Executive Director’s Update to Principals #47 - 5 September 2025

2025 Australian School Leader Occupational Health & Wellbeing Survey

The 2025 Australian Principal Health & Wellbeing Survey is now open for new registrations at healthandwellbeing.org.

This national survey is confidential, independent, and designed to capture the experiences of school leaders across Australia — especially those in rural and remote communities whose voices are vital to a complete picture.

By participating, principals receive a personalised report on their own health and wellbeing, while contributing to research that informs government policy and drives system-wide support initiatives.

The 2025 survey is shorter and more accessible, ensuring every leader’s experience is heard. Ongoing participants will have already received their link, but new participants are encouraged to register today.

Find out more in the flyer linked below and register at healthandwellbeing.org.

Changes in Risk and Assurance Team

In preparation for the delivery of our new DOBCEL Strategy 2035 we are delighted that Sam Campbell will change the focus of his role to that of a dedicated Risk Management Officer.

This dedicated focus will enhance our organisational decision making capabilities through a maturing risk management culture. Sam commenced in this new role on 1 September 2025.

Sam has now vacated his former role as Manager Risk and Assurance and steps will be taken to advertise this position in the near future.

In the interim we are delighted to be welcoming back to DOBCEL Andrew Watson. Andrew has concluded his term as Executive Director Diocese of Wagga Wagga and we are fortunate that he has returned to the Diocese. Andrew’s system experience and understanding of our diocese will provide continuing support for the team and Directorate until the role is filled. Andrew commenced in this interim role on Monday 1 September 2025.

Update to VIT and Working With Children Check (WWCC) Procedure

The following minor changes have been made to the to the VIT and WWCC Procedure to ensure they will reflect the implementation of the VIT registration going fully digital and the introduction of digital registration cards:

• reference to the former MO 870 Child Safe Standards has changed to reflect the correct MO 1359.
• The only change to content is the following text:

The School must verify their teaching staff registration status by checking the VIT’s live online register or via the VIT Employer portal. These are the most accurate sources for real-time information on a teacher's registration status.

and the removal of the requirement to keep a hard copy on file.

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.