Executive Director’s Update to Principals #19 - 1 May 2025

Register your Early Career Teachers for the ECT Program in Term 2

A reminder that the program days for the Early Career Teacher are approaching, and we encourage all early career teachers to attend.  

Feedback from term one participants was extremely positive, with over 80% of participants rating the day a 4 (somewhat satisfied) or a 5 (very satisfied).  

The content for the term two sessions will include topics such as Communication in the Classroom, Child Safety, ATSI and VIT.

Session details are below.

1^st Year Graduate/Early Career Teacher: 

(Both venues cover the same content for the 1^st year session)

Ballarat – Courtyard Room, Sovereign Park Motor Inn 223 Main Rd, Ballarat
Monday 19 May (9:00am to 3:00pm)
Click here to register.

Robinvale – St Mary’s School, 12 Watkin St, Robinvale
Wednesday 21 May (9:00am to 3:00pm)
Click here to register.

2^nd/3^rd Year Early Career Teacher:

Northern Zone - Robinvale St Mary’s School, 12 Watkin St, Robinvale
Wednesday 4June (this is a make-up session for the missed term one session)
Click here to register.

All 2^nd/3^rd Year Early Career Teachers
Thursday 12 June (3:30pm to 4:30pm)
Via video conference (MS Teams)
Click here to register and the MS teams link will be sent prior to the session

Term 3 dates for Years 1, 2 and 3:

Two-day retreat, Halls Gap
Wednesday and Thursday 13 and 14 August
Click here to register

*Please note minimum numbers are necessary for all sessions to go ahead.

Reminder: Primary schools with Graduate and Early Career Teachers will receive $2000 funding per graduate, paid directly to your school from VCEA, towards the end of 2025.

Should you require assistance in sourcing a CRT to enable your early career teacher attend any session, please contact Fiona Murphy and we will attempt to provide you with contact details of a suitable CRT who may be available to assist.

DOBCEL Leadership Competency Framework

As shared with you last term, a working version of the DOBCEL Leadership Competency Framework is now available for use. This framework is designed to establish a shared language of ‘what good looks like.’  It translates ‘what we do’ into observable behaviours and actions expected of us in our work at DOBCEL and outlines the core and domain-specific behaviours essential for effective leadership within our community.

A "working version" of the DOBCEL Leadership Competency Framework refers to a preliminary, functional draft of the framework that is actively being used and tested. This version is not yet final and may undergo revisions based on feedback and practical application.

The working version allows you to engage with the framework, apply it in real-world scenarios, and offer feedback on its effectiveness and areas for improvement. This iterative process ensures that the final version of the framework is robust, comprehensive, and tailored to the needs of DOBCEL.

As the leading self and leading other’s pilar specific behaviours are confirmed during term 2, a further working version will be released. It is anticipated the final version will be available at the end of 2025.

We invite you to review the framework and provide any feedback. Your insights will help to refine and improve this tool to better serve our community. To share your feedback, please email Fiona Murphy.

Child Safety

Ensuring a safe environment for our children and young people is paramount.  As such we would like to take this opportunity to request/remind schools to ensure Working with Children checks are up to date for all staff; and to ensure that there is a process to regularly monitor this to ensure compliance is maintained. 

Renewal of a WWC has a three-month grace period.  After that, a new card must be applied for. If a WWC fully expires and there are no extenuating circumstances, it will most likely impact on the ability of the employee to be able to work and/or attend the workplace (school).

Thank you in advance for your attention to this.

Upcoming SIMON Conference

Please show your support for the SIMON team by attending their upcoming conference, taking place in Werribee on 8 May 2025. With an emphasis on future-focused education, practical insights, and a preview of what’s ahead for SIMON, this is a great opportunity to connect, learn, and explore what’s new—all in one place.

Here's what you'll experience at the event:

• Inspiring Keynote – Hear from the incredible Dave Runge, exploring future-focused education
• Hands-on Experience – Be among the first to explore our brand-new user interface
• Fresh Location, Fresh Flavours – Enjoy a new venue and a mouthwatering food menu
• Epic SIMON Showbag – Packed with goodies you’ll actually use
• Awesome Prizes – 10 sponsor giveaways + a MAJOR PRIZE from SIMON… including your chance to win a JBL speaker
  

Spots are limited – register now to secure your place: https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1364623