CEB Staff Newsletter #10 - 28 March 2024
CEB Staff Meeting: 10 & 11 April
Please find attached below the agenda for the CEB Staff meeting.
As mentioned in CEB Staff Newsletter #7 - 8 March 2024, you are asked to do a bit of ‘homework’ prior to attending on 11 April. Please refer to the list below and listen to at least one podcast and read at least two articles prior to the staff meeting as both Pasi Sahlberg and Dave Runge will be making reference to some of these resources throughout the day. Upon arrival on 11 April, you will note A3 sheets with table listings. This will ensure that table discussion will cover all areas of our staff.
- Michael Fullan and Joanna Rizzotto, Teacher Power Can Be the Force for Education. What Would That Look Like?
- Pasi's publications, Reinventing Australian Schools.
- Podcast - Deborah Netolicky discusses the reinvention of schooling with Professor Pasi Sahlberg.
- Podcast featuring Pasi and William Doyle.
- Michael Fullan’s article, Why We Can’t Escape the Status Quo in Education: 200 years of doing the same thing just won’t cut it.
- Pasi’s recent blog post, Respect our Teachers.
- Podcast featuring Pasi Sahlberg.
- Podcast featuring Dave Runge.
- Podcast by Professor Michael Fullan and consider the question: What do you/we continue to do because that’s the way it’s always been done?
- Wrong Drivers Fullan 2011.
- Right Drivers 2021.
Principal Announcement
Mr Vince Muscatello has advised that he will not be seeking renewal of his contract as Principal at St Paul's Primary School, Mildura beyond the 2024 school year. Vince commenced as Principal at St Paul's in 2013, after eight years as Deputy Principal at Sacred Heart Primary School, Mildura.
Catholic Education Ballarat will now commence the recruitment campaign for a new Principal with an anticipated commencement date of January 2025.
We thank Vince for his contribution to the St Paul's community and Catholic education in the Diocese of Ballarat. We wish him the very best in his future endeavours.
Announcement of Retirement - Murray Macdonald
For those not already aware, Murray Macdonald (Education Consultant – Northern Zone) has advised that he will retire at the end of Term 2.
Murray has had an outstanding career in Catholic education spanning 44 years as a teacher, principal, and Education Consultant, across three dioceses - Ballarat, Lismore, and Sandhurst.
While more will be said later, Murray has left every school community he has been involved with a better place for him being there.
His dedicated service, not to mention his razor-sharp wit, will be greatly missed.
We look forward to formally acknowledging Murray’s career later in the year.
The Education Consultant – Northern Zone position will be advertised on the DOBCEL website early next week.
CEW Mass and Dinner: 3 May
We are looking forward to our Catholic Education Week Mass and Dinner on 3 May and wish to keep you up to date on this event. There are a large number of 30 year service recipients this year and we have a maximum capacity at the Damascus Event Centre of 200. Unfortunately, we need to carefully manage the invitations so that we can ensure we manage the seating arrangements.
Initial invitations have been sent out to the following groups:
- Recognition of 30 years of service to Catholic Education recipients and two guests
- Nominees for the Spirit of Catholic Education Award
- Principals of the above two categories
- DOBCEL Board Directors
As the first round of RSVPs close, numbers attending will be reviewed and further invitations will be sent to the following groups (dependent on available seating):
- Parish Priests
- DOBCEL guests
- CEB staff
It is a sign that as an organisation we are growing, with the number of recipients exceeding numbers over the last few years.
We ask for your patience as we work through the guest list for this important Diocesan event.
Maintenance Works - Next Wednesday
Reminder that there will be some construction maintenance works occurring in various areas of the Gillies Street office next 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.
Social Justice - Easter Reflection
An Easter Reflection
Laudato Si’ Principal - RESPONSE TO THE CRY FOR THE EARTH
The Response to the Cry of the Earth is a call to protect our common home for the wellbeing of all, as we equitably address the climate crisis, biodiversity loss, and ecological sustainability.
ECOLOGICAL SPIRITUALITY
Ecological Spirituality springs from a profound ecological conversion and helps us to “discover God in all things”, both in the beauty of creation and in the sighs of the sick and the groans of the afflicted, aware that the life of the spirit is not dissociated from worldly realities.
Reflection
In response to the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor, Pope Francis, in Laudato Si, calls every human being to work towards “integral ecology”, recognising that “everything is connected”. Through the centuries, though, this connectedness has been broken. Relationships have been fragmented.
Unless we begin to align ourselves with nature,
nature will be endangered
and our own lives with it, our own souls with it…
We are here as part of creation,
not controllers of it and not consumers of it
We are here to find our proper place in it
to grow with all of it.
Joan Chittister
The word "Easter" comes from Old English, meaning simply the "East." The sun which rises in the East, bringing light, warmth, and hope, is a symbol for the Christian of the rising Christ, who is the true Light of the world. Easter is an opportunity to reconsider our relationship to this planet, and a good time to reflect on the truly transformational work that lies ahead. Easter is also an inspirational homage to the possibility that we can live in harmony with our environment.
In 1950, Renowned German theologian and theological peritus at the Second Vatican Council, Jesuit Fr. Karl Rahner, adeptly explained the joyful mystery of Easter, which is, as he put it, "the most human message of Christianity." In his article, “A Faith That Loves the Earth”, Rahner explains that it is not only Easter but all of Holy Week that has significance for more than just humanity alone. There is ecological significance of the Eucharist on Holy Thursday, followed by Christ's death on Good Friday having environmental significance.
“When we say 'amen' to 'the body of Christ,' may we also say 'amen' to our interconnectedness with and interdependence on the rest of creation.”
Fr. Karl Rahner, (1950) “A Faith That Loves the Earth” Geist und Leben Journal
I first heard of Fr. Rahner in an article published in the National Catholic Reporter, on March 22nd 2024, by Daniel P. Horan, in which Horan efficiently explains Rahner’s philosophical view of the joyful mystery of Easter. Rhaner explains that Easter calls us forward "as a loving faith that allows us to be brought along on this unimaginable journey of all earthly reality headed toward its own glory, a journey that started with the resurrection of Christ."
Daniel P. Horan, (2024) “An Ecological Approach to Holy Week” National Catholic Reporter
Eco-action & Prayer
We invite you to take a moment over the coming holy days, to read the article by Horan in full, An Ecological Approach to Holy Week, by Daniel P. Horan, before stepping outside, and entering into nature for an ecological encounter: An Ecological Encounter: Easter 2024
Other significant Ecological and Social Justice Events this week:
Friday 30th March 2024 - 🌏 International Day of Zero Waste
The International Day of Zero Waste, observed annually on 30 March, highlights both the importance of bolstering waste management globally and the need to promote sustainable consumption and production patterns. Every year, humanity generates between 2.1 billion and 2.3 billion tonnes of municipal solid waste. What actions will you take towards zero waste?
Sunday 7th April 2024 - 🌏 ✚ United Nations World Health Day
My health, my right
Around the world, the right to health of millions is increasingly coming under threat. This year’s theme was chosen to champion the right of everyone, everywhere to have access to quality health services, education, and information, as well as safe drinking water, clean air, good nutrition, quality housing, decent working and environmental conditions, and freedom from discrimination.
To find out more visit: World Health Organisation - World Health Day 2-24: My health, my right
Article submitted by Sarah Page.