Catholic Education Ballarat eNewsletter

Formation Experience Logistics

Thank you everyone for indicating your dietary and accommodation needs regarding our Pilgrims of Hope Pilgrimages taking place on the 1st & 2nd October. It is coming together! You do not need to organise anything regarding your accommodation, you will receive the details of where you are staying shortly.

In just over a month we are off!! Each pilgrimage is quite different in nature, therefore you will receive specific information regarding your pilgrimage via the SharePoint pages that have been set up. Already leaders have started to communicate information via these pages as it comes to hand. Check these pages regularly and begin thinking about how you might get to and from your pilgrimage experiences. There are offers to carpool within your individual SharePoint pages, and for those who will be transported to their starting points by bus, more information will be circulated as things are confirmed.

Our grateful thanks are extended to Elise Hart who is continually monitoring and updating these pages, and has spent much time organising all of our accommodation and other needs regarding the pilgrimages. No easy feat! Thank you Elise!!!

Please do not hesitate to contact Jim Waight or the facilitator of your pilgrimage experience if you have any queries.

Here is some further interesting reading about what a pilgrimage may involve from a deeply spiritual perspective: Spiritual Disciplines of Pilgrimage

Links to Sharepoint Pages:

Changes in Risk and Assurance Team

In preparation for the delivery of our new DOBCEL Strategy 2035 we are delighted that Sam Campbell will change the focus of his role to that of a dedicated Risk Management Officer.

This dedicated focus will enhance our organisational decision making capabilities through a maturing risk management culture. Sam will commence in this role on 1 September 2025.

Sam will vacate his current role as Manager Risk and Assurance and we will advertise this position in the near future.

In the interim we are delighted to be welcoming back to DOBCEL Andrew Watson. Andrew has concluded his term as Executive Director Diocese of Wagga Wagga and we are fortunate that he has returned to the Diocese. Andrew’s system experience and understanding of our diocese will provide continuing support for the team and Directorate until the role is filled. Andrew will commence in this interim role on Monday 1 September 2025.

Student Agency Forum – Listening to the Voices of Our Students

Purpose
The Student Agency Forum is an ongoing initiative designed to hear directly from students about what engages them in their learning and school community, with the aim of fostering fullness of life for all.

Background
Across our Diocese, schools and CEB have shown a deep and sustained commitment to building student agency. This dedication from educators, leaders and students has laid a strong foundation for the next phase of this work.

About the Forum
Principals, teachers, and students (Years 5 & 6, Years 8–10) from participating schools will collaborate with Dr Jean Stiles to explore the factors that influence student engagement and participation. Importantly, student representatives will not be limited to formal school leaders, ensuring a wide range of voices are heard.

Through this project, students will:

Share their perspectives on learning and school life.
Develop skills in collaboration, communication, and critical thinking.
Be supported to instigate meaningful change within their school communities.

The DOBCEL Strategy 2035 highlights the importance of student agency, positive relationships, and teacher professional autonomy in strengthening engagement, belonging, wellbeing, and innovation. The Student Agency Forum Project aligns closely with these priorities and seeks to build on the progress already achieved.

Staff will play a key role in supporting ongoing student agency and change within schools. This initiative also offers an opportunity for professional learning, deepening skills in listening, responding, and acting on what matters most to children and young people.

Next Steps
As the project continues to grow, we will share updates and learnings across diocesan communities. Please find instructions below to access Canvas which contains further information about the project.

Click here to access the Student Agency Forum

This special link gives you direct access to the Canvas page.
Log in with your existing account or create one in 1–2 minutes.
Once logged in, select “Join Course” to begin reviewing resources and information.

For any access issues, contact Matthew Watson.

Footy Tipping - Final Results

After a nail-biting final round, the results are in…

1st Place – Teresa Hadden
2nd Place – Madeleine Ingham
3rd Place – Ange Van Berkel
Last Place – Dean Pidgeon

Congratulations to our winners and to everyone else for playing, better luck next year!

For those whose teams are heading into the finals – good luck! Go the Cattttts!!!

St Pius X Primary School – Hands-on Learning Space Revamp

A huge thank you and congratulations goes out to Leah and Penny for the transformation of the hands-on learning space at St Pius X Primary School. Over just a day and a half, the team created a safer, warmer and more inviting environment for both staff and students, without the need for any extra supplies.

The space quickly became a point of curiosity, with students stopping by for progress updates. Ethan, a Grade 1 student, eagerly asked questions and became a “project buddy” for the team.

The revamped space is not only practical but also adds value to the school community. It now provides a welcoming area the principal can proudly share with prospective families as a point of difference.

This project is a wonderful example of balancing safety with student engagement, and we extend our thanks and praise to to Leah and Penny whose efforts made this transformation possible.

Before

After

R U OK? Day

R U OK? Day is Thursday 11 September 2025 and is the National Day of Action, providing an ideal opportunity to engage staff and the wider school community with the values of R U OK?

You can also encourage and support an R U OK? Culture every day of the year by having regular, meaningful conversations which builds trust and engagement within our communities.

Learn more about the 4 steps of a RU OK ? conversation

Ask R U OK?
Listen with an open mind
Encourage action
Check in

Here are some resources you may like to access for R U OK Day:

Drive Against Depression – Supporting Mental Health

With R U OK? Day approaching, it’s a timely reminder that support and connection can take many forms. One initiative making a real difference is Drive Against Depression (DAD), a charity that uses a shared passion for driving to foster community, connection and mental health awareness.

Over the past seven years, one of our team members Andrew Weir has been actively involved with DAD, first as a participant, and more recently as a volunteer helping with merchandise sales and route planning. The funds raised through their online shop go directly towards supporting the charity’s important work.

The next event, the Melbourne Spring Drive Day, will take place on Sunday 5 October. A test run has already taken place (photos below), and there are plans to bring a drive to the Ballarat area in the future.

You can learn more about the charity, upcoming events and how to get involved at driveagainstdepression.com.au.

Professional Learning Opportunities

The following people and development professional learning opportunities are available for staff to attend:

Date	Course	Details	Trybooking Link
2 days 9:00 Wednesday 17 September – 4:00 Thursday 18 September	Crucial Conversations Term 3 – Mildura	Click here for details	https://www.trybooking.com/DBRWE Please contact Emma Baldwin or Fiona Murphy for more information.
2 days 9:00 Tuesday 11 November 4:00 Wednesday 12 November	Crucial Conversations Term 4 – Ballarat	Click here for details	https://www.trybooking.com/DBRWT Please contact Emma Baldwin or Fiona Murphy for more information. Please note this program is already booked out for November, please contact Fiona to be added to the waiting list.
Wednesday 26 Nov 10:30 – 12:30	Managing Employee Performance – online	Click here for details	https://www.trybooking.com/CZNNS Please contact Jo Huntley or Tina Phillips for more information.

CEB Higher Education Study Support – 2026 Applications Close Today

Higher education study support is designed to promote ongoing professional learning of the individual and in support of a high-performing system of Catholic Schools culture aligned to the DOBCEL Strategy 2035.

On an annual basis, Catholic Education Ballarat (CEB) employees can apply for financial support towards higher education and study leave for one approved course of study or subject per semester. Up to two-thirds of the cost of the education will be provided as financial assistance (pro rata for part-time employees).

How to apply:

Read the CEB Higher Education Study Support Operating Procedure.
Speak with your Team Leader regarding your intentions to apply for Higher Education Support.
Complete the online application form by Friday 29 August 2025. 
Ensure your Team Leader endorses your application—unendorsed applications cannot be considered.

For more information please refer to CEB Higher Education Study Support Operating Procedure or contact Fiona Murphy.

Note: The CEB Higher Education Study Support Operating Procedure is a separate provision to the DOBCEL Sponsorship: Higher Education Studies in Religious Education, Theology, and Catholic Educational Leadership Policy which is designed to specifically promote higher education studies in religious education, theology and educational leadership. It recognises that higher learning in these areas is an important element of contemporary Catholic leadership and teaching that will enhance the Catholic identity and the learning across our diocesan education community and support leadership succession.

Higher Education Study Support Operating Procedure 2025

CEB Professional Enrichment Scholarship – Applications Close Today

The CEB Professional Enrichment Scholarship offers up to $5,000 to support enriching experiences such as retreats, conferences, immersion programs, or school visits aligned with our strategic priorities.

Who can apply?
All CEB staff with at least five years of continuous service who meet the eligibility criteria are welcome to apply for a Professional Enrichment Scholarship.