Finish Today
As we enter a long weekend, I am pleased to advise that the DOBCEL offices will be closing at 4pm today. I wish everyone a lovely short break before our school staff officially return for the start of the 2024 school year on Monday.

Tom Sexton
Executive Director, Catholic Education Ballarat

Central Zone Mass - Ballarat Diocese

All CEB staff who will be in the vicinity of Ballarat are invited to join colleagues from primary and secondary schools in the Central Zone of the Diocese for Mass next Monday at 9.00am. Bishop Paul will be our celebrant for this occasion. 

Your attendance is completely optional. Those who came along last year spoke very genuinely about the energy and sense of connection they felt.

Tip – arrive early! We are expecting over 700 people! We look forward to seeing you there!

Article submitted by Jo-Anne Bond.

CEB Staff Meetings 2024

Please download the attachment below for the list of CEB Staff Meetings, dates, times and locations being held in 2024. 

A whole staff CEB meeting has been introduced for Term 4 as it was identified that as a whole staff group, we do not have the opportunity to meet face to face from July through to the following March. This new meeting will lead into the whole staff Mass and dinner.

The Mass and dinner are an opportunity for CEB to recognise the important role that your partners play in their support of you and is a small way in which CEB can say thank you to them.

2024 DOBCEL/CEB Meeting Calendar

Please click the link below to download the final version of the 2024 DOBCEL/CEB calendar.

2024 Meeting Calendar

2024 Spirit of Catholic Education Awards

DOBCEL is proud to continue sponsoring an award aimed at continuing to recognise the outstanding service and leadership within Catholic education throughout our Diocesan school communities, and Catholic Education Office. 

In 2024, the refreshed awards, align with the DOBCEL strategic priorities, which are positioned to support the DOBCEL vision “as partners in Catholic Education and open to God’s presence, we pursue fullness of life for all.”

All DOBCEL employees are encouraged to nominate an individual or team who consistently performs in an exemplary way. Nominees can be from a school in the Diocese of Ballarat or Catholic Education Ballarat (CEB office).

Nominations can be submitted for any of the following five categories –  

• Building inclusive Catholic learning communities.  
• Empowering all to flourish.  
• Fostering inspiring leadership.  
• Achieving best practice. 
• Enhancing family engagement, governance, and stewardship.

Each award category has a series of criteria based on the opportunity questions detailed in the DOBCEL Strategic Directions 2020-2024 document.

At least one award recipient will be selected, with a maximum of three awards each year. Award recipients will be presented during the Catholic Education Week Dinner. All nominees will be acknowledged in some way.

To view more information about the Spirit of Catholic Education Week Awards, please click here.  

Nominations open on Wednesday 14 February 2024 and close on Friday 1 March 2024. Everyone is encouraged to get involved and nominate their colleagues.

Article submitted by Fiona Murphy.

Becoming an Ally on Australia Day/Invasion Day

Pope Francis’ 2015 encyclical Laudato Si’ has a deep respect for indigenous people and their culture. Through his writing, Pope Francis declares his concern for creation and the marginalised, specifically focusing on the struggles of indigenous peoples faced with environmental exploitation and displacement from their traditional homelands, highlighting the need to learn and draw from indigenous views of the world in which we all live:

‘It is essential to show special care for indigenous communities and their cultural traditions. For them, land is not a commodity but a gift from God and from their ancestors who rest there, a sacred space with which they need to interact if they are to maintain their identity and values.’ (Laudato Si’, para 146) 

Article submitted by Sarah Page.

People and Development Update

Launch of the NEW CEB Workplace Giving Program 

In 2024, CEB will launch a new CEB Workplace Giving Program. The Workplace Giving Program aims to promote and support action in advancing the principles of Catholic Social Teaching. As part of the program we have carefully selected two agencies, who live out the principles of Catholic social teaching which were the focus of our last two formation days held at VEMI in Macedon.  

The two selected partners are the Ballarat Catholic Bishop’s Charitable Fund and Caritas Australia.  

Donating to these agencies through workplace giving allows you to make regular donations through your pre-tax pay. Small contributions can have a big impact and every dollar can change lives. Participating staff can select any amount of money to contribute pre-tax from their fortnightly pay to contribute to one or both partners and can change these amounts at any time.  

 Click here to view the CEB Workplace Giving Program FAQs or to participate in the program complete the CEB Workplace Giving Payroll Form, which is accessible via Knowledge Banks, and submit via email to payroll@dobcel.catholic.edu.au. The program will officially commence the pay cycle starting 29 January 2024.   

The current staff donation scheme concluded on the 1 December 2023, and we would like to extend appreciation to those who have participated for your support and generosity. Your contributions have made a significant impact to those supported by Catholic Mission – Myanmar and various agencies throughout the years via the Office Donation Fund. 

 We look forward to providing you with updates on the CEB Workplace Giving Program in the future. 

Please contact Tania Lund, Staff Wellbeing & Engagement Advisor if you have any questions on the program. 

Public Holidays – first half of 2024 

Labour Day 
Monday 11 March is the Labour Day public holiday. A leave form is not required, this is a statewide public holiday. 

Easter period 
Friday 29 March through to Monday 1 April are public holidays celebrated in most states, starting an extra-long weekend for the Easter period. A leave form is not required, these are statewide public holidays. 

ANZAC Day 
Tuesday 25 April is the ANZAC Day public holiday celebrated nationally. A leave form is not required, this is a statewide public holiday. 

CEB Christmas Giving - 

Thank you messages from Catholic Mission and St Vincent de Paul Society.

Catholic Mission – Myanmar 

We give sincere thanks to all involved who have made this very generous donation possible. You'll be aware that the establishment of Catholic education in Hakha, Myanmar, was made possible because Educational Leaders from the Ballarat Diocese conducted much needed teacher training modules to young teachers over successive years. 

Even in challenging times, Catholic Mission is committed to our ongoing partnership with St John's school in Hakha, and we are delighted to know that CEB makes this possible through your support. 

St Vincent de Paul Society - Wendouree

Flourish Wellbeing e-Magazine – January 2024 

The January 2024 edition of Converge International’s Flourish Health and Wellbeing eMag is now available. 

Featured Articles:

• Are the January Blues Real in Australia 
• Critical Event Stress 
• Mediation Myth Busting 
• Podcast – Do It Yourself Coaching  

Also in this edition: 

• BODY - Sound Advice, BodyWorx - Appendix  
• CONVERGE - Setting your New Year Workplace Goals, Your Happiness 24/7
  
• NOURISH - Lunch Box Safety, Mixed Bean Greek Salad Recipe, Feeding Family
• MOVE - Stretch, Get Flexy, Soccer
• CALCULATE - UV Levels 
• SLEEP - Jet Lag
• WORK - Work Life Wellbeing
  
• MONEY - What makes super so attractive
• And more! 

For more information about the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) visit Converge International website.  

Articles submitted by Tania Lund.

Early Career Teacher Days 2024

Graduate and Early Career Teacher program days will take place on the following dates throughout 2024. To encourage participation and decrease travel time for people in the north, program days in terms one and two will be run in two locations (Ballarat and Robinvale). The content on both days will be the same, and participants should only attend one day.   

If you know an early career teacher, please share these dates with them! 

Try-booking links will be available soon and published in the Wednesday newsletter for attendees to book a spot.  

Article submitted by Fiona Murphy.

Crucial Conversations - Feb 28 & 29 2024

• Time - 9:00-4:30
• Location - CEB office or Glowery Room, St Patrick’s Cathedral (location will confirmed with participants)
• Cost $500 (inclusive of learning materials (3 x books), morning tea and lunch)

Crucial Conversations teaches a model for effective communication, that can be applied to any situation, but particularly difficult or high-stakes situations. It focuses on fostering dialogue, managing emotions, and achieving mutual understanding. The model helps to navigate high-stakes discussions with openness, respect, and skill, enhancing relationships and driving positive outcomes. 

This program is designed for anyone who would like to develop skills in providing effective feedback and fostering open dialogue. The skills can be transferred across a range of situations including providing feedback and fostering open dialogue with colleagues, parents/carers and the community. It is relevant for people working in schools as well as the CEB office. 

Crucial Conversations will be run each term on the following dates -  

• 28 & 29 Feb Ballarat  
• 30 & 31 May Warrnambool  
•  3 & 4 Sep Swan Hill or Mildura location TBC 
• 12 & 13 Nov TBA 

A try-booking link to book a spot in the February session will be available soon.

If you have any queries about the program please contact Fiona Murphy.

Article submitted by Fiona Murphy.

Barefoot Bowls Social Evening

Our first Social Gathering for the year has been organised. An evening of barefoot bowls, drinks and a few laughs.

Details are as follows:

• Date: Tuesday, 27^th February
• Time: 5.30pm to 7.30pm
• Venue: Central Wendouree Bowling Club, 1330 Gregory Street,  Ballarat, VIC. 3350
• Cost: $10 per head payable on the night to cover the bowling.
  • Drinks can be purchased from the bar.
  • BYO snacks to share.

RSVP: To gauge the level of interest, please RSVP to avanberkel@simonschools.net

Article submitted by Ange Van Berkel.

Staff News

On April 6-7, staff members Jim Waight and Brendan Chalmers will be riding their bikes in the annual Murray to Moyne Cycling event!

Departing from Echuca, they will ride 520kms in relay as part of Jimmys Licorice Allsorts Cycling Team to Port Fairy, raising funds for Australia’s only regional cancer research facility, The Fiona Elsey Cancer Research Institute in Ballarat.

Next Sunday 4 February,  the 2024 launch and movie night will be held at Showbiz Cinemas Ballarat with a screening of the movie "The Boys in the Boat".  If you would like to support the team by coming along to this event, details can be found here.

Article submitted by Jim Waight.