Executive Director’s Update to Principals #55 - 23 November 2023
Principal Professional Learning Plans (PPLP) - Goal setting and review process feedback
The goal setting and review process should inform an ongoing development conversation between you, as the Principal and your Education Consultant, related to your goals. The Culture Amp platform provides structure and a recording mechanism for these conversations.
In 2023, goals were set in the 3 areas of Faith Formation, Leadership and Wellbeing, to guide development conversation in these areas. Check-in conversations between Principals and their Education Consultants were set to occur termly. Most principals have now engaged in the goal setting and review process over the course of 2023.
We now to invite your feedback on any improvements that might make the process more efficient and effective in 2024.
Please provide feedback on the process via this short two-question survey, using this link.
Understanding the CEMEA 2022
Changes to Fixed Term Contracts
Changes to the Fair Work Act under the Fair Work Amendment (Secure Jobs, Better Pay) Act 2022 provide changes to fixed-term employment effective from 6 December 2022.
The changes include the following:
- A single fixed-term contract must not be for a period greater than two years.
- A fixed-term contract cannot be renewed if the second contract would result in the fixed-term employment exceeding two years in duration.
- A fixed-term contract cannot be renewed even if the total period of fixed-term employment is less than 2 years in duration.
A number of exceptions apply to the limitations under the Act that include:
- Replacing employees on a period of leave.
- Where the position is funded for a period of more than 2 years, and there is no reasonable prospect, funding will continue.
- The employee earns more than the high-income threshold (HIT) (currently $167,500)
- The role is to perform specialised skills.
- The modern award that covers the employee also has an exception.
- Work is deemed essential during a peak demand period (e.g., seasonal).
- It is for emergency circumstances.
- They are an apprentice or trainee.
In preparation for the changes effective from 6 December 2023, Jo Huntley (DOBCEL HR Advisor) will be running two (2) information sessions to assist principals, and/or their delegates, in understanding of these changes.
- Session 1: Monday, 27 November @ 10.00 – 10.30 am.
- Session 2: Thursday, 30 November @ 10.00 – 10.30 am.
Invitations to these sessions will be sent out separately. A copy of this presentation with a voiceover is also available for those unable to attend one of these sessions.
Time in Lieu
We have started to see some queries from schools regarding the acquittal of time in lieu (TIL) as a payout to staff rather than time off.
In accordance with clause 59.3(i) of the CEMEA 2022, schools have until 1 March of the following school year to acquit TIL via either:
- Granting time in lieu equivalent to the time owed; or
- Pay time owed at 100%.
Prior to acquitting TIL through payment, balances need to be reconciled considering the following:
- Any hours previously “banked” through the reduction of meeting rimes resulting in a reduced working week.
- Hours that will be acquitted through an approved early closure of the school in Term 4.
The Finance team (via Matt McDonald and Dean Pidgeon) are available to assist with the review of TIL Spreadsheet Trackers to ensure that the complex formulas are working. Schools can also reach out to the HR team (via Jo Huntley or Maree Baker) to check that the reconciliation is in line with the terms of the CEMEA 2022.
CPS Schools - Should you wish to process any TIL payouts this year you will need to provide this information to CPS for processing by 1 December.
30+8 Timetable Template
Further to previous advice, Jordan Smith of the DOBCEL Finance team has been finalising a 30+8 timetable template for schools to use to assist with the allocation of the day while complying with the 30+8 guidelines.
Jordan will host an information session and demonstration directly after the Fixed Term Contract session as detailed above.
- Session 1: Monday, 27 November @ 10.30 – 11.00 am.
- Session 2: Thursday, 30 November @ 10.30 – 11.00 am.
The timetable template is located in School Finance & Admin Resources / Knowledge Banks via this link.
Relationships and Sexuality Education - FULLNESS OF LIFE FOR ALL
Our diocese has a Relationships and Sexuality Scope and Sequence, titled Fullness of Life for All. This scope and sequence begins in Foundation and extends to Year 10.
Bishop Paul, in his introduction of the Scope and Sequence explains
“I am very pleased to introduce the Fullness of Life for All resources designed to assist in Relationships and Sexuality Education. The material has been prepared to help teachers in the sensitive task of guiding students to understand the important issues of personal relationships and sexuality as part of their overall learning.”
The content of this Scope and Sequence is deeply aligned to and based on the principles of Catholic Social Teaching, and Catholic Anthropology. Content is from the Health and PE component of the Victorian Curriculum and Resilience Rights and Respectful Respectful Relationships is referenced throughout.
The approach to the process of learning and teaching in Fullness of Life for All is informed by the theology of the Enhancing Catholic School Identity Project (ECSI) taking seriously the dialogue between the context of the world we live in and the Catholic Tradition.
This Scope and Sequence has both a Nihil Obstat and Imprimatur. A Nihil Obstat means that the resource contains nothing contrary to Catholic Faith or Morals. In this case it was granted by a Moral Theologian. An Imprimatur is given by the local bishop to indicate that the resource has been granted permission to be used in his diocese. It is extremely rare for materials used in the area of Relationships and Sexuality Education to possess both an Imprimatur and Nihil Obstat. Both these give teachers and schools absolute complete confidence in what and how to teach in the area of Relationships and Sexuality Education. It also enables Catholic Education Ballarat to fully support schools with the implementation of the Scope and Sequence.
Professional Learning opportunities for primary school staff (teaching and non teaching) is taking place early next year across the zones on the following dates: (Venues TBA)
- Central Zone: 19/2/24
- Mid - Northern Zone: 27/2/24
- Northern Zone: 21/2/24
- Southern Zone: 14/2/24
Professional Learning could possibly be attended by a representative/s from each primary schools then individual school plans could be developed in collaboration, emanating from these sessions.
Bernie Tolan, Education Officer Secondary RE is available to run professional learning in our secondary Colleges as required.
Other Resources:
Recently, many schools may have received information packages/resources from a variety of commercial and other providers outlining products and resources including curriculum materials for Relationships and Sexuality Education. The content of these materials unlike “Fullness of Life for All” are not explicitly based on the Health and PE component of The Victorian Curriculum, or linked to Awakenings nor do the materials have a current Nihil Obstat, or an Imprimatur for use in The Ballarat Diocese.
Very few, if any, Relationships and Sexuality Education materials in Australia are based on the theology of ECSI. Fullness of Life for All is explicit in its links to ECSI and is in fact underpinned by the theological building blocks of it. Bishop Paul in a letter affirming ECSI highlights
“It (ECSI) also involves an approach to teaching and learning that encourages dialogue with one another and with the world around us. It seeks to understand and present the Catholic faith in the context of our present society.”
Dialogue is the starting point of Fullness of Life for All - which is essential in the present context.
For further information regarding Fullness of Life for All and how your school/college may implement it please contact Jim Waight (Primary) 0417869912 or Bernadette Tolan (Secondary) 0484828611.
DLG Recording
Today's DLG recording will be uploaded to the Diocesan Principals/DLG google folder by tomorrow.