Weekly Newsletter #2 - 8 February 2023
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Reflection
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DOBCEL Board Meeting 2023
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From the Executive Director
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Connect with the DOBCEL Catholic Education Ballarat Platforms
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Condolences
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Our Diocesan Community 2023
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Future Leaders Awards for Senior Secondary Students
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Catholic Education Update
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Wellbeing Team Update
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Learning and Teaching Update
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Resources for Lent 2023
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New Staff Members for 2023
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Career Opportunities in the Diocesan Education Community
Reflection
Prophets - A Call to Transformation
Schools are places of the prophets! All of us in Catholic Education are called to be prophets. The word prophet in ancient Greek phophetes means “one who speaks for God.” In Hebrew the term for prophet is nabi which means “the one who is called.” At the beginning of 2023 let us take time to reflect upon what we are called to do in Catholic Education and how Christians may announce the presence of God through their words and actions. In many respects those involved in Catholic Education participate in the work of prophets. What does this mean for us? Joan Chittister explains the work of a prophet in the following way:
The prophet does more than denounce evil. Instead, prophetic spirituality envisions a world in which justice and equality, peace and community, are the norm rather than the struggle. It is the prophet of our time who leads the way to the development of an alternative vision of life by imagining a new normal. Today’s prophets prepare for the reconstruction of society by imagining the achievable and drawing others to see it as well p. 52
The truth is, every generation, and every segment of society has its prophets. These people we recount with pride, were the builders and the truth tellers who exposed corruption and worked with the underlings of society. They were missionaries and holy pioneers, spiritual leaders and protectors of the oppressed. Because of them, the entire society was better in the end – no matter how much resistance they faced as they began their small and local projects for peace, justice and equality. p. 132
Chittister, J. (2019) The Time is Now A Call to Uncommon Courage Convergent New York
Let us pray
Help Us To Be There
Holy, Life-Giving Spirit,
Infuse in us your ability to remain present to Your people.
Help us to be there,
To be right there,
For the people who need us.
There for young people,
There for the elderly,
There for our colleagues
There for the brokenhearted;
Fire our hearts with your life-changing presence.
Even though we know you to be everywhere and in everything,
Give us the ability to be fully in one place at a time,
Open and ready to love.
Amen.
- Author Unknown
DOBCEL Board Meeting 2023
The first DOBCEL Board meeting for 2023 was held at St Patrick’s School in Camperdown this week. On Tuesday evening, the Directors and CEB staff hosted a very successful dinner for local School Advisory Council Chairs, Parish Priests and Principals. As part of the Board Directors’ commitment to visit all schools within the Diocese on an annual basis, they began the year with school visits to Casterton, Penshurst, Dennington, Port Fairy, Mortlake, Hamilton, Terang, Colac and Camperdown.
From the Executive Director
Last week Fr Kevin Maloney, Vicar General of the Diocese, sent out his first newsletter of the year. I believe Fr Kevin’s opening article contains an important and powerful message for us in regard to the future of our Church.
In 2013 Pope Francis wrote Evangelii Gaudium in response to the 2012 meeting of the Synod of Bishops devoted to the subject of the new evangelization. Many believe the document can be best summed up in the statement: “I dream of a ‘missionary option’, that is, a missionary impulse capable of transforming everything, so that the Church’s customs, ways of doing things, times and schedules, language and structures can be suitably channelled for the evangelization of today’s world rather than for her self-preservation” (#27). Evangelii Gaudium touches on many of the themes of Francis' papacy, including obligations Christians have to the poor and the duty to establish and maintain just economic, political and legal orders. This is a huge statement. The Pope believes the Church has been in self-preservation mode for too long. Pope Francis is calling for our Church to thrive by choosing the missionary option in everything that we do.
The Plenary Council and the process for the Synod of Bishops reflect some of the insights of Evangelii Gaudium. They have incorporated the involvement of the grass-roots church community in relation to setting the agenda. Forever Church hierarchy structures have presented decisions and process to be followed. This shift towards more consultation has been appreciated by many. Both agendas arouse from universal dialogue recognising the Pope’s desire for sodality in diversity of opinion. We are at the beginning of this synodal process. A lot more thought and development needs to occur before these processes are perfected. The more people participating in the decision making, the more diversity. There usually is greater learning if those taking part are from a variety of backgrounds. The Church seems to be in a learning spiral at the moment with the current ecclesial crisis making people so aware of clericalism and its dangers. It is now imperative to find a way of collaborative leadership.
Sr Nathalie Becquart, the first-ever woman undersecretary of the Synod of Bishops, says Church decisions must involve listening to as many Catholics as possible. She says that synodality means walking together along a common path. A synodal Church is one in which everyone has a voice. Synodality is an inclusive Church concerned with relationships and diversity. Pope Francis has made it clear that the coming Synod must result from a process that emanates from the very roots of the Church.
The gathering in October 2023 will be the final step for the Synod of Bishops after discussions at the diocesan, national and continental levels have taken place. We are called to listen first to one another and then to the Holy Spirit. The Church is both a human and a divine reality; it is the Body of Christ, the People of God and the Temple of the Holy Spirit, a special and unique organisation. In order to understand all the dimensions of the Church we need to appreciate its human and spiritual dimension. Sr Becquart stresses the importance of decision makers not seeing themselves as a separate body but as part of the community. She said true synodality means listening to one another even if, in the final instance, one person has to shoulder the sole responsibility. "It makes a great difference if someone decides alone or listens to the community."
Most of the recipients of this email are associated with ministry in the diocese in one form or another. The events of recent years are moving the Catholic Church Community towards new forms of association. As old structures disappear and new ones form there will be grieving but also joy-filled new beginnings and hopefully, a quickening of the heart.
With every blessing and best wishes,
Fr Kevin Maloney VG
Tom Sexton
Executive Director, Catholic Education Ballarat
Connect with the DOBCEL Catholic Education Ballarat Platforms
Condolences
Our condolences and prayers are extended to Fr Andrew Hayes, Parish Priest of Holy Spirit Parish (Ararat and Stawell) on the death of his father on Sunday. The life of Alwyn 'Jock' Hayes will be celebrated on Monday 13th February at 10.30am at St Patrick's Cathedral.
May he rest in peace.
Our Diocesan Community 2023
The Ballarat Diocesan print publication “Our Diocesan Community” (ODC), jointly sponsored by the Diocese and Catholic Education Ballarat, will again be published three times during 2023. Attached is the timeline of publication.
The aim of “Our Diocesan Community” is to share the good news of the many initiatives taking place in our parishes, schools and agencies around the Diocese. ODC is distributed to all parishes, and families and staff of primary and secondary schools of the Diocese. Contributors to ODC are the people of the diocesan community. The only way the editorial committee hear of the good things happening in the various communities is if they are written and contributed from the local level. It is helpful if an ODC contact person in each parish/school/agency is present to assist with the gathering of news and distribution of the magazine. If you are able to provide a contact person please email their contact details to odc@ballarat.catholic.org.au.
The ODC Editorial Committee now invite your contribution to the first issue for 2023. The focus for this year will be International Year of the Millet/Synod of Synodality/Plenary Council. They hope to gather stories and examples of new initiatives and experiences in the Catholic community – schools, parishes and agencies from all around the Diocese. They also invite you to share significant events that may have taken place over the last few months in your parish, school communities and agencies.
With hope, this first issue of “Our Diocesan Community” will be delivered in the week beginning March 27 so the latest date for submissions to this issue is Friday, February 17.
Articles should be approximately 250 words maximum in length and accompanied by photos where possible. Photos should be sent as separate JPEG files (not inserted into a Word document). Material can be sent to odc@ballarat.catholic.org.au. A reminder that when sending in photos, permission should be sought from those in the pictures. From time-to-time, these photos will also be used in other diocesan publications.
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
Teaching Resources: Internship program, First Nations perspectives and next Q&A session.
Internship Program 2023 - Applications welcome!
This year’s Australian Catholics media internship program offers Years 10 and 11 students across the country an introduction to a career in the media.
The week-long program (8 to 12 May 2023) is a valuable opportunity to engage with media industry leaders, build a greater understanding of the media, and produce an edition of the largest circulating Catholic print publication in the country.
Successful applicants form the guest editorial team for the Spring edition of Australian Catholics and work with staff to plan, workshop, and write articles for that edition. Read more.
Updated AC+ Resources Guide on First Nations perspectives
Here is a collection of resources helpful in engaging students in reflection and conversation around First Nations perspectives.
Other upcoming events:
PROFESSIONAL LEARNING - Q&A session ‘WHAT WAS JESUS LIKE?’
Topic: ‘What was Jesus like?’ Facilitating lively classroom conversations about Jesus and his life
Guest: John Honner, more to be confirmed
Date: Tuesday 21 February 2023
Time: 4:30pm - 5:30pm (AEDT)
Dr John Honner joins us to talk about how teachers might engage creatively in the classroom with some of the questions students have about Jesus and his life. Sign up for the session here.
Article submitted by Kate Lawry
Graduate Teacher Program (First, Second and Third Year Graduates).
The Graduate Teacher Program, is a three year program designed to support graduate induction in to the Ballarat Diocese and the teaching profession. Within the context of the Ballarat Diocese, 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. Further information here.
If you have not already done so, Principals are requested to complete the attached information template and return to Susan Crowe before Friday 10th February.
Education for Sustainability
Planet Ark
Do you have an environmental project that needs support?
The Seedling Bank is Planet Ark’s nature restoration grants initiative. The program provides funding for schools and community groups to plant seedlings in their local area and work on environmental projects that will have a positive environmental and community impact.
The next round of grants from Planet Ark will be the biggest yet – with funding for over 50,000 seedlings. For further information, see here.
Article submitted by Susan Crowe
Wellbeing Team Update
Smiling Mind Primary School Program — limited places funded by the Australian Government Department of Education.
The Australian Government has provided funding for 300 new primary schools to participate in this evidence-based whole-school social and emotional learning. It is also mapped to the Australian Curriculum, and included in the Be You Programs Directory.
Commencing delivery of the 2023 program from March. Expressions of interest are now open. Further information is here.
Offers will be made on a rolling basis and registrations are already open for training cohorts in both Terms 1 and 2.
CEB Wellbeing Team Staffing Update.
Senior Education Officer Learning Diversity, Susan Rampling is currently on Long Service Leave until May 29th, 2023.
During this time, the following adjustments to staffing within the CEB Wellbeing Team have been made to allow coverage of Susan’s Senior Education Officer role and subsequent backfill for those people taking on additional duties.
- Lisa Templar (Central Zone), Monique Ryan (Northern Zone) and Kate Sadler (Southern Zone) will each address specific aspects of the Senior Education Officer Role.
- Lisa will increase from 0.8 to full time for this period.
- Jacqui Pierce (LDL St Patrick’s Primary School Ballarat) to take on 0.4 at CEB to support Lisa’s current schools. Thanks to St Patrick’s Primary school for their willingness to share Jacqui’s talents!
- Maria Richards (new Learning Diversity Education Officer in the mid-North region) to increase from 0.6 to full time for this period.
- Nicole Jenkins (Learning Diversity Education Officer – Central Zone) to increase from 0.8 to full time.
Issues related to student referrals, ROSAE, NCCD, Contingency funding and all other 'learning Diversity’ related matters should be referred to your allocated Learning Diversity Education Officer and where necessary they will be passed onto the relevant Senior Education Officer.
Article submitted by Tony Perkins
Learning and Teaching Update
Pretend Play Professional Learning Opportunity.
St James’ Parish School, Sebastopol are offering all schools the opportunity to participate in Pretend Play professional learning in 2023.
- Where: St James’ Parish School Hall. Vale Street via church car park
- Date: Monday, February 20, 2023
- Facilitators: Professor Louise Paatsch and staff from St James’ Parish School
- Time: 9.30am-2.00pm
- Booking: Contact School Administration on 03 53358750
This presentation discusses the melting pot of pretend play, that is, the explanation of why pretend play is linked to language, narrative, metacommunication, metacognition, social competence, self-regulation, problem solving and creativity. In particular, this presentation goes into depth on the links between pretend play and oral language and narrative. Underpinning this knowledge, a brief introduction will be made into the neurobiology of play and how play can impact on brain development in children.
The development of the skills involved in pretend play will be presented as a background to the Pretend Play Checklist for Teachers. The administration and scoring of the Pretend Play Checklist for Teachers will be presented in detail.
The presentation will be supported by videos of children playing. Analysis will be undertaken on the play skills observed and what this would mean for the child’s oral language.
Staff at St James’ will present Pretend Play in action from P-6. Tours of each Learning Community will support the transfer from theory to application.
Please contact St James for further information and to register your interest.
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.
Country Education Partnership.
CEP are offering a Professional Development Series through 4 webinars in March.
The Autumn series will focus on the demands associated with working in the education industry and balancing educators' own health and well-being. Specifically designed by educators, for educators, this season consists of 4 highly interactive sessions.
- Stay informed on the latest industry trends and strategies to enhance your own well-being.
- Learn from experts in the field and discover new ways to navigate the challenges of the education industry.
- Participate in highly interactive sessions that provide participants with the opportunity to ask questions and receive feedback from educational industry experts.
Sign up now and take the next step towards professional growth and well-being.
Please email Samantha Meerbach for further information.
Resources for Lent 2023
This year, Ash Wednesday is on 22nd February. The following resources may be useful for staff prayer and reflection during Lent.
These resources are intended for adult formation. They can be used by individuals, at a whole staff prayer gathering or in a way that best suits the context of your school community.
2022 Stations of The Cross: Renew the Earth Resource - JRS USA.
Access here, this booklet may be suitable for staff prayer each week during Lent.
Lenten Prayers.
This site provides several prayers that may be suitable for staff prayer during the Season of Lent.
Parish Booklet - Project Compassion 2023.
A Project Compassion 2023 Parish booklet that includes checklists to help run Project Compassion in your parish/school along with this year's stories, weekly reflections, prayers of intercession, fundraising guidelines and a list of who to contact for further information.
This may be suitable to use with the staff of your school.
The Hand Examen: A prayer for all - The Summit Online.
The hand Examen, is not a prayer that has been formulated particularly for the Season of Lent, though it may be a meaningful way that adults can enter into prayer. View here.
2023 Daily Reflection - Action Calendar to Cultivate Creation Justice.
A calendar that outlines concrete actions for each day during the Lenten journey. It is from an American perspective but could be modified for your context.
Download calendar here.
Mercy International Association: Ash Wednesday Prayer Service.
A prayer service for adults to use on Ash Wednesday from “Mercy World”.
Article submitted by Jim Waight
New Staff Members for 2023
We welcome the following staff members to Catholic Education Ballarat.
Joseph Ewing, Leader: Learning and Teaching. Joe comes to us from St Pius X in Warrnambool where he was most recently Principal.
Jo McKee, EA to the Deputy Director: Stewardship. Jo comes to us from St Patrick’s College Ballarat.
Maria Richards, Education Officer: Learning Diversity (Mid-North). Maria has come to us from St Patrick’s College Ballarat.
Jacqui Pierce, Education Officer: Learning Diversity. Jacqui has joined us on secondment from St Patrick’s Parish Primary School until May 2023.
Vicky Hodgson, Compliance and Risk Support Officer. Vicky was previously employed by Federation University.
Paul Brown, Compliance and Risk Support Officer. Paul has previously been in this role as a school employee.
Cheryl O’Dwyer, Visiting Teacher: Sensory Impairments (Southern Zone). Cheryl comes to us from the Diocese of Sandhurst.
Career Opportunities in the Diocesan Education Community
Catholic Education Ballarat.
- Capital Works Project Delivery Officer – Ballarat Office - ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes Monday 20 February)
- Talent Acquisition Partner – Ballarat Office – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes Monday 27 February)
School Vacancies.
- Classroom Teacher – St Joseph’s College, Mildura – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 10 February)
- Classroom Support/The Arts – St Augustine’s School, Creswick – fixed-term position at 0.6 FTE (closes 10 February)
- Instrumental Music Tutor – St Patrick’s College, Ballarat – casual, relief position (closes 12 February)
- Classroom Teacher – St Mary’s School, Swan Hill – fixed-term position at 1.0 FTE (closes 17 February)
- Learning Support Officer – St Alipius’ Parish School, Ballarat East – fixed-term position at 0.8 FTE (closes 17 February)
- Junior Classroom Teacher – St Joseph’s Catholic School, Charlton – fixed-term position at 1.0 FTE (closes 27 February)
- Learning Support Officer – St Patrick’s College, Ballarat – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 28 February)
- Casual Relief Teachers – St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, Warracknabeal (closes 23 June)
Article submitted by Jo Huntley