Weekly Newsletter #32 - 19 October 2022
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Reflection
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From the Acting Executive Director
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Continued Extensive Rain and Possible Flooding Forecast
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Country Dioceses Leadership Program (CDLP) 2023 Applications Open
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Teaching and Learning Update
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People & Development Update
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Wellbeing Team Update
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Planning and Infrastructure Update
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Business Services Update
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Career Opportunities in the Diocesan Education Community
Reflection
Compassion for Others.
Our land is a country of contrasts. A place of beauty and the sacred. Through the floods that many of our communities are struggling through we are reminded of who we are and what we value. The following reflection by Aunty Betty Pike explores a part of the Australian identity and how this emerges in times of crises.
So many people will be haunted for the rest of their lives by the tragedies that occurred during the Australian bushfires and floods during the summer of 2009. The deep pain and heartrending torture endured by many families is so great it is impossible to comprehend or speak about. A more appropriate thing would be to continue holding those people close within our hearts, praying with hope and trust that some measure of healing may begin to occur. It is also necessary to remember the healing of the land, which will take many years to recover, even though our cherished land has great power to rebirth.
For me personally, the quiet dignity of the major bush-fire memorial service that I saw on TV was one that conveyed a feeling of awe and hope, in spite of the fact that this country is considered to be one of the most secular in the world. The compassion shown by civic leaders who spoke that day gave me the feeling that there is a deep spiritual root in the hearts of the people of this land, one that is found in the ordinary, everyday things of our lives.
As I reflect further on the many different stories of courage, the more I began to wonder about this unique heritage that belongs to this land. Generally speaking religion is equated with church membership and attendance. But often I sense that the true spirit of any religion is witnessed when hearts are awakened when touched with a deep and abiding compassion for another.
I think it was Les Murray , the great Australian poet, who once made the comment, “Australians are slow to talk about religion, but will talk spirituality all day.” It seems that the Spirit flows deep, like a quiet stream beneath the earth of our people. It is there, hidden not displayed. It needs to be nourished and lived within its own Australian environment, not crushed by someone else's way of expressing it. Pgs 165, 166
Pike, E, (2011) The Power of Story - Spirit of the Dreaming, John Garrett Publishing Mulgrave
This spirit, which some may experience as the Spirit of God, becomes very tangible in the lives of so many in times of trouble through the compassion and actions of others. Once again as a nation we have experienced this during this last week and will see it writ large in the weeks and months ahead.
Let us Pray.
We remember in our prayer:
Those whose lives have been devastated,
Those who are feeling vulnerable and weak.
Those who are stranded
Those who are facing both long-term and short-term needs.
Those who are homeless in this crippling time
We pray also for all those who are meeting needs at this time:
Volunteers and community workers
Those working to rescue people who are stranded and feed the hungry.
Those supplying food, water, equipment, money and urgent supplies
Those working to clear roadways and homes that have been damaged
Police officers, emergency personnel, medical and social welfare responders
Those seeking to offer protection from theft and fraud.
We pray that each of us will play our part in responding to the overwhelming conditions of this time, and particularly in reaching out to those who are struggling to rebuild their lives.
We pray too, that we will continue to urge the Government to play its part in strengthening structures that will heal our land, restore creation, and relieve those suffering homelessness and poverty.
We make all our prayers in the name of Jesus, who reached out always to those most in need.
Amen.
Jan Barnett rsj
Josephite Justice Co-ordinator
Josephite Justice Network
From the Acting Executive Director
Our reflection this week prepared by Jim Waight speaks of awareness of the spirit moving amongst us in times of adversity. Aunty Betty Pike’s reflection that the true spirit of any religion is witnessed when hearts are awakened when touched with a deep and abiding compassion for another. Our hearts, thoughts and prayers go out to all those individuals and communities whose lives have been changed by the recent flooding.
I am pleased to advise that St Joseph’s Charlton will have students back onsite from today and I acknowledge Frank McGrath and the St Joseph’s staff’s significant challenges over recent weeks and thank them for the care of their community. The Wimmera River is also currently posing a significant threat within the Horsham community and this threat may impact communities downstream over the coming week. Educational consultants will continue to liaise with school principals regarding any support communities may need.
School communities are advised to continue to assess the risk, if travelling, over the coming week. School camps need onsite assessments to ensure safety in these unstable weather conditions. With predicted rain events later in the week, schools are also asked to consider the risk of members of their community being isolated from home as a result of road closures and possibly revise the need to travel.
Weather permitting, the Diocesan Leadership Gathering (DLG) will proceed in Horsham on the 27th and 28th October. The agenda was emailed to all Principals on Monday. At Mass and throughout dinner on 27 October, we will be officially farewelling Principals who have are retiring or who have completed/completing their leadership journey in the Diocese. We will also acknowledge those Principals who have held Interim roles throughout the year. There are some wonderful Catholic leaders being celebrated and we look forward to being able to do that face to face. If there is significant risk of flooding that compromises schools and travel next week, the DLG will be transferred to Week 8.
Earlier this week we circulated the reduced School Operations Guide to reflect the changes to Pandemic orders. This guide provides advice for students who are displaying COVID 19 symptoms.
As we approach November, resources exist to help include the children in your parish or family in the celebration of the Feast of All Saints. Evangelisation Brisbane have created some resources that you might like to use, to pray with the saints and get to know them better! Please access via this link.
As has been the practice, the Office is seeking an appropriate image for the face of this year’s Christmas card. It is hoped that an image captured from within our Diocesan school community will lean into the meaning of ‘God with us’ or the 2022 Catholic Education Week theme ‘Share the good news’. It might be a students art work or a photo.
Please forward possible images to Kerrie Zammit via email. Hopefully there will be a plethora to choose from.
Tom Sexton has reported positive engagement with Irish teachers and we look forward to hearing from him when he returns from the middle of next week about possible support for future work force challenges.
Thank you for the wonderful work that you continue to do in Diocesan schools.
Stay dry.
Matthew Byrne
Acting Executive Director / Deputy Director: Catholic Education
Continued Extensive Rain and Possible Flooding Forecast
In line with the weather forecasts of significant rain again for Thursday (Northern Victoria) and Friday (Across the State) of this week, it is reasonable to anticipate that heavy seasonal rainfall may again cause localised flooding.
Schools are advised to monitor the Bureau of Meteorology forecasts and Vic emergency app. https://emergency.vic.gov.au over the coming days.
In the event of significant rainfall, schools should liaise with the local DET bus coordinator regarding disruption to services that may be caused by flooding.
As advised across previous weeks, schools should revise risk assessments considering increased risk on roads for any camps, excursions or staff PD planned for the immediate future.
Schools with outdoor education or camping activities planned over the next week need to conduct onsite risk assessments to ensure student safety.
Any off-site activity is to be recorded in advance on the Student Activity Locator (SAL).
Weekly Rainfall Forecasts.
Please view weekly rainfall forecasts here.
Flood Recovery Hotline - Call 1800 560 760.
Flood Recovery Hotline is a single state-wide number, 1800 560 760, that Victorians impacted by the October 2022 floods can call for help or assistance with:
- Navigating available supports
- Clean - up
- Temporary accomodation
- Mental health and wellbeing support
The recovery hotline is open from 7.30am-7.30pm everyday.
Country Dioceses Leadership Program (CDLP) 2023 Applications Open
The Country Dioceses Leadership Program (CDLP) enables middle leaders from across three country Dioceses (Ballarat, Sandhurst & Wagga Wagga) to engage in a residential 7-day professional development program with a significant focus on the skills, knowledge and capabilities for effective middle leadership within a Catholic context.
The program provides opportunities for participants to identify their effective leadership practice and apply this within their own school context through a spaced learning model, and a coaching program.
Applications for the 2023 program close on Friday 4 November, 2022.
See further information and applications forms below.
Teaching and Learning Update
Diocesan Mathematics Leaders’ Network Term 4 VC.
Mathematics Leaders’ Video Conference Thursday 27th October 4:00 - 5:00pm
At this video conference Breeana Wade (CEB) will introduce you to the new PAT Faces on the Data and CFAT data tools.
Any interested staff members are welcome to attend.
We invite you to register for this event here.
PAT News.
For your information and planning – PAT linear tests will continue to be provided free with PAT Adaptive test licences, so schools can continue to use both forms as required. Licences are valid from March to March and CEB will continue to broker a system discount for PAT Reading and PAT Maths licences.
Please find information on the ACER Term 4 Webinars below.
Australian Teacher Workforce Data.
The ATWD is delivering a comprehensive picture of the national teacher workforce to better understand how to build a sustainable teaching profession. Every teacher has a unique experience and it is important that your voice is heard.
The survey is now open – please look for an email from the Victorian Institute of Teaching on 5 October 2022 for your direct link to the survey.
Country Education Partnership (CEP) News.
CEP has had a busy month advocating for rural schools in meetings with Minister Hutchins, DET staff and key stakeholders. This is a vital component of our work as we ensure that rural schools and students are given consideration in all decision-making. Our areas of focus this month have been small school accountability processes, alternative programs and staffing.
We have also commenced the planning of the exciting new Go Rural initiative (a combined DET/CEP initiative). We have begun discussions with rural schools and universities. More information about the progress of Go Rural will be shared in upcoming editions.
We are excited about the prospect of the Victorian Academy of Teaching and Leadership opening up several new regional academies throughout rural Victoria in 2023. The opening of these academies provides rural teachers with a space to further develop skills in technologies, professional practice, mental health training, and more.
Whilst CEP staff continue to make school visits, we have also enjoyed the opportunity to attend cluster meetings. This allows us to listen to discussions, share the latest information from DET consultative groups and take key issues or examples back to the leaders within our education providers.
If you are having a cluster meeting, please reach out and we will endeavour to attend.
Please find the latest edition of Bush Voices here.
People & Development Update
National Teachers Day 2022.
Let’s celebrate our educators!
World Teachers Day was celebrated on 5 October 2022, in Australia we celebrate our teachers on 28 October with National Teachers Day.
We appreciate everything you do. The inherent value you have to our schools and the contributions to the success of your students does not go unnoticed.
We want to celebrate and recognise the achievements, successes and hard work our educators carry out each and every day.
Click here to watch our appreciation video!
REMINDER - Wellbeing Webinar Series underway
Wellbeing Webinar Series.
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 Four – Growth Mindset
When: Monday 24 October 2022, 4:00pm to 5:00pm
- Understand the difference between growth and fixed mindsets
- Learn how our mindset can help us to create stability during challenging times
- Discover how you can connect to your mindset to achieve your desired outcomes
- Highlight how to maintain resilience for self and for the team
- How to access further support
Click here to join the meeting
Our last Wellbeing session:
- Session 5: Mental Fitness (10 Nov, 4-5pm)
All upcoming session details, including participation handouts and links, are available via the PDF below.
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 Tony Perkins or Liz McIntyre.
Further detail is attached below.
Diocesan Leadership Gathering - Student Wellbeing Framework.
Next week’s Diocesan Leadership Gathering will include time for orientation to the DOBCEL Student Wellbeing Framework.
‘While all educators are focused on the wellbeing of their students, the schools in the Diocese of Ballarat, as with all Catholic schools, have a particular orientation to wellbeing. Illuminated by faith and the words of Jesus who said, ‘I have come that you may have life, and have it to the full’ (John 10:10). Catholic educators nurture young people’s spiritual and religious dimensions to enable them to truly understand what it means to be alive and well as a human person (Catholic Education Melbourne, 2017). And so, as people of faith, as partners in Catholic Education, we carry with us and announce the good news exemplified by Jesus the Christ. We are open to God’s presence and pursue fullness of life for all.’
p3 DOBCEL Student Wellbeing Framework
This session presents an opportunity to become more familiar with the context and content of the Framework as well as an opportunity for colleagues to consider how the Framework might be best utilised to support each school’s pursuit of fullness of life for all.
The following prompts, which will be utilised at the Diocesan Leadership Gathering, are offered for your consideration:
- How might the Student Wellbeing Framework inform your School Improvement Plan/Annual Action Plan processes?
- Where do you see the opportunities to engage with the Catholic Education Team?
- What are the benefits of embedding the Student Wellbeing Framework into the School Improvement Plan/Annual Action Plan processes?
DOBCEL Student Wellbeing Framework - Northern Zone.
The Student Wellbeing Team would like to invite the Northern Primary School and Secondary Wellbeing Practitioners (pastoral care workers, counsellors, psychologists) to meet on Wednesday 23rd November.
Please forward the Trybooking link below to the appropriate Wellbeing member in your school. Any questions please contact Brooke Nester.
Date: Wednesday 23 November 2022
Time: 9:30 AM - 11:00
Location: St Joseph's College Mildura - 154 Twelfth St, Mildura Vic 3500
Planning and Infrastructure Update
Spare furniture available to schools.
As the relocation and refurbishment works for DOBCEL at 200 Gillies St Nth and the Catholic Diocese of Ballarat at 5 Lyons St are nearing completion, some spare furniture that is second hand and in good condition is being made available to any schools who are interested.
Please click here to see a variety of office furniture and small desks/tables available on a first in basis, with any items required to be collected by Friday 28th October.
Business Services Update
Implementation of Multifactor Authentication (MFA).
DOBCEL are in the process of implementing Multifactor Authentication (MFA), also known as Two-Factor Authentication (2FA).
What is it?
It is an electronic method of authentication where a user presents two pieces of information to access a website or application. For example, when attempting to send money via a bank transfer, the user will receive an SMS with a code authorizing transfer.
How will it work?
When logging into Office 365 Applications (like Outlook, Teams, or SharePoint) the user will login as normal. The user may then receive a notification or enter a code that is sent to their phone as a second method of validation.
Why are we implementing it?
This is to deter any unauthorized access to one’s account by adding an additional layer of security. Users will be required to download an application and install it on their mobile devices. Roll out will be conducted in stages and will begin in two-week’s time (1st November 2022) for selected users and or departments to minimize impact. Successive users and or departments will be notified regarding implementation.
The DOBCEL ICT Department will be available for any queries/issues prior to and after implementation.
Career Opportunities in the Diocesan Education Community
Catholic Education Ballarat Vacancies.
- Policy and Governance Administrator – to commence November 2022 (closes 24 October)
- Data and Information Analyst – Project Opportunity – 10-week maximum appointment (closes 24 October)
- Compliance and Risk Support Officers (CARSOs) – ongoing positions at 1.0 FTE (close 31 October)
- Education Officer (Learning and Teaching) – 3-year fixed-term position or secondment in Mildura, Swan Hill or Horsham at 1.0 FTE (closes 31 October)
- Visiting Teacher (Learning Diversity) – ongoing position in Warrnambool or Ballarat at 0.6 FTE (closes 31 October)
School Vacancies.
- 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)
- VCE English/Drama Teacher – St Patrick’s College, Ballarat – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 23 October)
- VCE Mathematics Teacher – St Patrick’s College, Ballarat – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 24 October)
- Classroom Teacher – St Mary’s School, Swan Hill – fixed-term position at 1.0 FTE (closes 25 October)
- Classroom Teacher – St Augustine’s Catholic Primary School, Maryborough – fixed-term position at 1.0 FTE (closes 26 October)
- The Arts Teacher – St Augustine’s Catholic Primary School, Maryborough – ongoing position at 0.6 FTE (closes 26 October)
- Italian Language Assistant – Siena Catholic Primary School, Lucas – fixed-term position at 0.16 FTE (closes 28 October)
- Head of Student Pathways & Organisation (Senior Leadership Role) – Marian College, Ararat – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 28 October)
- Music Teacher – St Mary’s School, Swan Hill – fixed-term position at 0.5 FTE (closes 28 October)
- Health and Physical Education Teacher – St Michael & St John’s School, Horsham – fixed-term position at 1.0 FTE (closes 31 October)
- Classroom Teacher – St Michael & St John’s School, Horsham – fixed-term position at 1.0 FTE (closes 31 October)
- Classroom Teacher – St Joseph’s School, Charlton – fixed-term position initially, at 1.0 FTE (closes 31 October)
- Classroom Teacher with optional POL 2 – Siena Catholic Primary School, Lucas – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 3 November)
- Classroom Teacher – St Thomas More School, Alfredton – fixed-term position at 1.0 FTE (closes 4 November)
- Pastoral Care Worker – St Thomas More School, Alfredton – fixed-term position at 0.5 FTE (closes 4 November)
- School Wellbeing Officer/Counsellor – St Columba’s School, Ballarat North – fixed-term position at 0.6 FTE (closes 4 November)
- 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)
- Classroom Teachers – Primary and Secondary Schools (closes 31 December)
Diocese of Wollongong – Principal Opportunities
- Education Officer- Student Wellbeing (closes 20 October)
- Principal (Secondary) – John Therry Catholic College, Rosemeadow – to commence January 2023 (closes 31 October)
- Principal – St Francis Catholic College, Edmondson Park – to commence January 2023 (closes October)