Weekly Newsletter #30 - 5 October 2022
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Reflection
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From the Executive Director
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Connect with the DOBCEL Catholic Education Ballarat Platforms
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Congratulations to St Mary's Primary School Warracknabeal teacher Eilish Flagg
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Announcement of Retirement - Felicity Lane
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Damascus College Bright Futures Breakfast
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Aboriginal leaders headline Catholic Education Conference in Leura
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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
Synodality: What is it? and Why does it matter?
Pope Francis has spoken much about synodality. He has invited us to reflect on it as a process going forward in The Church and beyond. Synodality has much to offer the Church and Catholic Education. What is it? In the following reflection Pope Francis explains synodality and possible implications for the way we operate.
In walking together, reading the signs of the times, open to new things of the Spirit, we might take some lessons from this ancient church experience of synodality which I have sought to revive.
First: We need a respectful, mutual listening, free of ideology and predetermined agendas. The aim is not to reach agreement by means of a contest between opposing positions, but to journey together, to seek God's will, allowing differences to harmonise. Most important of all is the synodal spirit: to meet each other with respect and trust, and to believe in our shared unity, and to receive the new thing that the Spirit wishes to reveal to us.
Second: Sometimes this new thing means resolving disputed questions through “overflow” Breakthroughs happen, often at the last minute, leading to a meeting of the minds that allows us to move forward. But the “overflow” might equally mean an invitation to change our way of thinking and our lenses, to shed our rigidity and our agendas, and look in places we never noticed before. Ours is a God of surprises, who is always ahead of us.
Third: This is a patient process, which does not come easily to our impatient age. But perhaps in lockdowns, we have learned better how to approach it. p. 93
Pope Francis, (2020) Let us Dream: The Path to a Better Future Simon and Schuster: London
Let us Pray.
We stand before You, Holy Spirit, as we gather together in Your name.
With You alone to guide us, make Yourself at home in our hearts;
Teach us the way we must go and how we are to pursue it.
Let us find in You our unity so that we may journey together in justice and peace
All this we ask of You, who are at work in every place and time,
in the communion with the Father and the Son, forever and ever.
Amen.
Adapted From: https://www.rscm-rshm.org/general/prayer-for-synod-on-synodality-2021-23/
From the Executive Director
I’m very pleased that DOBCEL, along with all thirty-two employers in the Enterprise Bargaining Group have granted pay rises to all staff covered by the VCEMEA as negotiations continue with the IEU. Employers have been working behind the scenes for a number of weeks to confirm pay scales and develop the necessary back pay calculation tools to enable the Employer Group to make the announcement this week. The wage rises are consistent with percentage wage increases provided in the Victorian Government Schools Agreement 2022 (VGSA).
All staff will have received a letter from the CECV outlining the details of this pay rise.
Applicable wage increases will apply from the first full pay period on or after 17 October 2022, and back pay from 24 December 2021 will be provided to employees no later than 25 November 2022.
We are grateful for the dedication of all our teachers, support staff and school leaders and for your continuing commitment to always delivering a high quality Catholic education to the students in your care.
I would like to acknowledge the outstanding way in which Loreto College, led so well by Michelle Brodrick, have responded to the very serious bus accident involving 27 Loreto students, 4 staff and the bus driver during the first week of the school holidays. I would also like to pay a tribute to the ongoing support given by Catholic Education Ballarat staff since the accident.
Like Loreto College staff, many CEB staff put aside their holiday plans to respond to this critical incident. It is very pleasing to know that about half of the students returned to school this week.
Our prayers, thoughts and support remain with all involved in this critical incident.
On Thursday I will be off to Ireland, along with Paul Desmond from Catholic Education Sandhurst Limited, seeking teachers to come and work in our schools. It would be tremendous if as many of our DOBCEL staff, as possible, follow our various social media platforms and share the information about this trip to your own social media platforms. This will help ensure that we maximise our ability to connect with prospective Irish teachers.
While I am in Ireland, Matthew Byrne will be Acting Executive Director. I will be available, although in a different time zone, for Matthew to liaise with when required. To contact Matthew, please make contact via my Executive Assistant Kerrie Zammit either by phone 4344 4350 ext 131 or by email execdirector@dobcel.catholic.edu.au
Matthew or Megan Ioannou will be present at meetings that I would normally attend during my absence.
I am pleased to announce that the Reception Area at the Catholic Education Office in Gillies Street North is now open. It will be staffed during the hours of 8.30am and 5.00pm Monday to Friday.
All visitors to the Office are asked to please access the building via Reception on Gillies Street North.
Tom Sexton
Executive Director, Catholic Education Ballarat
Connect with the DOBCEL Catholic Education Ballarat Platforms
Congratulations to St Mary's Primary School Warracknabeal teacher Eilish Flagg
Grade 3/4 teacher Eilish Flagg from St Mary's Primary School Warracknabeal, has been selected to be a delegate for Australian Catholic University to participate in the III Uniservitate Symposium to be held in Rome, Italy in late October this year. During her undergraduate studies Eilish was selected as a participant in an ACU program involving service learning in Solomon Islands. Recently, this long-running program won the Asia-Oceania Uniservitate Award, an international award recognising outstanding contributions to service learning in Catholic Higher Education.
Eilish has been selected based on her contributions to the program both during her official participation in Solomon Islands, and in a number of activities following this where she has offered her services voluntarily to support the staff, other students, and people in Solomon Islands. Eiish has returned to the Solomon Islands at her own expense a number of times to continue the service contributions she began in her initial involvement. Her outstanding contributions make her very worthy of this opportunity to liaise with other graduates and scholars of service learning from around the world, to explore the ways in which service learning in Catholic educational institutions can assist to enhance social responsibility and overcome global inequity.
We look forward to hearing of her experience and Eilish sharing knowledge and ideas from the symposium for continuing and growing the Catholic mission of social justice.
Announcement of Retirement - Felicity Lane
Felicity Lane has announced that she will be transitioning to retirement in 2023 after a period of leave, effectively finishing up at the end of 2022.
Felicity has served Catholic Education in the Ballarat Diocese for 42 years, the last 15 years as an Education Officer for Catholic Education Ballarat.
Felicity has worked across all zones within the Diocese, in both primary and secondary settings, and before moving to her role at CEB, taught at St Mary’s Clarkes Hill, St Columba's Ballarat, St Brendan’s Dunnstown, Lumen Christi and St Paul’s Mildura.
Felicity worked in various roles across her career including classroom teacher, Assistant Principal, REL and Education Officer - Learning & Teaching.
Felicity noted that she was grateful for the many and varied opportunities she has been given, for those who have guided her journey as an educator, for the colleagues and the friendships formed, for the welcomes received and the laughs along the way.
She expressed what joy it has been to work with teachers and students within schools, and particularly the classroom learning environment.
Felicity has always been passionate about education and every child’s right to learn and should be justifiably proud of her achievements.
CEB will have the opportunity to acknowledge Felicity’s great contribution to our Diocese over the past 42 years later in the year.
Damascus College Bright Futures Breakfast
Please join Damascus College for the Bright Futures Breakfast on Wednesday 5 October – 7am to 8.50am where you will hear from guest speaker Sam Rizzo, enjoy a sumptuous buffet breakfast and barista coffee, with all proceeds going to the Bright Futures Scholarship which: supports students and families who are experiencing financial or personal disadvantage. The scholarship is awarded annually to one incoming Year 7 student for 50% tuition relief, and is awarded for the duration of a student's enrolment at Damascus College (maximum of 6 years).
Tickets are now on sale – tickets are $35pp or save significantly by booking a table of 8 for just $240 https://www.trybooking.com/CAYKW
Aboriginal leaders headline Catholic Education Conference in Leura
2021 Senior Australian of the Year Aunty Miriam Rose Ungunmerr Baumann and Minister for Indigenous Australians Hon Linda Burney MP will headline the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Education NSW State Conference in October. Proudly hosted by Catholic Schools NSW together with Catholic Education Diocese of Parramatta, the event will be focused on Closing the Gap in educational outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people.
With more than 500 delegates expected to attend, the state-wide conference to be held from 11-13 October will be hosted in the world heritage listed Blue Mountains and will bring together education and community practitioners to share unique perspectives on building systems and practices that empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families to thrive.
For more information, please see below.
Conference program and registration: https://www.transformingwiththespirit2022.com.au/registration/
Media enquiries: Liz Scully 0428 147 706
Catholic Education Update
Sponsorship.
The date for Sponsorship application submissions, has been extended to Thursday 6th October.
All applications should be emailed to Susan Crowe: scrowe@ceoballarat.catholic.edu.au
Please ensure that they have been endorsed by your school principal.
Applications close on Thursday 6 October. See here further details and the application form.
Sing Assembly Sing.
Saturday 8th October, 10.00 am – 4.00 pm. St Patrick’s Cathedral, Ballarat.
This day is bringing to our diocese expert presenters Rev Dr Kevin Lenehan, Dr Paul Taylor and Ms Sophy Morley for a colloquium open to all parishes across the diocese. The subject for the day is the important role played by the Assembly (Congregation), particularly in the area of music. If the Assembly is not participating in the liturgical music, then the music may not be achieving its objective. This day aims to guide those preparing Liturgy in gaining knowledge and understanding in order to assist the engagement of the Assembly. The cost of the day is $25.50 and bookings can be made at: https://www.trybooking.com/CCPYW.
This day has been endorsed by Bishop Paul and can be used for four maintaining RE Accreditation, hours.
The Mission and Identity of the Catholic School Today: a Vatican II perspective.
During early November 2022, Prof Dr Didier Pollefeyt (KU Leuven) and Drs Jan Bouwens (KU Leuven) will be in Melbourne for a series of events.
While our work with Prof Pollefeyt and Drs Bouwens is most often situated within the context of the Enhancing Catholic School Identity (ECSI) project, these events will be framed within a Vatican II context.
Victorian Catholic school and office staff with leadership responsibilities for the religious life of the school are encouraged to attend the following sessions. Please note that all face-to-face sessions will have participant number limits.
- Session 1 (face to face only)
- Session 2 (face to face)
- Session 2 (online)
- Session 3 (face to face only)
- Session 4 (face to face)
- Session 4 (online)
Registrations are essential for all participants (face to face and online) with online links to be provided closer to the date.
Please note registrations close on Tuesday 25 October (different date to flyer)
Please contact Gina Bernasconi via email for further information.
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.
Q&A: Understanding PAT Norms.
You are also invited to join a Q&A webinar with ACER’s expert psychometricians on Thursday 15 September 4pm AEST. The session will discuss norm weighting, achievement, and metrics (stanine & percentiles) so you can better understand and compare your own students to the norm samples.
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.
People & Development Update
Review of Victoria's Reportable Conduct Scheme.
The overarching goal of Victoria's Reportable Conduct Scheme is to make organisations safer for children. The Child Wellbeing and Safety Act (2005) requires the Minister for Child Protection and Family Services to conduct a review of operations of the scheme. The review will examine the operation of the scheme to understand if it is working as intended - that is:
- Ensuring that allegations of reportable conduct by employees are appropriately reported and responded to.
- Improving oversight of responses to allegations of reportable conduct in organisations that exercise care, supervision and authority over children.
- Maintaining the primacy of an investigation by Victoria Police of any allegations of criminal conduct, and ensuring that suspected criminal conduct is being reported to Victoria Police.
- Enabling information sharing with the Commission, Working with Children Check, relevant professional registration bodies and regulators.
If you would like to contribute to the CEB submission to the Review please access the - Review of Victoria's Reportable Conduct Scheme Discussion Paper - submission template via the Engage Victoria link and email your reponse to the selected questions to Jacqui Righetti by Monday 17 October. if you would like to discuss the RCS review more generally, please call Jacqui on 0409 114 268.
Launch of the new CONVERGE APP!
At DOBCEL your health and wellbeing are important. As part of our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) we have partnered with Converge International to help optimise your health and wellbeing with free and unlimited access to the new Converge App.
How it works:
- Download the Converge App
- Enter our organisation code: DIOCQODQ
- Register and sync your wearable device or phone to provide a real time view of your overall health
- Watch you Human Dashboard come to life
- Start receiving personal, actionable, and evidence-based insights and guidance to help you improve your ratings
With the Converge App you can book a confidential phone chat or appointment directly from the app. You will also have access to a personalised health dashboard with tailored insights and recommendations to help you be at your best.
The Converge App is free and available in the App Store and the Play Store.
The app is compatible with:
- iPhone and requires iOS 11.4 or later
- Android phones and requires Android 5.0
Your personal information is secure and no information from the app is shared with anyone, including DOBCEL. Converge International handle personal information in accordance with all relevant privacy laws.
If you need help with the app or have any questions, please see Converge's online FAQs linked below or contact customer support directly from the app or website.
Flourish Wellbeing eMag - Oct 2022
The October 2022 edition of Converge International's Flourish Health and Wellbeing eMag is now available. In this edition:
- Protecting your mental health for World Mental Health Day
- The benefits of community
- Talking to teens about mental health
- Breast Cancer - The power of community
- Training fatigue
- And more...
For information about the Employee Assist Program (EAP) visit Converge International's website.
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
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
Career Opportunities in the Diocesan Education Community
Principalship Vacancies.
- St Patrick’s Parish Primary School, Ballarat (closes 7 October)
- St Colman’s Primary School, Mortlake (closes 10 October)
Catholic Education Ballarat Vacancies.
- Team Leader: Learning and Teaching (Closes 7 October)
School Vacancies.
- 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)
- Specialist Teacher (The Arts) – St Patrick’s School, Koroit – fixed-term position at 0.23 FTE (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)
- Maths/Psychology/Science Teachers – Trinity College, Colac – expressions of interest sought (closes 10 October)
- Classroom Teacher – St Mary’s School, Ararat – fixed-term position at 1.0 FTE (closes 10 October)
- Classroom Teachers (Years 3 to 6) – St Joseph’s School, Penshurst – fixed-term positions at 0.4 and 0.6 FTE (closes 10 October)
- Learning Support Officer – Marian College, Ararat – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 14 October)
- Classroom Teachers (English, Humanities, Maths, Science) – Marian College, Ararat – ongoing positions at 1.0 FTE (closes 14 October)
- Classroom Teachers (POL 2) – St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, Warracknabeal – fixed-term positions at 1.0 FTE (closes 14 October)
- Classroom Teachers (4) – All Saints Parish School, Portland – fixed-term positions at 1.0 FTE (closes 14 October)
- Director of Faith and Mission (POL 4) – St Mary MacKillop College, Swan Hill – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 19 October)
- Educational Psychologist or School Counsellor – St Mary MacKillop College, Swan Hill – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE or by negotiation (closes 19 October)
- Classroom Teacher – St Patrick’s School, St Arnaud – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE and other part-time positions available for 2023 (closes 21 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)