Weekly Newsletter #20 - 12 July 2023
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Reflection
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From the Bishop
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From the Executive Director
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World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly
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PL Opportunity - The Heart of Leadership
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Graduate Retreat – Primary and Secondary
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People and Development Update
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Caritas Australia Resource
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Student Wellbeing Update
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Learning and Teaching Update
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Universal Design for Learning
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Professional Learning Communities
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Career Opportunities in the Diocesan Education Community
Reflection
For a New Beginning
In out-of-the-way places of the heart,
Where your thoughts never think to wander,
This beginning has been quietly forming,
Waiting until you were ready to emerge.
For a long time it has watched your desire,
Feeling the emptiness growing inside you,
Noticing how you willed yourself on,
Still unable to leave what you had outgrown.
It watched you play with the seduction of safety
And the grey promises that sameness whispered,
Heard the waves of turmoil rise and relent,
Wondered would you always live like this.
Then the delight, when your courage kindled,
And out you stepped onto new ground,
Your eyes young again with energy and dream,
A path of plenitude opening before you.
Though your destination is not yet clear
You can trust the promise of this opening;
Unfurl yourself into the grace of beginning
That is at one with your life's desire.
Awaken your spirit to adventure;
Hold nothing back, learn to find ease in risk;
Soon you will home in a new rhythm,
For your soul senses the world that awaits you.
- John O'Donohue
Let us pray
Creator God,
Thank you for the gift of this new term.
Refresh us. Invite us to discover your presence
In each person that we meet
And every event that we encounter.
Teach us when to speak and when to listen
When to ponder and when to share.
In moments of challenge and decision
Attune our hearts to the whisperings of your wisdom.
As we undertake ordinary and unnoticed tasks,
Gift us with simple joy.
When our days go well, may we rejoice.
When they grow difficult, surprise us with
New possibilities.
When life is overwhelming, call us to
Sabbath moments
To restore your peace and harmony.
May our living today reveal your goodness.
Amen
- Pat Bergen, C.S.J
From the Bishop
Hello Everyone,
Mr Andrew Jirik, our Diocesan Business Manager, has advised me that he will conclude his time in this role on July 14.
On behalf of our diocesan community, I thank Andrew for the outstanding service he has given through the past seven years as the leader of the team in our Diocesan Finance Office.
I am very grateful for the dedication that Andrew has shown in caring for the finances of the diocese and for the assistance he has provided to parish communities.
I offer our best wishes to Andrew as he takes up a new role with St Patrick’s College, Ballarat.
God bless you all.
Paul Bird CSsR
Bishop of the Diocese of Ballarat
From the Executive Director
Welcome back to a new term. I hope you have had a good break and are feeling rested and refreshed.
As our reflection reminds,
“.....As we undertake ordinary and unnoticed tasks,
Gift us with simple joy.
When our days go well, may we rejoice.
When they grow difficult, surprise us with
New possibilities……”
At our CEB staff meeting on July 5 we welcomed the following new members: Matthew Le Nepveu (SIMON Development Team), Jacqui Pierce (Education Officer: Learning Diversity), Bridie Curran (CARSO based in Horsham), Ange van Berkel (SIMON Admin & Support Analyst) and Tina Munro (EA to Deputy Director: Catholic Education).
Yesterday I visited 5 schools, St Colman’s Mortlake, St Patrick’s Camperdown, and three Colac schools: Trinity College, Sacred Heart Primary and St Mary’s Primary. As always it is a delight to visit our schools and learn a little more about their local context, the good work that they are doing and the challenges they face with courage and discernment.
Tom Sexton
Executive Director, Catholic Education Ballarat
World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly
Please find attached resources as well as a letter from Prefect of the Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life, Cardinal Kevin Farrell, regarding the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly which will be celebrated on 23 July 2023.
Article submitted by Bishop Paul Bird.
PL Opportunity - The Heart of Leadership
Graduate Retreat – Primary and Secondary
This is an invitation to all teachers, both primary and secondary, in the first three years of their career.
As has been advertised on the Diocesan Professional Learning Calendar, The Retreat for Graduates is taking place on the 10th and 11th August 2023, in Hall’s Gap at The Country Plaza, 141 Halls Gap Rd.
Accommodation at the venue to be organised by the school.
This retreat experience seeks to provide early career teachers with a welcome to Catholic Education in the Diocese of Ballarat, and support graduates by providing spiritual nourishment and space as they grow in the awareness of calling, ministry, and mission within Catholic Education.
- Who: primary and secondary, in the first three years of their career
- When: 10th and 11th August 2023
- Where: The Country Plaza, 141 Halls Gap Rd
People and Development Update
Webinar - Eating for Optimal Energy.
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. Feel free to check out Mel’s Website and Blog.
We are fortunate to have Mel share her webinar on 'Eating for Optimal Energy'!
This webinar features information on a range of topics relating to nutrition and energy such as:
- How our energy is drawn
- Breakdown of macronutrients
- Blood sugar levels explained
- What a balanced plate looks like
- Meal ideas
- And so much more..!!
Alongside this, Mel has also been kind enough to share a document featuring some of her Top Tips for Optimal Energy. Download the handout below!
Flourish Wellbeing Magazine - July 2023.
The July 2023 edition of Converge International’s Flourish Health and Wellbeing eMag is now available.
Featured Articles:
- Spiritual Wellbeing in the Workplace.
- Naidoc Week 2023: For Our Elders.
- Podcast – What is anxiety?
Also in this edition:
- Disconnect and take care of your health.
- What’s the problem with vaping?
- 6 reasons to practice gratitude.
- International Day of Friendship.
- Understanding diabetes.
- Facts about fats.
- End of financial year survival.
- And more!
For more information about the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) visit Converge International website.
Articles submitted by Tania Lund.
WGEA Reporting Requirements.
The Workplace Gender Equality Act 2012 requires non-public sector employers with 100 or more employees to submit a report to the Workplace Gender Equality Agency (‘WGEA’). The reporting period is the same each year, from 1 April (the previous year) to 31 March (the current year).
As part of our governance obligations, DOBCEL successfully submitted our WGEA Report covering all DOBCEL schools on 30 May 2023.
Access to the public reports can be viewed via the links below.
- Notification and Access Obligations Staff Newsletter
- Workforce Statistics Corporate group – Public Report
- Public Questionnaire
Article submitted by Fiona Murphy.
Caritas Australia Resource
Voice, Treaty, Truth - Primary.
This resource focuses on the three key things the Uluru Statement From the Heart calls for: Voice, Treaty, Truth. Designed for primary students, the Presentation and accompanying Teacher's Notes include introductions to each of the ideas and activities to help students deepen their understanding of First Nations Peoples and current strategies aimed at improving equity and promoting reconciliation in Australia today.
Student Wellbeing Update
Social Emotional Learning – Masterclass with Professor Helen Cahill.
Professor Cahill is the previous Director of the Youth Research Centre, and has been the Deputy Dean, in the Melbourne Graduate School of Education at the University of Melbourne, Australia. She is a leading innovator of Australian school-based wellbeing interventions addressing mental health, social and emotional learning, resilience, gender education and drug education.
She has developed a number of violence-reduction, gender rights and sexuality programs. Including being the lead author of the Resilience, Rights and Respectful Relationship Curriculum for schools. Helen also sits on international committees with WHO and UNESCO to improve outcomes for young people worldwide. She specialises in the use of collaborative learning strategies as a transformative pedagogy within wellbeing education. Her passion is translating her research into classroom practice at the ground level and increasing the knowledge and capability of school leaders and teachers to help to build their confidence for positive change and outcomes.
- Date: 18th of August
- Time: 9:00am – 12:00pm
- Venue: Mildura Rowing Club
- Cost: $70
- Registration: Click here
School Wide Positive Behaviour Support (SWPBS).
The Student Wellbeing Team has also been blessed to partner and engage with St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, Werribee. They have generously agreed to welcome DOBCEL staff to their school and share their experiences of SWPBS. They will be discussing how they currently use SIMON, especially highlighting how they record over 1,000 commendations.
The date is set for the 8th of September onsite St Joseph’s Werribee, starting at 10.00am and concluding at 1.00pm.
If you would like to participate in this visit, please register you name and dietary requirements by the 1st of September to Anne Ruddell.
Learning and Teaching Update
Structured Literacy Newsletter.
Please click on the link below to access the latest news in Structured Literacy. This issue includes information on:
- Come and See Week
- Network opportunities
- Deimplimentation strategies
Structured Literacy Newsletter Issue 4
DOBCEL Structured Literacy Project 2024.
The Learning and Teaching Team have already received several queries about what the DOBCEL Structured Literacy Project will entail next year. We appreciate that strategic planning tends to begin in Term Three, and we want to ensure that all schools are well-placed to make a decision.
At last week's Principal's Forum, the team very briefly presented the options, and asked all principals to complete this form to indicate their early intentions for 2024. Please do so at your earliest convenience.
Your responses to this form will not constitute any form of commitment; they will merely guide our planning and resourcing. You will have a more formal opportunity to commit to the project later in the year, when we've provided more details and dates. Here is a summary of the Levels of Support we hope to offer in 2024:
DOBCEL Structured Literacy Project
Level 1: SunLit Project Schools:
- Schools at this level are intensely supported to learn about and then implement the SunLit Structured Literacy methodology. They work as part of the DOBCEL & La Trobe University research partnership.
You may choose this level if:
- You have participated at L1 in 2023.
- You have participated at L2 in 2023 and have decided that your change process would benefit from more intensive direction.
- You have participated at L3 in 2023, or you are new to Structured Literacy and wish to adopt a proven methodology subject to ongoing review.
- You MUST commit to at least three years in which Structured Literacy is your key Learning & Teaching strategic priority.
Level 2: Structured Literacy Partners:
Schools at this level are supported to implement their own Structured Literacy methodology. They are provided with change management support, tailor-made professional learning and data tools, as required.
You may choose this level if:
- You have participated at L2 in 2023.
- You have participated at L1 in 2023 and have decided that your change process would benefit from less intensive direction.
- You have participated at L3 in 2023 or are new to Structured Literacy and wish to implement your own methodology with some resourcing and learning support from CEB.
Level 3: Science of Reading Network:
- Schools at this level engage in a series of professional learning opportunities in an effort to make well-informed decisions about the model of literacy instruction they wish to adopt or maintain in their context.
You may choose this level if:
- You have NOT participated in the project during 2023.
- Please note that 2024 may be the final year in which we offer Level 3 support. We strongly advise all schools who have not yet engaged with the project to participate at Level 3 in 2024.
- We do not recommend that schools who have participated in L3 in 2023 remain at this level next year unless they are keen to repeat the learning they have already undertaken.
If you would like further information about what Structured Literacy means, what it looks like in practice and how it differs from Balanced Literacy, and if you have questions about your potential involvement in 2024, please join online for an informative webinar and Q&A session.
Structured Literacy - Information and Q&A Webinar
Thursday 13th July (Term 3, Week 1), 3.45pm - 4.45pm.
Use the Zoom Link on the Structured Literacy website homepage.
What is Structured Literacy?
It is an evidence-based, bottom-up approach to literacy instruction. It relies on four key principles that ensure the teaching of reading and writing is systematic, cumulative, explicit and diagnostic. Instruction is provided in six elements: phonology, sound-symbol (or phonics), syllables, morphology (and etymology), syntax and semantics. Structured Literacy is an approach that responds to the findings of educational research, psychology, linguistics and cognitive science. It is informed by the Sciences of Learning and Reading, and is being adopted across the world, in response to declining literacy rates.
Who is Structured Literacy for?
It is a whole-school approach that begins in Foundation and builds in complexity across all year levels, to the end of Year Six. There is a widely held misconception that Structured Literacy applies only to the junior grades of primary school. This is not correct. Structured Literacy increases in sophistication and rigour as the students progress.
Is Structured Literacy all about phonics?
No. Systematic phonics is only one of six elements. All six elements are crucial to reading and writing development.
Can Structured Literacy be integrated with a Balanced Literacy approach?
Absolutely not. The two approaches are diametrically different: one is 'top-down' and the other is 'bottom-up'. Attempts to combine the two can result in confused teachers and even more confused students.
How do we find out more about Structured Literacy before making a decision?
The best way to find out more is to join the DOBCEL Structured Literacy Project at Level 3. Please note that 2024 will be your last opportunity to participate at Level 3.
Here are some helpful links for further information:
- Iowa Reading Research Centre: An Explanation of Structured Literacy
- Reading Rockets - Summary of International Dyslexia Association Explanation of S.L.
- AERO - Introduction to the Science of Reading
Why should we consider Structured Literacy?
In 2020, the International Literacy Association, after reviewing the current literature, stated,
"The approach to reading instruction that is currently best supported by evidence is Structured Literacy." Structured Literacy is supported by the findings of the National Reading Panels (US, UK and Australia) and is the approach recommended by the International Dyslexia Association.
Data Literacy Reconnector: Individual School Journey Reflection.
Attendees of Dr Selena Fisk’s data storytelling days in Term 1 are invited to join the online reconnector on Wednesday 2nd August 4:00 – 5:00pm.
- Register here
- Registrations will close Friday 28th July
The format will be similar to the webinars in term 2: an opportunity to provide an update on your school’s work, engage in clarifying dialogue with other participants and learn from and with each other.
Next phase of the journey Sharing of your learning journey on Tuesday 5th September or Thursday 7th September:
- The details of this will be shared at the webinar on the 2nd August.
Primary Leaders of Learning (PLoL)- Tuesday 15th August 1:30 - 3:00pm.
Target Audience:
- Primary Leaders of Learning
- Mathematics, Literacy, Curriculum Leaders
- Classroom Teachers
Focus: Build capacity of leaders and classroom teachers in the use of PAT Adaptive and PAT Linear.
The first part of this professional learning opportunity will be facilitated by Caithlin Power and Daniel O’Loughlin from ACER.
Structure: Q & A. Registered participants will be invited to provide their questions prior to the session to enable the team from ACER to address these questions within their session.
The second part of this professional learning session will focus on the Faces On the Data revised tool created by Breeana Wade.
A registration link will be available on next week’s newsletter.
Universal Design for Learning
We are now seeking expressions of interest in a Universal Design for Learning (UDL) program we are developing at CEB with a view to partnering with interested colleagues.
Universal Design for Learning can be understood as the prospective design of instructional goals, assessments, methods, and materials customised and adjusted to meet the individual requirements of all learners in our classrooms (CAST What is UDL?).
For further details please see the attached flyer.
Professional Learning Communities
How effectively is your school operating as Professional Learning Community (PLC)?
What does PLC currently look like in your school?
For information about the revised online PLC Health Check and how we might be able to partner with you on your PLC journey please see the attached flyer below.
Career Opportunities in the Diocesan Education Community
Principalship Opportunities.
Principal - St Patrick’s Primary School, Stawell (closes 24 July)
Catholic Education Ballarat.
- Psychologist – ongoing position at 0.8 FTE (closes 25 July)
- Data Analyst - ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 31 August)
School Vacancies.
- Classroom Teacher- Experienced or Graduate - St Patrick’s School, Stawell – fixed term position at 1.0 (closes 12 July)
- English Teacher – Damascus College, Mount Clear- ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 14 July)
- French Teacher (Junior/Intermediate) - Damascus College- Mount Clear – ongoing position at 0.6 FTE (closes 14 July)
- ICT Helpdesk Technician – Trinity College, Colac – fixed term at 1.0 FTE (closes 17 July)
- Daily Organiser – Trinity College, Colac- ongoing position at 0.7 FTE (closes 17 July)
- 2024 Secondary Teacher – Mercy Regional College, Camperdown – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 19 July)
- Director of Learning and Teaching – Mercy Regional College, Camperdown – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 19 July)
- Learning Support Officer – Marian College, Ararat – ongoing position at 1.0 or 0.86 FTE (closes 21 July)
- Casual Relief Teachers – St Columba’s School, Ballarat North (closes 2 October)