Executive Director’s Update to Principals #19 - 3 May 2023

CECV Digital Transformation Project

Following a CECV Digital Summit held in March of this year all governing entities have agreed to come together to reimagine the technology landscape for Catholic education in Victoria. The existing ICON program of work has been paused with CECV reviewing the requirements for the future of an enterprise system of technology.

As you are aware, DOBCEL withdrew from ICON in 2020 in favour of progressing our digital ambitions to better serve our schools. Given this review by CECV it is appropriate that DOBCEL participate in this reimagination process, to ensure our views are heard and to understand if our future needs can be met within the new program scope. Therefore, we will be re-engaging with the CECV to support system wide information gathering and the development of possible solution options.

A CECV communique will be sent to all Victorian Catholic school principals in the coming days to provide an update to all. This communique is for information and no action is necessarily required of you at this stage. We will continue to advocate for you and the needs of our schools at State level throughout this process. The important work in further enhancing SIMON and its systems will continue at pace and we appreciate the support of many schools through the SIMON specialist advisory group.

Please do not hesitate to contact Paul Jans should you require further clarification.

Insight SRC

Any school wanting to participate in the Insight SRC Survey 2023 (and it is not your scheduled year) please let Susan Crowe know by Friday 5^th May, in order to begin the procedures of setting up sample frames and surveys.

Research in Schools

Catholic Education Ballarat often receives requests from universities and others, to carry out research in the schools in the Ballarat Diocese. The original request is sent to the Executive Director and a panel from CEB review each request to determine if the research will fulfill a number of criteria including:

• Will the findings enhance the education of our students and improve student outcomes?
• Will the findings increase school effectiveness?

We also consider the time required to complete surveys/interviews by the school staff and students.

Even though the panel may approve the research request, it is the decision of the School Principal regarding school participation in the research and this is made clear to any researchers submitting a request.

CEB believes that research in schools is important and asks the school principal to carefully consider whether the school is able to assist with the research.

Annual Report to School Community 2022

The ARSC is due to be submitted on EduDocs no later than Friday, May 5th. 

While a number have been completed, approved and endorsed by CECV there are still some schools that have not yet started the process of writing the report. If you are having any problems with the report, please do not hesitate to contact Susan Crowe.

Remember that much of the data can be filled in automatically. As 2022 was a year of changing Child Safety Standards, comments on both MO 870 and MO 1359 should be made. Also, the section on monitoring student absences must have a paragraph or more on how this is implemented in the school.

If schools are able to complete reports earlier than May 5th, it would be appreciated.

DOBCEL Consultative Committee Leadership Vacancies

A range of vacancies exists across a number of DOBCEL Consultative Committees for both school leadership representation and parent/guardian representation. These committees are an invaluable opportunity to ensure that the work of the Board and CEB reflects the needs of DOBCEL school communities right across the Diocese.

We would love to hear nominations for school leadership representatives from both principals and other school leaders.

Typically, the committees meet once each term for a duration of 90-120 minutes. The opportunity exists to attend face-to-face or virtually. For volunteers outside the organisation, compensation for expenses is available. 

DOBCEL understands the many demands on principals and so also encourages nominations from others in school leadership positions. Membership of a Consultative Committee would support professional growth and system understandings and is a different opportunity to contribute to the governance of DOBCEL schools.    

The Terms of Reference for each Consultative Committee can be found on the DOBCEL website. In the event of multiple nominations, the Board will invite Consultative Committee members on the basis of the general balance of the committee, taking into account factors such as skill mix, location, school size, etc. 

For DOBCEL Primary School Leaders, the following vacancies exist;

• Catholic Faith Community & Culture Consultative Committee
• Family and Community Engagement Consultative Committee

For Parents, Guardians or Carer’s with a child/children enrolled in a DOBCEL School, the following vacancies exist;

• Catholic Faith Community & Culture Consultative Committee
• Children & Young People Safeguarding & Wellbeing Consultative Committee
• Family and Community Engagement Consultative Committee
• Learning and Teaching Consultative Committee

For more information please contact Jo Mckee jmckee@dobcel.catholic.edu.au

Megan Ioannou
Acting Executive Director, Catholic Education Ballarat