Executive Director’s Update to Principals #22 - 20 May 2025
Supporting Families Impacted by Drought
As drought conditions continue to affect many parts of our region, we remain committed to supporting school communities where families are experiencing financial hardship.
We recognise the significant pressure these conditions place on families, particularly those working in agriculture and related industries, and want to ensure that no child’s access to a Catholic education is limited by financial stress.
Support is available for families in need, including through the Family Fee Assistance Scheme and other locally tailored options. I encourage you to have compassionate, confidential conversations with any families doing it tough and reassure them that help is available.
We stand with our communities during this challenging time and are here to work with you in supporting those most affected.
To read the full Media Release, which was was distributed to media this morning, please click the link below.
Child Safety Standards
Since the rollout of the new Child Safe Standards in July 2022, DOBCEL schools have been actively working to embed all 11 standards outlined in Ministerial Order 1359. These efforts aim to foster and sustain a robust culture of child safety across all school communities.
This update is intended to provide principals and child safety officers with key information and support regarding child safety implementation.
Child Safety Officer ‘Check-In’ Meetings
Child Safety Officers are invited to attend one of the upcoming informal ‘check-in’ sessions with Jacqui Righetti, Manager of Child Safety. These 30-minute sessions are designed as open forums where you can ask questions, seek clarification, or discuss any aspect of child safety implementation.
Please note: These are not structured meetings. They are intended to provide a supportive space for discussion and guidance.
Monday 26 May 1.00pm-1.30pm: Join the meeting now
Wednesday 28 May 11.30am-12.00pm: Join the meeting now
Friday 30 May 9.30am-10.00am: Join the meeting now
Child Safety Officer – Survey Participation Request
As part of our ongoing commitment to child safety, DOBCEL is currently reviewing what the role of the Child Safety Officer (CSO) looks like in our schools. This review aims to ensure that staff undertaking these vital responsibilities are receiving the appropriate support and resources.
To begin this process, we kindly ask that you forward the following information to your school’s Child Safety Officer(s). They are invited to complete a brief survey, which will take approximately 6 minutes to complete.
- Child Safety Officer - Survey Link: https://forms.office.com/r/VCEn9sWYGn
Your support in sharing this with your CSO(s) is greatly appreciated as we work together to strengthen child safety practices across our schools.
For more information, please reach out to Manager Child Safety Jacqui Righetti at jrighetti@dobcel.catholic.edu.au or 0409 114 268.
Gallagher Basset OHS Training Opportunities
Please see the link below to the second half of the year training offerings from our Workcover Insurer Gallagher Basset.
You will see there are many topics ranging from injury management, employee wellbeing, workplace health and safety, mental health, psychosocial hazards, risk management, return to work.
These trainings are delivered online and range from 1-2 hours and are free to attend. A great way to boost training and knowledge in this space and engage staff on relevant topics.
If you have any questions on this, please contact Leah Crough, OHS Coordinator at lcrough@dobcel.catholic.edu.au
Enterprise Bargaining Update
- As you would be aware an enterprise bargaining update was circulated to principals and all school governors on 31 March 2025: EB Circular Update.
- This update contained a range of information including responses to the principal survey and what VCEA, in partnership with Catholic School proprietors intends for the next agreement type.
- Principals were also asked to share an update for school staff: EB Consultation Update.
- DOBCEL looks forward to working with Principals and our employees during this process as it will be valuable in helping to inform the upcoming bargaining process.
Incremental Progression
As per c.45 of the CEMEA 2022 the 1 May is the incremental date for eligible employees. This means:
- Employees with at least six months’ service within the incremental cycle (1 May 2024 to 30 April 2025) will be eligible to advance to the next salary subdivision. Service in any incremental cycle can only be counted once.
- Fixed term employees with previous experience will ordinarily advance at the start of their new contract (typically the start of a new school year) as a general rule. For others, there are other requirements. Please click here for further information on this and the application for parental leave employees.
Pro-rata non-term weeks and annual leave loading calculations
- To assist schools with this, the 2025 calculator is available on CEVN.
- Further information and assistance with this can be found here.
If you need any assistance or advice on this, please do not hesitate to contact the ER Consultants. Jo Huntley on 03 4344 4350 / jhuntley@dobcel.catholic.edu.au and Nick Barta 0492 327 650 / nbarta@dobcel.catholic.edu.au.
Employee Relations Training Feedback
As part of our approach to continuously improve our service to schools, we are keen to understand what works best for most regarding professional development opportunities related to Employee Relations.
The ER Team would appreciate if those in school leadership roles would take a moment to complete the below questionnaire. It should take you no longer than 5-10 minutes to complete.
The survey is now open and will close on Friday the 30th of May 2025.
Survey Link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/training_sessions
We thank you in advance for your participation.
With best wishes,
Tom Sexton
Executive Director