CEB Staff Newsletter #56 - 23 May 2025

Staff News

Important Information - Formation for Mission 1st & 2nd October

Please take a moment to read the following presentation and watch the attached video. (in total it will take about 10 minutes) These both capture the shape and format of our Catholic Education Ballarat Staff Formation that is taking place on the 1st and 2nd October.

Click here for the PowerPoint about Formation and the Understanding Jubilee Year video here. 

In next Friday’s staff newsletter, there will be a link that will allow people to nominate their first three preferences regarding which formation experience they would like to take part in. 

Already we have received positive feedback regarding the planned formation experiences. There may also be items that we haven’t even thought about during the planning of the formation event, re each of the planned experiences. As an example, this week a colleague suggested that the Nimon’s Bridge to Ballarat Pilgrimage might be able to stay overnight at The Woady Yaloak Recreation Reserve, which has a kitchen, hot showers, etc. See Woady Yaloak Recreation Reserve - Smythesdale | Golden Plains Shire Council This is a fantastic idea which we are currently exploring. 

You might also have an idea, local knowledge, or something for consideration that could add to our current planned formation experiences, such as the one above. Please feel very welcome to contribute them to the following document. CEB Pilgrims of Hope 2025 Add your name at the end of the idea so there can be the opportunity to explore it further with you, especially if there are contacts etc. that need investigation. Contributions will be pertaining to the current planned experiences.

For the Jubilee Year, each Diocese in Australia has a designated pilgrimage site. In the Diocese of Ballarat the place of pilgrimage is St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Ballarat. See Jubilee Year 2025 – Pilgrims of Hope – Diocese of Ballarat

Therefore, to mark this place as our designated pilgrimage site, on the second day of the pilgrimage experiences, all pilgrims will be invited to join in a liturgy at the cathedral. At this stage, it will probably be after 4.00pm possibly a little later allowing for those who would like to join from other locations to return to Ballarat. This part of the formation experience is invitational. 

Here is some interesting further reading, regarding pilgrimage from the Catholic Christian perspective.

Exploring Pilgrimage - Sisters of St. Joseph 

Welcome Aboard, Matthew Watson!

We are delighted to welcome Matthew Watson to the team! Matthew will be joining us on Monday, 26 June as our new Learning Management System Administrator in the People and Development team.

He brings with him a wealth of experience from Triple Zero Victoria, where he dedicated over a decade in various roles - most recently as Training & Education Lead. Matthew’s expertise and passion for education and systems will be a valuable addition to our work.

He will be based in the Ballarat Office, so if you see him around, be sure to extend a warm welcome and say hello!

Farewell Damian Ferrari!

We wish to advise staff that Damian Ferrari has announced his resignation, effective at the end of Term 2 on 4 July 2025. Damian has brought a unique blend of experience and insight to his role at DOBCEL, drawing on his career in the police force. His contributions have been marked not only by technical knowledge of the legal system but also by a calm, empathetic approach to engaging with all stakeholders, often in complex and sensitive matters.

Damian has advised that he is stepping away from his role to better balance his commitments as a local councillor, along with the demands of commuting and farm responsibilities. We thank Damian for his contributions to Catholic Education and wish him all the very best in this next chapter. We will begin advertising this position in the coming week.

Celebrating Bishop Paul’s 50th Anniversary of Ordination

This morning, staff came together for a special Morning Tea to celebrate Bishop Paul Bird’s incredible 50th anniversary of ordination – a significant milestone marking five decades of faithful and inspiring service.

Our Executive Director, Tom Sexton, also spoke, highlighting the many places Bishop Paul has served and the impact of his leadership across diverse communities. Bishop Paul shared reflections on his journey, offering insights into his calling, his ministry, and the many people who have shaped his path along the way.

Thank you to all who joined us in honouring Bishop Paul and making this a warm and memorable occasion of gratitude and celebration.

Shout-Out – Well Done to our DOBCEL Social Justice Education Officer, Sarah Page!

 A huge congratulations and heartfelt thank you to Sarah Page, our DOBCEL Social Justice Education Officer, for her outstanding leadership during Day 2 of the Little Feet, Big Footprints: Growing Young Leaders in Faith initiative!

Hosted recently at Saint Brigid’s Primary School, Ballan, the event brought together Year 6 students from five local primary schools: St Patrick’s Gordon, St Augustine’s Creswick, St Mary’s Clarkes Hill, St Michael’s Daylesford, and Our Lady Help of Christians Wendouree.

The day was rich with reflection, inspiration, and action. Students explored leadership and faith through meaningful dialogue and activities, including a powerful session on Laudato Si’ and environmental stewardship led by Sarah. Her passion and commitment to social justice truly shone and left a lasting impact on all who attended.

This initiative is a shining example of the power of collaboration across our Catholic schools, strengthening community ties and nurturing the next generation of leaders in faith.

Well done, Sarah – your work continues to inspire us all!

The Blessing and Opening of the Xavier Flood Senior Learning Centre at Damascus College, Ballarat

Yesterday, we celebrated the Blessing and Opening of the Xavier Flood Senior Learning Centre at Damascus College, Ballarat – a dynamic new space dedicated to senior student learning, collaboration, and academic excellence.

Named in honour of Mother Xavier Flood, the Centre embodies our commitment to delivering vibrant, contemporary Catholic education across the Diocese.

The celebration was rich in symbolism and community spirit, featuring a Smoking Ceremony, student and staff addresses, a moving choir performance, and a blessing by Bishop Paul Bird CSsR.

Our Executive Director, Tom Sexton, delivered the DOBCEL address and was joined by Megan Ioannou, Director of Stewardship, to unveil the commemorative plaque. Both toured the new facility with House Captains and joined the Damascus College community for morning tea.

A wonderful event celebrating faith, learning, and legacy.

National Reconciliation Week 2025

National Reconciliation Week runs from May 27 to June 3. Staff are encouraged to think about an external event they might be able to attend or support. Please access a list of suggestions compiled by Helen Christensen.

Goanna: Celebrating 40 Years of Spirit of Place - Form Closes This Evening

Be part of National Reconciliation Week. Add your voice!

We are seeking all CEB staff to name the land on which you stand. Use this form to name the country on which you live, work, were born or grew up. Names and places will be added to an office film clip that will accompany the Goanna hit ‘Solid Rock’ which has been chosen as the theme for National Reconciliation Week.

For those too young to remember the song, make sure you have checked out the Countdown performance of the song. If you need help identifying country, use the AIATSIS map to locate yourself.

The form closes this evening.

People and Development Updates

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.

Have Your Say – Help Shape the Next Enterprise Agreement

As we move towards the preparation for shaping the next Agreement, we want to hear from you.

All CEB staff are invited to a short online session (30–40 mins) to:

• Hear an update on the consultation process,
• Have an opportunity to discuss key priorities with colleagues, and
• Nominate your personal top 3 priorities via a quick poll.

These optional sessions are grouped by role/job type. Your insights will directly inform DOBCEL’s bargaining approach.

Session Schedule:

No need to register – just click the MS Teams link for your preferred session.

Attendance is optional.  These sessions are for CEB staff only. DOBCEL School staff consultation sessions have been scheduled and promoted via the Weekly (Wednesday) newsletter.

We value your voice and look forward to your contribution.

FINAL REMINDER: 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

• No current vacancies. 

Principal Recruitment

• Principal – St Brendan’s, Coragulac – fixed-term at 1.0 FTE (closes 15 June)
• Principal – St Patrick’s, Port Fairy – fixed-term at 1.0 FTE (closes 15 June)