Weekly Newsletter #37 - 23 November 2022
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Reflection
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From the Executive Director
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CEB Leadership Meeting at Damascus College
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St Mary Mackillop College, Swan Hill - Community Spirit
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St Mary's Primary School, Sea Lake
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Christmas/New Year CEB Finance Office Closure
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Catholic Education Update
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Teaching & Learning Update
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Advent Resources 2022
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Staff News
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Career Opportunities in the Diocesan Education Community
Reflection
Looking Back….Looking Forward…..Being Present…..
Last Sunday was The Feast of Christ the King, which is the last Sunday of the Church’s Liturgical Year. Next Sunday is the First Sunday of Advent, which is the beginning of the new Liturgical Year. This week, is a perfect time for reflection on what it means to finish one journey and to begin another.
The following piece by Fr. Richard Rohr considers some of these themes.
Isn’t it strange that a religion that began with a call to change or to let go has become a religion so impervious and resistant to change? Many Catholics think that what it means to be a Christian is to be in love with the thirteenth century (or sixteenth century, if you are Protestant) thinking that, “this is when Christians were really Christians and God was really God” There is no evidence that this is true, but it allows us to create religion as nostalgia instead of religion as actual transformation. Some Catholics hanker for a “true Latin Mass” not realising that Jesus never spoke Latin - the language of his oppressors! We do anything to avoid living right now, where God is fully present!
Healthy religion is saying that the real life is both now and later. We have to taste the real, first of all, now. The constant pattern, however, is that most Christians either move both backward (to religion of nostalgia) or into the distant future (to religion as a carrot on the stick) and consistently avoid where everything really happens and matters - the present moment. Catholics once beautifully called this “the sacrament of the present moment” The full now is always a taste of something really real. p.149
Rohr, R. (2019) Yes, And…. SPK Publishing: London
Let us Pray.
The Slow Work of God
Above all, trust in the slow work of God.
We are, quite naturally, impatient in everything to reach the end
Without delay.
We should like to skip
The intermediate stages.
We are impatient of being on
The way to something unknown,
Something new,
And yet it is the law of all progress
That it is made by passing through
Some stages of instability ---
And that it may take a very long time.
And so I think it is with you.
Your ideas mature gradually ---
Let them grow,
Let them shape themselves,
Without undue haste.
Don't try to force them on,
As though you could be today
What time will make you tomorrow.
Only God could say what this new spirit
Gradually forming within you will be.
Give Our Lord the benefit of believing
That his hand is leading you,
And accept the anxiety of
Feeling yourself in suspense and incomplete.
Amen.
Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, S.J.
From the Executive Director
Community Spirit
I was thrilled to read about the St Mary MacKillop College students filling 3,000 sandbags to help with the flood protection works around Swan Hill last week. What an awesome effort and one of many examples of our school communities helping out the broader community during the ongoing flooding. To read more on this wonderful effort, please see the article below.
Continuing School Visits
Since last Wednesday I have visited both St James Primary School, Sebastopol and St Alipius Primary School, Ballarat East. It was a great opportunity to have a chat with the Principals, their staff and enjoy student lead tours of the schools.
Artwork for Gillies Street
We are looking for school artwork to display at our new Gillies St office in Ballarat. We would like artwork that has a Catholic Identity focus and includes elements of your local community identity. We are interested in artwork from F-12. If you have something that you believe is suitable please send in a photo to the Marketing & Communications team. Please note in 2023 we will run a display of student artwork in Catholic Education Week which will run from 22 to 26 May.
Tom Sexton
Executive Director, Catholic Education Ballarat
CEB Leadership Meeting at Damascus College
On Monday, the CEB Leadership Team attended Damascus College, Mt Clear for the final Leadership meeting of 2022. Below are words from Executive Director, Tom Sexton regarding this visit.
"My thanks are extended to Mr Steven Mifsud, his staff and students for welcoming the Catholic Education Ballarat Leadership team to Damascus College, Mt Clear on 21 November 2022.
The Leadership team were taken on a tour of the beautiful Damascus grounds and facilities by several groups of student leaders. Xavier and Sophie, the 2023 School Captains, led myself, Damascus past Principal and DOBCEL Deputy Director: Catholic Education Matthew Byrne, Education Consultants Tim O’Farrell and Janet Claassen and Leader: Learning & Teaching Sue Paulka for our tour.
Our meeting, held in the Damascus Events Centre, focused on a range of topics including an introduction to a strategy which supports Diocesan schools in planning and implementing an effective approach to student learning in the area of Digital Technology, an overview of the 2022 Diocesan NAPLAN data and Mandatory Reporting modules for CEB and school staff.
This was our final meeting for the year and it was an opportunity to say thank you to Sue Paulka who is retiring at the end of 2022 after many years of outstanding service to Catholic Education."
Article submitted by Tom Sexton
St Mary Mackillop College, Swan Hill - Community Spirit
We would like to acknowledge the St Mary Mackillop College Students and Teachers on their incredible effort, filling 3,000 sandbags to support the surrounding communities impacted by flooding.
Victoria State Emergency Service and the Swan Hill Rural City Council have expressed their gratitude to the College students for all their support and generosity.
SES Loddon Mallee Region will use the sandbags to strengthening levees along the Murray Valley Highway at Piangil, Robinvale and other Priority Areas.
We also wish to acknowledge VCAL students of St Mary Mackillop, who have been cooking and delivering treats such as sausage rolls, rumballs, and mars bar slices, to staff and volunteers working in the Swan Hill ICC.
Article submitted by Amber Innes
St Mary's Primary School, Sea Lake
Rocking our Art and Numbers in Transition
The 2023 Foundation Students were rocking art and their numbers.
Transition has taken off and the children love coming in, they are learning the school routines, their classmates, staff and older students. We look forward to welcoming them again on Friday for the last full transition day.
By all accounts they are certainly ready for full time school!
Special Visit from Furry Friends
The children had a great time meeting the "Furry" Nunn family. All children got to have a cuddle and play with the pups last week. Thanks to Mrs Nunn's family for bringing them in!
Article submitted by Jane Stacey
Christmas/New Year CEB Finance Office Closure
CEB Finance Office will close from Thursday 22 December 2022 and re-open on Monday 16 January 2023.
Any invoices, staff reimbursements and school payments that require payment prior to our closure must be received by close of business Monday 12 December.
Please email all authorised Invoices, Staff Reimbursements and School Payments to Accounts.
Any invoices, staff reimbursements and school payments received after this date will not be paid until the week of 23 January 2023.
Article submitted by Donna Mason
Catholic Education Update
DOBCEL School Visits
The DOBCEL Board are committed to maintaining strong working relationships with all schools in the Diocese of Ballarat. This has been supported by regional Board meetings right across the Diocese again in 2022, with structured opportunities for the Board to meet with Principals and SAC Chairs. Board Directors and members of the CEB executive have also visited schools right across the diocese throughout 2022.
On Tuesday 22nd November, Sr Berenice Kerr and Matthew Byrne visited St Mary’s Primary School in Ararat, Marian College in Ararat, and St Augustine’s Primary School in Creswick. Matthew and Berenice appreciated the hospitality that was extended to them in each setting, the thoughtful insights that were shared and the obvious commitment to Catholic Education.
2023 school leaders at Marian provided an insightful tour of the school and the foundation students at St Augustine’s shared prayer. The images capture St Augustine students working on the Stop Go Motion Projects and the Foundation Students Leading Prayer.
Article submitted by Matthew Byrne
Teaching & Learning Update
Upcoming Reconciliation Victoria Webinar: Connection to Country (Thursday 24 November)
Reconciliation Victoria will be hosting a free webinar on Country, connection and reflection this Thursday 24 November from 4pm to 5pm.
Jo Drummond (Rec Vic Education Officer) and Uncle Shane Charles (Rec Vic Co-Chair) will be reflecting on connection to Country from a First Nations viewpoint, focusing on connecting Country to the classroom through traditional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge and perspectives.
The webinar will also provide information on future Reconciliation Victoria online seminars. Please register here or visit Reconciliation Victoria for other related resources, including recordings of past webinars.
Annual Japanese Karuta Tournament
The annual Japanese Karuta Tournament returned to Ballarat last week after a two year hiatus due to Covid. A total of 65 students from five primary schools, OLHC Wendouree, Emmaus Mt Clear, St Patrick’s Gordon, St Thomas More Alfredton and St Alipius Ballarat East participated in the event, along with Year 10 students and four Japanese exchange students from Loreto College who kindly supported as referees and callers.
Karuta is a traditional Japanese card game played in teams, similar to ‘Snap’. Students must listen to the words called in Japanese and find the matching card in front of them. Guests enjoyed a sushi lunch and were also treated to an amazing Taiko drumming performance from the talented senior students at St Alipius under the guidance of Japanese teacher, Adam Cameron. All students did an outstanding job of concentrating and communicating with their team members.
Overall winners were St Thomas More (1st place), Emmaus (2nd place) and St Alipius (3rd place).
It was a delight to see the students enjoy the return of this highly anticipated event. We extend our appreciation to OLHC Wendouree for hosting, members of our local Japanese community for donating prizes and to the dedicated group of Japanese language teachers for their time spent coordinating the event; Morgan Knaggs, Amanda Pepplinkhouse, Adam Cameron, Denise Buttler and Yoshie Burrows.
Article submitted by Susan Paulka
Advent Resources 2022
A prayer resource from Catholic Education Ballarat, is now available.
Advent 2022 commences on Sunday 27th November. The following resources may assist staff prayer in your school community.
A Journey with Isaiah - CEB Prayer Resource.
The focus will be on the first reading of each week, which is taken
from the Prophet Isaiah.
These readings invite the listener to consider justice and hope, especially from the perspective of those most in need of them.
View this prayer resource here.
Advent 2022 - Parish Resource.
This resource invites parish participants to journey through the four weeks of Advent exploring the themes of hope, peace, joy and love.
Visit this resource here.
Mercy Spirituality: Advent Series.
Mercy International Association (MIA) is offering a virtual gathering of spirituality to enter the season of anticipation.
All are welcome to join MIA on each of the four Wednesdays of Advent, beginning November 30th.
Register your interest in this event here.
An Advent Invitation - To Pray the Examen Daily.
The Examen is an ancient and simple method of reviewing your day in the presence of God. It’s more a process than a prayer in the traditional sense.
During Advent you are invited to pray the Examen daily, in whatever form suits
you and at whatever time suits you.
See outline here.
Sandhurst Advent Leaflets.
These leaflets are from 2019 but are the 'Year A' readings of the liturgical year which commences in Advent 2022.
View leaflets here.
Article submitted by Jim Waight
Staff News
We are delighted to announce the appointment of Cheryl O’Dwyer to the position of Visiting Teacher: Sensory Impairments from January 2023. Cheryl will be working from the Warrnambool Office and comes to us from the Sandhurst Diocese where she has been a Visiting Teacher of the Deaf.
Article submitted by Jo Huntley
Career Opportunities in the Diocesan Education Community
Catholic Education Ballarat Vacancies.
- Education Officer (Learning and Teaching) – Mildura, Swan Hill or Horsham – 3-year fixed-term position or secondment (closes 25 November)
- Executive Assistant to the Deputy Director: Stewardship – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 28 November)
- Compliance Support Officers – 2 ongoing positions at 1.0 FTE (Ballarat and Horsham) (closes 28 November)
School Vacancies.
- Generalist Classroom Teacher – St Paul’s PS, Mildura – fixed-term position at 1.0 FTE (closes 23 November)
- Teacher – Mercy Regional College, Camperdown – ongoing position at 0.6 FTE (closes 23 November)
- Learning Support Officer – Monivae College, Hamilton – ongoing position at 0.75 FTE (closes 23 November)
- Specialist Teacher (PE) – St Patrick’s School, Camperdown – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 24 November)
- Head of Student Pathways & Organisation (Senior Leadership Role) – Marian College, Ararat – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 25 November)
- VCE Mathematics Teacher – St Patrick’s College, Ballarat – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 27 November)
- Classroom English, Humanities, Maths, Science Teacher – Marian College, Ararat – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 28 November)
- Music Tutors/Teachers – Monivae College, Hamilton – ongoing position at 0.5 FTE (closes 28 November)
- Learning Support Officer – Lumen Christi PS, Delacombe – fixed-term position at 0.73FTE (closes 30 November)
- First Aid Officer/Administration Support – Lumen Christi PS, Delacombe – fixed-term position at 0.53 FTE (closes 30 November)
- Development Office Administration and Administration Support – Emmanuel College, Warrnambool – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 1 December)
- Library Technician – Sacred Heart PS Mildura – fixed-term position at 0.36 FTE (closes 2 December)
- Learning Support Officer – Sacred Heart PS Mildura – fixed-term position at 0.81 FTE (closes 2 December)
- Learning Support Officer – Sacred Heart PS Mildura – ongoing position at 0.81 FTE (closes 2 December)
- Classroom Teacher 2023 – Sacred Heart PS Mildura – fixed-term position at 0.6 FTE (closes 2 December)
- Classroom Teacher 2023 – Sacred Heart PS Mildura – fixed-term position at 1.0 FTE (closes 2 December)
- Learning Support Officer – St Alipius’ Parish School, Ballarat East – fixed-term position at 0.9 FTE (closes 2 December)
- Classroom Teacher – St Patrick’s School, Camperdown – fixed-term position at 1.0 FTE (closes 2 December)
- Classroom Teacher – OLHC Warrnambool – fixed-term position at 1.0 FTE (closes 5 December)
- 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)
Article submitted by Jo Huntley