Diocesan Leadership Gathering – May 9
The next Diocesan Leadership Gathering will take place on May 9th only, as many schools have Mother’s Day commitments on May 10th.
On this day, Dave Runge of Future Schools will facilitate this next phase of our Strategic Planning process. Pasi Sahlberg will join remotely throughout the day, and Dave will facilitate other input as the day progresses. The principles of Co-Design will underpin the day, and this will be a day of principal input leading into the Board’s Strategic Planning workshop days scheduled for July. This term, we will move from the why we need to aspire to become a high-performing Catholic system of schools to the what and the how we will become a high-performing Catholic system of schools.
Last term, schools were invited to bring another leader to engage with the strategic planning process. Schools are invited to do so again this term. The one-day program may assist another person in coming and may help with the sponsors, too.
GM Sponsors are scheduled to attend this meeting. GM sponsors provide valuable income to primary school principal networks, and they have generously amended their program to reflect the single-day program. They are keen to maximise exposure for sponsors, and we hope that Principals will get in and generously give of their time to sponsors at the gathering. This is reflected in the attached draft agenda.
The day will conclude at 4:15pm, allowing principals with Mother’s Day commitments on Friday to return home by early evening.
Dinner will still proceed on Thursday evening, but with reduced numbers given, many will travel home. We would appreciate it if principals completed the attached survey to confirm daytime catering and dinner numbers by no later than 9:00am on Wednesday, April 24th.
Please note that the day starts slightly earlier (9:00am). If there are concerns about your attendance, please communicate directly with Tom Sexton. If you have questions or concerns about the program, please contact Matt Byrne or your local DLG Design Team rep.
Annual Report to the School Community 2023 (ARSC)
To ensure that Principals can access the new software for the ARSC, we are requesting that each principal logs into their CEVN account, opens the ARSC document via SmarterSoft, and adds something to their school report. This can later be edited.
We want to be certain that all principals are able to complete their ARSC by 10 May as required, without delays due to not being able to access the program.
If you have any issues, please contact Susan Crowe: scrowe@dobcel.catholic.edu.au immediately.
CEB staff update
Kerrie Zammit, Executive Assistant to the Executive Director, has resigned from her position with CEB to take up a position closer to home in Geelong. Kerrie spent many hours preparing for all types of DOBCEL/CEB activities, and her support of the Executive Director has been very much appreciated.
In the interim, while recruitment to the position takes place, please contact Tina Munro at execdirector@dobcel.catholic.edu.au or Ph 0456 734 387
TV/radio advertising campaign + social media support materials
Following completion of a recent market research project, we are pleased to deliver an inaugural Diocesan-wide TV and radio advertising campaign to help promote our Catholic schools.
The campaign objectives are to build brand awareness and help drive increased enrolment inquiries, especially over time.
The TV/radio advertisements aim to be geographically neutral and will run from 22 April - 19 May.
The campaign invites prospective families, including those from market groups who may not have previously felt they could/would consider a Catholic education, to take a ‘closer look’ and ‘discover affordable, contemporary Catholic education,’ by searching their nearest Catholic school now.
In striving for the best diocesan coverage possible, the advertisements will run across:
FM Radio
- Ballarat (103.1 Power FM)
- Warrnambool (95.3 Coast FM)
- Horsham (Mixx FM)
- Swan Hill (Mixx FM)
- Mildura (99.5 HitFM)
- Hamilton (Mixx FM)
- Colac (Mixx FM)
- Listen to the radio advertisement here
Television
- Mildura regional viewing area (Prime7/WIN/CH10)
- Ballarat regional viewing area (Prime7/WIN/CH10)
- View the TV advertisement below
Monitoring/evaluation
While we don’t anticipate a dramatic response to the advertising in the short term, we ask schools to please monitor and record enrolment inquiries throughout the campaign period, as well as note anecdotal responses/reactions within local communities. This information will help inform future marketing activities.
Supporting social media assets and key messages for schools
A suite of social media graphics/posts has been developed for schools to communicate eight key messages across their own social media channels over the next 4-5 weeks in support of the TV/radio campaign, if/as useful to local context.
The key messages have been informed by the market research, broadly addressing what families reported valuing in our Catholic schools, as well as some of the key barriers to enrolment inquiry.
Schools are encouraged to post the TV ad to ‘launch’ the campaign locally next week, followed by eight key messages - or local variations.
The graphics have been professionally designed in a three-image carousal set-up (see below) and are provided in two versions - generic and editable in canva - with local photos and logos.
You could also post the messages ‘manually’ with your local photos.
Key Messages - school specific (insert name of school)
- Post 1 – Over the coming weeks Catholic education in the Diocese of Ballarat is running a TV and radio advertising campaign to let more families know about the great opportunities a Catholic education can offer for their children. We are proud to support this campaign and will also be posting some of the key values of our Catholic school on our social media channels. We encourage families to support us by liking and sharing. See the TV advertisement here.
- Post 2 - xxxxx is a place to shine, to explore and to dream, providing opportunities for students to fully flourish spiritually, academically, physically, culturally, socially, and emotionally.
- Post 3 - xxxxx seeks to identify the unique gifts and talents of every student and nurture those gifts, so our students have the resilience and confidence to grow, thrive, and find their place in the world.
- Post 4 - Our Catholic faith underpins the culture of xxxxx, setting an expectation that everyone acts with respect, dignity, compassion, and kindness.
- Post 5 - xxxxx places a high priority on care for the safety and wellbeing of every child - we want all our students to be happy and engaged in their learning, and in the school community.
- Post 6 - All families who seek the values of xxxxx are warmly welcomed, regardless of culture, religion, or background.
- Post 7 - Our fees at xxxxx are kept as affordable as possible, and fee relief is offered for families experiencing financial hardship.
- Post 8 - Strong partnerships with parents and a sense of community among families at xxxxx is a high priority.
- Post 9 - Close partnerships between xxxxx and xxxxx ensures students and families have a seamless F-12 journey with Catholic education.
With thanks for your support and assistance with all things marketing and promotion of Catholic education.
Any queries or concerns, please contact Gerard Delaney - Manager, Marketing and Communications on Ph 0413 274 176 or gdelaney@dobcel.catholic.edu.au
People & Development
Employee Relations
May Salary Increments
In accordance with clause 45 of the CEMEA 2022, the date for incremental progression for eligible employees is 1 May 2024. Employees with at least six months service within the incremental cycle (1 May 2023 to 30 April 2024) will be eligible to advance to the next salary subdivision. Service in any incremental cycle can only be counted once.
Fixed-term employees
Fixed-term employees with previous experience will usually advance at the start of their new contract (typically the start of a new school year). However, fixed-term employees who, at the time of commencing their new employment or receiving their new contract, do not have enough experience to advance can do so on 1 May 2024 (if they have enough service in the incremental cycle of 1 May 2023 to 30 April 2024).
Online Staffing Records
Non CPS Schools will be required to perform their own changes to the Online Staffing Records (OSR) application available on the CEVN website under Staffing and ER / Online Staffing Records (OSR). Incremental progression assessment and OSR management for CPS schools will be performed by the CPS Team.
Information for schools can be located on the VCEA Circular May salary increments.
Transition of VCEA Employee Relations materials to CEVN
Many of you may have noticed that some of your existing links to the Employee Relations page on CECV no longer work. This is due to this information being transitioned from the decommissioned CECV website to the CEVN website. Information about the transition can be located via the VCEA circular VCEA Employee Relations.
Ballarat: Ms Maree Baker on 0436 460 275 or mbaker@dobcel.catholic.edu.au or Ms Jo Huntley on 0429 598 163 or jhuntley@dobcel.catholic.edu.au
Health and Safety
Psychological Risk Assessment Training & Survey
As previously advised, the Victorian Government is reviewing proposed changes to OHS legislation that recognise that hazards that pose a risk to psychological health are just as harmful to employees' safety and wellbeing than physical hazards.
To support a safe and healthy work environment and to assist schools with tools and resources, DOBCEL has committed to furthering our knowledge on identifying Psychosocial Hazards by purchasing a Psychosocial Risk Assessment e-learning module. This is a pivotal step towards fostering employee wellbeing and engaging in early intervention strategies.
DOBCEL has purchased 100 licences and will allocate multiple licences to each school according to staffing numbers. Each licence can be reused which will allow for the training to be accessed multiple times. This training is directed towards school leaders and takes approximately 75 minutes to complete.
Please complete this survey to enable us to provide each school with login details to enable access to the training.
Australian Principal Occupational Health, Safety and Wellbeing Survey
The Australian Catholic University (ACU) has released the findings of the 2023 Australian Principal Occupational Health, Safety and Wellbeing Survey.
School leaders have reported high levels of resilience despite facing the worst recorded levels of physical violence, threats of violence, and bullying in the 13-year history of the annual survey conducted by the ACU.
Compiled by ACU’s Institute for Positive Psychology and Education (IPPE), the latest survey of 2300 principals showed school leaders suffered higher rates of anxiety and depression than the general population. Co-lead investigator Professor Herb Marsh said school principals were remarkably resilient, but increasing job demands and burnout are putting them at risk.
Please direct any queries to:
Employee Relations
Maree Baker, Manager Human Resources 0436 460 275
Jo Huntley, HR Advisor 0429 598 163
Health and Safety
Leah Crough, Occupational Health and Safety Coordinator 0419 687 893.
Embedding Child Safe Standards Workshop
Please ensure you, and appropriate members of your leadership team, have registered for the Child Safe Standards Workshops, as listed below.
Sarah Morgante’s workshop is tailored for all professionals working in the education sector. It covers legislative requirements to ensure the safety of students in our schools, alongside requirements incumbent on us as professionals working in the sector.
Given our commitment to ensuring a visible and robust child safe culture, it is essential all staff "continually grow their knowledge and practice in child safety " (Sarah Morgante. Director, One Red Apple 2024).
Workshop One – Southern Zone
| Workshop Two – Central Zone
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Workshop Three – Mid Northern Zone
| Workshop Four – Northern Zone
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DOBCEL Hire of Facilities - Booking Form and Terms and Conditions
As part of the not-for-profit requirements within the VRQA minimum standards, schools must have legally binding written agreements for leases or licences for premises occupied or used by the school and third parties.
Principals are advised that DOBCEL has created a Hire of Facilities template for use by schools along with Terms and Conditions to accompany the Form.
Any new agreements between DOBCEL schools and hirers moving forward should use these new documents to ensure evidence, as per requirement.
If you require additional support with this, please contact Penelope Irish: Properties and Facilities Officer, on email pirish@dobcel.catholic.edu.au or on phone 0429 473 351.
Principal Announcement
Please see below a letter from Paul Desmond, Chair of Kildare Education Ministries Board, announcing Carmel Barker's decision to complete her service to Marian College at the end of the 2024 school year.
Tom Sexton
Executive Director, Catholic Education Ballarat
Insurance Update
We are please to advise that DOBCEL has successfully secured insurance cover for all DOBCEL schools with a range of providers from 1 April 2024 to replace the previous CCI policies.
While as expected there are premium increases following the departure of CCI from the market, an extensive process was undertaken to ensure we have achieved the best available price and terms.
Further details will be forthcoming early next term, including claims management arrangements for the various policies.
A copy of the Public Liability Certificate of Currency will be loaded into the primary schools “School Finance & Administration Knowledge Bank” tomorrow and a copy will be forwarded to the secondary schools Principal and Business Manager.
Should there be any claims requiring attention over the term break, please refer to Paul Jans, Dean Pidgeon or Matthew Macdonald in the first instance.
Announcement of Retirement - Murray Macdonald
For those not already aware, Murray Macdonald (Education Consultant – Northern Zone) has advised that he will retire at the end of Term 2.
Murray has had an outstanding career in Catholic education spanning 44 years as a teacher, principal, and Education Consultant, across three dioceses.
While much more will be said later, Murray has left every school community he has been involved with a better place for him being there.
His dedicated service, not to mention his razor-sharp wit, will be greatly missed.
We look forward to formally acknowledging Murray’s career later in the year.
The Education Consultant – Northern Zone position will be advertised on the DOBCEL website early next week.
Child Link
Further to information contained in the Executive Directors Update #8 (29 February 2024) please ensure the following:
Action:
- If done not already, the principal can nominate up to 7 school staff as Child Link Users. We recommend nominating individuals in your school who have responsibility for child wellbeing and safety, such as Deputy Principal, Pastoral Wellbeing Leader, Learning Diversity Leader, or Wellbeing Worker.Email your nominations to Jacinta Cook Jcook@dobcel.catholic.edu.au (Child Safe Manager) before the end of Term 1.
- The principal should log onto the Victorian Governments Information Sharing and MARAM online learning system using the same link used to complete your Mandatory Reporting Module.
The link is here.
Select the combined “Information sharing and Child Link training module”. Once the principal has completed training, please send an email Jacinta Cook (Child Safe Manager) at Jcook@dobcel.catholic.edu.au who will authorise you/the principal as a Child Link user. - Once your nominated staff have completed the combined training, you/the principal will be able to authorise them for Child Link in connection to your school.
- Child Link training has been allocated specifically for DOBCEL staff, the session dates are either 19 April or 21 April2024. If you are unable to attend either of these dates, please ensure you register for a session prior to 17 May 2024.
Please Note: It is a requirement of the Victorian State Government that all DOBCEL schools are onboarded to Child Link by the end of Term 2. This will ensure we have access to the resources allocate to training and support.
Strategic Planning: Co-design workshop slides
The presentation by Pasi Sahlberg and Dave Runge at the February DLG have now been uploaded to the Diocesan Principal folder on Google drive. Principals are encouraged to share relevant slides from the presentation with your staff and SACs when discussing the work that DOBCEL and key stakeholders are working towards, in moving our schools to a higher performing system of Catholic schools.
School Advisory Council Chair Details
With the commencement of the 2024 school year, some schools may have had a turnover of their SAC Chair. To ensure that DOBCEL has the current details of all SAC Chairs, schools are asked to please advise Kerrie Zammit of the name, phone number and email address of their current SAC Chair.
It would be appreciated if emails can be submitted prior to the end of Term 1.
Term 2 DLG Arrangements
The Term 2 DLG meeting in Horsham will be held on Thursday 9 May only, followed by dinner.
Due to the early Easter this year, Friday 10 May is the opportunity for school communities to celebrate Mothers’ Day, and we recognise this priority for Principals to be present in school communities.
The DLG will be primarily dedicated to strategic planning (led by Pasi and Dave), and as such, is a high impact opportunity for us all.
Dinner will be held as usual on Thursday evening. Please email execdirector@dobcel.catholic.edu.au if you will not be attending.
We note that some Zone meetings will still occur in Horsham via your local arrangements.
Government Action on Vaping
The Australian Government has written to all Australian principals about recent action taken to respond to vaping among young people, including resources available for schools.
Principal Announcement
Mr Vince Muscatello has advised that he will not be seeking renewal of his contract as Principal at St Paul's Primary School, Mildura beyond the 2024 school year. Vince commenced as Principal at St Paul's in 2013, after eight years as Deputy Principal at Sacred Heart Primary School, Mildura.
Throughout his time at St Paul's, Vince has been involved in the implementation of Professional Learning Communities (PLC) in collaboration with School Wide Positive Behaviour Supports (SWPBS) and as a pilot school of the Structured Literacy Approach.
There have been major refurbishment projects during his time with a new staff car park, pickup/drive through area, reverse cycle air conditioning, new roof and ceiling refurbishment for the school, junior playground and numerous landscaping projects.
Vince has been a strong advocate for St Paul’s and the wider Sunraysia region throughout his principalship.
St Paul's Primary School has continued to thrive and evolve as a Catholic educational institution, during Vince’s tenure.
We thank Vince for his contribution to the St Paul's community and Catholic education in the Diocese of Ballarat. We wish him the very best in his future endeavours.
Catholic Education Ballarat will now commence the recruitment campaign for a new Principal with an anticipated commencement date of January 2025.
Tom Sexton
Executive Director, Catholic Education Ballarat
Annual Report to School Community
The 2023 Annual Report to the School Community (ARSC) is now open and can be accessed via this link SmarterSoft. You may also access SmarterSoft via CEVN ARSC.
A Training guide is available via the SmarterSoft platform to support users to navigate the new system and is also attached to assist you with completing the Annual Report.
The completion date for the ARSC 2023 is Friday 10 May, 2024. Please contact Susan Crowe if you require assistance.
Principal Attestations
A reminder that Principal Attestations must be completed by Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Thank you to those who have already uploaded them to VCEA.