Weekly Newsletter #23 - 2 August 2023
Reflection
Mary MacKillop - An Inspiration for Today
Next Tuesday, 8th August, is the feast day of Australia’s only canonised saint. This poignant poem speaks about Mary and her vision.
Poem for Miss Mary MacKillop, of Fitzroy. By Brian Doyle
Today’s startling news: Australia’s only recognised Catholic saint,
So far, was born on Brunswick Street, in Fitzroy!
Now, you might wonder why this is an astonishing bit of ironic and amazing news,
If you have never been to Fitzroy, a rough neighbourhood in the tall
old seething roaring city of Melbourne – but I have been there and
I can tell you that Fitzroy always was and will be a wry wilderness;
Every colour and ethnicity and language you can imagine lives there.
I am not kidding. The commission flats, the dogleg brooding alleys,
The trams – I walked there for weeks and saw every kind of sad and
cruel and lost and tough and gentle and graceful and awful and holy.
There is, seems to me – I saw a lot of Australia in twenty city blocks.
And now I see wee quiet shy Mary MacKillop there, minding a shop.
She is fourteen. Her people are Scottish. She will be legendary, later,
For her ferocious dedication to helping the poor – you cannot ignore
them,
She will say one million times to power and money and pomp.
You cannot pretend you do not see them. You cannot say that we are
a great and lucky country when so many innocents are starving.
You can lie to yourself and in public but I will not lie also.
Look at all the huddled souls, abused and beaten and hungry and cold. They are all us. Yes, they are. This has nothing to do with religion and class.
They are all us. If there is a great Australia it will be the one that rises to house and feed and protect those who have nothing. I saw them when I was a child on Brunswick Street and now I can’t not see them.
Thousands of them in every city, town and state. They’re all us.
The whole country is on Brunswick Street. Come with me to pick one up.
Invitation to prayer
God of the Prophets
You gifted Mary MacKillop with vision and courage.
In her, we see one who was not afraid to speak fearlessly, Your gospel of love.
We pray for the sensitivity and imagination to read the signs of our times, and to articulate new possibilities for our own day.
Like Mary, may we learn to confront all that is oppressive and unjust, and empower others towards true freedom and integrity.
Spirit of Wisdom, be with us as we face new horizons.
Amen
Trustees of the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart.
From the Executive Director
Yesterday and today I visited schools in the Southern Zone. Thanks are extended to the following schools, their staff and students who hosted me: St Joseph’s Coleraine, St Mary’s Hamilton, St Joseph’s Penshurst, St Patrick’s Port Fairy, St Patrick’s Koroit, St Thomas’ Terang, Our Lady Help of Christians, St Joseph’s and St Pius X all in Warrnambool.
These visits lead into my attendance at the Southern Zone DLG meeting. This term’s Week 4 DLG meeting is being held in each Zone to enable the facilitation of the Crucial Conversations program. The program traces skills for creating alignment and agreement by fostering open dialogue around high stakes, emotional or risky topics - at all levels of a school. I thank all Principals for their involvement in this program.
Principals Day Friday 4 August
I am thankful and deeply grateful for the exceptional dedication of our Principals, who tirelessly contribute to the growth and wellbeing of their school communities across our Diocese.
The role of a Principal has evolved into an increasingly complex one, demanding a diverse skill set and extensive knowledge base. Please take the opportunity to thank your Principal for all they do this Friday! Read more about Principals' Day here.
Tom Sexton
Executive Director, Catholic Education Ballarat
Images from school visits L-R: St Patrick's PS Koroit, St Patrick's PS St Arnaud, St Joseph's PS Penshurst,
St Mary's PS Hamilton and St Patrick's Parish PS Port Fairy.
Enterprise Bargaining Update
We are pleased to advise that the Fair Work Commission has approved the Catholic Education Multi-Enterprise Agreement (CEMEA) 2022, following the strong endorsement it received in the vote held at the end of Term 2.
Many of the benefits of the CEMEA 2022, including salary increases, have applied ahead of FWC approval. The remaining provisions of the agreement yet to take affect will now come into operation on 7 August 2023.
We look forward to working collaboratively to facilitate a smooth and successful implementation of the CEMEA, which will bring positive benefits to school staff through improved pay and conditions.
Thank you for your hard work and dedication to Catholic education.
Article submitted by Maree Baker.
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
Ready to Contribute to Sustainable Development Overseas?
Other parts of the world are requesting assistance to train their teachers and improve their schools systems.
Please see below a letter from Bishop Paul Bird, encouraging involvement in the mission of Palms Australia and requesting the promotion of notices relating to opportunities for individuals to engage in a Palms Global Mission.
Article submitted by Kate Lawry.
Who would have thought Enhancing Catholic School Identity (ECSI) would have us dialoguing with Northern Ireland?
To learn more, please click this link.
Please see glossary of terms here.
Article submitted by Gina Bernasconi.
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
Flourish Wellbeing eMagazine – August 2023
The August 2023 edition of Converge International’s Flourish Health and Wellbeing eMag is now available.
Featured Articles:
- The Loneliness Pandemic.
- Busy? Stressed? You Got This!
- Podcast – Mindful Eating?
Also in this edition:
- Social media, connection, vulnerability.
- Winter is here, and so is flu season.
- Healthy conflict @ work.
- Unveiled: the secret symphony of teeth grinding.
- How good is your sleep?
- Breath work for balance.
- Cybersecurity.
- And more!
For more information about the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) visit the Converge International website.
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 increasing 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
Articles submitted by Tania Lund.
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. All DOBCEL Schools should be eligible for this funding. Only schools with enrolment above 200 will receive the additional per student amount.
- 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.
Designated Teacher Training Online – Term 3, 2023
LOOKOUT is offering Designated Teacher Training online to all schools in the South Western Victoria Region in Term 3, 2023.
All schools are required by the Department of Education to have a trained Designated Teacher to ensure they are compliant with ‘The Partnering Agreement’.
To support this requirement, the SWVR LOOKOUT Centre is providing an opportunity for schools to complete Designated Teacher Training in 2023.
Training is offered to anyone who has been appointed as a Designated Teacher in their school and it is free. There is no need to attend if you have already been trained, unless you would like a refresher.
Please share this information with your school leadership and colleagues who may be interested in taking on the Designated Teacher role in the future.
The Designated Teacher role supports schools to deliver improved education and wellbeing outcomes for students in Out-of-Home Care (OoHC). If your school requires Designated Teacher training for staff, and for more information please see the attached flyer and register from the link below.
Tickets are available now and will end on 11 August at 5:00pm.
The two part training will be held on the following dates:
- PART A Tuesday 15 August 2023 10:00am - 11.30am
- PART B Tuesday 15 August 2023 1:30pm - 3.00pm
OLT Understanding and Supporting Behaviour - VC
This course is open to LSOs when attending with a Class Teacher and requires to attend 2 online sessions from 3:30pm to 4:30pm on Thursday August 24th and Thursday October 26th and 20 hours of self-paced online course.
This course aims to develop the knowledge, understanding and skills of those working with children and young people with behavioural difficulties to support inclusive practice:
- Understanding behaviour
- Assessment for Learning
- Interventions
- Case Studies
Presented by: Maria Richards & Patrice Rickard
Learning and Teaching Update
Victorian Curriculum Mathematics Version 2.0: Now Available
All schools will now be aware that, after some delay, the latest iteration of the Victorian Mathematics Curriculum (F-10) is available online.
VCAA is compiling a comprehensive suite of support resources, including introductory webinars, professional learning opportunities and companion documents. Some resources will focus on key areas of change and unpack the revisions in a more detailed and nuanced manner to support primary and secondary teachers and curriculum and school leaders.
Introductory webinars for school principals, curriculum leaders and teachers will be conducted live from 4:00 - 5:00pm.(registration is required) during August and these will continue to be available on-demand.
- August 9th School Leaders’ Briefing
- August 16th Introduction: Key Changes to the Victorian Curriculum F-10 Mathematics Version 2.0
- August 23rd Understanding the Mathematics Learning Area and changes (Primary)
- August 30th Understanding the Mathematics Learning Area and changes (Secondary)
Additionally, a suite of professional learning modules will be released in early Term 4 and will be available throughout the period of familiarisation and implementation (including into 2024 and 2025).
CEB Learning & Teaching staff are currently working with the new documentation to discern how local support might best complement the VCAA resourcing.
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
A massive thank you to the staff and students of St Paul's Mildura who so generously hosted almost 60 visitors across last week. The showcase of Structured Literacy in action proved to be a mighty success. Here are some snippets of feedback received:
SL provides a clear, systematic, explicit way of instruction school wide. SL becomes a way of ‘being’ with teachers, LSOs and students all in the know! SL needs to be a shared journey with all staff on board.
The students were very busy, with little time for becoming distracted or off task. It was great to hear them recalling information from their learning with purpose and I am looking forward to this happening for our students.
I saw Structured Literacy as an approach that promotes consistent responses, repetition of actions to embed knowledge and skills, connect prior knowledge, support reliable transitions and a predictable learning environment.
St Paul's staff are amazing. Maybe even magical. Structure, routine and predictability are essential for success. Classroom management skills need to be on point. Differentiation (slowing it down for some students by using additional support staff for intervention) means success for all.
Once again - thank you to everyone who came along and participated so respectfully in this peer-learning opportunity.
FINAL CALL FOR STRUCTURED LITERACY EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST 2024
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.
Structured Literacy Level 2&3 Network Day
- August 22nd 10am - 3pm at St Patrick's Koroit.
All 2023 Structured Literacy schools (Levels 0-3) are invited to attend.
Register here. Registrations will close on Friday 4th 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.
CEP Webinars
Country Education Partnerships are about to start another series of webinars.
This time there will be three presenters on three different topics from our Diocese!!
Promotional Video is available here to see what these have been like so far.
The recordings of all the CEP sessions can be found here.
DIBELS Updated Data Tool
There has been a substantial update to the DIBELS Data Collection tool, and it is available for download via the DOBCEL Schools’ Hub. This update includes the addition of:
- Cohort Effect Sizes for all subtests and all primary grades (written and visual representations)
- Individual student Effect Sizes for all subtests and all primary grades
- A DIBELS Visual Dashboard, demonstrating % of students at each measure of risk for each subtest and each grade
- Recommendations for intervention points based on benchmark & Effect Size
- So What? Tabs, which assist teams to plan data-based intervention opportunities.
This tool can be downloaded by navigating to your school’s DOBCEL Schools’ Hub page at www.dobcel.com.
Please contact Breeana Wade for further information about the tool, or if you would like assistance in moving data over from a previous tool.
Please Note: If you are a Level 0 or Level 1 Structured Literacy School, your customised 2023 & 2024s tool include these elements and you will therefore not need to download this tool.
Data Literacy : Sharing Your School’s Journey
The final phase of this spaced professional learning which commenced in Term 1 with participants engaging with Dr. Selena Fisk will culminate with primary schools presenting to colleagues in a regionalised or online setting their school’s journey on either the 5th or 7th September.
These sessions will enable participants to share their Action Learning and to learn with and from each other. If you are from a primary school and didn’t receive an email on Monday outlining the process for the session please contact Teresa Hadden.
The participants from the Secondary schools will also be provided with an opportunity to share their work.
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)
- Principal - St Mary's Primary School, Clarkes Hill (closes 15 September)
Catholic Education Ballarat.
- Psychologist – ongoing position at 0.8 FTE (closes 14 August)
- Early Years Planning and Implementation Consultant – fixed term position at 1.0 FTE (closes 14 August)
School Vacancies.
- 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)
- Classroom Teacher – St Mary’s School, Swan Hill – fixed term position at 1.0 FTE (closes 11 August)
- Junior Primary Teacher – St Mary’s School, Robinvale – fixed term at 1.0 FTE (closes 11 August)
- Subject Teachers - Expressions of Interest for all Subject Areas commencing 2024 - St Patrick’s College, Ballarat – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 16 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)
Article submitted by Sarah Hanley.