Weekly Newsletter #29 - 14 September 2022
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Reflection
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From the Executive Director
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Australian National Flag to fly at Half-Mast
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Connect with the DOBCEL Catholic Education Ballarat Platforms
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Catholic Education Update
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People & Development Update
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Teaching & Learning Update
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Wellbeing Team Update
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Career Opportunities in the Diocesan Education Community
Reflection
Grief.
This week we reflect upon the death of Queen Elizabeth II. The story of her life and particularly her death have prompted deeply moving scenes from across the world. Her death leads us to explore grief and how we all navigate this in our own lives.
The following reflection by Fr. Richard Rohr may offer another insight into grief. Maybe we don’t have to wait for death and moments of loss in our lives to feel and live deeply.
Griefwork
Grief is one of the greatest occasions of deep and sad feeling, and it’s one that is socially acceptable. Most understand and want to walk with us in our grief. When we lose a beloved friend, wife, husband, child, parent, or maybe a possession or job, we feel it is okay to feel deeply. But we must broaden that. We’ve got to find a passion that is also experienced when we have it, not just when we are losing it - and we have it all the time. Don't wait for loss to feel, suffer or enjoy deeply. p.322
Rohr R (2021) Yes and….A Year of Daily Meditations SPCK Publishing London
Let us Pray.
Blessing Prayer for Healing
May you desire to be healed.
May what is wounded in your life be restored to good health.
May you be receptive to the ways in which healing needs to happen.
May you take good care of yourself.
May you extend compassion to all that hurts within your body, mind, and spirit.
May you be patient with the time it takes to heal.
May you be aware of the wonders of your body, mind, and spirit and their ability in returning you to good health.
May you be open to receive from those who extend kindness, care, and compassion to you.
May you rest peacefully under the sheltering wings of divine love, trusting in this gracious presence.
May you find little moments of beauty and joy to sustain you.
May you keep hope in your heart.
Amen.
By Joyce Rupp
From the Executive Director
In three weeks' time, representatives from Catholic Education Ballarat and Catholic Education Sandhurst will be in Ireland seeking Teachers, Psychologists and Speech Pathologists to come and work in our schools.
With exciting campaigns on the horizon to promote staff recruitment and student enrolment across the Diocese such as this, it would be great to have as many DOBCEL staff as possible follow our various social media platforms. This will help spread the good news of our own initiatives, of our schools, and beyond - this is especially useful to maximise the profile of our visit to Ireland and increase awareness with as many prospective Irish teachers as possible.
Please see the links below to each of our platforms to connect and follow!
On Monday, I was delighted to present certificates to the graduates of the Pathways to School Leadership program facilitated by Dr Stephen Brown. The feedback from the participants was excellent for this leadership program which has been conducted over the past two years. Our second cohort began this same journey earlier this year and gathered yesterday and today for their second face to face sessions.
Developing our leadership capacity across our Diocese is of critical importance to DOBCEL. I am very grateful for schools making arrangements to allow staff to join this and our other leadership initiatives.
Our DOBCEL Board met yesterday afternoon and this morning. We joined the Council of Priests meeting to listen to the presentation from Susan Pascoe. Susan is a member of the Vatican Commission on Methodology, planning for the 2023 Synod on Synodality. Susan was also a member of the group that produced the document “The Light from the Southern Cross: Co-Responsible Governance in the Catholic Church” for the Australian Bishops’ Conference.
Finally, I would like to thank all our staff across the Diocese for their untiring work throughout Term 3. Your commitment to your vocation is truly appreciated in these challenging times.
I wish everyone a well deserved holiday break.
Tom Sexton
Executive Director, Catholic Education Ballarat
Australian National Flag to fly at Half-Mast
Last Friday, after the official announcement of Queen Elizabeth's death, the Commonwealth Flag Officer sent out the following notice to all flag marshals in Australia and at Australian overseas posts.
"As a mark of mourning and respect and in accordance with protocol, the Australian National Flag should be flown at half-mast immediately and until further notice."
This action is to be undertaken at all DOBCEL schools.
Connect with the DOBCEL Catholic Education Ballarat Platforms
Catholic Education Update
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 two-thirds of cost and the school contributes one-third. 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 further details and the application form.
Sing Assembly Sing.
All are welcome to attend a day planned to explore the role of the Assembly in enriching the Mass.
The colloquium will be held on Saturday, October 8, 2022 at St Patrick’s Cathedral Hall, Ballarat from 10.00am – 4.00pm. Speakers include Paul Taylor, Fr Kevin Lenehan and Sophy Morley. For further information and booking details see the flyer below.
Term 3 Maths Newsletter.
Please find the Term 3 Maths Newsletter via this link.
Professional Learning - Data Literacy.
Casey Stoetzer and Breeana Wade will be facilitating a professional learning opportunity for primary teachers and school teams wishing to learn more about Data Literacy in Ballarat on Tuesday 25 October.
Some of the key concepts that will be covered include:
- What is Data Literacy?
- Establishing effective data mindsets
- Data Visualisation
- Data Storytelling
- Understanding PAT Assessments
- Effectively using data tools
We would strongly encourage multiple representatives to attend from each school to help support discussion during the professional learning and support the implementation of ideas, practices and tools.
Please find more information via this link.
Register via this link.
PAT Assessments.
PAT linear assessments are available to all schools to complete in October. We encourage the use of PAT assessment data to prioritise learning for Term 4 and 2023.
ACER’s recommendation is to administer PAT every 9-12 months to measure and monitor learning growth over time. Many schools have been administering PAT (linear) in October-November each year. If these test administration practices are maintained consistently, then tracking of longitudinal data will be most valid.
For the upcoming assessment period the recommended assessment is PAT linear.
What do I do with my PAT test results?
ACER offers a series of webinars targeted to schools using the PAT Progressive Achievement suite online:
- Q&A: Understanding PAT Norms
Thursday 15 September 2022 - A look at the PAT Data Explorer (PAT Adaptive reports)
Tuesday 18 October 2022 - A look at PAT Reports (PAT linear)
Thursday 20 October 2022 - Case Study – A summary of using PAT in a school context
Thursday 3 November 2022 - PAT and ACER Learning Progressions
Thursday 24 November 2022
Visit https://www.acer.org/id/pat/training for further details and registration information.
Updated PAT Maths and PAT Reading Australian norms to be released in Term 4.
In Term 4, ACER will be releasing new PAT Maths and PAT Reading Australian norms. The new norms have been compiled from results data collected online in October and November 2019 and represent Australian PAT Maths and PAT Reading achievement for Years 1–10. These will replace the current norms, which are based on the 2016 PAT data collected in 2012–2014.
What will change?
After the updated norms are released on Monday 17 October, the reported PAT Maths and PAT Reading percentile and stanine rankings will reflect students' achievement relative to Australian year level results from 2019.
If you have previously downloaded and saved test results offline, you may notice differences in the percentile or stanine rankings associated with the same PAT scale scores between the online and offline versions of the reports. All bulk results datasets previously provided to your system reflect the 2012–2014 norms. All bulk results datasets provided to your system after Monday 17 October will reflect the 2019 norms.
There will be no changes to the PAT Maths and PAT Reading scales or the described achievement bands. These remain the best way to understand student achievement and to monitor learning progress over time.
More detailed information about the new Australian norms will be provided in Term 4.
F-2 Assessments.
There is no mandated requirement this semester for schools to undertake the Text Level assessments for F-2 students using Alpha Assess, however schools are still free to do so if it is within their capacity.
Reminder: Have your say about Victorian Curriculum F–10 implementation.
It isn’t too late to have your say about the Victorian Curriculum. The survey closing date has been extended!
What VCAA learn from your response will help them identify which aspects of curriculum implementation are working well, and how they can provide additional support to schools. The information collected through the 2022 Monitoring Framework, alongside data collected in previous years, will also assist with future planning.
Don't miss out on having your say! The survey closes this Friday.
If you have any questions or concerns about this survey, please email Learning First at info@learningfirst.com.
People & Development Update
Congratulations!
We extend our congratulations to the 2021/2022 participants of the “Pathways to School Leadership – Leading with Impact” program delivered in partnership with the Brown Collective.
Linked to our Diocesan Strategic Direction of Fostering Inspiring Leadership, this two-year program includes self-reflection, peer learning, mentoring and the completion of a project focused on an identified leadership challenge.
Congratulations and thank you to our graduates of this program, your continued commitment to leadership in Catholic Education is appreciated.
Bernadette Luckman, Carmel Hanley, Casey Stoetzer, Darren Lloyd, Libby Ryan, Jamie Walsh, Jayne Bosworth, Jayne Mohr, Jo Townsend, Karl Dwyer, Kate Sadler, Michelle Dermody, Rachel McGennisken, Ryan O'Callaghan, Samantha Meerbach, Stacey Atkins and Stephen Hogan.
Reminder – Wellbeing Webinar Series underway.
We are pleased to offer the Wellbeing Webinar Series, in partnership with Converge International, to all DOBCEL staff and their families. These virtual sessions are accessible from anywhere.
Up next: Session Two - Maintaining Motivation
When: Thursday 15 September 2022, 4:00pm to 5:00pm
- Learn what contemporary research tells us about the psychology of motivation.
- Reflect on your own motivation and drivers.
- Tips and strategies to increase motivation.
Motivation is a vital resource that allows us to adapt, function productively, and maintain wellbeing in the face of a constantly changing stream of opportunities and threats.
Click here to join the meeting
All upcoming session details, including participation handouts and links, are available via the attached document.
Upcoming sessions include:
- Session 3: Dealing with Technology Stress (13 Oct, 4-5pm)
- Session 4: Growth Mindset (24 Oct, 4-5pm)
- Session 5: Mental Fitness (10 Nov, 4-5pm)
Teaching & Learning Update
Student Rights and the Curriculum- Seeking Expressions of Interest.
Ministerial Order 1359 requires that students are educated to understand their rights, in particular in relation to their safety. Safety is enabled when students have agency and understand how they can access the world around them. Currently schools will be using a variety of resources which may satisfy this child safety requirement. Leader Teaching and Learning, Sue Paulka and Manager Safeguarding and Standards, Jacqui Righetti would like to explore with teachers what is currently being used by schools to teach students about their rights, and whether the resources currently being used, satisfy the new Child Safe Standards. The overall purpose of the three sessions will be to make curriculum/resource recommendations to schools across our diocese.
We are seeking expressions of interests from up to six teachers from a variety of school locations and setting types across the diocese who can commit to participating in the following three 45 min online sessions:
- What do we know now?
What resources/curriculum are currently being used to teach students about their rights and are they adequate in light of the new MO 1359? - 13 Oct 3.45-4.30pm - What else is there? Professional readings and other resources. - 20 Oct 3.45-4.30 pm
- Making decisions. Which resources/curriculum and why? - 3 Nov 3.45-4.30 pm
To register your interest to be part of these sessions, please email Jacqui Righetti, Manager Safeguarding & Standards jrighetti@dobcel.catholic.edu.au by 4pm Friday 7 October.
Wellbeing Team Update
ReLATE Expression of Interest 2023/2024.
Schools are invited to confirm your Expression of Interest in ReLATE in 2023 or 2024 via email to tperkins@dobcel.catholic.edu.au or lmcintyre@dobcel.catholic.edu.au by Friday 16 September 2022.
Further details are available via this link.
DOBCEL Student Wellbeing Framework - An Introduction.
The Student Wellbeing Team would like to invite the Southern Primary School wellbeing practitioners (pastoral care workers, counsellors, psychologists) to meet on Tuesday 11 October.
Please forward this link to the appropriate wellbeing member in your school. Further sessions will be held in the Northern Zones (dates yet to be announced). Any questions please contact Brooke Nester: bnester@ceob.edu.au .
Date: Tuesday 11 October 2022
Time: 9:30 - 11:00am
Location: St John's Primary School
263 Russell Street, Dennington Vic 3280
Youth Mental Health First Aid.
Increase your capacity to support students’ mental health. Mental health first aid strategies are taught in an evidence-based training program authored by Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Australia. The course teaches adults how to assist adolescents who are developing a mental health problem or in a mental health crisis.
Dates: 15 and 16 November 2022
Venue: Catholic Education Ballarat, 200 Gillies Street North
Participants / Target Audience: Teachers, school nurses, LSO’s, year level coordinators, administration staff, school community. For further information contact Brooke Nester via email on bnester@ceob.edu.au
Learning Diversity Term 3 Newsletter.
Updates from the CEB Learning Diversity Team for Principals, Learning Diversity Leaders and interested school staff can be accessed here.
Further Study Opportunities – Deaf Education.
Master of Learning Intervention (Deaf Education).
Three scholarships are available to support Master of Learning Intervention (Deaf Education) students to develop specialist skills and knowledge to become teachers of the deaf.
Visit the scholarship page for more information and to access the application form.
Master of Instructional Leadership.
Three scholarships are available to support Master of Learning Intervention (Deaf Education) students to develop specialist skills and knowledge to become teachers of the deaf.
Visit the scholarship page for more information and to access the application form.
Career Opportunities in the Diocesan Education Community
Principalship Vacancies.
- St Patrick’s Primary School, St Arnaud (closes 3 October)
- St Joseph’s Catholic School, Charlton (closes 3 October)
- St Colman’s Primary School, Mortlake (closes 10 October)
Catholic Education Ballarat Vacancies.
- Team Leader: Learning and Teaching (Closes 7 October)
School Vacancies.
- Primary Teachers (Various Positions) – St Michael and St John’s School – fixed-term positions at 1.0 FTE (closes 16 September)
- Classroom Teachers – All Saints Parish School, Portland – fixed-term positions at 1.0 FTE (closes 16 September)
- Classroom Teacher 2023 – Sacred Heart Primary School, Mildura – fixed-term position at 1.0 FTE (closes 16 September)
- Learning Support Officer – Loreto College, Ballarat – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE for 2023 (closes 17 September)
- Canteen Assistant – Loreto College, Ballarat – ongoing position at 0.3 FTE (closes 17 September)
- Educational Psychologist or School Counsellor – St Mary MacKillop College, Swan Hill – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 23 September)
- Primary Teachers (various positions) – St Michael & St John’s School, Horsham – fixed-term positions at 1.0 FTE (closes 23 September)
- Teachers of Arts/Viscom, Maths, RE & Vocational Pathways – Emmanuel College, Warrnambool – ongoing positions for 2023 at 1.0 FTE (closes 29 September)
- Deputy Principal/Specialist Teacher – St Patrick’s School, Port Fairy – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (3-year tenue for Deputy role) (closes 30 September)
- Classroom Teacher – St Mary’s School, Sea Lake – fixed-term position at 1.0 FTE (closes 30 September)
- Primary Classroom Teacher – St Mary’s School, Robinvale – fixed-term position at 1.0 FTE (closes 30 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)
- Part-time Classroom Teacher – St Mary’s School, Ararat – fixed-term position for 2023 at 0.6 FTE (closes 3 October)
- Classroom Teachers – Sacred Heart Primary School, Colac – fixed-term position at 1.0 FTE (closes 3 October)
- Deputy Principal/Specialist Teacher – St Patrick’s School, Port Fairy – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE with leadership position for 3-year tenure ( closes 7 October)
- Teacher with POL 3 – Our Lady Help of Christians School, Murtoa – fixed-term position at 1.0 FTE to commence January 2023 (closes 10 October)
- Teacher – Our Lady Help of Christians School, Murtoa – fixed-term position at 0.31 FTE to commence January 2023 (closes 10 October)
- Classroom Teacher Positions – St Patrick’s School, Nhill – fixed-term positions for 2023 at 1.0 FTE (closes 10 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)
Brisbane Catholic Education Opportunity.
- Senior Manager Religious Education – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE to commence November 2022 (closes 25 September)