Weekly Newsletter #1 - 1 February 2023
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Reflection
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From the Executive Director
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Sisters of Mercy
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Connect with the DOBCEL Catholic Education Ballarat Platforms
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2023 Calendars
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Future Leaders Awards for Senior Secondary Students
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Catholic Education Update
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Learning and Teaching Update
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People and Development Update
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Career Opportunities in the Diocesan Education Community
Reflection
Planting Seeds of Hope
As we begin 2023 it is a time to take a moment to discern what is most important in our work. Joan Chittister in the following piece, invites us as educators to reflect upon the symbolism of planting seeds, which could be interpreted as creating hope in our work through the ministry of Catholic Education.
In every seed lie the components of all life the world has known from all time to now. In every seed is the reckless, electric, confounding power of creation made new again. In every seed is the gift of life to those seeking life, wanting life, denied the kind of life that is full of energy, full of hope.
But the hope is a tenuous one, a sacred one, one to be treated with awe.
Seeds are the one thing that is the only genuine promise we have of the future. “Even if I knew the world would end tomorrow,” Martin Luther wrote, “I would plant an apple tree today.” It is an insight that defies despair, that promises new life in the midst of the old. It is a beacon that cries out for a commitment in an age such as ours when the seeds of destruction among us - greed, power, control - are in mortal struggle with the seeds of life.
What metaphorical seeds of hope are we going to plant this year?
Chittister, J (2022) Awakenings Prophetic Reflections John Garrett Publishing Mulgrave
Let us pray
Entering the New Year
God of all time, help us enter the New Year quietly,
thoughtful of who we are to ourselves and to others,
mindful that our steps make an impact and our words carry power.
May we walk gently.
May we speak only after we have listened well.
Creator of all life, help us enter the New Year reverently,
aware that you have endowed, every creature and plant, every person and habitat
with beauty and purpose.
May we regard the world with tenderness.
May we honour rather than destroy.
Lover of all souls, help us enter the New Year joyfully,
willing to hope laugh dance and dream,
Remembering our many gifts with thanks and looking forward to blessings yet to come.
May we welcome your lavish love.
May we cast off the small, vindictive voice our fears make.
May the grace and peace of Christ bless us now and in the days ahead.
Amen.
Vinita Hampton Wright
From the Executive Director
Welcome back to the new school year. I hope everyone had a peaceful and restful Christmas break. After the challenges of the past 3 years, I pray that 2023 will be a calmer and more settled year for us all, as we carry out our noble vocation in the service of our precious students as we enact our vision: As partners in Catholic Education and open to God’s presence, we pursue fullness of life for all.
In regard to the challenges posed by COVID-19 over the previous 3 years I would like to again say I commend you, I am grateful and I am in awe of what you have accomplished during this period. You have been beacons of hope for your community and our wider Diocesan community. As Pope Francis says, “Every moment spent nurturing children and young people is an act of hope for the future.”
A special welcome to new staff who have joined one of our 64 schools across our Diocese this year. Let’s embrace new challenges, support each other and enjoy 2023.
Next week we will have our first DOBCEL Board meeting of the year at St Patrick’s School, Camperdown. DOBCEL Directors will visit schools in the local area and host a dinner for Parish Priests, School Advisory Council chairs and Principals.
Our first Diocesan Leadership Gathering in Horsham will be held on 16th and 17th February. All DOBCEL Principals attend this meeting, which is held in Week 4 of each term. I’m looking forward to catching up with our new and existing Principals.
Tom Sexton
Executive Director, Catholic Education Ballarat
Sisters of Mercy
Condolences
Sr Marie Louise Foley (1928-2023)
Sr Marie Louise, who died on January 10, had a place of note in the history of the Sisters of Mercy, Ballarat in that she was the granddaughter of Andrew Forbes, the parishioner who welcomed the Sisters in 1881 and provided them with accommodation until the site in Victoria Street was obtained. Incidentally, January 10 marked 142 years after their arrival.
Following her profession in 1950, Marie Louise taught in Parish Schools – Ballarat, Mortlake, Clarke’s Hill and St Arnaud, until a medical mishap caused damage to her vocal chords, resulting in her ceasing teaching and moving into administration. She spent time as Congregation Secretary, as secretary at the Catholic Education Office and as Librarian at ACU. Her other ministries included visitation and prayer – for anyone who requested her prayers and for those she thought needed them! She loved people and she maintained an interest in the schools and in education to the end.
Marie Louise’s devotion to Mary was legendary. Her refrain when asked to pray for something was ‘I’ll ask Our Lady’. Ask she did and invariably her prayers were answered!
She died peacefully at Mercy Place Ballarat after a very brief illness.
Jubilarians
Friday January 13 marked 50 years in religious life for Sisters Chris Coughlan and Carmel Giles (Golden Jubilee) and this coming Saturday, February 4, Sr Veronica Lawson will celebrate her 60th anniversary (Diamond Jubilee).
Carmel and Chris taught in many of our Diocesan primary schools:
Carmel:
- St James Sebastopol
- St Patrick’s Manangatang
- St Francis Xavier Ballarat East
- St Mary’s, Warracknabeal
- St Colman’s Mortlake
- Immaculate Heart of Mary, Birchip
- St Alipius, Ballarat East
Chris:
- St Mary’s Warracknabeal
- St Malachy’s Edenhope
- St Columbus Ballarat North,
- St Alipius, Ballarat East
- Our Lady Help of Christians Wendouree
Veronica taught mostly at Sacred Heart College and St Martins in the Pines. She is best known, however, for her years in the Education Faculty at ACU where she taught Biblical Studies to many of the current teachers, Principals (and even the Executive Director of Catholic Education Ballarat)!
CEB joins in congratulating these women and thanking them for the contribution they have made in sharing their gifts and spreading the Good News.
Article submitted by Tom Sexton and Dr Berenice Kerr
Connect with the DOBCEL Catholic Education Ballarat Platforms
2023 Calendars
DOBCEL/CEB Meeting Calendar.
The updated 2023 meeting calendar can be accessed here.
Professional Learning Calendar.
The 2023 Professional Learning calendar is now available here.
For any questions regarding the 2023 calendars please email Kerrie Zammit.
Please note these calendars will no longer be available on the DOBCEL website.
We are currently working on an alternate location for both calendars to be accessible to our communities. Once this location is confirmed, a note will be placed in the weekly newsletter.
Article submitted by Kerrie Zammit & Sarah Johnson
Future Leaders Awards for Senior Secondary Students
Future Leaders is a philanthropic initiative about leadership and our future. It seeks to involve, inform and inspire.
The Future Leaders Awards recognise and reward young Australians who have shown strong leadership and potential. The Awards also aim to inspire others to engage in environmental and community issues that make a difference.
Awards
- Future Leaders Writing Prize
- Helen Handbury Leadership Award
- Future Leaders Future Justice Award
- Future Leaders Photography Prize
Details about the Awards can be found via the Future Leaders website.
Article submitted by Tim O'Farrell
Catholic Education Update
Graduate Teacher Program.
The Graduate Teacher Program, is a three-year program designed to support graduate induction into the Ballarat Diocese and the teaching profession. Graduates will be inducted into the Catholic Tradition and Ethos that underpins the context of our Catholic schools and colleges and the services that are provided to schools through Catholic Education Ballarat.
A more detailed outline of the program and an agenda for day one for First Year Graduates are attached below.
Those schools and colleges with Graduate teachers are asked to complete the attached information sheet and return to Susan Crowe by Wednesday 8th February.
Article submitted by Susan Crowe
Learning and Teaching Update
Professional Learning Opportunity For School Staff: Data Literacy.
This professional learning will be facilitated by Dr Selena Fisk, data storyteller, working with educators to bring data to life to make evidence-informed decisions.
There will be a focus on developing strategic approaches to the collection, collation and usage of data and equipping school staff at all levels to have highly effective conversations about data to allow informed decisions to be made based on evidence.
The learning will take place throughout the year as outlined below:
- Term 1 - face to face with Selena Fisk.
- Terms 2 & 3 - webinars facilitated by CEB Teams.
- End of Term 3 - presentation of school’s Action Research Learning.
The face to face dates in term one will be from March 20th-24th in four locations-
- March 20th - Mildura
- March 21st - Horsham
- March 22nd - Warrnambool
- March 24th - Ballarat
Please note: locations and venues will be confirmed based on registrations, which will close on Thursday 16th February 2023. Each face to face day is 9am-3pm.
Cost - $100 per person; morning tea and lunch will be provided.
Please contact your Education Officer for any further questions.
Article Submitted by Mel Willis
People and Development Update
Flourish Wellbeing eMagazine – February 2023
The February 2023 edition of Converge International’s Flourish Health and Wellbeing eMag is now available.
Featured Articles:
- How alcohol impacts your mental health
- Tell-tale signs an employee is looking to quit (and how to keep them)
- NEW! - Podcasts – simple tips for good mental health
Also in this edition:
- The connection between exercise and mental health
- Your gut and mental health
- What to eat for better sleep
- Ovarian Cancer Australia’s Giving Day
- How financially fit are you?
- And more...
For more information about the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) visit Converge International website.
The new CONVERGE APP!
As part of our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) we have partnered with Converge International to help you optimise your health and wellbeing at work and at home 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
At DOBCEL your health and wellbeing is important, with the Converge App you can book a confidential phone chat or appointment directly from the app. You will also have access to your own health dashboard with plenty of personalised insights and recommendations to help you be at your best.
The Converge App is freely 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
Our employee’s personal information is secure and no information from the app is shared with anyone. Converge International handle personal information in accordance with all relevant privacy laws.
If you need help with the app or have any questions, Converge are there to help. You have access to online FAQs and can contact customer support directly from the app.
Article submitted by Tania Lund
Career Opportunities in the Diocesan Education Community
School Vacancies.
- Classroom Teacher – St Joseph’s College, Mildura – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 10 February)
- Casual Relief Teachers – St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, Warracknabeal (closes 23 June)
Article submitted by Jo Huntley