Weekly Newsletter #9 - 30 March 2022
Reflection
A Growing Season - Joan Chittister OSB
Lent is not an event. It is not something that happens to us. It is at most a microcosm of what turns out to be a lifelong journey to the center of the self.
The purpose of Lent is to confront us with ourselves in a way that’s conscious and purposeful, that enables us to deal with the rest of life well. It is not a “penitential season.” It is a growing season. It requires us to determine what is worth dying for in our own lives and what it may be necessary for us to become if we really want to live. (National Catholic Reporter, Feb. 23, 2001)
A Lenten Poem by Joyce Rupp
The cosmos dreams in me
while I wait in stillness,
ready to lean a little further
into the heart of the Holy.
I, a little blip of life,
a wisp of unassuming love,
a quickly passing breeze,
come once more into Lent.
No need to sign me
with the black bleeding ash
of palms, fried and baked.
I know my humus place.
This Lent I will sail
on the graced wings of desire,
yearning to go deeper
to the place where
I am one in the One.
Oh, may I go there soon,
in the same breath
that takes me to the stars
when the cosmos dreams in me.
- Joyce Rupp https://joycerupp.com/
From the Executive Director
On Saturday evening I attended the 140 year celebration of Damascus College. Damascus College can trace its history back to the Mercy Sisters arrival to Ballarat in 1881, the establishment of Sacred Heart College in 1894, St Paul’s Technical School founded in 1948 by the Diocese and staffed by the Christian Brothers and the establishment of St Martin’s in the Pines in 1967.
These three schools amalgamated in 1995 to form Damascus College. Saturday was the third attempt, due to COVID-19, to hold this great celebration. The night was a wonderful success, with many fine tributes to the rich history of this 140 year journey.
Promotion and celebration of the teaching profession is a vital part of our work, last week we advised nominations for our own Diocesan Leadership Awards are now open. I would strongly encourage you to nominate suitable individuals or teams for these awards. The closing date is this Friday, 1st April.
Tom Sexton
Executive Director, Catholic Education Ballarat
From the Bishop
Hello Everyone,
While many of the pandemic restrictions have been eased, Covid is still in the community, and it is prudent to continue to take some steps to reduce the spread of the virus.
In the following text and in the attached document, I offer guidance regarding adaptations to Holy Week ceremonies and regarding some ongoing provisions.
As we look ahead to the ceremonies of Holy Week, some have asked whether some adjustments would still be appropriate in view of the continuing need to reduce the impact of Covid. I propose that we adopt the same provisions as last year in regard to Holy Thursday and Good Friday.
The Mass of Holy Thursday usually includes the Washing of Feet after the homily and a Procession with the Blessed Sacrament to “a place of repose”. In line with directions given by the Congregation for Divine Worship for the time of pandemic, the Washing of Feet and the Procession with the Blessed Sacrament may be omitted. The Congregation has indicated that the Blessed Sacrament could simply be taken to the tabernacle after communion as usual. This would not rule out providing some time for people to stay for quiet prayer after the Mass, as is the custom particularly on Holy Thursday.
For Good Friday, the Congregation for Divine Worship provided a prayer related to the time of pandemic. This prayer can be added to the Solemn Intercessions, between the usual ninth and tenth prayers. The text is on the next page, under the heading “For the afflicted in time of pandemic”. The Good Friday ceremony includes Veneration of the Cross. Once again, I propose that people be invited to come forward to venerate the cross by bowing before the cross rather than by touching or kissing the cross.
I also note several general provisions that go beyond Holy Week. I remind everyone of the directive that, during this time of pandemic, communion should be received in the hand rather than on the tongue. Also, while Covid is still occurring frequently in the community, there should be no sharing of the chalice, those distributing Holy Communion should use hand sanitiser prior to distribution and not touch anyone when giving a blessing, and holy water fonts should still be empty.
May the peace of Christ be with us all as we continue our journey through Lent and come to celebrate Holy Week and Easter.
God bless you all.
Paul Bird CSsR
Bishop of the Diocese of Ballarat
Additional Intercession for Good Friday.
IX b. For the afflicted in time of pandemic.
Let us pray also for all those who suffer the consequences of the current pandemic,
that God the Father may grant health to the sick,
strength to those who care for them,
comfort to families and salvation to all the victims who have died.
Prayer in silence. Then the Priest says:
Almighty ever-living God,
only support of our human weakness,
look with compassion upon the sorrowful condition of your children
who suffer because of this pandemic;
relieve the pain of the sick,
give strength to those who care for them,
welcome into your peace those who have died
and, throughout this time of tribulation,
grant that we may all find comfort in your merciful love.
Through Christ our Lord.
R. Amen.
Formation of Mission Update
Nurturing My Spirit: A Formation Experience for Non-Teaching Staff.
Support staff in our schools are vitally important. Often, they continually give of themselves, in the background, nurturing those around them. This online retreat experience will be an opportunity for non-teaching staff in schools no matter what their role to nurture their own spirits by “coming to the well” and to experience prayer, meditation silence and contemplation.
The experience is being offered twice commencing at 9.00am and 2.00pm and each session will go for approximately 2 hours on Wednesday 6th April. For further information see the links and flyer below, or contact jim Waight on 0417869912.
Click here for 9.00am session
Mass of the Oils 2022.
All are welcome to attend the Mass of the Oils to be held on Monday, April 11, 2022 at St Patrick’s Cathedral Ballarat at 6.30pm. Supper will follow in the Hall. Any COVID restrictions applicable at this time will apply to the Mass of the Oils.
Community Achievements
Top Class Spotlight Shines on Damascus College Captains.
Damascus College class of 2021 College Captain Maya Tolliday and current College captain Megan O’Beirne will take to the Playhouse stage at the Arts Centre Melbourne as part of the Top Class 2022 concert series, with performances on Monday 28 March and Tuesday 29 March 2022.
Maya and Megan were invited to audition for Top Class based on their 2021 VCE Drama performance examination score. Both students had received outstanding scores over 40. Based on their audition, they were two of the twenty students from the whole of Victoria to secure a coveted slot on the stage.
Damascus College Performing Arts Co-ordinator Mr Andrew Seeary said that this is a fine example of our students being their best.
“Our school is being represented at a state level not once but twice in the Melbourne Arts centre in front of sell-out crowds who are there to witness the best of the best in VCE Drama excellence.”
“Being invited to audition for Top Class is an honour that only a small percentage of VCE Drama students get to experience. Gaining a spot on the stage is an even rarer accomplishment, especially when you consider the number of students from the state who are vying for a slot. But to have not just one, but two students excelling in this way, and for them both to also be leaders within our College community is a one-off honour that we are not likely to see again.”
The Top Class audience will enjoy original solo performances and scripted dramatic monologues and production design demonstrating the imagination and originality of emerging actors and theatre makers.
Both Maya and Megan have been enthusiastic and outstanding actors on the Damascus College stage in various productions while also finding time within their busy academic schedules to take on the significant duties of being a school leader.
Since graduating from Damascus College Maya has begun studying Biomedicine at Deakin University. For Year 12 Megan is undertaking subjects in English, Science, Maths, Religious Education, and Languages.
Top Class puts the spotlight on the creativity and sophistication of VCE performing arts students from across Victoria.
People & Development Update
Diocesan Leadership Awards Nominations Open.
DOBCEL is proud to again sponsor the Diocese of Ballarat Leadership Awards recognising outstanding service and leadership within the Catholic schools in the Diocese of Ballarat, our school communities and Catholic Education Ballarat.
The Diocesan Award categories are:
Partnership Award
Nomination criteria for staff or community members who demonstrate:
- a commitment to enhancing partnering between the School, Catholic Education Ballarat, Parish, or the local community that enhance learning for students;
- ongoing witness to partnership in Catholic education and an active presence in the education, parish, diocesan and/or local community;
- promotion of Catholic education as partnership in local and/or extended community.
Catholic Leadership Award
Nomination criteria for staff who demonstrate:
- leadership that provides active witness to God’s presence in education, parish and/or diocesan community which enhances Catholic identity;
- excellence in leadership around Religious Education, spirituality, liturgy, religious art, social justice, the founding charism, evangelisation and/or ecology.
Fullness of Life Award
Nomination criteria for staff who demonstrate:
- leadership that leads to fullness of life for colleagues and/or students;
- excellence in education, staff formation or professional learning, student learning and/or;
- educational innovation for demonstrated commitment to evidence-based practice in education.
Nominations are invited via the Nomination Link until Friday 1 April 2022.
Catholic Education Update
Wellbeing.
Staffing.
Our recent attempt to fill a fixed term (2022) role for a Learning Diversity Education Officer has not been successful. The CEB Learning Diversity Team is now also responding to a further reduction of 0.4FTE from the existing staff pool due to a staff member needing to take extended leave.
The most likely source of suitable applicants for the LDEO role is the cohort of existing Learning Diversity Leaders in schools. Understanding the challenges that currently exist, we are asking that every school consider in what way you may be able to support the needs that exist across all Diocesan Schools.
This prompts some critical questions:
- Is your school equipped with the necessary schoolwide systems/structures and staff expertise that would allow you to support the work of another school through local networking and/or mentoring of key staff? What input/compensation would be necessary to enable this to happen?
- Would you be willing to accept an offer of secondment for a staff member from your school?
I would welcome any questions or further suggestions that you may have.
Tony Perkins
Leader: Wellbeing
E: tperkins@ceoballarat.catholic.edu.au
M: 0417 007 166
Youth Mental Health First Aid Accredited Training.
4th & 5th of May @ Ballarat Catholic Education Office.
Youth Mental Health First Aid training equips people with the knowledge and confidence to approach or respond to students who may need information or support. The impact of that first supportive conversation for any individual, and in particular a young person, in a time of need can be profound.
For further information please contact Brooke Nester bnester@ceob.edu.au or register for the event using this link.
Learning and Teaching.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Review Action Team.
Expressions of interest are sought from school principals and/or school staff members for membership of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Review Action Team. There is capacity for 2 school-based representatives.
This team will be responsible for:
- Using wide and appropriate consultative processes to develop a Diocesan-wide Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Action Plan which articulates the Diocesan vision and principles for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education and employment, including specific outcomes with a strong data focus.
- Making recommendations as to how the Diocesan Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Action Plan can be promoted and enacted in schools and CEB.
- Developing a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) for CEB.
Please see the Terms of Reference for further information.
Expressions of interest can be forwarded to Jeanette Morris (jmorris@dobcel.catholic.edu.au) by Thursday April 7th.
Social and Emotional Wellbeing Program Funding for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Students.
The Opening the Doors Foundation has launched the "Social and Emotional Wellbeing Program" in response to the immense social and emotional stress on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and their families caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Through financial grants, the program aims to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students participating in immersion experiences and specific camps that are organised through their school. This funding is separate to the regular Foundation grants (books, uniforms, etc.) and closes on 31 May 2022.
Please refer to the SEWP Application for further information or by contacting the Foundation on 0401 487 414 or enquiries@openingthedoors.org.au
PAT Licences.
All schools OARS accounts have been updated with continued access to PAT Reading Adaptive, PAT Maths Adaptive, PAT Reading 5th Edition and PAT Maths 4th Edition until 30/03/2023.
Schools will also receive the PAT Essentials 2nd Edition hard copy resource in the next fortnight.
Professional Learning Opportunities.
Professional Learning for Primary Leaders of Learning with Matt Sexton; Director of the Mathematics Teaching and Learning Centre at ACU.
This professional learning program will support primary leaders of curriculum to develop their skills related to:
- Driving change
- Building relational trust
- Using effective meeting protocols
We then invite you to complete this survey by Friday 8th April. The data will be used to support the planning for the day.
Dates: 13th May 9:15am - 3:30pm and Webinar chat 9th June 4:00pm - 5:00pm
EMU Ongoing with Associate Professor Ann Gervasoni.
These 2 days of connected Professional Learning will be held in Ballarat on Monday 23rd May and Monday 20th June.
The 2 days of EMU Ongoing Professional learning are designed to improve student outcomes and build EMU teacher / leader/ classroom teacher capability. The days will be facilitated by Associate Professor Ann Gervasoni (Monash University), with a focus on catering for all students in their Zone of Proximal Development.
Inspiring Teacher Leadership Program – Ed Partnerships.
A program designed to build the capacity of teacher leaders to lead learning in their schools and to support their school leaders to create the conditions for a school wide culture of learning.
Planning & Infrastructure Update
Air Purifier Rollout.
Another 60,000 air purifiers will be distributed to Victorian government and low-fee non-government schools.
On Tuesday 22nd of March, Education Minister James Merlino announced the rollout would ensure students and teaching staff were protected.
“This is the largest investment in school ventilation in the nation - no other state is taking such strong steps to protect students, staff and school communities,” Mr Merlino said.
Some 51,000 air purifiers have been sent to schools since the start of term one.
Following an open tender process, Samsung has been awarded the contract for the extra 60,000 air purifiers.
A few thousand purifiers will be stored after winter begins to go to schools that add extra classrooms or increase enrolments in the second half of the year.
Department of Education and Training will be making contact with schools to arrange delivery.
Career Opportunities in the Diocesan Education Community
Principal Vacancies
- Principal – Damascus College, Ballarat – commencing Semester 2 2022 or later by negotiation (closes 4 April)
Catholic Education Ballarat Vacancies
- Education Officer: Religious Education – Ballarat Office – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 18 April)
- Manager: Assurance and Risk – Ballarat Office – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 18 April)
School Vacancies
- Learning Support Officers – Emmaus Catholic Primary School, Mt Clear – ongoing positions at both full-time and part-time (closes 1 April)
- Classroom and Specialist Teachers – St Patrick’s School, Camperdown – fixed-term at 1.0 FTE (closes 1 April)
- Education Support Staff – OLHC School, Wendouree – fixed-term positions at 0.5 FTE (closes 1 April)
- Health & Physical Education Teacher – Mercy Regional College, Camperdown – fixed-term position at 0.8 to 1.0 FTE (closes 4 April)
- Business Management, Legal Studies, Economics Teacher – Emmanuel College, Warrnambool – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 6 April)
- Spanish Teacher – St Mary’s School, Swan Hill – fixed-term at 0.4 FTE (closes 6 April)
- Classroom Teacher – St Mary’s School, Donald – fixed-term position at 0.6 FTE (closes 8 April)
- Classroom Teacher – St Mary’s School, Hamilton – fixed-term position at 0.6 FTE (closes 22 April)
- Classroom Teacher – St Mary’s School, Ararat – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 25 April)
- Casual Relief Teachers – St Alipius’ Parish School, Ballarat East (closes 30 June)
- Casual Relief Teachers – St Francis Xavier, Ballarat East (closes 9 December)
Other Diocese Vacancies
Catholic Schools Broken Bay
- Learner Partner: High Potential and Gifted Education - Catholic Schools Broken Bay, Pennant Hills – full time (closes 11 April)