CEB Staff Newsletter #55 - 16 May 2025

Staff News

Catholic Education Ballarat, Staff Formation - 1st & 2nd October 2025

This year, our annual whole staff formation experience is taking place on 1st and 2nd October. Attached is a PowerPoint and short video clip that intends to capture:

1. What is Formation?
2. The theme for this year’s Formation experience.
3. An approximate outline of what the two days currently look like.

The PowerPoint and video will take approximately ten minutes to watch. The objective of watching both is participants will gain a greater insight into the what, why and how of CEB 2025 Formation. Click here for the PowerPoint about Formation and the video here. 

In the coming two weeks you are invited to think and reflect deeply about two important questions: 

1. Which formation experience will best nurture your own spirit?
2. How might you engage in The Catholic story and vision through this experience?

There is a very strong intention of offering a variety of experiences that meet people's needs, while also providing genuine experiences that help us all to reflect upon:

1. Who are we as an organisation?
2. What are we called to do in light of our Mission?

Following the two weeks' consideration, you will then be invited to nominate three preferences that you are most interested in.  We will endeavour to meet your first preference, however, due to numbers with some of the experiences the first preference you nominate may not always be able to be catered for.

Another exciting part of this process is we plan to have small groups of around 4-6 to help facilitate each experience; these will be known as our P.A.T. teams - (Pilgrim Accompaniment Teams). It is envisaged that these teams will provide assistance along the way to fellow pilgrims and help generate ideas for their team’s pilgrimage. Ideally, these PAT groups will be made up from a cross section of CEB teams. Please consider also being a part of one of our PAT groups.

In summary, in the next two weeks:

1. Choose your first three preferences (you will participate in one only) re a formation experience
2. Consider being in a PAT group.
3. Generate conversations around the formation experience

On the CEB Staff Newsletter on the 30th May there will be a link allowing you to place your three preferences and whether you may like to be on a PAT group.

Please do not hesitate to contact Jim Waight, Kate Lawry or a member of the Catholic Identity and Mission Team regarding any queries you may have.

Thank you. This is going to be a truly wonderful formation experience.

Building Our Future Together: Mid-North Zone Schools Bring DOBCEL Strategy 2035 to Life

Earlier this week, schools from the Mid-North Zone came together in Horsham for a vibrant Network Collaboration Day. These gatherings are proving to be powerful catalysts for connection, reflection, and shared learning across our Diocese.

The day provided a valuable opportunity to engage deeply with the DOBCEL Strategy 2035, allowing school communities to explore how we can collectively shape a future grounded in growth, innovation, and shared purpose. Through rich dialogue and genuine collaboration, participants continued to build the strong relationships that underpin our shared mission.

As we look ahead, these moments of connection remind us of the strength we find in unity - and the impact we can have when we work together.

The journey of shared growth and strategic reflection continues, with the next Network Collaboration Day set to take place in Robinvale on Tuesday 27 May. Schools from across the Northern Zone will come together to build on the momentum of previous gatherings, deepening their engagement with the DOBCEL Strategy 2035.

These days are more than meetings - they are a powerful space for our school communities to listen deeply, learn collaboratively, and lead with purpose. Together, we’re shaping a strong, connected, and future-focused Diocese.

We look forward to welcoming our Northern Zone colleagues as we continue this important work - grounded in shared purpose and inspired by the collective voice of our schools.

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Future-Focused Leadership in Action: Diocesan Leaders Gather in Horsham

Over the last two days, Horsham played host to a powerful moment in our diocesan journey - the Term 2 Diocesan Leadership Gathering (DLG) brought school and system leaders together to reflect, reconnect, and reimagine leadership for the future.

Grounded in the DOBCEL Strategy 2035, the gathering created space for meaningful dialogue and deep thinking around what future-focused leadership truly looks like in our context. The energy in the room was palpable, with leaders leaning into the opportunity to shape our collective path forward.

A highlight of the two days was the introduction of the Collaboration Innovation Research Prototypes (CIRPs) - an exciting initiative designed to spark innovation and deepen collaboration across our schools. Attendees were given insight into how to get involved, with access to tools and resources to support their engagement.

As always, DLG reminded us of the strength in coming together - to listen, to learn, and to lead with purpose.

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Reconciliation Week: May 27th - June 3rd

As with previous years, a National Reconciliation Week resource document has been created that might prove valuable to you, family and friends. If you would like information on possible NRW events taking place in your region, please visit Reconciliation Australia’s NRW calendar. If you are planning on hosting your own public or private event, you might like to consider uploading the details on their new NRW event page. If you have any queries, please contact Helen Christensen on 0467 415 768 or via Helen's email or Jeanette Morris on 0408 360 098 or via Jeanette's email.

You can also download the resource document here.

You're standin' on solid rock
You're standin' on sacred ground

So sang Shane Howard (St John’s Dennington & Emmanuel College, Warrnambool alumni) in the 1982 Goanna hit ‘Solid Rock’. The song was a call to Australians to consider that the land on which they stood, lived, worked and played upon had been part of First Nations’ story, culture and life for tens of thousands of years prior to European colonisation.

Solid Rock has been nominated by Reconciliation Australia as the song for ‘Voices for Reconciliation’ an opportunity for organisations to contribute to reconciliation through music.

CEB won’t be contributing a choir this year, however we would like to use the song to reflect where we stand (literally and metaphorically) on Reconciliation. You are invited to use this form to name the Country on which you stand (you might alternatively name the Country on which you were born or grew up). If you’re not sure, use this map to find out.

We will add your text to images of the places that will be combined with the song. The form will close May 23^rd at 5pm.

We will share the collaborative film clip during Reconciliation Week.

Catholic Education Week Mass & Dinner - CEB STAFF

Catholic Education Week

Tickets are still available for the Catholic Education Week Mass and Dinner, Friday, 30 May at 5:30PM.

If you are interested in attending, please submit your interest no later than Monday 19 May to Nadia Warnes at nwarnes@dobcel.catholic.edu.au.

Social Justice Update:

Happy Laudato Si’ Week Raise Hope

May 17^th to May 24^th 2025

“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

Ten Years of Inspiration and Action

10 years ago, the late Pope Francis wrote Laudato Si’, setting out a bold vision for our common home. While we celebrate 10 years of prayer and action together, we look ahead to an even brighter future. The next chapter of Laudato Si’ begins with us.

Laudato Si’ Week is also a wonderful opportunity to acknowledge with gratitude the incredible inspiration of Pope Francis in caring for our common home and reconnect with our community of God. In this joyful moment, hope spreads around the world.  

How Can We Get Involved?

This anniversary year, the Year of Jubilee, the theme for Laudato Si' Week is Raise Hope, inspired by the Jubilee Year and its theme, Pilgrims of Hope. We are all called to raise hope by sharing the light that you’ve found in Laudato Si’. Aim to reach 10 people for the 10th anniversary of Laudato Si’ by simply listening, discerning, and responding. This may include taking up an action towards living a sustainable lifestyle based on new learning and entering into dialogue about this change with a family member, colleague, or friend. 

Here are some suggested activities that promote integral ecology you may like to try:

🌏 Promote Sustainable Transportation: Opt for walking, biking, or using public transport.

🌏 Sustainable Food Choices: Incorporate more plant-based meals and support local

      produce.

🌏 Reducing Waste: Practice recycling, composting, and minimising single-use plastics.

🌏 Learning About Integral Ecology: Engage with resources that deepen our understanding

  of how everything is interconnected

🌏 Practice Ecological Spirituality: Try spending time outdoors and practice mindfulness

  and connecting to the wisdom of nature.  

🌏 Promote advocacy and ecological campaigns: Advocate for policy change, for

  supporting local responses to climate resilience and adaptation that consider the global

         community of creation. 

“Let us sing as we go. May our struggles and our concerns for this planet

never take away the joy of our hope.” Pope Francis, Laudato Si’ 24

Prayer:

Upcoming Key Social Justice Dates:

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

World Bee Day - Tuesday 20th May 2025 Why are bees important?  

International Day of Biological Diversity - Thursday 22nd May 2025 International Day for Biological Diversity | United Nations 

National Sorry Day - Monday 22nd May 2025 National Sorry Day - Reconciliation Australia 

National Reconciliation Week Bridging Now to Next - Tuesday 27th May to Tuesday 3rd June 2025 National Reconciliation Week - Bridging Now to Next 

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)