Executive Director’s Update to Principals #15 - 9 May 2024
VCEA materials for Budget response advocacy
As you are aware, we are very concerned about the blatantly unfair State budget measure handed down earlier this week of a $400 School Saving Bonus for all government school students/families, regardless of income, but only to Health Care Card holders in Catholic schools.
In recent days we have been working with the VCEA to develop an advocacy plan and have inputted to the support materials you will have received directly from the VCEA today.
I ask that you please utilise the materials as a matter of priority to ensure our political leaders feel the concern, and indeed anger, within our Catholic school communities about the unfairness of this policy.
If you have any questions or queries, please contact Gerard Delaney on Ph 0413 274 176 or gdelaney@dobcel.catholic.edu.au
Embedding Child Safe Standards Workshop
In 2023 DOBCEL encouraged staff to complete a survey in relation to the “11 Child Safe Standards”.
The survey was designed to capture staff confidence in implementing the standards and to inform the support DOBCEL could provide to further enhance this work.
This workshop is a result of the survey and consultation which highlights the importance of continually working to promote the safety of our students, their families, and their communities.
It emphasises standards which are challenging to embed and require us to think more broadly in relation to our future focus.
Your ongoing input is essential to our continuous learning and enhances DOBCEL’s commitment to investing in a strong culture of schools where a student’s wellbeing and safety is paramount.
A workshop is being held in each zone for a full day.
Details can be found in Executive Director’s Update to Principals #13 - 18 April 2024
Jacinta Cook will also answer any questions during the day.
People & Development Update
Key Updates – Victorian Catholic Education Authority
VCEA have Issued their Key Updates – Employee and Industrial Relations - Term 2
Right to Disconnect
Effective from 26 August 2024, the Fair Work Act 2009 will include provisions to give employees a workplace right to disconnect from communications received outside of their designated working hours, where reasonable. The Right to Disconnect Information Sheet provides guidance relating to these changes.
Half-Pay Parental Leave Calendar
The Half-Pay Parental Leave Guide provides key considerations when computing an Employees half-pay parental leave entitlement and includes worked examples. The 2024 half-pay parental leave calculator is now available to assist in calculating the payments to be made to Teachers, Deputy Principals and Category B employees accessing half-pay leave.
Pro-Rata Non-Term Weeks Pay and Annual Leave Loading Calculator
The pro-rata non-term weeks pay guide provides information and additional explanations through detailed examples to assist schools in making these calculations. The 2024 calculator is now available to assist schools in calculating pro-rata non-term weeks pay and pro-rata annual leave loading.
Closing the Loopholes legislation – Fair Work Act amendments
The Closing Loopholes legislation has been passed in Parliament and makes a range of amendments to the Fair Work Act 2009 to address gaps that undercut pay and conditions for workers. To assist schools in navigating these changes, an information sheet provides a summary of the amendments to the Fair Work Act as part of these reforms.
For further information, please contact Maree Baker on 0436 460 275 or mbaker@dobcel.catholic.edu.au or Jo Huntley on 0429 598 163