CEB Staff Newsletter #8 - 15 March 2024

Office closure 2024-25

CEB Reconciliation Action Plan

All interested CEB colleagues are invited to the next meeting of the RAP Working Group which will be held in the Training Room (and online) on March 26 between 9.30am and 11.00am.  

In the second half of 2023, the group gained a shared understanding of the purpose of a RAP and began to articulate why this was important for CEB. Our discussions then moved to how this might be lived out in our context.  

At the upcoming meeting the group will be asked to consider an early draft of the document based on contributions from our November work. Attendees are invited to look over this draft prior to the meeting. 

As always, any participation or engagement with this process is welcome. Participants are able to attend part of the session or catch up with the minutes which will be published in a future staff newsletter.  

Please contact Joe Ewing, Jeanette Morris or Helen Christensen for further information.

Article submitted by Joe Ewing.

Learning Diversity Team recognised as early champions for Inclusive Education!

The CEB Learning Diversity Team is thrilled to share some exciting news with our Catholic Education Ballarat community! In the foreword of the eagerly anticipated Second Edition of "Inclusive Education for the 21st Century," our efforts have been recognized as early champions for Inclusive Education.

This acknowledgment is a testament to our unwavering commitment for all students to access education on the same basis as their peers.

Many of you may recall the invaluable insights shared during Kate de Bruin's visit in 2020, where she engaged with Learning Diversity Leaders and shortly after, Principals. This recognition reaffirms our longstanding dedication to ensuring every individual feels valued, respected, and empowered within our educational community.

We extend our gratitude to our 2020 CEB EO:LD Team (Susan Rampling, Monique Ryan, Kate Sadler, Jacqui Righetti, Lesley Price and Lisa Templar) and celebrate all Learning Diversity Leaders who work tirelessly to strive for excellence in Inclusive Education including our current EO:LD Team (Nicole Jenkins, Maria Richards, Jacqui Pierce, Monique Ryan, Kate Sadler and Lisa Templar)!

Book available here!

Lost and Found - Gillies St Office

Wednesday 13 March, a Stanley Insulated Food Jar was handed in at the Gillies Street office after being located in a pool car.

If you believe this belongs to you, please collect it from the lost and found drawer located at reception.

Two old men riding from the Murray to the Sea for cancer research.

On the weekend of 6-7 April, Jim Waight and Brendan Chalmers are riding from the Murray to the Sea in the 2024 Murray 2 Moyne Cycling Relay. Joining them on this adventure is Paul McDowell, who many would know is the principal of St. Patrick’s Primary School, Gordon. The ride departs Echuca and in just over 24 hours, after 520km, the team will arrive in tip top shape at Port Fairy!

The purpose of the ride is to raise funds for research at the Fiona Elsey Cancer Research Institute Ballarat. The team's motto is “Fighting Cancer on Two Wheels”.

The Fiona Elsey Cancer Research Institute is Australia's one and only regionally based cancer research facility. Each year, The Jimmy’s Licorice Allsorts commits to supporting one PhD research student at the Institute. Our goal this year is to contribute $50,000 to this work. By doing this, the team is not only supporting cancer research, but has the firm intention of promoting science and research outside of the capital cities. Giving opportunities to regional, rural and remote students - allowing regional Victoria to attract and retain the best scientists and further promoting research and development in the country. 

If you can assist us we would be most grateful. Next Friday, 22nd March there is a major fundraiser “A Taste of Shanghai” This is also an event to celebrate Harmony Week and to raise funds for cancer research.

To find out more and to get tickets see the Facebook event or click here.

Some people have also asked how they can make a donation or help? To make a donation to Jim and Brendan’s personal fundraising pages go to:

• Jim - fundraising page
• Brendan - fundraising page

A cost free way that you might like to help, is to share this story far and wide through your own networks and liking and sharing our social media pages, details below.

• Fighting Cancer on Two Wheels - video
• Facebook
• Instagram

Maintenance Works - Gillies Street Office

Please note that there will be some construction maintenance works occurring in various areas of the Gillies Street office on Wednesday 3 April between 8am and 4pm (first week of the school holidays).

Most of the works should only be minor in nature but there may be some noise and disruption on this day.

It is requested that staff please be mindful of these works if working on this day.

Should you have any queries please contact either Ashley Wiseman or Penelope Irish.

Article submitted by Ash Wiseman.

People and Development Update

World Sleep Day - 15 March 2024 

Today is World Sleep Day! World Sleep Day delegates and sleep health advocates across the world will take action in their local communities, clinics, and countries to raise awareness of sleep health.

The 2024 Theme: Sleep Equity for Global Health 
The theme for this World Sleep Day is Sleep Equity for Global Health. Sleep is essential to health, but measurable differences in sleep health persist across populations across the world, creating additional burdens and reinforcing health inequities. 

World Sleep Day is an opportunity to promote sleep health alongside thousands of other sleep health professionals and advocates. When we all promote sleep health and #WorldSleepDay together, our combined effort is greater than the sum of its parts. Spread the word about sleep health on World Sleep Day and help elevate the conversation around sleep! 

Visit the website for more information and resources.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
By Converge International

Our EAP is available to all DOBCEL staff and their families. You can access and book appointments via the Converge App or online via the website.

Use this code when registering and booking online appointments.
Organisation unique code: DIOCQODQ

To access the resources on offer from Converge log into the Portal
 Username: Converge
 Password: eap

Workplace Mental Health First Aid (MHFA)
(Blended training: online and face-2-face)

Training details –

• Self-paced eLearning modules (approx. 5 hours) sent out 4 weeks prior for completion before attending the face-to-face session
• Face-to-Face (F2F) session (approx. 4.5 hours)

Program details:
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is an accredited training certificate in workplaces worldwide and is taught in evidence-based training courses authored by Mental Health First Aid Australia.

Understanding the aspects of Workplace Mental Health awareness and support underpins the importance of the ‘human element’ of any workplace. Mental Health challenges and diagnosed conditions are very common in Australia and understanding the key elements to a Mentally Healthy Workplace are beneficial to all.

Workplace MHFA training is tailored for the workplace environment. MHFA is a practical, skills-based education program that equips adults in the workplace with the skills and confidence needed to recognise and respond to a co-worker or another adult experiencing a mental health problem or mental health crisis.

Youth MHFA and Workplace MHFA training are two distinct programs. While both programs share common goals, the Youth MHFA is primarily designed for individuals who work or interact with young people. Workplace MFHA training focuses on identifying and addressing mental health challenges in a professional setting. It encourages participants to consider the dynamics of the work environment place while providing practical steps when supporting a colleague in the workplace.

Workplace MHFA is designed to build capacity to support adults experiencing mental health problems. Participants who may have already undertaken Youth MHFA will still benefit from attending Workplace MHFA.

Facilitator - Kate Meadows:

Kate is the Director of 'Be More Mindful' and works as a Mental Health Consultant. Kate has 20 years' experience in educational settings, wellbeing and leadership, mental health crisis counselling and referral. Kate facilitates a variety of Workplace Wellbeing material to both corporate and community organisations. Her empathetic and friendly facilitation style makes Kate a highly sought-after facilitator in this field.

Two F2F course options:

Course cost:

• $380.00
• Any further costs, including travel and accommodation, must be covered by the school/department

Contact Tania Lund for any queries.

Articles submitted by Tania Lund.

Catholic Identity and Mission Update

Social Justice - Recognise that We Have Harmed Creation

“…we must examine our lives and acknowledge the ways in which we have harmed God’s creation through our actions and our failure to act” (LS 218). 

ADOPTION OF SUSTAINABLE LIFESTYLES:
The Adoption of Sustainable Lifestyles is grounded in the idea of sufficiency, and promoting sobriety in the use of resources and energy. 

ECOLOGICAL ECONOMICS:
Ecological Economics acknowledges that the economy is a sub-system of human society, which itself is embedded within the biosphere–our common home. 

ECOLOGICAL EDUCATION:
Ecological Education is about rethinking and redesigning curricular and institutional reform in the spirit of integral ecology in order to foster ecological awareness and transformative action.

Be aware of your environmental footprint -

An environmental footprint/ecological footprint takes into account the entirety of supply and demand of goods and services for the planet. 

Each and every one of us has an effect on the environment, be that positive or negative, based on the lifestyle choices we make, for example the amount of natural resources that we consume and the amount of harmful gases that we produce. Calculating our environmental footprint is a fundamental way to measure, monitor and improve the impact we have on the planet. 

Article submitted by Sarah Page.

ECSI Catholic Dialogue School Newsletter

It’s the gift that keeps on giving – ECSI! Prof. Didier Pollefeyt and the KU Leuven Team are delighted to announce the first publication of their Catholic Dialogue School Newsletter! This Newsletter is loaded with resources, Professional Devt Materials, videos, Tips of the Month and more!

The Newsletter is for everyone. It is not restricted to Religious Education - Catholic Identity is part of all our work. Subscribe here. Any enquiries please contact Gina Bernasconi.

Lent Has Something to Say

What is your response to the images below? What do you see? What could they be about? In what ways could they speak to each other, be in dialogue with each other? There’s more to read here if you’re interested.

Articles submitted by Gina Bernasconi.

Career Opportunities in the Diocesan Education Community

Catholic Education Ballarat

• Administration, Finance and Fleet Officer – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 17 March)  

Article submitted by Sarah Hanley.