Weekly Newsletter #2 - 10 Feb 2021
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Reflection
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From the Executive Director
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DOBCEL Policy Implementation – Child Safe Suite
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Leadership Gathering – 18 and 19 February
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2021 Directory Now Available
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Protecting Children – Mandatory Reporting and other Obligations – eLearn Module
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Election of Representatives to the DOBCEL Health and Safety Committee (HSC)
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Call for Grant Funding Applications for Major Capital Works Update
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Teacher Accreditation Platform
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Graduate Teacher Program (Primary)
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Visiting Teacher – Sensory Impairments (Ballarat)
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Catholic Identity and Mission Updates and Professional Development Opportunities
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Education Updates and Professional Learning Opportunities
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Newsletter Email List
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Career Opportunities in the Diocesan Education Community
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Emmanuel College Warrnambool transitions to Mercy Education Ltd
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200 Years of Catholic Education Update
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Distribution of Ashes on Ash Wednesday Update
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Call for Our Diocesan Community Publication Submissions
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Showcase your School’s Achievements in CECV’s Annual Report - Reminder
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Catholic Principals School Guide
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2021 School Leader Fellowship Program
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CSPV Administration and Marketing Support Officer Opportunity
Reflection
A prophet like Moses…
In the liturgical cycle, this year’s focus is on Mark’s gospel. Mark begins his gospel establishing Jesus’s teaching authority and characterizing him as the long anticipated “prophet like Moses”. The people of his time who were amazed at his authority are the same people that will turn on him once he begins to speak truth against power. We much prefer anticipating prophets than actually living with them!
A similar situation is at play with the election of President Joe Biden. Promising to become the climate president, he has detailed far-ranging plans to shift the U.S. away from fossil fuels, create millions of jobs in renewable energy, and conserve vast swaths of public lands and water. Such a formidable agenda is bound to meet with resistance. “Big industry” is aiming to slow Biden’s unprecedented push for climate action and keep profits from fossil fuels flowing. Republican attorneys general from six states wrote to the new president, warning him not to overstep his authority. (Washington Post 28/1/21)
May we pray for the prophetic voices on the world stage and within the Church; but equally as important, to pray for the courage to utilise our own prophetic gifts when the voices of the vulnerable and powerless are silenced in our community.
From the Executive Director
It has been very pleasing to hear, as I have visited and talked to a variety of different principals, about how smoothly the year has started, even with a change in the COVID restrictions – well done.
We recently held an induction day for new principals, which prompted me to reflect on how good it was to be able to fill 18 principalships in 2020. The majority of these principals are “home grown” which is an excellent sign that we as a diocese are growing our own leaders through a range of school and system wide initiatives, professional development programs and formal study. I look forward to continuing along this important path, whilst always being on the look-out for new and different ways of developing and growing our own leaders. I’m looking forward to meeting our first intake into the Pathways to School Leadership: Leading with Impact program beginning on the 23/24 February 2021.
Tom Sexton
Executive Director, Catholic Education Ballarat
DOBCEL Policy Implementation – Child Safe Suite
The VRQA requires all DOBCEL schools to implement policies and procedures by mid-2021. The timeline for document roll-out was provided to schools last week. The Child Safe Suite contains the first documents to be rolled-out, and they are provided to you today. Please find:
- Summary Document – outlines what action is required for each of the Child Safe documents. Please note that each of the Child Safe documents has a dedicated page in this summary regarding the main points and the required action by schools.
- Video presentation – provides a Powerpoint presentation with audio commentary to assist schools in the Child Safe suite of documents roll-out. Please note that each of the Child Safe documents has a dedicated slide in the PowerPoint.
- DOBCEL Policies webpage
- Policy Implementation and Timeline document
Leadership Gathering – 18 and 19 February
A reminder that the first Leadership Gathering for 2021 will be held on Thursday 18 and Friday 19 February. Thank you to those who have registered. For those who are still to register, please do so as soon as possible via the link below to ensure you are catered for.
2021 Directory Now Available
The 2021 Directory is now available on the DOBCEL website, along with an updated version of the Organisational Chart.
Protecting Children – Mandatory Reporting and other Obligations – eLearn Module
CECV COMS of 29 January 2021 provided a circular to principals and all school governors of Catholic schools in Victoria regarding the ‘Protecting children- mandatory reporting and other legal obligations’ eLearning module.
The circular advised that all mandated staff are required to complete the module by the last day of Term 1, 2021.
An issue has arisen that some staff, usually those who completed the module after March 2020, have been advised there are no ‘current’ modules to complete upon login to the platform to access the eLearn module.
DET host this module on the ELMO platform and have been advised of the issue. DET are working to resolve the issue by resetting ELMO. This will take some time.
Staff should be advised to periodically check their ELMO account over the coming weeks to see if the module becomes available. They may wish to email DET Wellbeing, Health and Engagement Division at student.engagement@edumail.vic.gov.au
Catholic Education Ballarat is unable to assist with technical issues as ELMO is a DET platform. This is noted in the Circular.
As per the Circular (29 January 2021) please contact Tim O’Farrell via email or on 03 5337 7135.
Election of Representatives to the DOBCEL Health and Safety Committee (HSC)
The implementation of the DOBCEL governance model requires the convening of a new Health and Safety Committee to provide strategic advice on the management of health and safety across DOBCEL schools and office locations. This consultative forum will provide recommendations to the Catholic Education Ballarat Directorate and the DOBCEL Board with regard to safety policy, procedure and compliance.
Nominations from prospective employee representatives from DOBCEL schools and offices are now open.
We will be seeking the nominations from employees representatives wanting to act as DOBCEL staff Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs):
- One (1) Primary Schools representative
- One (1) Secondary Schools representative
- One (1) Catholic Education Ballarat employees representative
- Two (2) Additional DOBCEL Employee representatives (School or Office).
Nominations for these two position will be considered in the context of maximising the diversity of representatives from across DOBCEL Schools and Office geographic locations and demographics.
Please note: If a high number of expressions of interest are received, an election will be called to determine the appointment of the staff representatives.
We are also seeking nominations from DOBCEL Principals wanting to act as DOBCEL Management representatives on the Committee. We are seeking:
- One (1) Primary Schools Principal representative
- One (1) Secondary Schools Principal representative
Please note: Nominations for the Management representatives will be reviewed and an appointment determined by the Executive Director Catholic Education Ballarat.
Call for Grant Funding Applications for Major Capital Works Update
Further to the COMS providing important information about the Victorian Government Capital Funding Program (VGCFP) 2019–23 – Round 3 and the Australian Government Capital Grants Program (CGP) - 2021 Round, we provide the following further information:
Critical Date: Applications for both programs will close on Monday 15 February.
Question in relation to providing evidence in regards to use of land / buildings or right to use: All DOBCEL schools are to insert information as indicated in the attached template letter (Word file) and provide on your schools letterhead and include within application.
Question in relation to requirement to provide a letter of support from delegated authority: All DOBCEL schools are to insert information as indicated in the attached template letter (Word file) and send to Tom Sexton for his signature. Tom will then review and send back to you for inclusion within your application.
Please contact Ashley Wiseman via email or on 5337 7133 for further assistance.
Teacher Accreditation Platform
This term, along with the other Catholic education offices in Victoria, CEB will be introducing the new online Teacher Accreditation Platform (TAP) to support schools in managing the requirements of the CECV Accreditation to Teach and Teach RE or Lead in a Catholic School Policy. TAP will replace the previous paper forms and email process used by schools to apply for professional learning activities to be recognised for accreditation purposes, or for teachers to apply for their accreditation. Further information will be sent later in February about TAP and the new application processes.
Graduate Teacher Program (Primary)
Please read the information letter for all Primary schools who have employed graduate teachers in their 1st, 2nd and 3rd years of teaching in 2021. It would be appreciated if you could please complete the template (Word document) and return to Susan Crowe by Monday 22 February.
Visiting Teacher – Sensory Impairments (Ballarat)
We are pleased to announce that Ms Kelly Pails has been appointed to a 0.5 FTE Visiting Teacher – Sensory Impairments position to be based in Ballarat. This fixed term appointment was made to allow Visiting Teacher Leonie Walsh to focus on the Northern Zone Visiting Teacher caseload which in turn allows Monique Ryan to focus on the Learning Diversity Education Officer in the Northern Zone. Kelly will support students with sensory impairments in the Central Zone of the Diocese.
Kelly Pails, having completed her teacher training at the University of Ballarat then worked as a teacher and Early Years Coordinator in a local primary school as well as in the United Kingdom. More recently Kelly has worked for PINARC Disability Services as a Specialist Consult and Preschool Field Officer, where she mentored and coached educators to support kindergarten children and families with additional needs within the Central Highlands Region. This meant consulting with the teams around the child and family, determining early interventions and liaising with allied health professionals, paediatricians, family support services as well as Department of Health and Human Services.
Kelly will commence work at CEB on 12 March 2021. We look forward to welcoming Kelly into the Wellbeing Team and supporting her transition into the role of Visiting Teacher.
Catholic Identity and Mission Updates and Professional Development Opportunities
Education Updates and Professional Learning Opportunities
Newsletter Email List
Thank you to the schools who have submitted email addresses for school staff to receive our Weekly Newsletter .
School staff can be added to the recipient list via the below form. "All Staff" email addresses can also be added. Note that only school email addresses can be used.
Career Opportunities in the Diocesan Education Community
Emmanuel College Warrnambool transitions to Mercy Education Ltd
On January 1, 2021 Emmanuel College, Warrnambool officially joined Mercy Education Limited. In many ways the College is returning to the Mercy family rather than joining it as the school’s foundations and first 120 years were inextricably linked to the Sisters of Mercy. Since 1991 when Emmanuel College was formed through the amalgamation of St. Ann’s and Christian Brothers Colleges, the school was governed by representatives of St Joseph’s Parish, the Sisters of Mercy and the Christian Brothers. A two-year transition period culminated on January 1 with Emmanuel College joining 12 similar schools in Victoria, South Australia, and Western Australia under the umbrella of Mercy Education Limited (MEL). The common connection for each of these schools is their foundation by the Sisters of Mercy. Today, MEL continues the governance of the Sisters whose work began 175 years ago in Australia, and links Emmanuel to the pioneering work of Catherine McAuley in Ireland.
Symbolising the transition to MEL and our reconnection with Catherine’s House of Mercy in Dublin, the front door of the College has been painted in the same red hue as Catherine’s House of Mercy on Baggot Street, Dublin.
200 Years of Catholic Education Update
Below is the February update on the 200 Year Celebrations of Catholic Education in Australia.
Your school may like to promote the celebrations on your website, email footer, school newsletter etc. using the below branding materials and templates. Please ensure you read the style guide and if you have any questions contact Annette Loughlin-Smith or Jacqueline Hayes.
Distribution of Ashes on Ash Wednesday Update
Further to this notice regarding the distribution of ashes in time of pandemic, the Liturgical Commission offers an alternative suggestion. The distribution of ashes could proceed with the use of an individual cotton bud dipped in the ashes and signed on the forehead of each person present, without saying anything, ensuring the process is contactless. Three people would be required for the distribution of ashes – the leader distributing the ashes, one person with a bowl to provide the leader with a new cotton bud for each person and one person with a larger bowl to collect the used cotton buds. The leader would be the only person touching the cotton bud. The leader cleanses their hands, puts on a face mask (gloves are optional) and distributes the ashes to those who come to them or, if appropriate, the leader goes to those who are standing in their places.
Call for Our Diocesan Community Publication Submissions
The Ballarat Diocesan print publication “Our Diocesan Community” (ODC), jointly sponsored by the Diocese and Catholic Education Ballarat, will again be published three times during 2021. ODC is distributed to all parishes, all staff and families of primary schools and all staff members of secondary schools of the diocese.
Submissions for the first edition are due by Friday 12 February - see submission details and publication timelines. The focus for this year will be the Plenary Council/Year of St Joseph and submissions are welcome from schools, parishes and agencies from all around the diocese.
For enquiries, please contact odc@ballarat.catholic.org.au.
Showcase your School’s Achievements in CECV’s Annual Report - Reminder
Submissions are open to submit stories showcasing student, teacher and school awards from the 2020 calendar year in this year’s CECV Annual Report. Thank you to the schools who submitted highlights for last year’s CECV Annual Report (starting on page 28).
Submission details:
- A short blurb and a high resolution photo is required for each story
- Expressions of interest close on Friday 19 February
- Final content is due by Wednesday 24 February
For enquiries contact Emma Newman by email or on 5337 7186.
Catholic Principals School Guide
The VRQA has released the below guide for Catholic School Principals:
2021 School Leader Fellowship Program
The Menzies Foundation invites application for this leadership development program for Victorian School Principals and AP's. Each fellowship is worth $150,000 (paid to the Fellow's school) and there are 5 places available. Applications close on Sunday 14 March.
CSPV Administration and Marketing Support Officer Opportunity
Catholic School Parents Victoria (CSPV) is seeking a suitable candidate for this unique role. Reporting and working closely with the Executive Officer of CSPV, the Administration and Marketing Officer will work to achieve key priorities based on the CSPV strategic plan. This fixed term independent contractor position based in Abbotsford, Melbourne is ideal for a home-based business and is flexible for working around school hours. See details below.