Weekly Newsletter #5 - 3 Mar 2021
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Reflection
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From the Executive Director
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Diocesan Leadership Awards Nominations Open
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30 Year Service Award Nominations Open
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Diocesan Leadership Awards and 30 Year Service Awards Celebratory Dinner
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New Teacher Accreditation Platform (TAP) Now Available
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Learning Manager Courses 2021
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Offsite Activities and Complying with the Student Activity Locator (SAL)
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Professional Learning Updates
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Pathways to School Leadership: Leading with Impact Program
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Acknowledgement - Pauline Doran, Ballarat Art Gallery Education Officer
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Career Opportunities in the Diocesan Education Community
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200 Years of Catholic Education Events and Activities
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Schoolzine Website and eNewsletter EOIs Now Open
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Mindful March – Take a Moment for Self-Care
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Principalship Opportunity - Corpus Christi College, Bateman, Western Australia
Reflection
The Transfiguration
This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him… Mk 9: 7
Across the liturgical cycle, the second Sunday of Lent is linked to the story of Jesus’ transfiguration. This passage is rich in symbolism and introduces key players from the history of God’s salvation; not only Moses and Elijah but also Jesus and his closest disciples. As in the healing story of his mother-in-law, Peter’s humanness and spontaneity come to the fore. In the previous story from Mark’s first chapter, Peter wanted to bring Jesus back into his home; to ‘domesticate’ the healing power of Jesus. On top of Mt Tabor, enveloped in the moment, the disciple wants to contain the experience by building three tents for Jesus and the prophets. But like the experience in Capernaum, Jesus’ ministry can’t be limited to the parameters of people’s perceptions and expectations. Lent is characterised as a time of metanoia – stretching ourselves beyond our own self-prescribed limitations to live the fullness of life that God dreams for us.
Illuminating God
in your face we see the shine of pure love.
May we recognise that same divine light
in the faces of our fellow travellers
on the journey of our Lenten pilgrimage.
May we recognise the voice of your Beloved Son
in ways and places that often surprise us.
Transform, change and enlarge us
as we move from the mountain to the pathways of our lives.
From the Executive Director
Last Friday I attended the Secondary Principals Meeting to discuss the Instrument of Delegations, among other things. We now have feedback from all DOBCEL principals on this Instrument which has been excellent. We are now using this feedback to refine the Instrument of Delegations. I hope to have the revised Instrument out to DOBCEL principals next week.
I would like to highlight one of the delegations around school camps and excursions. Having received feedback from principals and undertaking some further research and discussion, we have identified the Student Activity Locator (SAL), accessed via CEVN, as the most efficient way of recording camps and excursions. Schools have been required to complete SAL for many years. We are requesting access to SAL for our Leadership team, which means we will have full visibility to all DOBCEL school camps and excursions without any additional processes or paper work. I believe this is a good example of finding effective ways, in collaboration with principals, of DOBCEL having “line of sight” in this important area without adding to school or CEB workloads. Information about SAL is provided below.
We are now looking for nominations for the 2021 30 Year Awards and the Diocesan Leadership Awards. Further information below.
Next week I am looking forward to visiting our schools in the Swan Hill, Robinvale and Mildura regions. It will be good to spend time getting to know more about these schools and their communities.
Interim Principal - St Joseph’s Primary School, Warrnambool
I am pleased to advise that Mr Jim Guinan has accepted the appointment as Interim Principal of St Joseph’s Primary School, Warrnambool, while the recruitment process for a Principal continues. Jim will commence this role in Term 2.
Jim has previously held the position of Deputy Principal at St Joseph’s between 2000-2020 and after stepping back last year, has continued to teach at St Joseph’s. As an experienced Deputy Principal, I am confident that Jim will continue to lead the St Joseph’s school community diligently and I thank him for his willingness to undertake this important leadership position.
Tom Sexton
Executive Director, Catholic Education Ballarat
Diocesan Leadership Awards Nominations Open
On behalf of the DOBCEL Board, the Executive Director of Catholic Education Ballarat recognises outstanding service and leadership within our Diocesan schools and school communities.
There are three Diocesan Awards where a DOBCEL employee or School community member can be nominated to be recognised for their particular expression of leadership:
- The Partnership Award
The Catholic Leadership Award
The Fullness of Life Award
Nominations are invited via this form until Friday 19 March.
30 Year Service Award Nominations Open
The 30 Year Service Awards for 2021 will be celebrated and acknowledged at the proposed Diocesan Leadership dinner on Friday 14 May at the Mercure Hotel and Convention Centre.
We are seeking nominations of staff members who have become eligible this year for their 30 Year Service recognition. Please note that any staff member who has been recognised in previous years will not be included, and that any maternity leave or leave without pay taken by staff throughout their career is not included when calculating years of service.
Please see further details in the attached letter (Word document) and submit the details of any staff members who you think may qualify for recognition in 2021 by Friday 12 March.
Diocesan Leadership Awards and 30 Year Service Awards Celebratory Dinner
This year we are able to honour recipients of the DOBCEL Diocesan Leadership Awards and 30 Year Service Awards through a celebratory dinner on Friday 14 May at the Mercure Hotel and Convention Centre, Ballarat. While this will be a valuable celebration in light of the inability to gather last year, COVID-19 restrictions will still limit the number of attendees. In light of this, invitations will be sent to each award recipient and their partner, diocesan principals, the DOBCEL Board and CEB Leadership. We appreciate your understanding that numbers are limited this year and we hope, in anticipation, that there will be a further loosening of restrictions in time for next year’s celebration.
New Teacher Accreditation Platform (TAP) Now Available
The new online Teacher Accreditation Platform (TAP) is now available to schools. TAP is intended to assist schools in implementing the CECV Accreditation to Teach and to Teach Religious Education or Lead in Catholic Schools in Victoria policy. See more information about TAP here.
Learning Manager Courses 2021
All staff working in early childhood settings and schools within Victoria, particularly those with mandatory reporting obligations, are strongly encouraged by VIT to regularly undertake and complete the DET Mandatory Reporting – Protecting Children eLearning module - we recommend this course is undertaken by all staff annually in Term 1.
CEB provides access for all Diocesan school staff to the CCI “Learning Manager” online training. School and CEB staff are able to access and complete any of the thirteen (13) comprised courses (note a new course has been added - ‘the Essentials of Whistleblowing’).
DOBCEL requires all staff to undertake the following five (5) courses at least every two years:
- Harassment and Bullying
- Anti-discrimination
- Sexual Harassment
- Essentials of Whistleblowing
- Work Health and Safety Education
Course details and links are available here.
Offsite Activities and Complying with the Student Activity Locator (SAL)
A reminder that schools are required to enter their offsite activities into the Student Activity Locator (SAL), including camps, excursions (including interstate and overseas trips), day trips, sporting activities, school closures, pupil free days and all overnight activities.
By centrally recording offsite activities in the SAL, Emergency Services can quickly be notified of student locations in the event of an emergency or critical incident, such as a COVID breach, bushfire, hostage situation or chemical spill.
More information is available about Offsite Activities & Complying with the SAL. The SAL can be accessed here directly or by logging into CEVN and selecting Data Management > Student Activity Locator (SAL) in the top menu.
Professional Learning Updates
EAL Curriculum Webinars
These webinars aim to support teachers in both primary and secondary settings to work effectively with the new EAL curriculum. The series commences on Thursday 18 March.
PAT Tests and Webinar
CEB arranges the bulk purchase of testing licences for PAT Reading and PAT Maths as these assessments are undertaken by all schools. Webinars are also available throughout the year to assist teachers with interpreting PAT assessment data. See further information here.
Other PD Opportunities
See our PD Events Calendar for the full list of professional development opportunities currently available.
Pathways to School Leadership: Leading with Impact Program
On Tuesday and Wednesday of last week twenty leaders from the Ballarat diocese joined with eight leaders from CEM’s Western Region at the Mercure in Ballarat to undertake the Pathways to School Leadership: Leading with Impact Program, designed and facilitated by Dr Stephen Brown, Director of The Brown Collective. These two days form part of a two year program targeted at supporting the ongoing development and growth of existing leaders and those aspiring to a leadership role. Feedback from participants was extremely positive. When asked what they found valuable about the program, one participant noted the opportunity to be part of a collaborative group with a fabulous facilitator. “Over the last two days I have been provided with opportunities to reflect on myself as a leader in Catholic education.”
Each participant will identify a leadership challenge particular to their setting and work with a mentor and principal coach to address the challenge. The program has also been a valuable opportunity to work across two neighbouring dioceses. The group will gather again in September for the next phase of the program.
Acknowledgement - Pauline Doran, Ballarat Art Gallery Education Officer
We would like to acknowledge Pauline Doran who has been employed (on behalf of CEB) as an Education Officer at the Ballarat Art Gallery over the last 27 years. Budget constraints have unfortunately led to the decision that it is no longer possible to fund this position, so it will be concluded on Monday 15 March.
Pauline has made an enormous impact on the Gallery and the students that it services. Pauline is a highly skilled educator who makes a positive impact on students. Louise Tegart (Director of the Gallery) noted, “We regularly receive wonderful feedback about her approach and ability to connect with students”.
Pauline has been involved in the development of many programs at the Gallery including:
- The Year 12 Next Gen exhibition and student development program
- The Bunjil program exploring local Indigenous culture and art
- The Artlink program providing free programs for low socio-economic schools
- Artful Writing a program for high performing students to develop visual and literacy skills
- Eureka program - Hall of Debate and Artist on the Goldfields
- Teacher professional development sessions
- Visual Thinking Strategies developing visual literacy
- Art and Empathy tours
- Children’s labels in the galleries
- Online resources for schools
We thank Pauline for her invaluable contribution to the Arts over the years. Pauline will continue in her role at St Thomas More Catholic Primary School, Alfredton.
Career Opportunities in the Diocesan Education Community
Principal Vacancy
Principal – St Joseph’s Primary School, Warrnambool
Contract, Full time position
Closes: Monday 15 March
CEB Vacancies
Education Officer, English as an Additional Language/Curriculum
Fixed Term, Full-time position (0.4 EAL and 0.6 Curriculum) until the end of the 2021 school year
Location: a negotiated choice of Ballarat, Mildura, Horsham, Swan Hill, Warrnambool office locations
Closes: Monday 8 March
Speech Pathologist
Fixed Term, 0.8FTE Parental Leave replacement for 2021 school year
Location: Horsham
Closes: Monday 15 March
200 Years of Catholic Education Events and Activities
Download a range of ideas for events and activities to celebrate 200 years of Catholic education in your community.
Schoolzine Website and eNewsletter EOIs Now Open
The opportunity to secure a new Schoolzine website and eNewsletter solution at a special Diocesan price of approximately 50% off is currently available. See our information page and FAQ document for more information on increasing your school’s digital engagement with existing and prospective families.
Expressions of interest for Phase 2 are open until Thursday 1 April. To request a quote and initiate the process for your school, submit an EOI form or contact Emma Newman via email.
Mindful March – Take a Moment for Self-Care
“When we get too caught up in the busyness of the world, we lose connection with one another – and ourselves.” – Jack Kornfield
Mindful March aims to improve our awareness of how much we engage in kindness to ourselves and others. It is all about experiencing the present moment fully and turning the idea of being mindful into an actionable practice. Finding mindful moments varies with each person; check out the Mindful March Calendar for some actions you could start today… because you are valued, and you matter.
Principalship Opportunity - Corpus Christi College, Bateman, Western Australia
An exciting opportunity exists for an experienced leader to assume the role of Principal of Corpus Christi College, Bateman, commencing 1 January 2022.
Corpus Christi College is an amalgamation of Corpus Christi College (Years 7-12) and Yidarra Catholic Primary School (Years K-6), located in the southern Perth suburb of Bateman. The College will have a diverse demographic composition with approximately 450 students on the primary campus and 1250 students on the secondary campus.