Executive Director’s Update to Principals #22 - 13 June 2024

Minister announcement re phonics in government schools + DOBCEL media release

Victorian Education Minister Ben Carroll has today announced a policy mandating that all Victorian government schools will teach the same type of reading lessons based on systematic synthetic phonics.

Under the new model, students from prep to grade 2 will be taught using a structured phonics approach, with a minimum of 25 minutes daily of explicit teaching of phonics and phonemic awareness.

Under the plan, the Minister is reported to say ‘there is a clear expectation that all government schools will implement a new teaching and learning model with explicit instruction at its core from next year. Schools that have not yet moved towards the model are expected to show planning for the change over the next three years.’

I have today issued a media release outlining our Diocesan approach to teaching of reading and literacy, noting our schools are well-advanced in this respect.

You can read our DOBCEL media release here.

If you receive queries from media on this issue, Gerard Delaney (Ph 0413 274 176) can assist you to respond.

Commission For Children and Young People Update

Please refer to the Commission for Children and Young People’s June update, which refers to Changes made to the Reportable Conduct Scheme from 1 July 2024.

Also of note in the June update is the Child Safe Standards Community of Practice livestream event on Wednesday 19 June 2024.

The focus of this event will be Child Safe Standard one:

Organisations establishing a culturally safe environment in which the diverse and unique identities and experiences of Aboriginal children and young people are respected and valued.

Feedback from the recent Child Safe Standards Professional Learning delivered by Sarah Morgante highlighted a need for additional support for schools in relation to this standard.

Please consider yourself or one of your team attending this session.

Alternatively, the recording of the session would be a valuable focus and resource for future staff meetings.

Health and Safety - Urgent request to complete training survey

Further to the request below in Executive Directors Update #13, schools are reminded to please complete the survey as a matter of priority by COB 21 June 2024.

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 as 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.

Testimonial: “Members of the College Leadership Team recently undertook this training. It was eye-opening and enabled reflection on just how big this space is and the importance that we need to place in this area to ensure our staff wellbeing. Well worth the time invested.” (Steven Mifsud, Principal, Damascus College)

Expression of Interest for DOBCEL portable buildings

DOBCEL currently has 2 portable buildings becoming available and are seeking expressions of interest from any schools who may be interested and have a defined need.

Portable building details are as follows:

• 1 x Single Classroom (2 modules): available immediately
• 1 x Double Classroom with breakout area and storage (5 modules): available for commencement of 2025

It is requested that expressions of interest, identifying defined need and preferred availability are to be emailed to Penelope Irish - Properties and Facilities Adviser, on email at pirish@dobcel.catholic.edu.au and that these are to be received by no later than the end of Term 2, Friday 29 June so that CEB can be in contact with schools in Term 3 to discuss further.

If you have any questions relating to this, please contact Penelope Irish - Properties and Facilities Adviser, on email or phone 0429 473 351.

International Teacher Recruitment

As discussed at the last Diocesan Leadership Gathering (DLG), the recent international recruitment trip was very successful. As a result, we have teachers interested in continuing their teaching careers with DOBCEL available to start in Term 4, 2024 and Term 1, 2025.

To understand more about the process and the costs involved in recruiting an international teacher:

• click HERE if your school is eligible for incentives according to the DOBCEL Small & Remote School Incentive Policy
• click HERE for all other schools.

If you anticipate a vacancy that you will be unable to fill and will need an international teacher for either Term 4 of the current school year, or for the start of 2025 school year, or for further information please email Sarah Hanley: Talent Acquisition Partner at shanley@dobcel.catholic.edu.au.

Policy Update

The following policies, procedures and associated documents have been finalised and ratified:

• Board Charter (updated, principals to note – no other actions required)
• Delegations Instrument – Catholic Education Ballarat [DOBCEL] (new, principals to note - no other actions required)
• Financial Oversight Policy and Procedures [DOBCEL] (updated)

Below is a brief summary identifying the main requirements for each of these policies and procedures, to assist with their effective and efficient implementation.

These documents will be available through eSORT from Friday 14 June 2024 and will be distributed with instructions for their implementation as required.

A summary of previous policy and procedures releases is available here.

Any enquiries regarding any of these documents should be directed to Manager, Assurance & Risk.

Tom Sexton
Executive Director, Catholic Education Ballarat