Executive Director’s Update to Principals #3 - 6 February 2025

Launch of the new HINT Term 1

As previously communicated HINT (Hazard Identification Notification Tool) has been redeveloped and will be launched in Week 8 of Term 1.

Although the platform looks similar to the existing HINT, it has updated functionality with a new level of incident closure accountability added.

For example, updates and additions have been made to reporting functionality, category selections, classification definitions, information obtained for injuries/injured people, actions taken/required to address incidents etc. The bugs that existed have been removed.

The new HINT will be presented at upcoming principal zone meetings, the February CARSO meeting and drop-in sessions will be available to attend for any staff interested in learning how to add and manage incidents.

HINT should be the only incident reporting tool utilised by DOBCEL schools and offices and accessed via SIMON.

Updated policies and procedures

The following policies and procedures have been updated or developed.

The documents, along with detailed instructions for implementation, will be available through eSORT from tomorrow, Friday 7 February 2025.  CARSOs will also be advised of the updates.

Any enquiries regarding any of these documents, or implementation processes, should be directed to Victoria Fara at vfara@dobcel.catholic.edu.au.

Below is a brief summary of the updated policies and the action required.

Revised 30-8 Timetable Tool Now Available on Knowledge Banks

A new version of the 30-8 Timetable is now available on Knowledge Banks which corrects some minor calculation errors along with some quality-of-life improvements.

The new template “Primary 30-8 Timetable Template 2025.01” is saved in the School Finance & Administration Resources folder in Knowledge Banks. If you are unable to access this folder, please request access from your school’s SIMON administrator. If you have ongoing issues, please reach out to the SIMON helpdesk for support.  

Please forward this to anyone in your school that is involved in the compliance with the 30-8 requirements of the CEMEA 2022.

Note that this has been tested and is working for the Windows versions of Microsoft Excel, you may experience some compatibility issues if trying to run this on Mac or through Google Sheets.

If you have any questions on how to use the timetable, or the implementation of the 30-8 model in your school, please reach out to the DOBCEL HR team for assistance and support.

Importance of Referee Checks

This is a reminder to all schools of the importance of undertaking referee checks when recruiting new staff, including CRT staff. Additionally, if your prospective staff member has worked within a DOBCEL school in the last 5 years, at least one of the referees must be the DOBCEL principal of the school at which they most recently worked. 

Keynote Presentation Professor David Hopkins - ‘Unleashing Greatness – a strategy for school improvement’

There are limited places remaining for the keynote presentation by Professor David Hopkins on Monday 17 February. For an opportunity to attend in person, please register via the link below as soon as possible and no later than Tuesday, 11 February 2025. 

Event Overview 

This 90-minute keynote, from Professor Emeritus David Hopkins, will focus on international best practice in School Improvement. David Hopkins has been Chief Adviser to three Secretary of States on School Standards in the UK, Dean of Education at the University of Nottingham and consultant to the OECD and WHO, as well as advisor to some 20 Ministries globally and a secondary school teacher.  

The keynote is open anyone in our Diocese interested in School Improvement, either in person or online via video-conference. 

Strategic Outcomes – Rich Pedagogical Practices, Collaborative Cultures, Sustainable Stewardship 

Event Details 

• Date and Time: Monday 17 February 2025 9.00 AM - 10.30 AM 
• Format: Available in-person at Sovereign Park, 223 Main Road, Ballarat or online via video conference (VC)
• Audience: Open to anyone who is interested in School Improvement

Registration

To register, click here.  

Registration Deadline - Tuesday, 11 February 2025. 

Confirmation

In person: registrants will be sent confirmation of their registration by Thursday, 13 February 2025. 

Virtual: registrants will be sent a zoom link by Thursday, 13 February 2025. 

Aggiornamento [ECSI 101] - Registration closes 19 February

Small bites of theological conversation for people with questions

Please make sure both your principal and REL/Team Leader are informed and authorise your participation in Aggiornamento; contact me should you have any questions: gbernasconi@dobcel.catholic.edu.au

Early Career Teacher Professional Learning 2025

The Early Career Teacher Program is a three-year integrated program designed to support early career teacher induction into the Ballarat Diocese and the teaching profession within the particular context of working in the ministry of Catholic education. The program reflects the partnership between DOBCEL and schools, who, together, support the professional growth of early career teachers. Elements of the program presented through these dedicated days will complement formation opportunities initiated by the school community.

Early Career Teacher program days will take place on the following dates throughout 2025. To encourage participation and decrease travel time for people in the north, program days in terms one and two will be repeated in two locations.

If you know an early career teacher, please share these dates with them!

Please note early career teachers who have been granted permission to teach are also welcome to attend.

 2025 Program dates for your diary​

First Year ECT Program​

Second & Third  Year ECT Program​

*If you require assistance sourcing a CRT to enable your early career teacher to attend the program please contact Sarah Hanley  shanley@dobcel.catholic.edu.au to discuss.

If you have any queries about the program, please contact Julie Cooper  jcooper@dobcel.catholic.edu.au or Sarah Hanley  shanley@dobcel.catholic.edu.au