Weekly Newsletter #26 - 24 August 2022
Reflection
From the Executive Director
I recently came across a thought provoking TED Talk in my Twitter feed discussing "Grit: The power of passion and perseverance".
With over 27 million views currently, the video runs for 6 minutes and I would recommend you taking a look and seeing if it resonates with you and your work. Below you will find the link to both the clip and the associated 'Executive Director's Listening Post', in which I ask two questions and provide a space for you to communicate any additional thoughts to me regarding the content.
Last Friday, I had the pleasure of watching the School of Rock as performed by the students (and staff) at St Mary MacKillop College, Swan Hill. It was a great production and I congratulate the students and staff for their dedicated effort.
Later this week, I look forward to visiting a number of schools in the Southern Zone, ending up in Portland - where we will be celebrating the 175th anniversary of All Saint’s Parish over the weekend.
Thank you for all the positive feedback we have received in relation to the Circuit Breaker Weekend that was made available to schools.
A reminder for our Principals that next Thursday we will have our Week 8 Diocesan Leadership Gathering online from 9:00am until 10:00am. The Zoom link and agenda will be sent out to Principals tomorrow.
Tom Sexton
Executive Director, Catholic Education Ballarat
Executive Director's Listening Post
Grit: The power of passion and perseverance.
Learning & Teaching Update
Structured Literacy and the Science of Reading.
In response to a growing demand for professional learning and partnership in relation to The Science of Reading and Structured Literacy, DOBCEL is providing a four-tiered, opt-in approach to partnership with schools.
After the recent Diocesan Leadership Gathering, principals were asked to indicate their professional support requirements in 2023, and the option for Science of Reading/Structured Literacy emerged as a clear priority for many of our schools.
This flyer will provide you with the information you need about each level of support available. Contained within it, you will also find a short explanatory video, and an Expression of Interest form. This form is separate from the one filled out on the Professional Learning 2023 survey, as it relates specifically to the Science of Reading/Structured Literacy option.
A webinar will then take place on Thursday, September 8 at 4:00pm, providing schools with further information and the opportunity to ask questions. This will assist you to determine whether or not this option will fit your School Improvement Framework and 2023 Annual Action Plan goals, and if so, what might be the appropriate level of partnership for your context.
Register now via this link for the webinar.
Teaching Excellence Program 2023.
The Teaching Excellence Program is the flagship of the Victorian Academy of Teaching and Leadership and has been developed to provide a unique, dedicated pathway for highly skilled teachers from Government, Catholic and Independent schools, to refine their practice, deepen their knowledge and enhance their impact in the classroom.
The program will be doubling its intake to 500 secondary and primary school teachers for 2023, across the disciplines of Mathematics, English, Science, Arts, HPE, Humanities, Languages and Technologies. The Victorian Academy of Teaching and Learning has also begun construction of purpose built-sites across the state, including Ballarat, Bendigo and Shepparton.
Applications close on Wednesday 31 August. To find out more and apply: click here.
Please contact Sue Paulka for further information.
Have your say about Victorian Curriculum F–10 implementation.
Teachers, curriculum leaders and principals are invited to take part in a 10-minute survey about their experience of implementing the Victorian Curriculum F–10. What is your experience implementing the Victorian Curriculum F–10 in your school? What insights can you offer? What do you think of the VCAA’s associated resources?
This annual survey is part of the VCAA’s ongoing Monitoring Framework. The survey is open until Friday 9 September 2022. If you have any questions or concerns about this survey, please email Learning First at info@learningfirst.com
Sponsorship – Applications now open.
Applications for Diocesan Sponsorship in 2023 are now open. Sponsorship is on the basis of:
- 1/3 CEB contribution;
- 1/3 School contribution and
- 1/3 Participant contribution
except where Accreditation to Teach Religious Education is the reason for the study. In these cases, CEB contributes 2/3 of cost and the school contributes 1/3. Sponsorship is for the cost of unit fees and does not include student amenity fees.
Priority courses for 2023 are:
- Graduate Certificate in Teaching Religious Education (CTC and/or YTU)
- Graduate Certificate Catholic Studies (ACU)
- Master of Theology (Research) (ACU)
- Master of Theological Studies (ACU)
- Master of Professional Studies in Theology (ACU)
- Master of Religious Education (ACU)
- Master of Educational Leadership (ACU)
Applications close on Monday 3 October. See here for further details and for the application form.
Business Services Update
Tutoring Program Funding.
As schools undertake budget builds for 2023, we confirm the cessation of the current Tutor Program from the end of 2022. As we have not received any formal advice on the program’s continuation, please do not factor it in your 2023 budget builds.
Wellbeing Team Update
School Wide Positive Behaviour Support.
As Term 3 comes to an end, planning for 2023 is on the agenda.
For schools that are requesting SWPBS support in 2023 please contact Anne Ruddell or a member of the Student Wellbeing team to discuss your 2023 planning.
Exciting news that the TFI (Tiered Fidelity Inventory) is now located on your SIMON Social Behaviour WorkDesk and is easily accessible.
In Term 4 we will be visiting schools conducting the TFI, discussing and planning for 2023.
Also early Term 4 there will be a SWPBS Leaders meeting via Zoom . The focus will be to learn from each other. To share our stories, processes and what is working well in the implementation of SWPBS.
We will also look at upcoming PD for 2023 .
Save The Date:
SWPBS Leaders via Zoom
Monday 24th October 3:45pm to 4:45pm
Join the Zoom session via this link.
Out-of-Home Care ‘snapshot’ data collection.
As part of the Out-of-Home Care (OoHC) Education Commitment, biannual reporting is undertaken to monitor students’ educational progress and engagement.
Principals in Catholic schools that had students in OoHC enrolled during Semester 1, 2022 (31 January – 24 June 2022) will receive an email from Australian Survey Research (ASR) by Monday 29 August 2022 requesting they complete an online ‘snapshot’ data report by Friday 9 September 2022.
The online report will be open from Monday 29 August 2022 to Friday 9 September 2022.
The ASR email will contain a unique school link and instructions on how to complete the report for each student listed. This should take approximately five minutes per student to complete.
Principals who do not receive an email with the survey link and had a student(s) in statutory OoHC during Semester 1, 2022 should contact ASR on 03 9557 4211 or email OOHC@aussurveys.com
For general enquiries regarding the OoHC reporting process, please contact Liz McIntyre or Brooke Nester.
Out of Home Care - Designated Teacher Training.
Please register via this link for DT Training on 30/08/2022.
This two-part training will be held on the following dates:
- PART A: Tuesday, 30 August 2022: 10:00am - 11.30am
- PART B: Tuesday, 30 August 2022: 2:00pm - 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 cultural responsive schools
- the role of DFFH
- the role of the Designated Teacher
- the role of LOOKOUT Centres
Once you register you will be sent a link to attend the training.
Youth Mental Health First Aid.
Increase your capacity to support student’s mental health. Mental health first aid strategies are taught in an evidence-based training program authored by Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Australia. The two day course teaches adults how to assist adolescents who are developing a mental health problem or in a mental health crisis.
Participants / Target Audience: Teachers, school nurses, LSO’s, year level coordinators, administration staff, (anyone in the school community). For further information contact Brooke Nester.
Term 3 Dates: 13th & 14th of September, 2022
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/350103207117
Term 4 Date: 15th and 16th of November, 2022
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/350152685107
Staff News
We Welcome:
Noel Linayao.
We are pleased to announce that Noel is joining the ICT team as ICT Support Officer and System Administrator in early October. Noel has extensive experience, most recently as Systems Administrator for Dulkeith Computer Solutions, managing and developing IT infrastructure for East Wimmera Health Service, Beaufort and Skipton Health Service, and Boort District Health.
Career Opportunities in the Diocesan Education Community
Catholic Education Office Vacancies.
- Education Officer (Learning Diversity) – ongoing position at 0.6 FTE in the Ballarat Office (closes 29 August)
School Vacancies.
- Deputy Principal (initial 3-year opportunity) with ongoing specialist teaching component – St Patrick’s School, Port Fairy – ongoing position with initial 3-year Deputy Principal role (closes 26 August)
- Humanities Teacher – St Joseph’s College, Mildura – ongoing position at 0.4 FTE to commence Term 4 (closes 26 August)
- Grounds person – St Patrick’s College, Ballarat – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 28 August)
- Property Manager – St Patrick’s College, Ballarat – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 28 August)
- Classroom Teachers; 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)
- Digital Technologies Teacher – Our Lady Help of Christians School, Warrnambool – fixed-term position at 0.4 FTE (closes 2 September)
- Classroom Teacher – Our Lady Help of Christians School, Warrnambool – fixed-term position at 1.0 FTE (closes 2 September)
- Year 7 & 8 Teacher – St Mary’s School, Robinvale – fixed-term position at 1.0 FTE (closes 2 September)
- Classroom Teacher 2023– St Thomas More School, Alfredton – fixed-term position at 1.0 FTE (closes 5 September)
- Classroom Teacher 2023 – St Thomas More School, Alfredton – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 5 September)
- Classroom Teacher 2023– St Patrick’s School, Gordon – fixed-term position at 1.0 FTE (closes 9 September)
- Classroom Teacher – St John’s School, Dennington – fixed-term position at 1.0 FTE (closes 9 September)
- Director of Faith and Mission (POL 4) – St Mary MacKillop College, Swan Hill – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 12 September)
- Classroom Teacher 2023 – Siena Catholic Primary School, Lucas – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 3 October)
- Classroom Teacher – St James’ School, Sebastopol – fixed-term position at 1.0 FTE (closes 3 October)
- 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)
- Casual Relief Teachers – St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, Warracknabeal (closes 18 December)