CEB Staff Newsletter #54 - 9 May 2025

Sister Marie Vagg died peacefully at St John of God Hospital on 7th May

Marie was surrounded by sisters in her local community, who have been lovingly caring for her in recent months.

We remember Marie as a woman of deep faith, her ministry contribution over the years as a dedicated teacher and principal in Ballarat, Edenhope, Mortlake, Manangatang, Warracknabeal and St Arnaud.  We also acknowledge Marie’s work with St Vincent de Paul as well as her Parish work.

May she rest in peace in the loving embrace of her God whom she served so faithfully.

FUNERAL MASS

The Funeral Mass will be held at St Alipius Church, 84 Victoria Street, Ballarat East on Thursday, 15 May at 10.30am

LIVESTREAM

The livestream of the Funeral Mass on Thursday, 15 May at 10.30am AEST will be able to be viewed on the following link:  https://youtube.com/live/--wAe3Hw2xs?feature=share.

(10.30am PNG, QLD, NSW, ACT, VIC, TAS/10am SA/8.30am WA).

A New Pope for the Catholic Church: Pope Leo XIV Elected

The election of a new Pope is a moment of profound significance for the Catholic Church and the wider world. Following the death of Pope Francis, 132 Cardinal electors gathered in Rome for the Conclave – a centuries-old process marked by solemnity, secrecy, and deep spiritual discernment.

The Conclave began with a special Mass at St Peter’s Basilica before the Cardinals walked in solemn procession into the Sistine Chapel to begin voting. Under strict isolation, with no outside communication permitted, the Cardinals sought divine guidance through prayer and multiple rounds of balloting. After a successful two-thirds majority vote, white smoke billowed from the Sistine Chapel chimney, signalling to the world: Habemus Papam – we have a Pope.

Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, an Augustinian missionary and former Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, was elected and accepted the role, taking the name Pope Leo XIV. Born in Chicago in 1955, Pope Leo XIV is the first Pope from the United States. His ministry has spanned continents, from Peru to Rome, shaped by a deep commitment to listening, mission, and unity.

In his first words as Pope, Leo XIV greeted the faithful with a call to peace and solidarity: “Peace be with all of you… move forward, without fear, united, hand in hand with God and with each other.” Australian bishops, along with Catholics around the world, have welcomed his election with joy and prayerful support, hopeful for a pontificate marked by peace, renewal, and communion.

For further information and detail about the process of the Conclave, click here.

Staff News

Welcome Aboard, Vicki Dekker!

We are thrilled to welcome Vicki Dekker who will be replacing Sarah Hanley as Talent Acquisition Partner whilst Sarah is on parental leave.

Vicki will join the team on Monday 12 May. Vicki comes to us from Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation, where she was the People and Capabilities Manager. Prior to this she has worked in a variety of HR positions such as Talent Acquisition Partner at Grampians Health, HR Business Support Coordinator at City of Ballarat and school experience, working as a HR Business Partner at Ballarat and Clarendon College. Vicki will be based in the Ballarat Office, and Sarah will still be around for the next little while to assist with handover. If you see Vicki around, please make sure you say hello.

We are pleased to announce that the Education Officer: Secondary position has been accepted by Ingrid May. Ingrid has recently moved to Victoria from Western Australia where her latest position was as Deputy Principal: Teaching and Learning at John Paul College in Kalgoorlie. Prior to this she has worked at St Mary MacKillop College in Busselton and has experience in Jewish schools in Victoria.

As a teacher Ingrid has taught Science and Humanities across Yrs 7-12 whilst as a school leader she has led curriculum development, data analysis and assisted with whole school organisation and strategic planning. Whilst new to the Ballarat Diocese, Ingrid has familiarity with several of the founding charisms of our schools.

We warmly welcome Ingrid, who will begin on Tuesday 13 May who will be based in the Ballarat Office. If you see her around, please make her feel welcome.

Catholic Education Week Mass & Dinner – Limited Tickets Available

Catholic Education Week

A limited number of tickets are available for the Catholic Education Week Mass and Dinner, taking place on Friday, 30 May at 5:30PM.

If you are interested in attending, please submit your interest no later than Tuesday 13 May to Nadia Warnes at nwarnes@dobcel.catholic.edu.au.

SIMON User Conference 2025: Two Days of Innovation, Collaboration, and Educational Breakthroughs!

From system reform to smarter student engagement, the SIMON User Conference 2025 was an inspiring two-day journey that brought together a powerhouse lineup of educators, thought leaders, and tech innovators. Held on May 8–9, this year’s event featured insightful keynotes, practical workshops, and dynamic discussions across every corner of school operations and education technology.

The event opened with a compelling keynote by Dave Runge, Director of Future Schools, setting a visionary tone for system improvement. Kevin Brodie, SIMON’s General Manager, joined throughout the conference, leading sessions on administration, system enhancements, and the unveiling of the new SIMON UI and eAdmin tools - two standout announcements of the event.

A rich variety of sessions followed, highlighting expert voices including:

• Andrew Weir, who brought clarity to everything from student enrolments and communications to excursion manifests and community engagement.

• Stephanie Porter, offering practical strategies on learning areas, social behaviour, and personalised learning plans (PLPs).

• Tim Wilson, diving into the technical side of PAM, Parent-Teacher Interviews, and real-time reporting.

• Tegan Burgess, co-presenting on the new SIMON UI and enrolment processes.

• Mark Vanderkley, supporting discussions around SIMON’s future innovations.

A vibrant partner community added real-world depth to the program. Highlights included:

• Greg Campitelli (Enquiry Tracker) and his marketing masterclass to boost enrolments.

• Rowan Freeman and Ruby Hooke (Intellischool), showcasing SIMON Connect analytics for data-informed decision-making.

• Troy Vertigan and Mel Gillies (Reflex Technology Group), unpacking the AI security frontier.

• Dan Dawson (Schoolzine), sharing research-backed tips on accessible communication.

• Marcus Ferraro and Dylan Coombes (The School Photographer), reimagining school photography as a branding tool.

• Nathan Wood (Parent-Teacher Interviews), streamlining scheduling systems.

• Rory Walsh, bringing Google integration to SIMON tools.

• Chris Hordern (HordernIT), with SIMON Everywhere’s push-notification power.

• Dennis Dalla Costa and Sammy Pinkus (Professional Advantage), connecting SIMON to the Microsoft Business Central Finance System.

• John Abougelis and Stephanie Mason (Passtab), on compliance and time-in-lieu innovation.

• Lewis Carter and Derek Mamo (Aurion), providing strategic payroll insights.

Attendees also heard from Laura Overdyk (Mater Christi College) on lesson planning success, Anne Ruddell (DOBCEL) on implementing SWPBS using SIMON, and Sammy Pinkus on eAdmin efficiency. Rounding out the event was the interactive Ask the Experts Panel, where attendees had their voices heard by the full SIMON leadership team.

With a buzzing welcome event, collaborative sessions, and exciting tech on the horizon, the 2025 SIMON Conference wasn’t just a professional development experience—it was a celebration of progress, connection, and the future of education.

The SIMON team have received fantastic feedback so far, attendees have mentioned that the new User Interface is a fresh and intuitive face to SIMON. There's also excitement around student fee generation through SIMON with integration to Business Central. 

Check out some of the photos below...more photos to come soon!

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Consent and Respectful Relationships Education

Earlier this week, school leaders from across the Ballarat Diocese came together for a powerful workshop on Consent and Respectful Relationships education, hosted by the Victorian Catholic Education Authority (VCEA) and Jesuit Social Services.

“This professional learning is another great opportunity to grow our capacity to respond to complex questions about relationships and sexuality from the perspective of the Catholic tradition,” said Matthew Byrne, DOBCEL Deputy Director: Catholic Education.

Lumen Christi Deputy Principal Shane Bruty added, “We want to develop socially and emotionally equipped children who have the skills and strategies to be independent and have agency.”

With rich discussion, practical tools and shared purpose, leaders left equipped and inspired to lead this vital work in their school communities.

It was great to see a few CEB staff at this session!

Dancing with Our Stars 2025: Foundation Teacher, Gemma Snibson, Dances for a Cause!

We’re thrilled to announce that St Francis Xavier Primary School’s very own Foundation teacher, Gemma Snibson, is taking the spotlight in this year’s Dancing with Our Stars, proudly supporting the Ballarat Foundation.

Gemma is one of the local Ballarat “stars” swapping school shoes for dancing heels - as she trains hard for the big event. This glamorous charity fundraiser aims to raise over $200,000 for vital programs supporting the Ballarat community. Each star has a personal target of $10,000.

We are incredibly proud of Gemma’s dedication, generosity, and willingness to take on this enormous challenge. Let’s get behind her with our cheers, votes, and donations as she dances her heart out for a great cause. 

So far, Gemma has raised $3,620! Please click here to view Gemma's fundraising page. 

Stay tuned for how you can support Gemma on her fundraising journey!

The Ballarat Foundation's Dancing with Our Stars is more than just a night of entertainment, it is a vital fundraiser that directly supports programs aimed at breaking the cycle of disadvantage in the Ballarat community.

Each year, local personalities partner with professional dancers to deliver dazzling performances while raising funds for important initiatives such as:

• TAC L2P Learner Driver Program: Helping young people without access to a supervising driver or vehicle to achieve their probationary licence.
• Back to School Vouchers: Providing essential items like uniforms and stationery to students in need.
• Dolly Parton's Imagination Library: Delivering free books to children to foster early literacy.
• Volunteering Ballarat: Connecting volunteers with organisations to strengthen community engagement.

This year, the Ballarat Foundation is aiming to reach a major milestone of $1 million raised since Dancing with our Stars began!  That’s $1 million going directly to local programs and projects that help disadvantaged people in the Ballarat community.

People and Development Update

2025 Employee Engagement Survey results

Thank you to everyone who participated in the recent 2025 CEB Employee Engagement Survey. 118 staff provided feedback and shared almost 400 comments on their experiences working at CEB.

This feedback will be integral to help guide the year of ‘strategy sense making’ and continuing in the development of a system of high performing Catholic Schools.

Some result highlights –

• The CEB overall engagement scores is 78% (up from 72% in 2023)
• 93% of people responded to the survey
• 399 comments provided
• Biggest increases in category scores are Action (up 16%), overall Engagement (up 6%), leadership: Team Leader (up 5%) and Feedback and Recognition (up 5%).

To provide everyone the opportunity to see the high-level organisation results, there will be a presentation held in the Ballarat conference room, with the opportunity to join online. This presentation will also be recorded for those unable to attend and the recording will be shared in the staff newsletter.

Results presentation details –

Friday June 6, 9:30 – 10:30, Ballarat office Conference room or MS teams

This meeting is a great opportunity for everyone to gain insight into the feedback provided and understand the key areas of focus moving forward.

All teams will be provided with detailed results of their overall team responses and will have the opportunity to debrief team results over the coming weeks and months.

If you have any questions regarding the Engagement Survey, please contact Fiona Murphy.

SOCIAL JUSTICE UPDATE: Adoption of Sustainable Lifestyles

Adoption of Sustainable Lifestyles

“In the meantime, economic powers continue to justify the current global systems where priority tends to be given to speculation and the pursuit of financial gain, which fail to take the context into account. Let alone the effects on human dignity and the natural environment.”               

Pope Francis, Laudato Si’ 24 May 2015

The Adoption of Sustainable Lifestyles is grounded in the idea of sufficiency and promoting sobriety in the use of resources and energy. Actions could include reducing waste and recycling, adopting sustainable dietary habits (opting for a more plant-based diet and reducing meat consumption), greater use of public transport, active mobility (walking, cycling), and avoiding single use items (e.g., plastic, etc.).

This Saturday, 10th May, we celebrate World Fair Trade Day, and one of the top topics is B Corp certification standards. B Corp certification is a designation awarded by B Lab, a global non-profit, to businesses that meet high standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency. It signifies that a company is using business as a force for good, balancing profit with purpose. B Corps demonstrate a commitment to positive impacts on their workers, customers, suppliers, community, and the environment.

As we become more aware of both the environmental and ethical risks within our supply chain, it is up to each of us to stay informed on the presence bursting through even our simplest daily purchases, such as coffee, as we pursue fullness of life for all. Read the full Fair Trade Project article, titled ‘The B Corp Standard is at Risk’ here to find out more about what popular coffee brand is being accused of greenwashing. 

A message from our partner, Simply Cups, who is assisting us in the implementation of our Laudato Si' Action Goal, ‘Adoption of Sustainable Lifestyles.’  While we encourage the thoughtful disposal of our single use coffee cups, we are reminded to think one step ahead, and make use of reusable mugs or keep cups. 💭Think “keys, wallet, phone and keep cup” before leaving home, and if grabbing a coffee in the Office from our visiting coffee van, why not increase your steps just a little and grab a mug from the kitchen on your way out. You will be benefiting both your heart and our common home. 

Our use of the Simply Cups Recycle Bins in our Horsham and Ballarat Offices are helping to achieve the following stats:

Prayer:

Wisdom to Care for the Earth

Lord, grant us the wisdom to care for the earth and till it.
Help us to act now for the good of future generations and all your creatures.
Help us to become instruments of a new creation,
Founded on the covenant of your love.
- Llewellyn Vaugh-Lee, The Cry of the Earth 

Upcoming Key Social Justice Dates:

World Fair Trade Day - Saturday 10th May 2025 World Fair Trade Day 

Laudato Si’ Week - Friday 16th - Saturday 24th May 2025

Catholic Identity and Mission Updates

ECSI Masterclass: Sacred Spaces (Online) - Save the Date and Register

Support Your Family’s Wellbeing: Building Confidence in Mental Health Conversations

At Catholic Education Ballarat we know the importance of open, supportive conversations around mental health. But sometimes, finding the right words at home can feel challenging.

Headspace is offering CEB staff, Finding the Words – a free 30 min training opportunity. This session will build your confidence to have safe, meaningful conversations about mental health and suicide within your own family.  This is not just professional learning – it’s personal support to help you care for the wellbeing of those you love most. 

This opportunity is part of the Ballarat Headspace Youth Suicide Prevention Program and has been also offered to schools, parents and community.

 We invite you to join this important session and strengthen your skills to create safe, open, and connected spaces at home.

The session will be held in person at the Ballarat office or online on Wednesday 28^th May at 1:00 pm – 1:30 pm.

Please register here  or  use the QR code by Monday 26^th of May. 

Career Opportunities in the Diocesan Education Community

CEB Positions

• Payroll Officer – Ballarat – Fixed Term at 1.0 FTE (closes 18 May)