CEB Staff Newsletter #43 - 7 February 2025

DOBCEL leaders work with Andy Hargreaves

More than 100 middle leaders and Principals from Catholic schools and offices across the diocese have today worked with world-renowned education scholar, Professor Andy Hargreaves.

In addressing the group, Professor Hargreaves explored the concept of "leadership from the middle" - which he says can become a driver of transformational change.

Drawing on research with educational leaders across the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada, Professor Hargreaves discussed a type of leadership that regards obstacles as opportunities, embraces leadership paradox, and is collaborative, inspiring, and inclusive.

Around 30 of the middle and aspiring school leaders will further develop their skills working with mentors for the next 12 months.

This 12-month program, which will be co-designed and developed with participants, is designed to develop aspirant leaders and foster collaborative cultures through action research projects tailored to specific challenges.

The program will include mentorship by Pasi Sahlberg and Dave Runge alongside conversations with global thought leaders to help evoke innovative responses to action research projects.

The leadership development program forms part of a series of system-level high-performance initiatives responding to the new DOBCEL Strategy 2035 – Pursuing fullness of life for all.

Professor Andy Hargreaves is a speaker, author, advisor, and researcher who advocates for equitable and inclusive education, a strong teaching profession, and positive educational change worldwide.

Funeral arrangements - Peter Kerwan

Peter Kerwan's funeral will be held on next Friday 14th February at 10:30am at St Alipius Parish Church. 

Peter was a well-known and deeply valued member of the Catholic Education community in the Ballarat Diocese for many years. His contributions spanned across his time as a teacher at St Patrick’s and Loreto Colleges, his work at ACU and the University of Ballarat, and his dedicated service at the Catholic Education Office as Executive Officer to the Director and later as HR Manager.

May he rest in peace.

Staff News

Footy Tipping 2025 is here - Let's Kick off the Fun!

Round 1 is just around the corner (March 13), so whether you're a seasoned pro or a first-time tipper, we’d love to have you join us!

The competition is open to all staff, regardless of who you’re supporting (C'arn the catters!!)

Log-in, sign-up, and get ready to fine-tune your tipping skills (or just trust your gut!), as we make this season unforgettable. It’s all about the fun, the bragging rights, and, of course, the glory of claiming that first-place spot!

The entry fee is $20 cash, due to Nadia Warnes by Round 2.

To register, follow this link: CEB football fanatics 2025

If you prefer not to participate this year, please let me know.

Get involved, stay competitive, and let the footy banter begin!

World Cancer Day Morning Tea and Movie Night!

A big shoutout to Ange Jones and Jim Waight for putting together such a fantastic World Cancer Day morning tea! We’re also excited to share some awesome photos from the 'Jimmy's Allsorts 2025: Conquering Skin Cancer' movie premiere at Showbiz Cinema in Delacombe Town Shopping Centre, Ballarat. Enjoy!

Shout out to IT

Shout out to the IT Team for their awesome support of CEB and schools !

Yesterday, Stephen Woodger was spotted preparing just a few I Pads with the relevant apps, virus protections, soft cases etc for dispatch to students at St Mary’s, Swan Hill.

Catholic Identity and Mission Updates

Aggiornamento [ECSI 101] Registration and Enrolment closes 19 February!

Small bites of theological conversation for people with questions

Please make sure both your principal and REL/Team Leader are informed and authorise your participation in Aggiornamento; contact me should you have any questions: gbernasconi@ceoballarat.catholic.edu.au

Catholic Dialogue School Consortium - Registration closing today!

The Catholic Dialogue School Consortium - Pilgrims of Hope sessions will run between 24-26 February 2025.

Registrations are due today - Friday 7 February 2025.

Please click here to view the flyer. 

Social Justice Update

The Feast of Josephine Bakhita, 8 February

This Saturday 8 February we celebrate the Feast of St Josephine Bakhita, Patron Saint of Victims of Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking.

Pope Francis designated 8 February, the feast of St Josephine Bakhita, as the World Day of Prayer, Reflection and Action Against Human Trafficking. On this day Catholics are encouraged to pray for all those affected by the crimes of modern slavery and human trafficking, and the people that volunteer and work to eradicate this crime.

Modern slavery is all around us, but many people don't even realise it. You may feel far removed from modern slavery and human trafficking, but your morning cup of coffee, the clothes on your back, the technology on which you are reading this article and the businesses you support may just be linking you to this global human crisis. 

Slavery has ancient roots in history and still exists today in many different forms. Although it is not defined by law, “modern slavery” is used to describe situations where someone is forced to work or marry and cannot refuse or leave because of threats, coercion, violence, deception, etc. Human trafficking, bonded labour and forced domestic work are just a few examples of forced labour. Modern slavery occurs in every country, regardless of wealth. More than half (52 per cent) of all forced labour and a quarter of all forced marriages can be found in upper-middle income or high-income countries. For each recorded victim-survivor of modern slavery in Australia there are estimated to be 4 undetected victim-survivors. Forced marriage was the most reported form of modern slavery to the Australian Federal Police between 2015–16 and 2022–23. However, in 2023–24 the most reports were for human trafficking.

Source: Modern slavery - Australian Institute of Health and Welfare  

Learn .....

Josephine Bakhita was both a victim of modern slavery and human trafficking. She suffered horrific abuse as a victim of human trafficking, yet she treasured her life and is remembered for her love. 

Josephine Bakhita was born in Sudan, into a well-respected, comfortable and loving family. However, at about eight years old, Josephine was kidnapped by slave traders, who forced her into slavery. 

This time was so traumatic that Josephine forgot her own name, so she took one given to her by one of the slave traders, Bakhita, which is Arabic for “lucky”. 

Josephine’s final owner was an Italian diplomat, and so began her journey from slavery to freedom. Whilst her owner did business in the Middle East, she stayed in Italy with the Canossian Sisters, working as a nanny. During this time, Josephine came to know Jesus; she recognised that true freedom and hope come from him, and that he offers fullness of life to all people. 

Italy did not recognise slavery and so finally Josephine was free. After being baptised in 1890, she joined the Canossian Sisters in 1893. As an African woman with a deep sense of compassion, who had experienced slavery and oppression, Josephine was able to help and advise the Sisters who were going to serve in Africa. 

The first steps toward her beatification began in 1959. She was beatified in 1992 and canonized eight years later. It is clear why Josephine Bakhita is the Patron Saint of Victims of Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking, she was not defined by the abuse she received, but by the love that she shared.  Josephine Bakhita once said, “The whole of my life has been God’s gift.” 

If you would like to learn more about the remarkable and heart-wrenching story of Josephine Bakhita, a woman who rose from a childhood of enslavement in Sudan to becoming a revered saint, click on the link below to see a full documentary: JOSEPHINE BAKHITA: The Slave Who Became a Saint 

"The example of a saint of our time can to some degree help us understand what it means to have a real encounter with this God for the first time...

...The liberation that she had received through her encounter with the God of Jesus Christ, she felt she had to extend, it had to be handed on to others, to the greatest possible number of people. The hope born in her which had “redeemed” her she could not keep to herself; this hope had to reach many, to reach everybody."

Pope Francis

ENCYCLICAL LETTER - SPE SALVI

Pray ....

Click on the link below to access the prayer for victims of human trafficking and modern slavery:  

PATRON SAINT OF VICTIMS OF MODERN SLAVERY AND HUMAN TRAFFICKING 

Act ....

People are trafficked to work in fields, market gardens, mines and factories to produce products and services at low cost. Purchase goods that are not tainted by slave labour.  

• Learn about the Modern Slavery Act and how supply chains at your school could be strengthened.
• When buying products, look for the logos below. 
• Put a link to ACRATH on your myspace, Facebook and other social networking sites: www.acrath.org.au
• Start a group that focuses on bringing awareness of slavery and trafficking to your peers and local community. 

Laudato Si' Partners News

Please click on the link below to see the latest news and events from Jillian Hogbin, Caritas Australia, Diocesan Director, Ballarat.  Caritas Australia February 2025 Newsletter.pdf 

For upcoming Program information, competitions, resources, events and key dates, click on the link below to read this month’s Victorian School Garden Program Newsletter: Victorian School Garden Program News February 2025.

For the latest information on what’s on offer in relation to upcoming professional development, Program information, resources, events and key dates, etc, click on the link below to read this month’s Zoos Victoria February Newsletter: Zoos Victoria News February 2025 

Update on the NEXUS project - where are we at?

We are pleased to share the latest progress on the NEXUS technology rollout across DOBCEL. As you may know, the project’s goal is to greatly enhance capability and functionality in the areas of Finance, Payroll, HR recruitment and onboarding and Student Information Systems across our diocesan schools. 

As work continues, we would like to share our progress over the past few months:

Following system scoping and alignment with business process, next week we are commencing Key User Training and User Acceptance Testing on the Business Central Finance system.  This will be conducted with our delivery partner, Professional Advantage together with representatives from our primary and secondary schools and members of the office finance team. Training and testing will cover all areas of the finance function, including:

• General Ledger
• Accounts Payable
• Accounts Receivable
• Fixed Assets
• Uniform Shop
• Banking
• GST and BAS
• Intercompany transactions
• Financial Reporting
• Security and Administration

A significant development of the accounts receivable module is the integration with SIMON to facilitate the school fee generation workflow.  Following the testing phase and any required changes or improvements, we will begin creating a training and rollout program in collaboration with schools. Finance is an essential aspect of the Nexus platform, and we are excited to be entering the testing phase of the project. We greatly appreciate the time and effort that all staff are dedicating to assist with both the training and testing stages of the project.

Aurion will replace the existing PAY3K and ELMO payroll systems in use and will deliver the payroll system and HR core functionality for schools and the office. This week, the project will move to sign-off on the Scope of Works, with the system implementation strategy work to now commence.

As part of the implementation strategy, we will be reaching out to interested secondary schools to ensure the data phase of the blueprint captures all necessary configuration requirements.    

Concurrently, the Centralised Payroll Service team are working to transition the final primary schools into the CPS service ahead of the system transition.

This element of the broader Nexus platform will enhance HR recruitment and Onboarding capabilities for schools, and across the system.   

System configuration work with the P&D team and selected pilot schools has commenced, with several sessions now completed.  Work is currently underway mapping out workflow processes and planning for future integrations with HR core, including development of an employment webpage and application process.

Aside from the integration aspects of SIMON with billing families and bulk fee generation in Business Central, the SIMON team is working through significant detail around identity management when analysing the workflows and lifecycle management of a user within the related systems. 

The team also continues its work with enhancements of the user interface and will soon seek to engage schools to ensure the successful launch of SIMON as the new Student Information System.  The first stage will be to engage the Specialist Advisory Group to review the system and its associated functionality.   

With the development of the Nexus platform, the SIMON Team are also undergoing updates to the branding which will start to appear in formal communications and other various published materials.

We will continue to provide regular updates on the progress of the Nexus platform, with future updates to provide further detail as we move from the design to the delivery, training and implementation phases of the platform.  

Career Opportunities in the Diocesan Education Community

CEB Positions

• 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)
• Education Officer: Student Wellbeing - Mildura, Swan Hill or Horsham Office, ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 16 February)
• Education Officer: Positive Behaviour Specialist – Ballarat or Horsham office – fixed term position at 1.0 FTE (closes 16 February)
• Manager: Risk and Assurance – Ballarat Office, ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 16 February)
  

Principal Vacancies

None Available.