Executive Director’s Update to Principals #52 - 6 December 2024

Guidelines for Applying for a Collaborative Innovation Research Prototype (CIRP)

Rationale  

The proposal is to be based on the theory of change, emphasising deeper collaboration, networked local innovation, and collective autonomy and agency, and it must align with at least one of the strategic pillars of the DOBCEL Strategy 2035.  

The rationale should demonstrate rigour and be informed by research. The prototype should be designed to collect baseline data and develop a working hypothesis to test.  

The prototype will provide an informed, practice-based outcome, including an action research report. 

Submission 

Proposals are to be submitted by week 5 of Terms 1, 2, and 3 for 2025.  

For subsequent years, proposals are to be submitted in week 5 of Term 3. 

Proposal Process 

Proposals are to be forwarded to the Strategy Implementation Manager at execdirector@dobcel.catholic.edu.au which will be collated and forwarded to the panel for discernment and outcome.  

Collaboration Requirements 

Collaboration is to take place with at least one other school or community agency/organisation. Typically, this collaboration would include representatives from Catholic Education Ballarat (CEB). 

Research 

There will be a research component for all projects. Schools will be invited to conduct research that focuses on the DOBCEL strategic pillars and a problem or opportunity of practice that is relevant to your context. It is anticipated that teams will develop a series of research questions to be answered and then design interventions that seek to inquire into these questions. 

Schools will be encouraged to use a prototyping approach to the design and implementation of this project. This approach is intended to help research teams to gather contextual feedback and refine their research, learning and iterating as they undertake the research project. 

Funding and Budget Parameters 

Funding support requests will be considered up to $30,000.  

Funding requests may include staff release/backfill, facilitation/speakers, equipment, venue/travel/catering, and CEB staff resources.  

Prototype Duration 

Approximately 12 months as a prototype, which may then continue to the next phase. 

Dissemination of Learnings 

Proposals are to detail the strategies for effectively disseminating the learnings from the prototype. 

SUBMISSION

Please download and complete the Application Form below and forward no later than Week 5, Term 1 to: Strategy Implementation Manager at execdirector@dobcel.catholic.edu.au

Interim Principal Appointments 2025 - St Joseph's, Coleraine and St Joseph's, Penshurst

I am pleased to advise that Danny Franc and Lisa McDonald  have been appointed as Interim Principals of St Joseph’s Primary School, Coleraine, and  St Joseph’s Primary School, Penshurst respectively, for the 2025 school year. 

We congratulate Danny and Lisa on their appointments and warmly welcome them to our diocesan leadership group. 

Letters sent to the respective school communities are available below.