Executive Director’s Update to Principals #45 - 28 August 2025

DOBCEL-ACU PhD Cohort Initiative

Following the presentation by Associate Professor Steven Lewis and Associate Professor Jessica Holloway at DLG in Horsham, please find attached slides and an Expression of Interest form for the DOBCEL–ACU PhD Cohort Initiative.

This program offers DOBCEL teachers and leaders the chance to complete a part-time PhD while working in their current roles, with projects aligned to Strategy 2035 and supported by ACU’s leading researchers. Further details are included in the slides and a list of FAQs have been added to the EOI form.

Expressions of interest are to be returned to execdirector@dobcel.catholic.edu.au and close on Friday, 19 September 2025.

Amplify – A System-wide Opportunity for Our Schools

We are excited to share that DOBCEL is partnering with Amplify, an innovative music education provider, to strengthen music learning across our primary schools. 

What is Amplify? 
Amplify is a complete music education solution that combines proven pedagogy, digital infrastructure, and hands-on support to help every child experience the benefits of music. Their approach is evidence-based and practical, giving teachers the tools and confidence to deliver high-quality music education in every classroom. 

As global educational experts such as Sir Ken Robinson and Pasi Sahlberg have emphasised, the creative arts play a vital role in learning and development. I share this view strongly: music, drama and dance are not just enriching in their own right, but are proven to enhance literacy, numeracy and student wellbeing. 

The Benefits 
Amplify’s model makes implementation simple and sustainable. With a flat-fee structure, a clear opt-out process, and a dedicated local coordinator, schools can be confident of transparency and strong support. All contracting and invoicing will be managed centrally by DOBCEL, while Amplify takes responsibility for day-to-day operations. 

Schools that join will receive: 

• Direct training and resources for classroom teachers 
• Full access to Amplify’s digital platforms and curriculum tools 
• Prompt troubleshooting and instructional guidance 
• An initial onboarding report following school engagement 
• Ongoing termly reports  

A dedicated Amplify Ballarat Coordinator will oversee the program locally, serving as the primary point of contact for schools and DOBCEL. 

Fees 
The fees outlined below are calculated on the basis of all DOBCEL primary schools participating in each program. They are only achievable if the majority of schools commit to joining. Should fewer schools take part, costs may increase, so a system-wide effort is essential to keep fees affordable for everyone. Importantly, the programs deliver even greater value as additional subject areas are added, with the per-student cost increasing only marginally while significantly expanding the learning opportunities available. 

Getting Started 
Onboarding of participating schools will begin later this year, with the program to be fully in place for the 2026 academic year. Importantly, the system-wide cost works out to just $28 per student for the Full Performing Arts Program, including music, dance and drama, if all DOBCEL primary schools opt in, making this a cost-effective way to bring music education to life across our Diocese. 

From Executive Director, Tom Sexton 
“Our partnership with Amplify represents a significant opportunity to strengthen music education for every child in our Diocese. The evidence is clear: when students engage in the creative arts, whether music, dance or drama, they build confidence, enhance their literacy and numeracy and experience greater wellbeing. Amplify’s model, combined with strong local support and system-wide coordination, ensures that all our schools can deliver these benefits. I strongly encourage every school to take up this opportunity for the good of your students and our shared future.” 

Expressions of Interest 
Please indicate via the following survey link your preferred option of engagement with Amplify by 29 August 2025. 

Emergency Management Plan Review Reminder

All schools are required to review and update their Emergency Management Plans by Thursday, 19 September 2025.

Updates are generally minimal but must be confirmed using the 2024–25 template and be thoroughly reviewed and signed by the Principal.

Completed EMPs need to be uploaded to eSORT (Section A, 4.4). Please ensure your school’s plan is finalised by the due date.

Updated Policy Release

Please be advised that the Policies and Procedures below have been updated by the Board. They will be released via eSORT tomorrow with instructions for your Compliance and Risk Support Officers to undertake to support your implementation. The updated policies are to take effect immediately and we ask that you have your updated [School] Grievance Policy and Procedures live on your website by the last day of this term.

Your school community should then be advised that updates are available.

Please ensure you have a deep understanding of these documents to assist you in the management of any complaints that may be received from members of the school community.

Please email Megan Ioannou, Deputy Director Stewardship at mioannou@dobcel.catholic.edu.au with any questions.

Engaging with Flare Primary Literacy in 2026

All primary schools have been asked to consider their Literacy pathway for 2026. Details can be found on the August 13  Executive Director’s update. Engagement indication forms need to be completed by THIS Friday 29th August. This timeline will enable the Flare team to set dates and share these with schools in a timely way.  

If you have any questions about Primary Literacy, please contact: 

Joe Ewing: jewing@dobcel.catholic.edu.au | 0429 985 460 or   
Emma Rutherford: erutherford@dobcel.catholic.edu.au | 0419 479 264 

Fixed Term Contracts – Review Ending, and Renewal

As the end of the year approaches, it is time for Principals to turn their attention to employees on fixed term contracts arrangements as per clause 11.2 under the CEMEA and determine what arrangements will end or continue into 2026.

End of Contract
Under this clause, the requirement is to provide 7 weeks’ notice to an employee if the contract is not being renewed and the employment is to end. This will ensure the school remains compliant with this clause regarding conclusion letters, notice periods or payment in lieu of notice (if required).

Renewal or new Contracts
If you are wanting to continue an arrangement or enter a new fixed term contract, consideration must be given to the changes applied to fixed term contracts in line with ‘Closing Loopholes’ legislation. These changes came into effect on 6 December 2023, further limiting the use of fixed term arrangements for an employee unless they meet with an exemption rule.

This may mean that you may not be able to renew or engage an employee on a fixed term arrangement without a valid reason that meets one of the exemption rules. Detailed information about these changes and the rules that apply can be found here.   

If you would like to speak with one of the employee relations consultants about this, please contact the following as below.

Jo Huntley: 0429 598 163 | jhuntley@dobcel.catholic.edu.au
Nick Barta: 0492 327 650 | nbarta@dobcel.catholic.edu.au

July 2025 Wage and Allowance Increases

A 1% wage and allowance increase applied to employees covered by the Catholic Education Multi-Enterprise Agreement 2022 (CEMEA 2022) from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2025. Casual relief teacher (CRT) rates in the above agreements increased from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2025. 

ACU Explore Your Future Indigenous Program

ACU’s Explore Your Future event is being held on Friday September 5, Term 3, 2025.  Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Year 9, 10 and 11 students from metropolitan and regional Victoria are warmly invited to participate.

Please see attached flyer for more information.

Expressions of Interest – Leadership Opportunities 2026

We are pleased to invite expressions of interest for three leadership development opportunities commencing in 2026. These programs, delivered in partnership with The Brown Collective, and are designed to support current and aspiring leaders in deepening their leadership practice and strengthening outcomes for our schools and communities. Please consider if any of these opportunities might be relevant for you or any of your team members.

Opportunities available with further detail for each program linked below:

• Pathways to Principalship – Pathways to School Leadership. The content of this program will be tailored from previous years to ensure direct relevance to the DOBCEL Strategy 2035 and the DOBCEL Leadership Competency Framework. (Audience: Deputy Principals, Aspiring Principals, Members of school leadership teams.)
• Experienced Principal Program – 6R Leadership Program (Audience: Principals with at least 3 years of principalship)
• Leading with Integrity for Excellence: Governance for Catholic Schools (Audience: Principals and System Leaders)

Please click here to view further program details, costs, and requirements.

If you have any questions, please contact Fiona Murphy.

Evidence-based Vaping Prevention Program

Your school can now access Australia’s only evidence-based vaping prevention program at no cost, funded by the Federal Department of Health and endorsed by DOBCEL.

Data shows that 1 in 6 Australian high-school students have vaped recently, and 12-year-olds who have vaped are 29 times more likely to go on to try cigarette smoking. The OurFutures Vaping Prevention Program gives schools a proactive way to get ahead of this trend with classroom ready-made resources that are proven to work.

Why we recommend this program:

• Proven to work: A recent University of Sydney trial with 5,000 students across 40+ schools showed a 65% reduction in the likelihood of vaping compared to standard health education. This is Australia’s only evidence-based vaping prevention program, with world leading outcomes.
• No cost to schools: Fully funded by the Australian Government until mid- 2028. Schools that implement this program in 2025 can therefore access 4 years of this program fully funded.
• Curriculum aligned: 100% mapped to Year 7–8 HPE/Health curriculum, with additional modules for Years 9–12 due in 2026.
• Ready-made and flexible: Choose your implementation pathway- HPE classes, wellbeing/pastoral care, homeroom sessions. All resources are provided, with four 20-minute self-contained lessons.
• Co-designed with students: Content created with young Australians to ensure relevance, engagement and realistic scenarios.

Program structure:

Lesson 1: The health impacts of vaping – physical, mental and social
Lesson 2: Busting myths and misinformation
Lesson 3: Peer pressure, influences and social media
Lesson 4: Refusal skills, coping strategies and where to get help

We encourage you to consider implementing this program, allowing your school to shift from reacting to vaping problems to building a positive, preventative approach to student wellbeing.

Next steps

• View the Key Facts For Decision Makers and Implementation Guide linked below
• Register your school for the vaping prevention program
• View a teacher trial of the first lesson in the vaping module
• Contact OurFutures