CEB Staff Newsletter #28 - 30 August 2024

Diocesan Assembly Participation - 15/16 November

The preparations for the Diocesan Assembly on 15 and 16 November are progressing with the formation sessions led by Fr Justin completed. The Diocese is now at the next stage of inviting the nomination of delegates from parishes, Catholic Education Ballarat, social services, health and aged care, religious congregations, diocesan commissions and councils, and Catholic organisations and agencies to attend the Assembly.

Bishop Paul has requested each parish typically provide two delegates. 

We are now seeking Catholic education representatives. To ensure appropriate educational representation, we ask that each zone and the secondary principals network nominate up to two representatives. These would be education delegates and separate from the parish delegates. Tom Sexton, Megan Ioannou, and Matt Byrne plan to attend, and a small number of other CEB delegates also.

If you or another leader within your school community could be your zone representative, could you please fill in the survey linked below by September 5. In the event we have more than two representatives from each zone, we will work with you regarding our overall number of representatives. Principals are encouraged that if they do commit to this opportunity, they should calendar a day when you are not working to offset the weekend commitment. 

The Diocesan Assembly will be held on the evening of Friday 15 November and all day Saturday 16 November, 2024. It will be held at Federation University, University Drive, Mount Helen. Overnight accommodation will be provided for regional attendees. More information on accommodation will be provided once delegates have registered.

Recent participation in the formation sessions around the diocese is beneficial, but not necessary. 

The assembly is seeking representatives with the ability to discern with an open heart, listening to what the Spirit is saying in relation to leadership and governance in a synodal Church in the diocese.

If you have specific questions please reach out to Matt Byrne via mbyrne@dobcel.catholic.edu.au or event organiser Jane Collins via jane.collins@ballarat.catholic.org.au. 

Please indicate your willingness to attend by completing this survey.

World Day of Prayer, 1 September - Pope Francis' Prayer for the Care of Creation

This Sunday, 1 September is the World Day of Prayer.

Please click the link below to read the MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS - 'Hope and Act with Creation' - A Message From his Holiness, Pope Francis, The World Day of Prayer For The Care of Creation  .

Staff News

Big thanks to Miranda Pearse and Tony Perkins, the CEB faces of Speech Pathologists Awareness Week. They have said while they enjoyed the week, they are sick of signing autographs and the paparazzi !   

Congratulations to Tara Lupus (Comms and Marketing) who has successfully navigated her first week at CEB and even headed down to Our Lady Help of Christians (OLHC), Wendouree in the wind and rain to nail her first (of many) good news story ! Read all about it here. 

Ballarat Office Guests & Catering

To ensure smooth operations and excellent service for our guests, we’d like to remind everyone of the following important procedures regarding catering and guest arrivals.

Catering requests: If you require assistance with catering or preparation for meetings, events, or other office gatherings, please make sure to inform reception in advance at reception@dobcel.catholic.edu.au  

This allows us to coordinate and provide the necessary arrangements.

Guest Arrivals: For any guests or visitors arriving at the office, please provide reception with the following details:

• Estimated arrival time
• Purpose of visit
• Meeting location

We appreciate your cooperation in keeping reception informed to help us maintain a welcoming and organised environment for everyone.

Staff Survey for October 2/3 Formation - closing today !!

Staff are reminded to please complete the survey below with preferences for the October formation days no later than 30 August.

Responses to submitted surveys can also be edited.

Go here to complete the survey: https://forms.office.com/r/PvpJZ4eRtu

A second survey will be sent late in September regarding workshops.

Thank you for your participation.

Staff Enrichment Scholarships 2025

Eligible Catholic Education Ballarat (CEB) employees are invited to apply for a 2025 Enrichment Scholarship (up to $5000). Up to four Enrichment Scholarships may be available to CEB employees in 2025.

Eligibility

Subject to a recommendation by a review panel, a period of enrichment leave may be granted by where the applicant:

• has completed five years (or more) of continuous service with CEB
• continues to be an employee for the 2025 school year
• willing to access their accrued annual leave or long service leave to attend/participate in the Enrichment opportunity
• has not previously accessed other enrichment leave entitlements
• has not recently received CEB support for significant professional development or immersion/study tour; and
• agrees to pay any Fringe Benefits Tax associated with the Enrichment Scholarship

[Members of the Leadership team are ineligible for this scholarship].

The Scholarship

The intent of the Enrichment Scholarship is a commitment to:

• professional and spiritual renewal supporting capability and growth
• enhancing wellbeing through opportunities for reflection, renewal, and learning; and
• aligning enrichment opportunities with CEB strategic priorities.

The Enrichment Scholarship provides for up to $5,000 for directly related costs.  In addition to program costs, the Enrichment Scholarship can be used in support of travel, accommodation and meal costs related to the program or event. 

Successful applicants agree to use their accrued annual leave or long-service leave entitlements while participating in their nominated enrichment program.

Click the link below for more information and application process.

CEB Support for Higher Education – 2025 Applications Open

Higher education study support is designed to promote ongoing professional learning of the individual and in support of a high-performance culture aligned to our strategic directions.

Higher education study support is offered for higher education studies in an approved course of relevance and benefit to the person’s role and career at Catholic Education Ballarat (CEB) or the wider DOBCEL community.

CEB employees can apply, on an annual basis, for financial support towards higher education and study leave for approved courses using the CEB Higher Education Support Application.

In 2024 the process for 2025 applications is now open until Friday 27^th September 2025.

If you are considering studying next year, please discuss with your Team Leader before completing an application. Applicants will be informed of the outcome in writing in writing by the end of the 4^th week of term 4.

For more information including how to apply refer to CEB Higher Education Study Support Operating Procedure on policy central or click here.

Note this is separate provision to the DOBCEL Sponsorship: Higher Education Studies in Religious Education, Theology, and Catholic Educational Leadership Policy which is designed to specifically promote higher education studies in religious education, theology and educational leadership. It recognises that higher learning in these areas is an important element of contemporary Catholic leadership and teaching that will enhance the Catholic identity and the learning across our diocesan education community, ensure effective learning outcomes for students and support leadership succession.

For more information refer to this operating procedure or policy on Policy Central.

Career Opportunities in the Diocesan Education Community

CEB

Manager: Property and Infrastructure - Ballarat office, ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 1 September)

Principal positions

Our Lady Help of Christians School – Wendouree (closes 4 October)