CEB Staff Newsletter #18 - 7 June 2024
Staff News
We regretfully announce the resignation of Maree Baker as Manager: Human Resources with DOBCEL. Maree has been a positive and professional member of the People and Development Team and has built strong and trusting relationships with many Principals and school leaders throughout the Diocese during her time with us. She demonstrated great commitment and resilience during the lengthy CEMEA 2022 negotiations and her work advising and supporting schools has been exceptional.
Maree intends to focus on some much-needed work/life balance, commencing with a holiday in Greece with her husband, Craig. We wish Maree both personal and professional happiness and offer our genuine thanks for all she has achieved over the last 2.5 years with us.
Maree will conclude her time at DOBCEL on 30 August and we will commence recruitment processes as soon as possible.
Reconciliation Action Plan
The CEB RAP Working Group met again on Friday 31 May to review and progress work connected to our Reconciliation Action Plan. Our RAP has been submitted to Reconciliation Australia and we are awaiting feedback. Until this document is ratified, the working group will continue working toward the goals and deliverables that we have nominated.
CEB colleagues who would like to look over the submitted document can access it here.
Other agenda items covered at the recent meeting included:
- Yarning Circle discussing personal reflections on Reconciliation Week.
- Identification and acknowledgement of Country across our office and geographic areas of work.
Minutes of the meeting can be accessed here.
The next meeting will be held at the Ballarat office and online on Friday 2 August. All are welcome to attend. Previous involvement is not required. Contact Joe Ewing (jewing@dobcel.catholic.edu.au) for more details.
Change of date for Term 3 DLG in Horsham
The dates for the Term 3 DLG will now be Wednesday 7thand Thursday 8th August.
We apologise for any inconvenience this might cause and hope, with this notice period, diary clashes can be minimised.
The date change has been made to work better with the timing of the Board’s initial review of an outline of the strategic plan. It will also allow Pasi to be physically with us in Horsham as we further refine the plan.
Wednesday 7th will be the regular DLG, including the work with Pasi and Dave, and Thursday will be zone day. It is anticipated the dinner will move to the Wednesday evening.
Once again, apologies for any inconvenience this may cause.
People and Development Update
6-Month Self-Reflection/Annual Review Process - Now Open
The 6-month self-reflection process for the CEB office is now open.
The self-reflection process aims to ensure an opportunity for conversation to affirm and reflect on your achievements to date in 2024 and provide space to discuss and capture any support or growth and development opportunities for delivering on the goals you set for 2024.
Each person has received an email from Culture Amp (notifications@cultureamp.com) containing a link to complete the self-reflection. You can access your self-reflection via the email or by logging into your Culture Amp account. The link to the self-reflection is located on the home page.
Before completing your self-reflection, you should update the status of your goals. Once you’ve completed the self-reflection, submit it to your team leader; and expect to have a meeting to discuss your reflections.
6-month self-reflections and meetings should be completed by Friday, 14 July 2024.
Instructions for updating the status of goals and completing the self-reflection can be found here.
If you have any questions about Culture Amp please speak with Fiona Murphy.
Catholic Identity and Mission Update
World Environment Day
Healing Our Throwaway Culture: A Focus on Plastics & Single Use Cups
A Reading from Laudato Si’
So we cannot fail to consider the effects on people's lives of environmental deterioration, current models of development and the throwaway culture.” (Pope Francis, Laudato Si', no. 43)
World Environment Day was celebrated across the globe this week, June 5th, and was an occasion for us to celebrate the generosity and abundance of our Mother Earth. It was also a day to recognise that our planet, even though it has been so generous to us, cannot produce everything at the high speed that the industrial society demands from it.
Throughout Laudato Si’, Pope Francis decries what he calls the “throwaway culture.” At first blush, given the overarching ecological theme of Laudato Si, this may seem to be solely a critique of wasteful consumerism. However, it is far more than that. It is a critique of a mindset and world view that discards people, promises, values and community bonds when they seem to lack immediately obvious or quantifiable value in the eyes of the world.
Eco-action:
Watch the video linked below to discover the truth of our throw away culture:
2024 Earth Day: Healing Our Throwaway Culture: A Focus on Plastics
Taking a Step further:
All are encouraged to join forces and save our single use coffee cups from landfill, help close the loop by recycling single use coffee cups that cannot be avoided, and demonstrate respect through our actions by endorsing the waste hierarchy, making use of reusable mugs or coffee cups instead.
Today, a 7-Eleven and Simply Cups ‘Coffee Cup Collection Unit’ has been placed in the Staff Kitchen in the Ballarat Office to "capture" the coffee cups that are used by office staff. The contents from these stations will regularly be dropped off at a local 7-Eleven store to be taken and recycled appropriately. Please check the signed bins carefully before disposing of your coffee cup and lid, as these need to be placed in separate bins.
Sarah Page, Education Officer: Social Justice, invites staff from our other three Offices are invited to reach out if they would also like a ‘Coffee Cup Collection Unit’. As there are no 7-Eleven stores in any of the towns where our other three offices are located, we may need to arrange one of our travelling staff to bring this recycling back to Ballarat to be recycled at a 7-Eleven store on one of their journeys across the diocese.
Upcoming significant Ecological Events:
- Saturday 8 June 2024 World Oceans Day
- Wednesday 12 June 2024 UN World Day Against Child Labour
- Sunday 16 June to Saturday 22 June 2024 World Refugee Week
- In a world marked by displacement and the search for refuge, this year's Refugee Week theme “Finding Freedom” – with a focus on family – encapsulates the profound journey of resilience, strength, and unity that defines the refugee experience.
- Refugee Week 2024 - Ballarat Program
- Refugee Week Educational Resource Pack
- Thursday 20 June 2024 World Refugee Day
- 4 - 11 July 2024 NAIDOC Week
- Held across the country from 7-14 July 2024, NAIDOC Week will celebrate and recognise the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
- This year’s theme chosen by the National NAIDOC Committee is, ‘Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud & Proud.’ This theme honours the enduring strength and vitality of First Nations culture – with fire a symbol of connection to Country, to each other, and to the rich tapestry of traditions that define Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Secondary Education Consultant Short-Term Secondment Opportunity
Expressions of Interest - Closing Monday!
We are excited to offer an 8 week secondment opportunity (5 August – 27 September) for an experienced educational leader to undertake the role of DOBCEL Education Consultant - Secondary. This temporary position is available while Tim O’Farrell takes a well-deserved period of Long Service Leave.
Interested DOBCEL CEB staff are encouraged to consider how your team may be placed to cover your substantive role during this period, allowing you the benefit from this unique system experience. You are encouraged to discuss your interest with your team leader.
Diocesan Secondary Principals have also been invited to consider the opportunity.
Details of the Secondment:
- Duration: 8 weeks
- Compensation: DOBCEL will pay a higher duties allowance for the period of the appointment.
- Eligibility: The secondment is open to all Catholic school secondary principals across the Diocese of Ballarat and to DOBCEL CEB staff. Principals from RI/MPJP schools are welcome to apply, pending approval from their governing authorities.
Next Steps: If you are interested in exploring this opportunity, please submit your expression of interest addressed to the Executive Director, Tom Sexton to employment@dobcel.catholic.edu.au by Monday, 10 June.
Your expression of interest is to be no longer than one page and include the following:
- Why this secondment opportunity interests you
- If you were successful, how your current position will be backfilled
Expressions of interest will be assessed on the candidate’s qualifications, experience, and ability to contribute effectively to the DOBCEL community. The discussions will focus on finding the best fit for the role, considering the needs of the individual, their school, and DOBCEL.
For further information, please contact Matt Byrne at 0409 138 113.
We look forward to your interest in this enriching professional development experience.