CEB Staff Newsletter #72 - 10 October 2025

Pilgrims of Hope: A Journey of Reflection and Renewal

In the spirit of Pilgrims of Hope, Foundation participants recently set out on seven unique pilgrimages, journeys of faith, reflection and connection that invited all to step away from the everyday and see their work, one another, and the world through a renewed lens of hope.

A pilgrimage is more than a physical journey; it is a sacred experience of movement, meaning-making and renewal. Across a variety of locations, each pilgrimage explored how the Catholic Tradition speaks into our present context, grounding participants in spirituality, nature, community and story.

Along the Yarrowee River, pilgrims walked almost 40 kilometres along the creek trail over two days, taking time to reflect on the connection between the built and natural environments. Many spoke about the joy of discovering parts of Ballarat they had never visited before, the beauty of the stained-glass windows in St Patrick’s Cathedral, and the chance to get to know one another through shared conversation and quiet moments along the way.

Those who set out from Nimon’s Bridge journeyed together along the Ballarat–Skipton Rail Trail, camping overnight at Smythesdale. Stories and reflections were shared around the campfire, connecting ideas of pilgrimage, hope and faith with the simple experience of walking together – also covering nearly 40 kilometres of stunning countryside.

In Warrnambool, participants immersed themselves in an Ignatian-style retreat, There Where You Are, reflecting on the sacred in daily life and the natural world. Although wild and windy weather kept the group largely indoors, the time was nonetheless marked by deep personal reflection and a sense of spiritual grounding.

At Boort, The Lore of Hope pilgrimage with Aunty Vicki Clark offered a rich encounter with Indigenous Spirituality, exploring the ways hope is named and lived within First Nations traditions and how these intersect with the Catholic story.

In Halls Gap, A Pilgrimage to Laudato Si encouraged participants to reflect on creation as a source of hope and to consider how care for our common home can be an act of faith. The group admired a vivid rainbow over Lake Bellfield, wildflowers in bloom, and a striking sculpture during their walk at Brambuk.

Pilgrims of Hope on the Big Screen took a different form, inviting participants to reflect on how hope is portrayed in film and how storytelling can inspire courage and compassion in our own roles.

And in Melbourne, the Mary MacKillop Pilgrimage offered time to walk in the footsteps of Australia’s first saint, visiting the Mary MacKillop Heritage Centre and exploring the streets and stories of Fitzroy and East Melbourne that shaped her mission of faith and service.

Across each of these journeys, one thing was clear: stepping away from the office and into new spaces, whether walking, reflecting or sharing a meal, created time to slow down, reconnect, and rediscover a shared sense of purpose. Together, these experiences reminded us that hope is not just something we talk about, but something we live, step by step, side by side.

You can view moments from each pilgrimage in the slideshow below, capturing the spirit, connection and hope shared along the way.

General: Annual Formation Survey

Thank you to everyone who contributed to and participated in the recent CEB Formation experience. Our particular thanks to the facilitators and group leaders, to the providers who hosted us, and to CEB Directorate for their generous support of this offering.

Your feedback is invaluable for shaping future Formations. Please take a few minutes to complete the survey, even if you did not attend or attended in part.

Thanks,

Elise

Catholic Identity and Mission Updates

Pilgrims of Hope – Staff Pilgrimage

For those staff who wish to claim accreditation hours for the recent staff pilgrimage experience, please use the following information.

Title: CEB 2025 Pilgrims of Hope
Code: REC-022957

If you are having any difficulties with TAP, please do not hesitate to contact the CI & M team.

Enterprise Bargaining Offer to Staff: Better Pay and Conditions for the start of 2026

This week marks an important step forward and an exciting milestone for Catholic education staff across Victoria.

Alongside other Catholic school employers across the state, DOBCEL - with the full support of the DOBCEL Board - has made a strong and forward-looking offer to improve wages and conditions for employees by the start of the 2026 school year.

This proposal reflects a new and collaborative approach to bargaining that values our people and their vital contribution to Catholic education.

We encourage you to watch the following Q&A style video from Executive Director Tom Sexton, who speaks to the details of the offer and what it means for DOBCEL staff. 

Key Features of the Offer:

• Minimum 7% wage increase for all employees from the start of the 2026 school year, with further rises to match government school agreements.
• $1,500 sign-on bonus for ongoing and fixed-term employees (pro rata for part-time).
• Minimum of 5 days off as time in lieu for full-time teachers, reducing administrative burden.
• Higher starting and top salaries for non-teaching staff at Education Support Levels 3, 4, 5, and a new Level 6.
• Increased graduate salaries to attract new teachers.
• Enhanced leave entitlements:
  • Four extra weeks paid parental leave (up to 20 weeks, or 40 weeks at half pay)
  • Paid lactation breaks
  • Compassionate leave increased from 3 to 5 days
  • Leave for chronic symptoms (endometriosis, menopause, etc.)
  • Natural disaster leave (5 days). 
• Increased allowances for leadership positions and improved salary structures for deputy principals and primary principals.
• Streamlined administrative requirements for time in lieu and other duties.
• Commitment to pay parity with government school employees over the life of the four-year agreement.

Here is the link of the video from VCEA's CEO Professor Elizabeth Labone as she briefly explains what this agreement is all about.

For more information and answers to commonly asked questions, visit https://eb.catholic.edu.au/. 

Birthday Celebrants of the Week

Subsidiarity in the DOBCEL Strategy 2035

The DOBCEL Strategy 2035 sets a bold vision for Catholic education in Ballarat: “Pursuing fullness of life for all.” Developed through extensive collaboration, the strategy places Catholic identity at its core, emphasising the dignity of the human person made in the image of God, inclusion, and stewardship. Key pillars of the Strategy – collaborative cultures, engagement and belonging, rich pedagogical practices, and sustainable stewardship – invite every school to nurture the whole person and foster community. By prioritising equity, wellbeing, and innovation, DOBCEL empowers teachers and support staff to be co-creators of a high-performing, compassionate system. Together, we are called to unlock greatness in every learner and build a future grounded in Catholic teaching.

Subsidiarity is a foundational principle in Catholic Social Teaching and is woven throughout the DOBCEL Strategy 2035. It recognises that decisions should be made at the most local level possible, empowering those closest to the students – teachers, support staff, and school leaders – to respond to their communities’ unique needs. The strategy’s emphasis on collective autonomy and agency trusts schools to make the best choices for those in their care, while maintaining mutual responsibility to the wider system. By honouring subsidiarity, DOBCEL fosters innovation, responsiveness, and genuine engagement, ensuring that every school community can flourish within a supportive, collaborative network.

World Mental Health Day

October is Mental Health Month.  Follow this link for information with resources to support Australian initiatives.

World Mental Health Day is on October 10. For further information and resources visit this link

This year, Mental Health Australia’s theme for World Mental Health Day is “Connect with your community.“

Check out MHA's October Activities to help you maintain a balanced mental health everyday.

People & Development Updates

October Wellbeing Highlights from Converge 

October is packed with opportunities to support your wellbeing—from Mental Health Month to World Food Day and Menopause Month. Converge has curated a rich collection of resources, events, and support services to help. 

Mental Health Month: Support for Leaders & Teams 

Manager Support + Employee Counselling 
Converge’s Manager Support service pairs perfectly with Employee Counselling to guide both leaders and staff. 
Explore Manager Support  
Employee Counselling 

World Food Day  (16th October) : Thrive Podcast 

Explore the gut–brain connection and how nutrition impacts stress and wellbeing with senior dietitian Marcela Velasquez. 
Listen to Thrive podcast 

World Menopause Month: Dedicated Support Line 

Staff can access expert care via Converge’s Menopause Support Line: 
(03) 9454 7100 
Share the Poster  

Webinars for Staff & Leaders 

Transforming Lives (Leaders) 
Unlock Your Wellbeing Potential (Staff) 

Flourish E-Magazine 

Packed with articles, workouts, recipes, and podcasts—this edition is a must-read! 

CEB Wellbeing Team Staffing Update

Last week Brooke Nester shared the news that she has accepted a role as ‘National Lead: Disaster Resilience’ with MacKillop Institute. Brooke will conclude her time at CEB on Friday 17^th October. Brooke has clearly established herself as a valuable team member at CEB whose work in support of the health and wellbeing of students and staff at DOBCEL schools has been exemplary. Brooke will no doubt have a great deal to offer to this new role and we congratulate her on this appointment.

The position Brooke has accepted is a fixed-term contract which runs until June 2027. Brooke has been granted leave from CEB for this period of time.

Ballarat Retirement Planning Seminar

Are you thinking about your retirement journey? Join Catholic Super for an in-person seminar designed to help you plan your next steps with confidence.

Date: Monday, 20 October 2025
Time: 7:00PM – 8:00PM
Venue: Ballarat Golf Club, 1800 Sturt St., Ballarat

Hosted by an experienced relationship manager and joined by a financial planner, this session will provide answers to your questions and personalised guidance for your retirement planning. Whether you’re just starting to consider retirement or ready to take action, we welcome you to come along and get expert advice in a supportive setting.

To register, visit this link: https://csf.com.au/tools-and-resources/events/2025-10-retirement-seminars-x8

Professional Learning Opportunities

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

Career Opportunities

Schools 

• • Classroom Teacher – St Joseph’s Primary School, Charlton – fixed-term position at 1.0 FTE (closes 8 October)
  • Digital Technology Teacher – St Aloysius Primary School, Redan – fixed-term position at 0.6 FTE (closes 9 October)
  • Classroom Teachers - St Aloysius Primary School, Redan – fixed-term position at 1.0 FTE (closes 9 October)
  • Learning Support/Teacher Aide – Enrichment Educator – Siena Catholic Primary School, Lucas – fixed-term position at 0.83 FTE (closes 9 October)
  • Classroom Teacher – St Malachy’s School, Edenhope – fixed-term position at 1.0 FTE (closes 10 October)
  • Learning Support Officers – Emmaus Primary School, Mt Clear – part-time, fixed-term position (closes 10 October)
  • Learning Support Officer – St James' School, Sebastopol – fixed-term position at 0.79 FTE (closes 10 October)
  • Visual Arts Teacher – Mercy Regional College, Camperdown – ongoing position at 0.8 FTE (closes 10 October)
  • Finance Manager – St Mary’s Primary School, Ararat – fixed-term position at 0.6 FTE (closes 10 October)
  • Classroom Teacher – St Mary’s Primary School, Ararat – fixed-term position at 1.0 FTE (closes 10 October)
  • 2026 Teaching Positions - St Patrick’s Primary School, Camperdown – fixed-term positions, full and/or part time (closes 13 October)
  • Year 8 Teacher – St Joseph’s College, Mildura – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 16 October)
  • Science Teacher - St Joseph’s College, Mildura – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 16 October)
  • VCE Systems Engineering Teacher - St Joseph’s College, Mildura – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 16 October)
  • English Teacher - St Joseph’s College, Mildura – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 16 October)
  • French Teacher – Damascus College, Mt Clear – part-time, ongoing position closes 20 October)
  • Classroom/Specialist Teacher – St Colman’s Primary School, Mortlake – fixed-term position at 0.8 FTE (closes 22 October)
  • Classroom Teacher – St Joseph’s Primary School, Hopetoun – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 23 October)
  • Specialist Teacher – Performing Arts – St Columba’s School, Ballarat North – fixed-term position at 0.67 FTE (closes 24 October)
  • 2025 Casual Relief Teachers – St Columba’s Primary School, Ballarat North – casual positions (closes 25 November)
  • Classroom Teacher 2026 – St Mary’s, Warracknabeal – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 5 December)
  • Casual Relief Teachers – St Patrick’s Primary School, Ballarat – casual positions (closes 31 December) 

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