Executive Director’s Update to Principals #47 - 13 October 2023
Middle East Crisis & Holy Land Tours
In light of the current Middle East crisis, it would appear to be highly unlikely that our Holy Land Tours will proceed in 2024. There is no certainty about when it will be safe to return to this part of the world.
The idea of this type of study tour remains very sound. We are now looking at alternative study tours and hope to be able to provide further information for consultation at our upcoming DLG in Horsham.
DLG Agenda
Please find attached the agenda for the upcoming DLG meeting in Horsham on 26 and 27 October. The planned focus will be on educational leadership capabilities led by Professor Stephen Dinham and time for reflection on our own practice. There will also be time spent on planning for 2024. This gathering also provides the opportunity to celebrate the work by principals throughout 2023 and the contribution of our colleagues whose time in principalship concludes. It is hoped that the agenda supports the engagement of all principals from DOBCEL and RI/MPJP schools.
A couple of items to note regarding dinner:
- Dinner will now take place at the Horsham Golf Club, 304 Golf Course Road, Horsham
- A bus will depart from Ss Michael & John’s following Mass. Please advise by 4pm Wednesday 18 October if you wish to have a seat on the bus
- As dinner is a 50/50 drop, please advise by 4pm Wednesday 18 October if you have a dietary requirement
A reminder that should you be an apology for this gathering due to extenuating circumstances, please email Tom at execdirector@dobcel.catholic.edu.au
Sponsorship Update (Secondary Principals only)
DOBCEL sponsorship is funded by the sponsorship levy that you all pay (DOBCEL and RI/MPJP schools) $12 per head in 2023 and as such the sponsorship is eligible for all schools in the Diocese. These funds were historically directed towards REAP for the accreditation of RE teachers. If there were remaining funds, these supported other tertiary programs based on 1/3, 1/3,/1/3 contribution. DOBCEL pays the full unit costs of REAP studies for secondary school staff from the levy. For other courses, subject to there being adequate funds in the pool, DOBCEL will pay 2/3 (from your levies) and the individual pays 1/3. The practice of how this occurs varies from course to course.
Principals are required to endorse all applications for study sponsorship. The sponsorship requirements state that teachers need to be accredited to teach in a Catholic school before they can access sponsorship at the secondary level. This is one of the accountability measures that we ask that you observe for courses other than REAP.
We have offered another REAP cohort next year and there has been sufficient engagement for us to proceed with planning. We are looking at the funding model and will provide an update over the coming weeks.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out to Tim O’Farrell or Matt Byrne if you have questions or concerns.