CEB Staff Newsletter #24 - 2 August 2024

CEB Vinnies Winter Appeal - closing Thursday 8 August

A HUGE thank you to those who have already donated to the Vinnies Winter Appeal via the collection boxes in each of our offices. 

We will continue to collect non-perishable food items for the St. Vincent De Paul Society until this coming Thursday 8th August. These will be passed on to each of the Vinnies Conferences spread across the Diocese.

The 8th August is a very significant day as it is The Feast of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop, Australia’s first Saint. (To find out more about Mary’s life see - Mary MacKillop’s Story).

Mary worked with her sisters to alleviate poverty and provide education in Australia, especially in rural and remote parts of the country where no one else would go. She is an example for all Australians. Through supporting the Vinnies Winter Appeal, we are invited to walk in Mary MacKillop’s footsteps by helping those in need, bringing God’s love and compassion to the world, especially the most vulnerable. 

CEB Staff News

Acting Education Consultant -Secondary

Tim O’Farrell will be on leave from 5 August – 2 October. We wish him well for his travels, and also some rest during this well-earned break.

Stepping in to cover the Education Consultant: Secondary role during Tim’s absence will be Terry Blizzard. 

Terry is known to some of you from his time at St Patrick’s College. He has also worked as a secondary principal in Tasmania and Melbourne. He brings a wealth of professional experience to the role through his caring and people-centred leadership.   

Terry commences on Tuesday 6 August and will work Tuesday to Friday until 20 September.

He can be contacted on: tblizzard@dobcel.catholic.edu.au 

Please make Terry feel welcome. 

Manager Employee Relations

It is with pleasure that we welcome Tina Phillips to the position of Manager: Employee Relations.

Tina has had extensive experience in Human Resources across a range of industries in WA including HR Manager at Presbyterian Ladies College, WA Divisional HR Manager at the Salvation Army and Manager People and Projects & Acting Manager Corporate Service at the Shire of Toodyay.

In 2022 Tina moved to Victoria where she worked at the Hepburn Shire Council as Acting Manager People & Culture.

Tina begins her role on Monday 5 August. There will be a four-week handover period with Maree Baker whose last day is on 30 August. 

Wellbeing Team

Due to family circumstances, Liz McIntyre has temporarily stepped down from her role as Senior Education Officer of the Student Wellbeing Team for the remainder of 2024. 

Liz will also be reducing her work hours for the remainder of this year with the plan to work Monday, Tuesday and Friday. Anne Ruddell has agreed to step into the Senior Education Officer role for this period and we are also exploring further options to cover Liz’s absence. 

We hope that this arrangement provides Liz the space she needs. We are grateful to Anne and the Student Wellbeing Team (Brooke Nester, Mel Frost and Ashleigh Graham) for their support of this plan. 

Acting Principal Arrangements - Lumen Christi, Delacombe and OLHC, Wendouree

Please be advised that Carmel Hanley, Principal Lumen Christi, Delacombe has generously agreed to act as Principal at Our Lady Help of Christians (OLHC), Wendouree for the remainder of this year, commencing on Monday 12 August.

Similarly, Carmel's Deputy, Shane Bruty will act as Principal at Lumen Christi.  

Leigh Bradshaw has advised she will conclude her time as Principal of Our Lady Help of Christians at the end of this year. As you are aware, Leigh has been on personal leave since the start of Term 2. Unfortunately, her leave will continue until the end of 2024.

Leigh began her Principalship at OLHC as a co-principal in 2016 and became sole Principal in 2018. As Executive Director of Catholic Education Ballarat, I offer my appreciation and gratitude to Leigh for her wonderful contribution to our diocesan community.

I also extend my gratitude to Anthony Clifford who has filled the interim Principal role at OLHC since the start of Term 2 with a deep sense of dedication, generosity and service.

To support the transition to a new principal of OLHC consultation and advertising for a replacement will commence shortly with the intent for the successful applicant to begin at the start of the 2025 school year.

Further detail is available in the letters below sent to both school communities today. 

Mercy Regional College - staff breast cancer appeal

Two members of staff at Mercy Regional College - Business Manager Judith Murfitt and Careers Leader and teacher Kym Penry - have unfortunately been diagnosed with breast cancer this year and are currently undergoing treatment.

Year 12 students at the college have rallied to support them by organising a Shave for A Cure and a Silent Auction, and have so far raised an amazing $20,000.

Any prayers and support for this appeal would be greatly appreciated via the links below. 

TIP: If you barrack for Carlton or Brisbane Lions make sure you take a look at the silent auction !

Brave for BCNA

Silent Auction

Principals' Day 2024

Today, on Principals' Day 2024, we join with communities across Victoria to recognise and celebrate the incredibly important and complex work of our school Principals.

Take a moment today to give Principals a pat on the back or a shout out for a job well done ! #PrincipalsDay2024

Child Safe Standards Workshops - Register Now !

Following on from the Child Safe Standards Workshops delivered in Term 2, Sarah Morgante – Director of One Red Apple – will deliver 2 additional workshops in Term 3.

The focus of the workshops will again be the 11 Child Safe Standards, Mandatory Reporting requirements and the Reportable Conduct Scheme. Sarah will connect the Child Safe Standards and the legislation in place to support their ongoing development. Staff will have the opportunity to consider their schools policies and procedures in relation to Child Safety and areas that require continual review and strengthening.

The Agenda is available here.

58% of DOBCEL schools were represented at the previous workshops and feedback indicated Sarah’s intricate knowledge of the standards and practical application provided an opportunity for staff to think through areas for future focus.

Actions:

• Consider registering yourselves or relevant staff members to attend. Schools who attended in Term 2 are encouraged to register other staff members if possible. Whilst the target audience is leadership staff, the content is relevant to all staff working in our schools.
• There is no limit on numbers and the training is only offered face to face.
• Registrations are open on Try booking for principals and your nominated staff.

Workshop One:

August 26^th, 2024.

8.45am to 3.30pm

St Brigid’s College, Horsham

EMBEDDING CHILD SAFE STANDARDS WORKSHOP: https://www.trybooking.com/CTWCW

 Workshop two:

August 27^th, 2024.

8.45am to 3.30pm

Glowery Room, St Patrick's Cathedral Ballarat.

EMBEDDING CHILD SAFE STANDARDS WORKSHOP: https://www.trybooking.com/CTWDB

Upcoming Significant Ecological Events

Upcoming significant ecological events

🗓️ Thursday 12th to Saturday 14th September 2024 The Catholic Earthcare Season of Creation Convocation 2024

Catholic Earthcare is celebrating the Season of Creation this year with a Convocation that will explore how we can ‘Wonder, Weave, and Heal’ Earth and her communities. Click on the flyer below to find out more and to access the link to the website where you can register.

Note: Cost for the 3 days is $100 BUT if you register a group of 4 or more you get 50% discount! You can also register for just 1 or 2 days and the same discount applies for 4 or more.

The Diocesan Hub experience includes Morning Tea & Lunch.

 Registration closes Monday 12th August 2024. 

↳ Flyer: The Catholic Earthcare Season of Creation Convocation 2024 

Career Opportunities in the Diocesan Education Community

CEB Office

• Marketing and Communications Officer – Ballarat office, ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 4 August)
• Safety & Risk Advisor – Ballarat office, ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 9 August)
• Policy & Governance Administrator – Ballarat office, ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 9 August)
• Education Officer: Learning and Teaching (Primary) – Ballarat office, secondment position at 1.0 FTE (closes 18 August)

Principal Positions

• Principal- St Mary's Primary School Warracknabeal (closes 4 August)