Weekly Newsletter #22 - 27 July 2022
Reflection
What is Wisdom?
As an educational system we constantly seek ways for all members of our communities to grow in wisdom. Wisdom is more than professional and technical competence. What exactly is it to be wise? The following reflection by theologian Richard Rohr OFM explores the rich concept of wisdom.
Pure Presence - By Richard Rohr
Wisdom is bright and does not grow dim…..
And is found by those who look for her.
-Wisdom 6:12
Wisdom is not the gathering of more facts and information, as if that would eventually coalesce into truth. Wisdom is precisely a different way of seeing and knowing the ten thousand things in a new way. I suggest that wisdom is precisely the freedom to be truly present to what is right in front of you. Presence is wisdom! People who are fully present know how to see fully, rightly and truthfully.
Presence is the one thing necessary for wisdom and, in many ways, it is the hardest thing of all. Just try to keep (1) your heart space open, (2) your mind without division or resistance, and (3) your body aware of where it is - all at the same time! Most religions just decided it was easier to believe doctrines and obey often - arbitrary laws than take on the truly converting work of being present. Those who can be present know what they need to know, and in a wisdom way. p. 362
Rohr, R (2021) Yes, and…. A Year of Daily Meditations SPCK Publishing: London
Let us pray.
Always-present God, help us to be present. Help us be present to those we know too well to actually see and to those who are unseen strangers to us. Give us the ability to model your attentive, loving gaze when we view the world, our families and our friends, who are seen and loved by you first. Finally, may our availability be marked by a desire to be like your Son: open to being sent, open to being loved, open to becoming love in the world. Being truly present. Being truly open.
Amen
- Author Unknown sourced from Jesuitresources.com
From the Executive Director
Last Friday evening the Ordination to the Priesthood Mass of William Lowry and Matthew Restall was a great celebration. It will be great to have both men taking up their calling in our Diocese.
From August 4, Father Matthew Restall will become Assistant Priest in Saint Paul VI Parish, Wimmera-Mallee, and Father William Lowry will become Assistant Priest in Star of the Sea Parish, South West Coast.
For those unable to attend, the full Mass is available for viewing via this link.
Diocesan Leadership Gathering is happening in Horsham next Thursday 4th and Friday 5th. I look forward to catching up with our Principals and discussing some key topics. I look forward to listening to Dr Aimme Maxwell who will be discussing the very relevant topic, “Leading through times of crisis.”
Today I will spend time at the Country Diocesan Leadership Program that we run jointly with Catholic Education Sandhurst. This is a key formation program for aspiring leaders and is one of a number of strategies we have to grow and nurture our own leaders.
We have recently advertised a number of Principal vacancies, which can be seen below. I would encourage you to widely circulate these vacancies within your own networks.
Tom Sexton
Executive Director, Catholic Education Ballarat
Principalship Vacancies
St Francis Xavier Primary School, Ballarat East - Learn more via this link!
St Joseph's Primary School, Charlton - Learn more via this link!
St Michael's Primary School, Daylesford - Learn more via this link!
Ordination to the Priesthood Mass of William Lowry and Matthew Restall
People & Development Update
Catholic Education Multi-Enterprise Agreement Update.
Diocese of Ballarat Catholic Education Limited (DOBCEL), along with other Catholic Education employers, are negotiating the Catholic Education Multi-Enterprise Agreement (CEMA). DOBCEL has appointed representatives to the employer bargaining group to represent the interests of DOBCEL schools and employees.
Likewise, Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS), Catholic Education Sandhurst Ltd (CES), and Catholic Religious Institute and Ministerial Public Juridic Person Victorian Schools Ltd (CRMV), have appointed representatives to participate in the negotiation process. The bargaining team has been engaging in good faith bargaining with the Independent Education Union Victoria Tasmania (IEU) since late 2021 and continues to meet regularly.
We are committed to bargaining in good faith with the IEU. Good faith bargaining means that each party gives genuine consideration to the proposals of other bargaining representatives and seeks to negotiate a fair outcome.
We are carefully reviewing the impact of any proposed changes or additional terms that may be introduced to the CEMA to find a fair and sustainable solution for our staff and schools.
We recognise and deeply value the professionalism and dedication of our staff. We particularly value the enormous contribution they have made in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic over the past two and a half years.
Recently DOBCEL announced a “Circuit Breaker Long Weekend” – a four-day weekend in recognition of the cumulative effect of COVID pressures on staff and students and has provided additional pupil-free days and CEB Office closure days to acknowledge these contributions.
We are blessed with many fantastic staff across the diocese and recognise and deeply value their professionalism and dedication.
We look forward to formalising agreed outcomes regarding pay and other working conditions as soon as possible.
Please see below for a .PDF version of the above.
Catholic Education Update
Creating a Just Synodal Church - Garratt Publishing.
A series of Zoom events addressing Inclusion in the Church.
Join Garratt Publishing over four Wednesday evenings in August as they focus on synodality, governance, and leadership of the Church in the context of Church inclusion.
As the official Plenary process moves to a new phase, there is much work still required to create a just, synodal Church; a Church where all are included equally and inclusively.
You’ll hear from an outstanding line-up of local and international experts offering insights post the Plenary’s second assembly, the ongoing work required as we move towards the Pope’s Synod of Bishops, and insights from the German Synodal Path.
In this, its 50th year of Theological Education, Yarra Theological Union – along with the Australasian Coalition for Catholic Church Reform and Garratt Publishing – invite you to attend this series of ground-breaking, crucial zoom webinars as we journey together towards a just, synodal Church.
Learn more information on Speakers, Sessions and Registration via this link.
EVENT DETAILS
WHEN: Wednesday Evenings – August 10, 17 ,24 & 31
TIME: 7:30-9:00pm (AEST)*
WHERE: Online via Zoom
COST: $22.00 incl. GST (covers all four sessions). Excludes TryBooking fee.
BOOKINGS: via TryBooking
Concessions may be available, contact sales@garrattpublishing.com.au
Children’s Book Council of Australia.
You are invited to the Children’s Book Council of Australia Judges’ talk at Campion Books, Ballarat on Saturday 6 August. Please view the flyer below for further information and register yourself here.
Learning & Teaching Update
Expressions of Interest - Learner Agency Professional Learning 2023.
Schools interested in undertaking the Learner Agency Professional Learning program, in partnership with Dr Jayne-Louise Collins from Ed Partnerships, are asked to register their interest via this form.
Please see the attached information or contact Sue Paulka for further information.
2023 Teaching Excellence Program.
The Victorian Academy of Teaching and Leadership aims to improve student outcomes by increasing the effectiveness and impact of teaching and school leadership practice in our schools through the design and delivery of specialised professional learning programs. The Academy’s flagship offering is the Teaching Excellence Program, a one-year initiative aimed at further developing exceptional teachers from Victorian government, Catholic and independent schools.
Please read and view the testimonial below from one of our current participants;
"This year I have been participating in the Teaching Excellence Program in the Technologies stream. I am currently working at St Mary's in Warracknabeal and felt that this program would enhance my teaching practices and bring me up to date with current Technology teaching skills. I have thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of the program to date and am looking forward to the next 6 months.
I have enjoyed the mix of online and face to face classes and conferences and being able to meet colleagues from across the state, not only in Technology but in other discipline areas as well. I have explored my own teaching and looked at the areas I need to improve so I can teach my students more effectively. Through this exploration, I have changed my teaching approach to give my students more learner agency. This is my focus for my inquiry project throughout the second half of the year.
I highly recommend anyone applying for TEP in 2023. The experience will enable you to not only examine your own practice through teacher inquiry and reflection but also give you access to high quality professional development."
For further information, you can contact me at fholland@smwarracknabeal.catholic.edu.au and view my Video Testimonial here.
Teachers can now view the eligibility requirements and register their interest in the program via the Academy’s website. Those who register will be notified when applications for the program open and will also receive information about the selection process. Places are available for both primary and secondary teachers in the following discipline areas:
- English, including English as an additional language
- Mathematics
- Health and Physical Education
- Languages
- Science
- Technologies
- The Arts
- Humanities
The program is a unique professional learning opportunity that includes access to experts in discipline areas, participation in master classes, membership of a Teaching Excellence Learning Community, support to conduct practitioner inquiries in classrooms, and a focus on enhancing and demonstrating dispositions that support development and growth as a teacher.
The program will consist of a combination of face-to-face professional learning, online and in class learning. Through the Teaching Excellence Program, teachers will have the opportunity to deepen teaching excellence and advance their professional practice through disciplinary knowledge, the science of learning and contemporary pedagogies.
Eligible teachers are invited to register their interest in the Teaching Excellence Program via the Victorian Academy of Teaching and Leadership website. Applications close August 31.
Professional Learning.
On Friday August 5th the CEB Mathematics team will facilitate an online professional learning day. There will be three workshops throughout the day and each will go for approximately 90 minutes. As the learning is online, there is the flexibility to move in and out of sessions as you are able. All teachers within your school are invited to participate in any sessions which may be of interest to them.
There is no charge for this professional learning.
You are invited to register for the workshops you are interested in through via this Google form by Tuesday 2nd August.
A meeting link will then be shared with registered participants.
Workshop 1 - 9:15 - 10:45am
Leading Learning
This session will be facilitated by Matt Sexton, Director of the Mathematics Teaching and Learning Centre at ACU.
The focus for this session will be to:
- Build capacity as a leader
- Explore meeting protocols
- Structure engaging meetings which support a range of learning styles.
Workshop 2 - 11:30 - 1:00pm
New Australian Curriculum
This session will be facilitated by Rachael Whitney-Smith from ACARA.
The focus for this session will be to:
- Provide an overview of the new Australian Curriculum, with an emphasis on the Mathematics Curriculum.
Workshop 3 - 1:30 - 3:00pm
Unpacking Data
The focus for this session will be to:
- Explore data tools.
- Discuss the use of Mathematical data to plan for teaching and learning.
National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) School Programs.
It is a priority of the NGV to break down the barriers that make it challenging for some schools and communities to visit the NGV and participate in their learning programs.
NGV School Support Programs offer Victorian schools who otherwise would not have the opportunity to visit the Gallery, free access to NGV exhibitions and learning programs, free or subsidised transport, and learning resources.
A number of our schools will qualify for financial assistance to access program costs and, in some instances, may also qualify for assistance with transport costs. More information can be found via this link.
Education for Sustainability.
"Good education plants seeds when we are young, and these continue to bear fruit throughout life." (Pope Francis. Laudate Si' para 213).
You are invited to an online event aimed at enhancing your capacity to explore the intersection of Catholic Identity and Sustainability within your school context as an introduction to the 2022 Season of Creation. The Church’s teaching on the environment has been reaffirmed with Pope Francis’ ground-breaking encyclical, Laudato Si’ (On Care for Our Common Home) and serves as the inspiration for our inter-Diocesan event.
From July to December there are a number of environmental dates of interest to schools which are great ways to introduce environmental topics into the school environment and classroom learning. Many of the links have education resources. Please see below;
July
Schools Tree Day (July 29)
August
Landcare Week (August 1-7)
National Science Week (August 13-21)
Keep Australia Beautiful Week (TBC)
September
National Biodiversity Month (September 1-31)
National Wattle Day (September 1)
October
Australian Wildlife Week (October 3-9)
World Habitat Day (October 4)
National Bird Week (October 17-23)
Aussie Backyard Bird Count (October 17-23)
National Water Week (3rd week in October)
November
Outdoor Classroom Day (4 November)
Pollinator Week (TBC)
National Recycling Week (2nd week of November)
December
World Soil Day (December 5)
Wellbeing Update
Learning Diversity Education Officer Vacancy.
We are about to commence recruitment for an ongoing 0.5 FTE role for a Learning Diversity Education Officer to work in the Mid-Central region of the Diocese.
The most likely source of suitable applicants for the LDEO role is the cohort of existing Learning Diversity Leaders in schools.
This opens the potential for an existing school employee to combine their role with a CEB role. We are again 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?
Please contact Tony Perkins (Leader Wellbeing) if you would like to discuss the possibilities this position offers further.
OLT - Understanding Hearing Loss.
Understanding hearing loss and its impact on student learning and helping to develop strategies to assist students within the classroom. Use this link to register for the event.
Student Wellbeing - Out of Home Care - Designated Teacher Training.
A two part training series to help participants understand the Designated Teacher role delivered by LOOKOUT Centre team members.
The Designated Teacher is the first point of contact for, and is the advocate of students in Out of Home Care, within their school. If your school does not have a designated teacher, this training is highly recommended.
This two-part training will be held on the following dates:
- PART A: Tuesday, 9 August 2022: 10am - 11.30am
- PART B: Tuesday, 9 August 2022: 2pm - 3.30pm
Parts A & B will assist participants gain an understanding of:
- the experience of children in out of home care
- attachment and trauma theory
- the requirements of the Out of Home Care Education Commitment
- the importance of culturally responsive schools
- the role of DFFH
- the role of the Designated Teacher
- the role of LOOKOUT Centres
If you would like more information about this training, please contact lookout.swv@education.vic.gov.au or studentwellbeing@dobcel.catholic.edu.au
Career Opportunities in the Diocesan Education Community
Principalship Opportunities.
- St Francis Xavier Primary School, Ballarat East – to commence January 2023 (closes 22 August)
- St Joseph’s Primary School, Charlton – to commence January 2023 (closes 22 August)
- St Michael’s Primary School, Daylesford – to commence January 2023 (closes 22 August)
Catholic Education Office Vacancies.
- Payroll Officer – Ballarat Office – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closing 1 August)
School Vacancies.
- Drama/Production Coordinator – Marian College, Ararat – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 29 July)
- Instrumental Music Teachers – Monivae College, Hamilton – ongoing position at 0.5 FTE (closes 1 August)
- Director of Faith and Mission (POL 4) – St Mary MacKillop College, Swan Hill – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 8 August)
- Speech Pathologist – St Alipius’ Parish School, Ballarat East – part-time, fixed-term position for the remainder of 2022 (closes 12 August)
- Classroom Teacher – St Patrick’s School, St Arnaud – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 12 August)
- Position of Leadership (POL 2) – St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, Warracknabeal – fixed-term position at 1.0 FTE for Term 4 initially (closes 30 August)
- Class Teacher (T4 Parental Leave Replacement/Acting POL 2) – St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, Warracknabeal – 1.0 FTE (closes 30 August)
- Casual Relief Teachers – St Francis Xavier, Ballarat East (closes 9 December)
- Casual Relief Teachers – St Columba’s School, Ballarat North (closes 18 December)
- Casual Relief Teachers – St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, Warracknabeal (closes 18 December)
Opportunity External to the Diocese of Ballarat.
- Deputy Executive Director – Catholic Education, Archdiocese of Brisbane – to commence prior to January 2023, by negotiation (closes 3 August)