CEB Staff Newsletter #29 - 6 September 2024

Diocesan Assembly Participation - RSVP due today, 6 September!

In the last ED Update, we shared information regarding the Diocesan Assembly on 15 and 16 November .

A reminder that your RSVP to the event is due today!

Please complete the following survey and indicate if you would be willing to be a zone representative.

Survey link: https://forms.office.com/r/X8WE2ehQ3n

Background

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 linked survey by September 6. 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 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.

Crucial Conversations – 12 & 13 November 2024 – Glowery Room, St Patricks Cathedral Hall

EVENT DETAILS

• Time: 9:00-4:00 (both days)
• Location: Glowery Room,  St Patricks Cathedral Hall
• 3 Lyons St South, Ballarat VIC 3350
• Cost $500 (inclusive of learning materials (3 x books), morning tea and lunch) 
• Register here.

Crucial Conversations teaches a model for effective communication, that can be applied to any situation, but particularly difficult or high-stakes situations. It focuses on fostering dialogue, managing emotions, and achieving mutual understanding. The model helps to navigate high-stakes discussions with openness, respect, and skill, enhancing relationships and driving positive outcomes. 

This program is designed for anyone who would like to develop skills in providing effective feedback and fostering open dialogue. The skills can be transferred across a range of situations including providing feedback and fostering open dialogue with colleagues, parents/carers and the community. It is relevant for people working in schools as well as the CEB office. 

If you have any queries about the program please contact Fiona Murphy on fmurphy@dobcel.catholic.edu.au.

Leadership Development – Pilot Program offerings for 2024

In 2024, significant progress has been made on the co-creation of the DOBCEL strategy 2035, as well as the development of a DOBCEL competency framework focused on school leadership. While the final detail of this work is still being refined, we have an emerging sense of what the results will be.

To ensure that future leadership programs are aligned with our strategic direction and provide the opportunity to develop the right skills and behaviours, a series of pilot leadership workshops are being offered in 2024.

These programs are designed to build capability in areas aligned to our strategic direction with the intention of integrating these programs into a more comprehensive leadership development calendar in 2025.

Cost - $0

Each of these programs will be run as a pilot program with the costs of the program covered by DOBCEL.

As part of attending the program, all participants agree to provide their identifiable feedback on things such as the program's contents, effectiveness, and suggestions for improvement. Participants will be asked to provide feedback at the conclusion of the workshop and may also receive follow-up contact after the workshop for further feedback.

Workshop 1 – Personal Leadership – Wednesday 18 September 9:00 am – 4:00 pm

Sovereign park Motor Inn – Courtyard Conference Room – 223 Main Rd Ballarat

Link to register - https://www.trybooking.com/CVDXW

Workshop 2 – Feedback-Championing a feedback culture – Thursday 24 October 9:00 am–12:30 pm

Sovereign park Motor Inn – Courtyard Conference Room – 223 Main Rd Ballarat

Link to register - https://www.trybooking.com/CVDUO

Workshop 3 – Collaboration – we are better together – Thursday 24 October 1:15 pm  – 4:45 pm

Sovereign park Motor Inn – Courtyard Conference Room – 223 Main Rd Ballarat

Link to register - https://www.trybooking.com/CVDXH

*You can sign up for only workshop 2 or workshop 3 on 24 Oct, or both workshops to make it a full day of professional development. You are welcome to sign up for all workshops.

Click here for further details on the workshops

Facilitators – BTS Spark

BTS Spark are a not-for-profit organisation specialising in leadership and development in the Education Sector.  They partner with schools, universities, education departments, professional associations and leadership institutes to support thousands of education leaders each year.

For further details on this please contact Emma Baldwin, Organisational Development Advisor or Fiona Murphy, Organisational Development Manager

Ask R U OK? Any Day of the year.

R U OK? Day is Thursday 12 September 2024 and is the National Day of Action.

Whether it’s your friend, family member, colleague, partner or teammate, the people you care about go through life’s ups and downs every day.

By checking in regularly with the people close to you, you can help prevent small things from becoming big things.

You are always encouraged to:

• Embrace the power of conversation
• Connect with a colleague or friend
• Browse the additional resources available
• Take time to care for yourself

On Thursday, enjoy the surprise on your desk!

Scan the QR code below to learn more at ruok.org.au.  Ask R U OK? Any Day because life happens every day.

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.

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.

Career Opportunities in the Diocesan Education Community

CEB

No positions vacant. 

Principal positions

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

Principal- Sacred Heart Primary School Colac - Colac (closes 29 September)