Weekly Newsletter #22 - 26 July 2023
Reflection
Catholic Education - The Work of Prophets
Catholic Education is a work that invites transformation. In the footsteps of Jesus and the prophets that went before and after him, Catholic Education is called to announce and bring about a prophetic spiritual life for all engaged in this life giving work. What does this mean? The following reflection by Joan Chiittister OSB, explores prophetic spirituality.
“A prophetic spiritual life does not demand a corporation or a campus, big buildings or great facilities to change the world. Now the call is for a clear and common voice to challenge oppression and discrimination of any kind, to call out injustice and invisibility of every kind. To hold up group after group in the face of virulent racism and prejudice that comes with the movement of whole populations in a dry, waterless, economically enslaved and warring world. It is that new prophetic voice for which the world is waiting. It is the voice of Amos and Hosea, Isaiah and Micah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and now yours that is most needed to change the world”
Chittister, J (2019) The Time is Now - A Call to Uncommon Courage, Convergent: New York
Invitation to prayer
Creator God
Deep within us all
Lies the dream of a better world;
Our dream and longing for justice and fairness
Harmony and peace
Openness and honesty
Comfort and and warm
Freedom and choice
For light where there is darkness.
We are mindful of people all around the world
And throughout human history
Who have shared this longing
A deep longing that is embedded in our DNA
In our very humanity.
In our fantasy we see a fair world
Where everyone lives in peace and in honesty
Like clouds that fly
Full of humanity in the depths of the soul
In our fantasy we see a bright world
Where even the night is less dark
We dream of people who are always free
Like clouds that fly
Full of humanity in the depths of the soul
May we, be the prophets the world is seeking
Amen
Morwood, M. (2018) Prayers for Progressive Christians Kelmur Publications: Sunbury
From the Executive Director
The DOBCEL Board have enjoyed their time at St Malachy’s School, Edenhope today and yesterday for their July meeting. Bishop Paul and the DOBCEL Directors visited schools across the Diocese on our way to Edenhope, including All Saints Parish School Portland, Our Lady Help of Christians Murtoa, St Mary’s Ararat, St Patrick’s Stawell, St Augustine’s Maryborough and St Patrick’s St Arnaud. Thanks are extended to all the schools for hosting the DOBCEL Board. Special thanks to Principal John O’Sullivan, his staff and students Brianna, Hudson, Grace and Madeleine who led the Board in prayer and welcomed us to their community yesterday morning.
Last night the Board hosted an enjoyable and successful night for Parish Priests, Principals and SAC Chairs from the local area. It was a great opportunity to catch up and learn more about the challenges and opportunities schools in the mid north are experiencing.
Today the Board hosted Geraldine Doogue, a respected journalist who spoke to the Board on her impressions and thoughts on the Plenary Council and what may happen next. It was a lively discussion and we are very grateful for Geraldine to take the time to speak with us.
Across this week, over 60 staff from our schools and the CEB office have been at St Paul’s Primary School, Mildura to watch Structured Literacy in action. I thank the staff of St Paul’s for their welcome and generosity in demonstrating the Structured Literacy work they have been engaged in. It is important to acknowledge the work of both St Paul’s, alongside St Joseph’s Primary School Red Cliffs and their openness to partnering with colleagues from across the Diocese.
Last Thursday night I had the pleasure of attending the Addams Family production at Damascus College. It was a very entertaining performance filled with catchy songs and quirky, inventive antics. I congratulate all those involved from the students who performed with such excitement to those behind the scenes that worked tirelessly to bring the show to life with the amazing costumes, choreography and set design.
Tom Sexton
Executive Director, Catholic Education Ballarat
Images from St. Malachy's School and Fr John with School Leaders:
Peyton, Kaydence, Ruby and Xavier from All Saints Parish School.
Images from Addams Family Production.
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
Catholic Identity & Mission Update
Bibliodrama – Bringing Sacred Texts to Life in the Classroom
Professional Development opportunity for Religious Education teachers
Most simply described, Bibliodrama is a form of roleplaying in which the roles played are taken from the biblical texts. Students inhabit the characters in the text and bring their interpretations to the scene.
This workshop is designed for classroom teachers. It will be a hands-on exploration of the fundamentals of Bibliodrama. There will be a number of practical applications throughout the day and some working with script development.
- Date: Wednesday 4 October
- Venue: Sovereign Park Motor Inn, 217-229 Main Road Ballarat. Courtyard Conference Room
- Time: 9.30am – 3.00pm
- Cost: $60
- Register: Trybooking
Please direct inquiries to Justin McInerney.
Article submitted by Justin McInerney.
People and Development Update
The Passionate Nutritionist - Boosting Immunity with Nutrition
We are delighted to share another webinar from Mel Bald, this time about 'Boosting Immunity with Nutrition'!
Mel Bald is a degree qualified Geelong nutritionist, as well as having qualifications in Exercise Science.
This webinar features topics such as:
- What is the Immune System?
- Breakdown of Protein, Vitamin D, Vitamin C and Zinc
- Tips for increassing vegetable intake
- Supplements explained
- Sugar & Alcohol
- How to improve Gut Health
- Stress and its relationship with immunity
- And so much more!
Click here to watch the 'Boosting Immunity with Nutrition Webinar'!
Mel has also shared her
Top Tips Handout for Boosting Immunity with Nutrition
Employee Assistance Program (EAP) - Change to online appointment booking
Converge International have launched Phase 1 of the new online booking portal.
Employees are now able to set up a personal profile allowing ease of access for booking future appointments, meaning you no longer need to fill out a web form or contact the 1300 number to arrange an appointment. The booking system is designed to give employees visibility and control when setting up an appointment. Phase 1 allows employees to:
- Access our Online Booking via Converge website securely, or via the Converge App.
- Book an appointment for Employee Assist (counselling services).
- Schedule appointments via telehealth only.
- View past and future appointments.
Please note: Online booking doesn’t replace our 24/7 phone line.
In the coming months Converge will launch phases 2 and 3 that will allow employees to book streams beyond Employee Assist, rebook with a consultant they have seen previously, cancel appointments and have face to face appointment capability.
To ensure employees are accessing the program under the correct organisation you will be required to enter our organisation’s unique user code - if you have already launched the Converge App this will be the same code required to access the app.
Organisation unique code: DIOCQODQ
Click here for more information.
Converge App
The Converge app uses award-winning technology to engage every employee and gives them the tools, autonomy, self-awareness, and motivation to take control of their health and wellbeing.Click here to learn more!
Alternatively, for help setting up the app check out the Converge App User Guide!
Converge Portal
To access resources, news and events go to the Converge International website and login to the portal:
- Username: Converge
- Password: eap
- Access the portal here
Articles submitted by Tania Lund.
Learning and Teaching Update
Middle Leaders Professional Standards Development
AITSL are developing a draft set of standards for Middle Leaders - which is intended to align with and complement the Australian Professional Standard for Principals and the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers.
Check out the following link for information and contribute feedback through a survey (only until Aug 4 2023).
Structured Literacy Project - Come and See Week
Across this week, St Paul's Mildura will be host to almost sixty visitors from around the diocese who are interested in seeing what whole-school commitment to Structured Literacy looks like in action. So far, the feedback from the visitors has been extraordinary.
"By 9.15, the Grade Ones had done more Literacy Learning than we would usually see in a whole two hour block!"
We look forward to sharing more insights with you in next week's newsletter, but for now, an ENORMOUS thank you to the generous, pioneering educators of St Paul's and Bec Thurman, their Literacy Leader.
Principal Survey: Expressions of Interest for Structured Literacy Project 2024
We would appreciate it if ALL Principals could please complete this survey by the end of this week. This information does not constitute a formal commitment at this stage, but will be instrumental to our planning and resourcing for 2024. Thank you.
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 Data Literacy Reconnector on Wednesday 2 August 4:00 – 5:00pm.
- Register here
Registrations will close Tuesday 1 August
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 5 September or Thursday 7 September:
- The details of this will be shared at the webinar on Wednesday 2 August.
Primary Leaders of Learning (PLoL)- Tuesday 15 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.
- Register through this Trybooking link.
- Registrations will close Thursday 10 August.
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: Friday 18 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.
Student Wellbeing Boost
The Australian Government’s Student Wellbeing Boost provides one-off funding to schools to address the impacts of COVID-19 on the mental health and wellbeing of Australian students.
- All Victorian government and low-fee non-government schools will receive base Boost funding of $15,000 plus additional per student funding.
- Victorian Catholic schools will receive their funding allocation via a one off CECV bank transfer in July 2023 and are required to spend or commit to spending the money by 31 March 2024.
- The Schools Mental Health Menu may be used as a guide. The Menu includes initiatives that promote student mental health and wellbeing, enable schools to intervene early to support students and provide targeted and more individualised support for students who need it.
- Schools must spend their Boost funding on mental health and wellbeing activities, which may include:
- extra school mental health professionals, camps, excursions, sporting and social activities that improve students’ wellbeing; and proven student wellbeing, student engagement and mental health initiatives.
For any further information please contact Tony Perkins or Liz McIntyre.
Career Opportunities in the Diocesan Education Community
Principalship Opportunities.
- Principal - Ss Michael and John's Primary School, Horsham (closes 7 August)
- Principal - St Patrick's Primary School, Koroit (closes 21 August)
Catholic Education Ballarat.
- Education Officer: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 31 July)
- Education Officer: Digital Learning – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 31 July)
- Education Officer: Learning Diversity – ongoing position at 0.8 FTE (closes 31 July)
- Data Analyst - ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 31 July)
- Early Years Planning and Implementation Consultant – fixed term position at 1.0 FTE (closes 14 August)
School Vacancies.
- Expressions of Interest all subject areas 2024 – Trinity College, Colac – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 31 July)
- Events Coordinator- Trinity College, Colac – ongoing position at 0.2 FTE (closes 31 July)
- 2024 Teaching Expressions of Interest & Positions of Leadership (POL) – Emmanuel College, Warrnambool – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 3 August)
- 2024-2026 Positions of Leadership – St Joseph’s College, Mildura – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 4 August)
- Tutors - Monivae College, Hamilton – Casual position (closes 4 August)
- Teaching Opportunities 2024: Expressions of Interest – Loreto College, Ballarat – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 7 August)
- Assistant Principal: Learning & Innovation – Loreto College, Ballarat – fixed term at 1.0 FTE (closes 7 August)
- Classroom Teachers – St Mary’s School, Ararat – 2 fixed term positions at 1.0 FTE (closes 7 August)
- Junior Primary Teacher – St Mary’s School, Robinvale – fixed term at 1.0 FTE (closes 11 August)
- Classroom Teacher – St Mary’s School, Donald - ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 8 September)
- Casual Relief Teachers – St Columba’s School, Ballarat North (closes 2 October)
Opportunities outside the Diocese.
- Education Consultant - Townsville Catholic Education (closes 2 August)
Article submitted by Sarah Hanley.