Weekly Newsletter #10 - 21 Apr 2021
Reflection
Shalom
Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” John 20:19
After his resurrection, when Jesus comes to the disciples, his first word is "Peace."
The Hebrew word Shalom means far more than what is conveyed by its English translation, "peace." Shalom in the Old Testament carries the sense of wholeness, or completion (Coloe, 2013). After coming through death to resurrected life, Jesus offers a peace that this world cannot give. In John’s recount of the post-resurrection appearance to the disciples, Jesus repeats the phrase Peace be with you; firstly showing them his wounds, and secondly by breathing the Holy Spirit down upon them. The first action complements his words on the cross: “It is finished” (19:30), indicating that the first creation is complete. Jesus' second action is reminiscent of God breathing upon the earth creature to generate life in the Genesis creation narrative (Gen. 2:1). Jesus breathing on his disciples suggests a new creation, one that brings wholeness and compels the believer into mission.
During this Easter season, and as we begin a new term as bearers of Jesus’ mission, may we be reminded of his invitation to “Receive the Holy Spirit… as the Father has sent me,
I am sending you.” (John 20:21)
From the Executive Director
Welcome back to Term 2, I hope you have had a restful Easter break. Last week all CEB staff met and during the meeting we spent time discussing Sir Ken Robinson’s education legacy. At yesterday’s CEB leadership meeting, in Horsham, we committed to exploring Sir Ken’s legacy and aligning it with our core work over the coming years. I would encourage schools to review Sir Ken’s work during the course of this year as he has provided a powerful vision for a holistic education which I believe fits hand in glove with our own vision: As partners in Catholic education and open to God’s presence, we pursue fullness of life for all. A good place to start can be found here: Sir Ken’s Ted Talks.
I am looking forward to visiting all the Central Zone schools this term, starting today. I will also visit the handful of Northern and Southern zone schools I missed in Term 1.
The Australian Early Development Census (AEDC) commences this term. I would strongly encourage all our primary schools to undertake this census. Findings from the AEDC can help schools identify areas where children and families in their community require additional support to achieve positive outcomes. The AEDC can be used to start conversations that raise awareness of the importance of the early years, develop relationships with local early childhood education services and assist with the understanding of vulnerability and protective factors in the community.
Yesterday, I had the privilege of attending the funeral of Sr Monica Butler RSM, Sr Mon spent 50 years across 15 schools of her life devoted to education in our diocese as both a teacher and principal. What a magnificent legacy, staff, students and their families have been blessed to have had Sr Mon in their lives. She spent most of her religious life involved in education in rural areas of the Ballarat Diocese and had been a primary school teacher since 1951 in various locations including Birchip, Ballarat East, Edenhope, Mortlake, Penshurst, Whycheproof, Timboon and Sebastopol. She was also Principal at Dunnstown, Ballarat East, Donald, Manangatang and Mortlake.
We are delighted to invite representatives from all schools in the diocese to the 200 Years of Catholic Education – Celebration of Eucharist to be held on Monday 24 May. Further information below.
Registrations are now open for the two-day Faith in the Future – Pastor and Principal Forum, to be held at the Mercure Ballarat on 13-14 May. Further information below.
CEB Staff Appointments
Appointment of HR Advisor
Jo Huntley has commenced in a new fixed term role until the end of 2021, assisting Michael Trainor, HR Manager with providing HR support to CEB and DOBCEL schools. Jo will be focused on developing HR systems and protocols for recruitment and onboarding, in addition to responding to general HR queries. Jo will be located with the People and Development team at the Ballarat Office and can be contacted on 03 5337 7123.
Master of Psychology (Clinical) Placement, Mildura
This week we welcome Natalia Williams to the Mildura Office. Natalia, who is currently completing her qualifications as a clinical psychologist at Federation University will work in schools in the Mildura region as part of her final field placement for two days each week over the course of Terms 2 and 3. Natalia will liaise with Senior Psychologist Allan Hutchison and the Wellbeing Team to determine her caseload. This will add to CEB’s capacity to complete necessary student assessments and provide feedback to schools. Natalia’s placement is in addition to the appointment of Patrice Rickard as a full time Psychologist based in the Northern Zone. Patrice will commence on Monday 3 May.
Tom Sexton
Executive Director, Catholic Education Ballarat
DOBCEL Policy Implementation Update
VRQA requires all DOBCEL schools to implement policies and procedures by mid-2021.
Summary Documents
The below Summary Documents outline policy and procedure key points and changes, actions required by schools by Wednesday 5 May, and the document locations in eSORT.
- Risk Management
- Complaint Management Policy and Procedure
- Employee Grievance Policy and Procedure
- Prevention of Bullying, Harassment and Discrimination Policy and Procedure
Accompanying Videos and Attachments
The below accompanying videos provide the summary information but in Powerpoint slide format with audio, along with related attachments.
- Accompanying videos and attachments for Summary Document 1:
- Accompanying video for Summary Documents 2-4
Policy Implementation Timeline
The current the Policy Implementation Timeline is available to download.
VIT Update
Changes in a recent government Bill relate to functions undertaken by the Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT) in relation to registered teachers and Initial Teacher Education courses, including pathways programs.
The key changes are:
- clarifying and streamlining the VIT’s inquiry and investigation process, so the VIT can deal more efficiently with its disciplinary case load;
- removing a person’s eligibility for provisional registration where they have previously been provisionally registered for six years, except in special circumstances, so that teachers who have not satisfied the requirements for full registration are not able to continue teaching indefinitely under consecutive grants of provisional registration;
- empowering VIT to reinstate a person’s registration within 12 months of expiry in special circumstances, reducing the administrative burden for the VIT and for affected teachers;
- broadening VIT’s powers to share information, including with other regulators and interstate teacher registration authorities, in response to a Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse recommendation to improve child safety; and
- clarifying the Minister’s powers in relation to the VIT, VCAA and VRQA, and making explicit that matters determined by VIT in relation to a particular individual are exempt from the Minister’s powers, thereby protecting the independence of VIT’s decision making in relation to individuals.
Most provisions in the Act will commence on a date to be proclaimed, but three changes commence immediately – these are:
- The information sharing powers
- The Delegations changes
- The Minister’s powers changes.
Transitional provisions are also effective immediately. It is important to note that in relation to the changes to provisional registration, a transitional arrangement will apply on commencement of the provision (expected to be 1 July 2021), which will enable a teacher who has been provisionally registered for six or more years to apply for a further period of provisional registration for 12 months, during which time they can work to achieve the requirements for full registration.
CEB Updates
Faith in the Future – Pastor and Principal Forum Registrations Now Open
Registrations are now open for the Faith in the Future – Pastor and Principal Forum, to be held at the Mercure Ballarat on 13-14 May. Please note that this is a two day event, as detailed in the updated flyer and on the registration page. Registrations close on Friday 7 May.
Diocesan Leadership Gathering Dinner Attendance
There is still availability for principals and designated staff to attend the Diocesan Leadership Gathering Dinner on Friday 14 May. For those who have not yet notified CEB of their attendance, please contact Debbie Stabek via email or on 03 5337 7190 as soon as possible.
Respectful Relationships and Consent Education
Principals would be aware of the recent media attention given to the area of consent education in schools and Minister Merlino’s announcement that from Term 2 this year, the teaching of consent will be mandatory in all government schools in an age-appropriate way.
The Victorian government has also indicated that the Respectful Relationships initiative will directly address the issue of consent. The Department of Education and Training (DET) has announced funding for an Expression of Interest process for Catholic schools to participate in the RRE initiative as a ‘Partner school’.
New Partner schools will receive $4000 funding for one year to implement a whole-school approach to respectful relationships education. Schools will also be able to access professional learning and support through specialist DET regional RRE staff and local schools clusters.
The RRE ‘Partner school’ Expression of Interest is now open via DET’s website and closes on Monday 31 May.
Further information on Respectful Relationships Education in the Diocese of Ballarat is attached, and enquiries on this or the DET Partner School initiative can be directed to Tony Perkins or Liz McIntyre.
Child Information Sharing Scheme (CISS) & Family Violence Information Sharing Scheme (FVISS)
Schools are now required to respond to information sharing requests and can make requests and proactively share information in accordance with the CISS and FVISS to promote child wellbeing or safety and/or manage the risk of family violence.
The following resources are provided to assist schools in meeting the schemes' requirements and assisting with communication to school communities.
- Update April 2021: Child Information Sharing Scheme and Family Violence Information Sharing Scheme (Word document)
- Sample School Newsletter Statement (Word document)
- Email Templates to assist with CISS & FVISS (Word document)
- CEB Presentation for Schools – Information Sharing (Powerpoint)
- Sample School Procedures – CISS FVISS Overview (Word document flowchart)
For enquiries, please contact:
- Tony Perkins, Leader: Wellbeing on 5337 7105 or tperkins@ceob.edu.au
- Tim O’Farrell, Manager Safeguarding and Standards on 5337 7175 or tofarrell@ceob.edu.au
New CEB Organisational Chart
A new version of the CEB Organisational Chart is available on our website. An updated version of the Directory will be available next week.
Mathematics Professional Learning Opportunities
Peter Sullivan - Learning through Challenging Mathematical Tasks
Peter Sullivan will present Professional Learning - Learning through Challenging Mathematical Tasks to improve teacher practice and student outcomes in Mathematics through the planning and presentation of challenging problem solving tasks. See further information and booking details here.
EMU Ongoing Days
The philosophy underpinning the Extending Mathematical Understanding approach is that all children can learn successfully, given time and opportunities to engage in high quality mathematics programs that are designed to meet their particular needs (Gervasoni & Lindenskov, 2001). See further information and booking details here.
Preparing Leadership for Post-Pandemic Wellbeing Challenges: Free Webinar
Converge International offers a series of free webinars to support leaders to understand and navigate post-pandemic mental health challenges.
Leaders have faced many new and complex challenges over the past year. And, it continues both personally and supporting staff through many unknowns.
The next webinar is scheduled for Tuesday 27 April, from (midday) 12pm to 12.45pm.
Hear from Converge International’s Head of People Assist, Cate Page, about the expected ‘long term fall-out of the pandemic’ and skills leaders require navigating the new climate.
You will learn about exclusive tools, the Manager Assist Portal and how to connect team leaders and staff directly to Converge resources and support services.
Register here and download a Wellbeing Strategy Health Check tip sheet.
Flourish Wellbeing eMagazine
The latest edition of Flourish Wellbeing eMag is available to download. In this edition:
- Influenza - what you need to know
- Kidney health
- Blue Tree project
- Sexual harassment and the workplace
- Healthcare, choose wisely
- Recipe: reduced carb Mexican pork
Reminder: EAL Research Project - Expressions of Interest Invited
Home languages in the English classroom: Working with multilingual stories
Expressions of interest are sought from schools in the Diocese of Ballarat to take part in a joint CECV / Monash University research project, beginning in Term 3, 2021. This professional learning and research project has been designed to guide teachers and schools to work with a plurilingual approach and is aimed initially at upper primary classes and involves professional learning for teachers as well as data collection and onsite visits and observations.
Further details on the project are available here. If your school is interested in participating, please contact Sue Paulka via email for further details.
Reminder: Invitation to Collaborate - Online Forum
Strengthening student engagement through student voice and agency is emerging as a growing priority for our schools. CEB invites schools who may be interested in co-designing professional learning in this area to participate in an online forum on Monday 26 April from 2pm - 3pm.
Please contact Susan Kern to register or Sue Paulka for further information.
Reminder: Annual Report to School Community 2020
A reminder that ARSC reports are to be completed before Monday 31 May. Before the report can be finalised, it needs to be submitted to the EduDocs site via CEVN, for final approval. To support Principals in this process, there are a number of guidelines on the ARSC site to assist with submitting the report to VRQA via CECV.
Reminder: Are New Staff Starting at your School in Term 2?
Does your school have any new staff starting in Term 2? If so, please contact Emma Newman to add their email address to the Weekly Newsletter mailing list.
200 Years of Catholic Education - Faith in the Future Updates
Invitation to All Schools: 200 Years of Catholic Education – Celebration of Eucharist
Please find attached an invitation to all schools of the diocese to join in celebrating 200 Years of Catholic Education across the nation on Monday 24 May.
The DOBCEL Board is inviting every school in the diocese to send a representative group of students to attend the Mass for the Feast of Our Lady Help of Christians. Due to COVID restrictions, the Cathedral can accommodate only 300 students and teachers, therefore we are suggesting five student representatives and one teacher from each school.
It is understood that this Mass is complementary to local celebrations planned for this day and for many schools this may mean substantial travel, if you wish to offer your places to a school with greater availability, please feel free to do so – however, if you could inform Dr Susan Crowe of your generosity, this would be appreciated.
Please RSVP by Friday 7 May to SCrowe@ceoballarat.catholic.edu.au.
Liturgical Resources
Liturgical resources to support local celebration are now available on our website, and have been developed through the CEB Catholic Identity and Mission team.
March Newsletter
The 200 Years of Catholic Education March newsletter is available to download.
Career Opportunities in the Diocesan Education Community
CEB Vacancies
Speech Pathologist
Fixed Term: Parental Leave replacement for 2021 school year
Part-time position: 0.8 FTE
Location: Horsham
Closes: 9am on Monday 3 May
Education Officer, English as an Additional Language
Fixed Term until end of 2021 School year.
Part-time (0.4 FTE/2 days per week)
Location: a negotiated choice of Ballarat, Mildura, Horsham, Swan Hill, Warrnambool office locations
Closes: 9am on Monday 3 May
Education Consultant: Northern Zone
Fixed Term: 5 Year Contract
Full Time: 1 FTE
Location: a negotiated choice of Mildura, Horsham or Swan Hill office locations
Closes: Monday 26 April
School Vacancies
School vacancies are listed here.
From Around the Diocese
MEL and DOBCEL sign Service Level Agreement
Whilst visiting Emmanuel College, Warrnambool at the end of term 1, Mr Christopher Houlihan, CEO of Mercy Education Limited (MEL), signed the first service level agreement between DOBCEL and Mercy Education Limited, which governs both Emmanuel College, Warrnambool and St Joseph’s College, Mildura.
The service level agreement outlines the services provided by Catholic Education Ballarat on behalf of DOBCEL to both Emmanuel College, Warrnambool and St Joseph’s College, Mildura.
Other service level agreements between DOBCEL and the other secondary colleges within the Ballarat Diocese governed by Religious Institute and Ministerial PJPs will be signed during term 2.
The service level agreement now formalises the long tradition of co-operation and close relationship between Catholic Education Ballarat and the six secondary college governed by religious institutes since 1875 when Loreto College, Ballarat was established.
The six secondary college within the Ballarat Diocese governed by Religious Institutes or Ministerial PJPs are:
- Loreto College, Ballarat - governed by Loreto ministries
- St Patrick’s College, Ballarat - governed by Edmund Rice Education Australia
- Emmanuel College, Warrnambool - governed by Mercy Education Limited
- Marian College, Ararat - governed by Kildare Ministries
- St Joseph’s College, Mildura - governed by Mercy Education Limited
- Monivae College, Hamilton - governed by Missionaries of the Sacred Heart
A Way to Re-Ignite the Spark
All in the Ballarat diocese are invited to join a conversation about faith during and after COVID-19, looking at people’s experiences, where to next and how does the Plenary Council fit in.
The session will be held on Thursday 6 May at 7pm via Zoom. You can zoom in yourself or perhaps organise a zoom gathering in your local community and join together. Please contact Jane Collins for registrations and further information.
“Liturgy and Sacraments in a COVID World: Renewal not Restoration” Public Lecture
On Monday 17 May the ACU Centre for Liturgy is proud to present an online public lecture by Monsignor Professor Kevin W Irwin on “Liturgy and Sacraments in a COVID World: Renewal not Restoration”. Monsignor Irwin held the Walter J. Schmitz Chair of Liturgical Studies (2000-2015) at Catholic University of America where he is currently an Ordinary Research Professor and where he has previously served as Dean of the School of Theology and Religious Studies (2005-2011). He is the author of over twenty books and seventy journal articles. The public lecture will run from 10.00am – 11.30am AEST via Zoom. See further information and registration details.
From Other Dioceses and Beyond
CSVP School Parent Opportunity
Catholic School Parents Victoria (CSPV), along with CEB, invites you to provide a parent from your learning community, the opportunity to connect directly with Catholic School Parents Victoria - please see details.
Since 2007, Catholic School Parents Victoria (CSPV) have been committed to developing parents as partners in education, working collaboratively alongside educators to develop parent leadership and provide a forum for parent perspective on critical state issues in education.
If you don’t already have a CSPV parent representative, your school community is missing out!
CSVP Connect Webinar - Supporting Parents of Children with Anxiety
For families struggling to support a young child or teenager with anxiety: Catholic School Parents Victoria (CSPV) is providing this opportunity for you to learn from leading anxiety speaker and educator Dr Jodi Richardson. Jodi is the best-selling co-author of Anxious Kids and a regular media commentator on issues related to anxiety, wellbeing and parenting. This free 90 minute Webinar will provide you with strategies to know how to respond, how you can help, when to seek professional help and much more.
The seminar will be held on Saturday 24 April from 10:30am-12pm. Register here and download the flyer.
Palms Australia
Palms Australia is committed to preparing Australians able to assist our parish and school partners in low-income communities abroad. See attached to explore the exciting opportunities this initiative could provide for teachers in your school.
Share your skills to help develop the capacity of overseas organisations and the abilities of their people. Low-income communities seek sustainable solutions to poverty, not through money or gifts, but by building self-reliance. All trades and professions are called to assist this mission. Enquire now to properly prepare for a placement in 2022.
For further information join the Palms online InfoZoom on Sunday 2 May, visit palms.org.au, or phone Palms on 02 9560 5333. The Palms poster can also be downloaded.
Good Shepherd Sunday: Word Day of Vocations - 25 April (Fourth Sunday of Easter)
World Day of Vocations: Pope Francis tells us: "There can be no greater joy than to risk one’s life for the Lord! I would like to say this especially to you, the young. Do not be deaf to the Lord’s call. If he calls you to follow this path, do not pull your oars into the boat, but trust him. Let us pray for the young people in our community, and in our families and circle of friends. May our prayers help them to be open to the Lord’s call to consecrated life or priesthood."
Pope Francis – Message for 2021 World Day of Vocations. Saint Joseph: “The Dream of Vocation ‘God looks on the heart (cf. 1 Sam 16:7), and in Saint Joseph he recognized the heart of a father, able to give and generate life in the midst of daily routines. Vocations have this same goal: To beget and renew lives every day. The Lord desires to shape the hearts of fathers and mothers: Hearts that are open, capable of great initiatives, generous in self-giving, compassionate in comforting anxieties and steadfast in strengthening hopes. The priesthood and the consecrated life greatly need these qualities nowadays, in times marked by fragility but also by the sufferings due to the pandemic, which has spawned uncertainties and fears about the future and the very meaning of life. Saint Joseph comes to meet us in his gentle way, as one of ‘the saints next door.’ At the same time, his strong witness can guide us on the journey.’”
A prayer request: We remember to pray for all our young people in our Diocese and their future. They are the present, future and hope of the Church. God has a plan and hope for all of them to live out their vocational call whatever that may be - marriage, the single life and also amongst them are some who would make a good priest or religious. Holy Hours with prayer before the Blessed Sacrament are good opportunities for the parish to gather in silence to listen, discern and pray for the future of our young people. Let us support them and those entrusted to their formation especially parents, educators and role models, with our prayers.
Enquiry Day for prospective Seminarians at Corpus Christi College - May 22, 2021: An Enquiry Day for any young man who is interested to know more about a Diocesan Priestly vocation will be held at Corpus Christi College, Carlton for all dioceses in the province. If you know of anyone who may be interested, please email Fr Edward Moloney or Fr James Kerr.