Weekly Newsletter #33 - 26 October 2022
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Reflection
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From the Acting Executive Director
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National Teachers Day on 28 October
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Announcement of Appointments
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An Invitation to Connect with the DOBCEL Catholic Education Ballarat Platforms
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Country Dioceses Leadership Program (CDLP) 2023 Applications Open
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Catholic Education Update
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Teaching and Learning Update
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People & Development Update
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Business Services Update
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Wellbeing Team Update
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Planning and Infrastructure Update
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Family and Community Engagement
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Ballarat's Festival of Cricket
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Career Opportunities in the Diocesan Education Community
Reflection
Catholic Education?
Today we return to our reflections about the purpose of Catholic Education. What is it that makes our schools Catholic? The following proposals by Daniel O’Leary go to the heart of the purpose of Catholic Education.
Education is more about revealing than transmitting. In a Christian context, it is about revealing the presence of God hidden within our lives and within the world. This is the aim of all catechesis, formation, liturgical celebration and religious education. If this is the overall goal of all true evangelical ministry, then it is vital that the workers in the vineyard should be well appraised of the theological basis for holding this view. The ministry of teaching (IN FACT ALL PEOPLE IN A SCHOOL) is not so much to facilitate “God’s breaking into” a profane world at certain particular points, as to help people to experience the ‘breaking out” of God's own self, already and always present at the heart of the world.
There are many theologians to choose from, but Karl Rahner is particularly helpful in clarifying the issue here. He would see the enterprise of education as that of alerting people to the fact that, whether they are aware of it or not, whether they accept or repress it, they all have “an experience of grace from within” With human experience as the subject, he places this goal as the most original and important one in the work of Christianity. P. 68
O’Leary, D (2008) Begin with the Heart Recovering a Sacramental Vision The Columba Press: Dublin
What a life giving approach to the essence of what we are trying to do in Catholic Education!
Let us Pray.
Creator God help us always remember;
Educating is very challenging and demanding, but it is also profoundly satisfying.
Educating is more about revealing the presence of God, than transmitting the presence of God.
It is more than a job, for it is rooted in our deepest convictions and values.
To be intimately concerned in the development of a young person, of hundreds of young people, is a highly responsible task.
As educators, we kindle in our students a thirst for truth and wisdom.
We spark off in them a desire for beauty.
We introduce them to their cultural heritage.
We help them to discover the treasures of other cultures and peoples.
What an awesome responsibility and privilege is ours in education!
Amen.
Adapted in part from an address to educators by St. John Paul II in Melbourne November 1986
From the Acting Executive Director
Today, across the Diocese, our Year 12 VCE English students commence the largest exam of the VCE exam schedule. The three-hour exam is a daunting assessment and our thoughts and prayers go out to all those students sitting exams over the next three weeks of 2022.
We extend our prayers to the Damascus College community as they grieve the passing of former student, Bridie Cocks this week. We also extend our thoughts and prayers to Bishop Paul and our Diocesan priests who mourn the passing of Fr Bill Melican whose entry into eternal life was celebrated at St Patrick’s Cathedral on Monday. Fr Bill was ordained priest for the Diocese of Ballarat in July 1955 at St Patrick’s Cathedral. He served as Assistant Priest in a number of parishes throughout the Diocese as well as being Administrator or Parish Priest at Charlton, Hopetoun, Swan Hill, Camperdown, Stawell, Creswick and Robinvale before retiring in 2011.
Unstable weather and flood waters across the state continue to challenge many school communities. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all those who are victims of flooding. As advised over recent weeks, schools should continue to revise risk assessments taking into account increased risk on roads for any camps, or excursions 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.
Next Tuesday is a public Holiday in Ballarat, but we appreciate that some schools have different local holidays. If there are pressing or urgent matters, please contact your Educational Consultant, as per our normal practice.
I welcome back excitedly Tom Sexton from Ireland and look forward to learning about the recruitment activity that has taken place over recent weeks.
In Australia, we celebrate National Teachers Day on 28 October. To recognise and celebrate the great work our educators are doing we have put together a quick 1-min thank you video. I share this video via this link with all Diocesan educators in gratitude for the amazing work you do within our schools.
If members of our education community are taking time away together this weekend, enjoy and travel safely.
Matthew Byrne
Acting Executive Director / Deputy Director: Catholic Education
National Teachers Day on 28 October
On Friday we will celebrate all those involved in the educational endeavour in our schools and thank God for their contribution. We pray for all those who educate our young people.
Giver of all wisdom and greatest of all educators,
Look upon our teachers and educators with love,
Grant them the resolve to nurture our students’ eager minds and to never give up on those who fall behind.
Bless their hearts for they rejoice when young people succeed and encourage them when they fail.
Kindle a spirit and passion in them that ignites the love of learning,
Help them see the potential in each student,
Instil in our educators a commitment to keep on learning so as to model not to fear new knowledge and experiences.
Inspire them to touch the future,
Let the light of your loving example shine upon all who work with young people in our schools,
To build up with their words,
To love with their mind,
To share with their heart.
It is to the first and greatest educator that we make this prayer,
Amen
Announcement of Appointments
Mary Hogan.
Mary Hogan has been appointed as Principal of St Joseph’s Primary School, Charlton. Mary will commence this new position at the beginning of the 2023 school year.
Mary is a very experienced educator, having been an integral member of the St Mary’s Primary School, Donald staff for almost 30 years. In that time Mary has taught across all grade levels as a Classroom Teacher and as a Specialist Teacher in The Arts, the Library and Health and Physical Education.
Trinity Johns.
Trinity Johns has been appointed as Principal of St Patrick’s Primary School, St Arnaud. Trinity will commence this new position at the beginning of the 2023 school year.
Trinity has been a staff member of St Patrick’s since 2010. In that time she has taken on a number of roles, predominantly as a Classroom Teacher but also as Junior School Leader, Learning Diversity Leader, Numeracy Co-ordinator and Acting Principal.
Janet Cain.
Janet Cain has been appointed as Principal of St Colman’s Mortlake. Janet will commence this new position at the beginning of the 2023 school year.
Janet has been working at St Thomas’ Terang since the start of the 2020 school year. In her time at St Thomas’, Janet has been a Classroom Teacher, Religious Education Leader and Learning Diversity Leader. She also served as a member of the school’s Leadership Team. Prior to St Thomas’, Janet was a member of the St Patrick’s Camperdown school community.
Ben Shields.
Ben Shields has been appointed as Principal of St Patrick’s Primary School, Ballarat. Ben will commence his new position at the beginning of the 2023 school year.
Ben is currently Principal of St Mary’s Primary School, Castlemaine and has held this position since 2020. Prior to this appointment, Ben was a staff member at St Michael’s Primary School, Daylesford (Deputy Principal from 2016 to 2019) and at All Saints Parish School, Portland.
An Invitation to Connect with the DOBCEL Catholic Education Ballarat Platforms
We are now on Facebook!
With the implementation of various social media platforms, we have now added Facebook to the list!
This is another social platform created to provide opportunities for all members of the DOBCEL Community and beyond to connect, stay up to date and share the good news of our schools.
Today, Principals of the Diocese are being emailed an invitation to reach out to us in the hope we can help share your exciting news and events to as many people as possible in addition to your own efforts!
For more information on this invitation, please contact your Principal for details.
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.
Catholic Education Update
Expressions of interest for 2023 Master Teachers.
An opportunity exists for expert Teachers and Principals to play an important role as Master Teachers with the Victorian Academy of Teaching and Leadership’s Teaching Excellence Program (TEP) in 2023. The Academy is a statutory authority delivering an advanced professional learning program for high-performing teachers in Government, Catholic and Independent Schools. The TEP is the Academy’s flagship professional learning program for highly skilled teachers from all sectors and school types.
Critical to the success of the TEP are the attraction and recruitment of highly skilled and motivated Master Teachers, who will facilitate and co-design the TEP’s discipline-based work. The Academy is seeking expressions of interest from outstanding educators to work as Master Teachers for an initial period of 12 months. Master Teachers will be recognised as leading teachers-in-residence in one or more of the discipline areas at the core of the TEP.
The role will be suited to discipline and pedagogical experts with deep knowledge and skills in one or more of the following: The Arts, English, Health and Physical Education, Humanities, Languages, Mathematics, Science and Technologies. The positions are open to applicants from classroom teacher through to principal level and equivalents. The location of these positions will be Melbourne CBD or a regional hub, with regional and remote work (or similar) an essential part of the delivery of the TEP.
Expressions of interest must be received via email to Justine Mackey by no later than 11.59 pm on Wednesday 26 October 2022.
Further information about the role and the selection criteria can be found in the Position Description
Teaching and Learning Update
Professional Learning 2023.
Please see below for some Professional Learning opportunities available in 2023. As these particular opportunities require confirmation of external facilitators, please register your interest by Friday Nov 4.
Please contact Sue Paulka for further information.
Data Literacy and Storytelling.
Dr Selena Fisk will be presenting Data Literacy and Data Storytelling workshops across the Diocese on the following dates next year:
- Mildura - March 20
- Horsham - March 21
- Warrnambool - March 22
- Ballarat - March 24
The learning will focus on developing strategic approaches, including school data plans, to the data that schools collect, collate and use, and equipping school staff at all levels to have highly effective conversations about that data so that all decisions being made can be informed by actual evidence.
Term 1 days will be face to face with Selena Fisk and will be followed up by webinars in Terms 2 & 3, facilitated by CEB teams, and a presentation of action research learning at the end of Term 3.
This professional learning will be applicable for both primary and secondary teams.
Please register your interest here.
Learner Agency.
Increasing Learner Agency and moving to a more student-centred approach to learning and teaching has been identified by many of our schools as a school improvement priority over the next few years. The learning will focus on the following areas but will be co-designed to ensure fidelity to individual and local contexts:
Shifting & Shaping Identities
- Understanding deeply and listening to self, young people and community
- How might a deep understanding of self, young people and community create the conditions for strengthen agency?
Developing Assessment Capable Learners
- Assessing for deep understanding and progress over time
- How might we partner with young people to develop assessment capabilities and dispositions?
Co-designing Learning Pathways Together
- Mapping the curriculum landscape
- How might we co-design curriculum that is authentic and matters to the lives of young people and their communities?
Learning & Leading for change
- Creating dynamic and collaborative cultures for local change
- How might we partner to learn and lead for change that enables authentic and inspiring learning for young people and adults?
There are possibilities for school teams to partner in this work in communities of practice across our Diocese. The professional learning will be applicable for both primary and secondary teams and will be facilitated by Dr Jayne-Louise Collins from Ed Partnerships.
Please register your interest here.
An initial co-design and information session will be held on Monday November 14 - time and location to be confirmed.
Co-creating an Educational Landscape: Strengthening our approaches to curriculum, assessment, and pedagogy through the engagement with research informed guiding principles.
This professional learning inquiry will be co-designed with interested school communities who are ready to explore the use of one or more sets of the guiding Educational Landscape principles; Curriculum, Assessment and Pedagogy, in the context of their School Improvement Plan.
A cycle of professional inquiry will guide the learning which will start with participants bringing evidence from in-school investigations that invite young people and colleagues to share their experiences and perceptions of curriculum, assessment and/or pedagogy.
These investigations form the basis of a context analysis that will support the design of a localised professional inquiry broadly focused on strengthening curriculum, assessment or pedagogy design and enactment in their school community. The use of the guiding principles will be central to this localised professional inquiry.
Participants will be offered processes to use as they explore ways to translate these guiding principles into their day-to-day work as designers, leaders, teachers, and learners, with colleagues and young people in their own local communities.
This professional learning will be applicable for both primary and secondary teams and will be facilitated by Dr Jayne-Louise Collins from Ed Partnerships.
Please register your interest here.
An initial co-design and information session will be held on Friday November 18 - time and location to be confirmed.
People & Development Update
The Passionate Nutritionist.
Mel Bald is a degree qualified Geelong nutritionist, as well as having qualifications in Exercise Science. Mel is all about helping achieve optimal health through nutrition, lifestyle strategies and using the science of behaviour change to help healthy habits stick.
We are fortunate to have Mel share one of her recipes with us, it’s a taste sensation!
Feel free to check out Mel’s Website and Blog. You can also follow Mel on Facebook and Instagram.
We hope you enjoy trying the recipe! We would love to hear and share your experience, please send any comments to Tania Lund.
Asian Chicken and Veggie Bowl.
This meal has the benefits of using a lean protein source and seven different vegetables all in the one bowl. It gives you a good amount of protein (around 31 grams per serve), is low in carbohydrates and has a good amount of fibre. This means it will help keep you full for the rest of the afternoon, so hopefully reduce the afternoon snack attack urge!
It is a great option for lunches as it keeps and reheats well and is an all-in-one meal.
Check out the recipe below!
Business Services Update
CECV Edge Network Rollout
The new CECV Edge Network Rollout is looking to commence in the Ballarat Diocese at the beginning of next month. This service looks to replace the current internet connection provided by CECV as this infrastructure is now aged and end of life.
The new links will involve the installation of new Fortinet Routers and Security appliances onsite at each school and the provisioning of 2 internet connections to allow for fail over capacity for each school.
DOBCEL’s technology partners ORRO and Quantum will be assisting in the rollout and support of this new connectivity, with DOBCEL’s ICT team reviewing and completing sign off on each delivered link.
Please note you may receive contact from NBN contractors to complete the installation of the ‘backup’ link for the school.
If you are concerned or have any issues-
please contact DOBCEL’s ICT Team via email or call 03 4344 4350.
At present some schools will have had one or both internet connections cabled and terminated in each schools’ communications racks; and may have questions regarding the attendance of NBN contractors to site for these installations.
Please direct any questions over to the Help Desk and our DOBCEL ICT team can respond and assist with answering any queries or questions.
Wellbeing Team Update
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
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 course teaches adults how to assist adolescents who are developing a mental health problem or in a mental health crisis.
- Dates: 15th and 16th of November 2022
- Venue: Sovereign Park 223 Main Rd Ballarat
- Participants / Target Audience: Teachers, school nurses, LSO’s, year level coordinators, administration staff, (anyone in the school community).
For further information contact Brooke Nester
Secondary School Visit Opportunity.
An amazing opportunity to visit Secondary College P- 12 at Marymede, Morang. This is a Secondary College that has embraced SWPBS and developed a positive and productive whole school approach towards student behaviour.
- Where - Marymede College , Morang
- When 7th of November
- Time - 10.00am
Morning tea and lunch provided
Please email RSVP by the 27th October for Dietary requirements Anne Ruddell or Brooke Nester.
Resources- SWPBS
https://booko.com.au/9781032030111/School-Wide-Positive-Behaviour-Support
Strategies for De-escalating Student Behaviour in the Classroom
practice brief about the phases of de-escalation from The Centre on PBIS, Dr. Kathleen Strickland-Cohen and Alex Newson.
Mental Health in Primary Schools Program Expansion.
The Mental Health in Primary Schools (MHiPS) program will be expanded to all low-fee non-government schools in Victoria by 2026.
- Primary schools in the local government areas of Barwon, Brimbank Melton, Goulburn, Hume Moreland and Outer Gippsland will receive funding in 2023 to employ a Mental Health and Wellbeing Leader.
- The Mental Health and Wellbeing Leader’s role is to promote a whole-school approach to mental health and wellbeing for students, staff and families.
- The position of Mental Health and Wellbeing Leader will be funded at 0.4 full-time equivalent (FTE) for all Catholic schools that are eligible.
- Catholic schools involved in the MHiPS pilot program will maintain the staff funding allocated for the 2022 school year.
- Schools in each diocese across Victoria will have been informed by their diocesan education office if they are to begin the MHiPS initiative in 2023.
- For further information, please refer to the Mental health support in primary school’s page on the Victorian Government Website.
- Schools won’t need to apply for funding, as it will be allocated in the year indicated for their local government area.
For all enquiries please contact Tony Perkins or Liz McIntyre
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.
Family and Community Engagement
Please click here to watch the recording of the webinar of Professor Janet Goodall which was shared with CEB from The Sunshine Cluster of Family and Community Engagement (St. Peter's, Sunshine West and St. Bernadette's, Sunshine North).
It was held on August 12 and looks at contemplating how schools can support parent engagement in learning.
Ballarat's Festival of Cricket
As we hope many are aware, Women’s Big Bash League Cricket will come to Ballarat this weekend (29 – 31 October) and we would love to encourage as many people to attend as possible to support the Melbourne Renegades!
Come and experience the festival-like atmosphere of the WBBL through an action packed weekend of cricket suitable for the entire Ballarat community. Music, food trucks, giveaways and entertainment collide to make it a fun day out for the entire family supporting the Gades.
Match Schedule:
Saturday 29 October
- Hobart Hurricanes v Sydney Sixers, 10:15am
- Melbourne Renegades v Melbourne Stars, 2pm
Sunday 30 October
- Melbourne Renegades v Sydney Sixers, 3pm
Monday 31 October
- Melbourne Stars v Sydney Thunder, 3pm
Kids tickets are free, while adults are only $10.
Along with the cricket there will be a range of activities to entertain the kids for the full day!
Tickets can be purchased here.
Career Opportunities in the Diocesan Education Community
Catholic Education Ballarat Vacancies.
- 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 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 Teachers: POL 2 – St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, Warracknabeal – 2 ongoing positions at 1.0 FTE (closes 31 October)
- Classroom Teacher – Our Lady of the Sacred Heart School, Merbein – ongoing position (closes 2 November)
- Generalist Teacher – Our Lady of the Sacred Heart School, Merbein – fixed-term position with possibility of PE component (closes 2 November)
- 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)
- VCE English/Drama Teacher – St Patrick’s College, Ballarat – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 6 November)
- Teaching Opportunities – Loreto College – ongoing positions at 1.0 FTE (closes 7 November)
- Maintenance Officer – St Patrick’s College, Ballarat – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 9 November)
- Classroom Teacher (Yr 3-6) – St Joseph’s School, Penshurst – fixed-term position at 0.6 FTE (closes 9 November)
- Classroom Teacher – St Patrick’s Primary School, Ballarat – fixed-term position at 1.0 FTE (closes 11 November)
- Mental Health Clinician – St Mary MacKillop College, Swan Hill – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 15 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)