Executive Director’s Update to Principals #58 - 23 October 2025

Enterprise Bargaining Offer: Say 'yes' and keep the offer on the table

The EB25 survey is open until this Friday, 24 October. Employees should have received a unique link via an email directly from the VCEA.

By saying YES, we can keep the offer on the table and move to the next step. It’s critical for everyone to have a say at this stage. Encourage your staff to SAY YES and be part of a truly historic moment for Catholic Education in the state of Victoria. 

A Key Messages Flyer, Staffroom Poster and a Vote YES Graphic from the VCEA (outlining the wage increases across sectors) are linked below. Please print these materials and display them prominently in your staff areas as soon as possible. 

Visit eb.catholic.edu.au for more information.

Resources to Print:

St Joseph's Penshurst Update

I'm pleased to inform you that Katie Calvert has been appointed as Principal of St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, Penshurst, commencing at the beginning of the 2026 school year.

Katie has taught in both government and Catholic schools. She began teaching at St Joseph’s, Penshurst, in 2015, where she worked until 2023. During her time at St Joseph’s, she held several positions, including PE teacher, classroom teacher, Religious Education Leader and Learning and Teaching Leader. Katie was also the lead teacher during Principal absences.

Katie holds a Bachelor of Arts in Education from Deakin University, Warrnambool and a Bachelor of Education from Australian Catholic University and is accredited to teach Religious Education in Catholic schools. Prior to her teaching career, Katie worked in business administration, where she developed skills in organisational management. These skills will assist her with the responsibilities of school leadership.

Katie has been teaching at Anglesea Primary School for the past two years. In 2026, Katie will return full-time to her family farm in Caramut. She is deeply passionate about St Joseph’s and its community and is very excited to take on the role of Principal at St Joseph’s.

Katie raised her children in Penshurst, and her family has long been a member of the St Joseph’s Parish. She has maintained a strong connection with the parish, even while living away. She understands the importance of faith-based education within a small rural community and is committed to honouring the school’s rich traditions while fostering innovation and growth for the future.

I offer my sincere congratulations to Katie and invite you to join me in wishing her every success as she returns to the St Joseph’s, Penshurst, community in this new leadership role.

Diocesan Leadership Gathering (DLG) Horsham – 30-31 October 2025

The agenda for next week’s Diocesan Leadership Gathering held in Horsham on Thursday, 30 and Friday, 31 October, is below.

Please note the following:
Venue: Church of Christ, 91 River Road, Horsham
Start time Thursday 30 October: Due to a full agenda, the meeting will commence at 9.00am.
Mass: Mass will be held at Ss Michael & John’s Church, 13 McLachlan Street, Horsham at 5.00pm
Dinner: Horsham Golf Club, 304 Golf Course Road, Haven commencing from 6.00pm. The dinner will include principal farewell celebrations.

There will be a bus pickup to the Golf Club for dinner from Ss Michael & John’s Church for those not wishing to drive to the venue. The bus will return to town between 9.00pm - 9.30pm

Zone meetings will take place on Friday, 31 October; agendas will be communicated via your Zone Chairs.

If you are not able to attend the gathering, please communicate your absence directly to tsexton@dobcel.catholic.edu.au.

Student-free and School Closure Days Survey

Principals are asked to input their proposed 2026 student-free and school closure dates into the following survey: https://forms.office.com/r/9kYjBggFSb.

Should the EB25 Offer be accepted and five paid TIL days are offered to full-time teachers from January 2026, these five days need to be factored into your planning. Therefore, the survey deadline has been extended from 31 October to 7 November. There will be an opportunity at the upcoming Diocesan Leadership Gathering (DLG) in Horsham to learn more about this possible offering, and consider how this impacts your dates.

If you have already submitted your responses and are unable to edit your submission, please send your dates to Elise Hart (ehart@dobcel.catholic.edu.au) and she will assist.