CEB Staff Newsletter #42 - 31 January 2025

Beginning Year Mass

Thanks to all staff for your participation in this week’s Central Zone beginning year Mass led by Bishop Paul in a packed and buzzing St Patrick’s Cathedral.  

We also thank Bishop Paul for his ongoing leadership and support and reminding us in his homily of our mission as a Catholic education community to pursue the "fullness of life" for every child.  

The strong sense of collegiality and community we are privileged to share in Catholic education was certainly evident on the day and we trust this energy was mirrored by other Masses across the diocese.

Congratulations to Joanne Bond (Education Consultant – Central Zone) and her band of helpers for the wonderful organisation of this event – no small task !

As noted at the Mass, this year our Diocesan education community will adopt the theme: ‘May the God of hope fill you with joy and peace.’ (Romans 15:13).

This will also be the focus for Catholic Education Week 2025 celebrations from 26-30 May. 

Best Wishes to School Communities!

This is an extremely busy and exciting time for schools as they return to full operation. It’s wonderful to see so many schools sharing great photos that capture the action and emotion. Best wishes to all schools as they prepare for another busy year ahead!

St Alipius Parish School - Featured on WIN News Ballarat

On Wednesday 29 January, WIN News visited St Alipius Parish School to capture all the preps starting their first day at school. It was a very heartwarming morning for the parents, teaching staff and students. Check out the story below!

Beginning Teachers' Workshop

Congratulations to Julie Cooper (Education Officer: Learning and Teaching (Central and Northern Zones) and Samantha Meerbach (Senior Education Officer: Learning and Teaching (Central and Northern Zones) and Sarah McKnight (Education Officer: Learning and Teaching (Central Zone) on a successful Pilot Workshop (21 Jan) to support beginning teachers to hit the ground running in their classrooms across the diocese. 

Check out the video and article below to hear from a few of our beginning teachers...

Graduate Teacher, Tess Harris was featured in the Ballarat Courier

Staff News

New Staff Commencing Monday

Ruth Appleyard - Marketing and Communications Manager 

Ruth will join the team (in the Ballarat office) on Monday 3 February. Ruth comes to us from Delaware North, Australia and New Zealand where she was the Director of Marketing. During her 10 years at the company, Ruth also worked as the Digital Marketing Manager. Prior to this she worked at Mount Hotham Skiing Company where she held role of Marketing Executive. 

Jane Bennett - Education Officer: Student Wellbeing

Jane Bennett will join the Wellbeing Team (in the Ballarat office) as Education Officer: Student Wellbeing. Jane is no stranger to Catholic Education holding many roles over her career. She comes to us from St Mary’s, Greensborough where she was the Positive Behaviour Support Coach. Prior to that, she worked at MACS as a Consultant: Positive Behaviour Support and as a Student Advisor: Student Diversity Additional Learning Needs. 

Please make Ruth and Jane very welcome!

Baby Aria's visit to the CEB Ballarat office this morning!

Congratulations to Shraddha Khatiwada and Sushant Thapa on their beautiful baby girl, Aria! The CEB staff in the Ballarat office loved seeing their new bundle of joy here today with Shraddha's parents too!

Professor Andy Hargreaves keynote – Online registration available

As our first ‘DOBCEL Strategy 2035’ system level initiative for 2025, next Friday 7 February, we are privileged to be hosting world authority on educational change, Professor Andy Hargreaves, to work with a group of middle leaders from around the diocese.

CEB staff are welcome to register to hear Professor Hargreaves’ 90 minute keynote address online: Go here to register.  

World Cancer Day Morning Tea at Ballarat Office

Next Tuesday, 4th February, is World Cancer Day (worldcancerday.org). To mark this important day, Jim Waight and Ange Jones have organised a morning tea at the Ballarat Office at 11:00 AM.  

Everyone is welcome to join, and while donations are appreciated, they are not required. This event will support the Fiona Elsey Cancer Research Institute (fecri.org.au), Australia’s only regional cancer research facility. 

If you're based in another office and would like to host a similar event, you’re encouraged to do so, whether on the day or in the coming weeks, to raise awareness and support a local cancer-related cause. This could include fundraising for initiatives like the World’s Greatest Shave, the Australian Cancer Council, the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, or any other cancer charity you’d like to support.

Thank you for helping us raise awareness and make a difference.

People and Development

2025 Converge Wellbeing Calendar

Featuring a different theme each month, the Converge 2025 Wellbeing Calendar is here to help you be your best every day of the year. Featuring days of celebrations, events to help expand your skills, activities in the Converge app and service highlights, the Wellbeing Calendar for January to March is available here or can be downloaded for easy access.

Engage Your Mind with access to the Flourish Wellbeing E-Magazine

All DOBCEL staff have access and can subscribe to the Flourish Wellbeing E-Magazine which provides full contextual health and wellbeing content in a simple, contemporary and engaging format.

Expertly written articles each month and featuring engaging videos and a monthly podcast called Thrive – Where Wellbeing Converges.

Flourish- January Edition 

Flourish – February Edition

Code of Conduct: Our Commitment to Child Safety 2025

The DOBCEL Board holds specific responsibilities for safeguarding children and young people, as mandated by Ministerial Order No. 1359: Implementing the Child Safe Standards – Managing the Risk of Child Abuse in Schools and School Boarding Premises. This order places accountability for managing the risk of child abuse directly with the DOBCEL Board.

In alignment with Ministerial Order No. 1359, the DOBCEL Board therefore ensures that appropriate measures are in place to oversee the conduct and decision-making of all DOBCEL staff. These measures include strict adherence to DOBCEL’s child safety policies, including the  Safeguarding Children and Young People Code of Conduct which requires a mandatory Statement of Commitment to children and young people be made by all staff annually.

Please follow this link to read the Code of Conduct and complete the required fields to document your Statement of Commitment to safeguarding children and young people. By completing this form, you are acknowledging that you understand how to act lawfully in the protection of children and young people. It is a requirement of employment that you take the time to read and complete this document before the end of Term 1, 2025 (4 April).

Reminder: Child Safety eLearning Requirements 

Each year all staff are required to complete the ‘Protecting Children – Mandatory Reporting and Other Obligations’ eLearning module to ensure compliance with legislative responsibilities under the Children, Youth and Families Act 2005 (Vic.) and Ministerial Order No. 1359: Child Safe Standards – Managing the Risk of Child Abuse in Schools and School Boarding premises.

For details on how to create an account: ‘Protecting Children- Mandatory Reporting and other Obligations Online Training Account Creation Guide’

The training and online module usually take 45 – 60 minutes to complete.

You must provide evidence that you have completed the training (e.g. a copy of your certificate) and forward a copy to safeguarding@dobcel.catholic.edu.au and keep a copy for your own records by 14 February 2025.

Theme For the Year

The theme for our 2025 school year across the Diocese of Ballarat is: ‘May the God of hope fill you with joy and peace.’ (Romans 15:13)

The theme will also underpin Catholic Education Week 2025 celebrations from 26 - 30 May.

We pray together:

Loving God,
May the God of hope fill you with joy and peace as you guide and nurture the minds and hearts of the young.
May the God of hope grant you wisdom to teach with truth, patience to lead with compassion, and faith to inspire with love.
May you always find strength in the mission to reflect Christ’s light in your service, and may your work bear lasting fruit in the lives of those you serve.
Amen.

Christmas Decorating Competition Wrap Up

A big thank you to everyone who participated in DOBCEL’s inaugural Christmas Decorating Competition; the many decorations and friendly rivalries created a festive, cheerful energy in the lead up to the end of year break. There were four categories that judges Penny, Janet and Oakley measured participants against, and the winners were announced at the end of the staff liturgy at the Ballarat Office.

Best Team: awarded to the Finance Team. The photobooth was a hit with all site-based and visiting staff, and the team were praised for creating a space that invited participation and fun.

Best Use of Recycled Materials: awarded to Elise Hart. Elise upcycled her Amazon (and cereal) boxes into a towering box-tree, festively wrapped and adorned, and probably visible from the carpark.

Best Catholic Representation of Christmas: awarded to the Warrnambool team. Their collaborative Catholic-themed window art was created by site staff and visitors alike.

Best Individual: awarded jointly to Jo-Anne Bond and Tim O’Farrell. This dynamic duo worked together to transform their shared office into a haven of advent statues, shining stars, and Christmas tunes. On the morning of the judging Tim bellowed season’s greetings to every staff member who passed within sight.

Honourable Mention: awarded to the Ballarat Wellbeing Team. This team had a personalised fireplace display, baubles of their faces on their own team Christmas tree, giant gingerbread-themed signage, tinsel galore, and enough fairy lights that overhead lighting was unnecessary.

A big thank you to Directorate for supporting the multi-site activity, Elise Hart for making the awards for the winners, and everyone who added to the December fun. It’s not too early to start planning for your 2025 decorating theme – stay tuned for future news surrounding the DOBCEL Christmas Decorating Competition!

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Career Opportunities in the Diocesan Education Community

CEB Positions

• Psychologist – Ballarat, Warrnambool, or Horsham office, ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 2 February)
• Employee Relations Consultant – Ballarat office, ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 9 February)
• ICT Support Specialist – Ballarat office, ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 9 February)
• ICT System Administrator – Ballarat office, ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 9 February)
• Manager: Risk and Assurance – Ballarat office, ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 16 February)
  

Principal Vacancies

None Available.