Weekly Newsletter #27 - 30 August 2023
Reflection
The Season of Creation
The Season of Creation commences on Friday 1st September. The Season of Creation is a time marked by Christians from 1st September (the World Day of Prayer for Creation) to 4th October (Feast of St. Francis of Assisi) and celebrates the joy of creation as well as encourages awareness-raising initiatives to help us to heal and protect Our Common Home, the Earth. The theme this year is Let Justice and Peace Flow. The Prophet Amos cries out: “But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!” (Amos 5: 24) and so we are called to join the river of justice and peace, to take up climate and ecological justice, and to speak out with and for communities most impacted by climate injustice and the loss of biodiversity.
Creation never ceases to proclaim to us. We celebrate in the awareness that our world is suffering deeply from numerous environmental crises as well as conflict in many regions. These global crises are interconnected and affect millions of people but are experienced most deeply by the poor and vulnerable. The earth is crying out to us, but are we listening now to the Book of Creation? May this Season inspire us and strengthen us in our efforts to protect our common home.
From The Irish Catholic Bishops Conference https://www.catholicbishops.ie/
Invitation to Prayer
Linger: Walk or look around you slowly. Notice if some member of creation attracts your attention, a cloud, a tree, a plant indoors. Allow yourself to linger, to pause at whatever attracts your attention and be present to what is there. Use your senses to take in the wonder of this creature: the colours, shapes, smells, textures.
Listen: What might this being be trying to tell you? What might God be saying to you through this element of creation? Consider entering into dialogue with this member of creation, calling to mind St. Francis talking to the birds and calling Brother Sun and Sister Moon. You might ask a question. Then listen. Just be open to what might arise.
Love: When you are ready to leave, find a way to offer love, by saying thanks, offering a prayer to God for this encounter, wishing your new friend well. Find a way to acknowledge the gift you have received and your desire to give something in return. If there is time, you might try this process of Linger, Listen, and Love with another element in creation.
Taken from LSM PRAYER BOOK
From the Executive Director
CECV Board Meeting
Yesterday the CECV Board Directors met in the Sandhurst Diocese office. As mentioned previously, it is the intention of the CECV Board to meet in all 4 Dioceses of Victoria throughout the year. Items discussed included the Digital Re-imagination and the CECV transition to the new Board.
Tomorrow’s DLG
A reminder to please invite your Deputy Principal and/or Child Safe Officer to tomorrow’s DLG VC session as we will have Jordan Tilse presenting to the group on the Reportable Conduct Scheme. She will also give an overview of the following topics:
- What is reportable conduct and how broad is it?
- What trends can be seen in relation to reportable conduct – who tends to present as victims and respondents?
- How are allegations of reportable conduct raised?
- How can we minimise the incidents of reportable conduct in our schools?
- What happens during and after a reportable conduct investigation?
Jordan is an employment lawyer and has conducted investigations for each of the Catholic dioceses in Victoria, as well as for a number of Independent schools across Victoria. Having conducted more than 150 reportable conduct investigations, she is in a position to provide unique insights into navigating the reportable conduct scheme and ensuring that schools move towards increased compliance with the scheme.
PAVCSS
I attended the Principal’s Association of Victorian Catholic Secondary Schools AGM and General meeting on Friday. It was a chance for me to join a panel to speak about the challenges and opportunities facing us in Catholic education.
DOBCEL Board Meeting
The next Board meeting is being held on 5 and 6 September at St Patrick’s Primary School, Koroit. The Board Directors are looking forward to visiting schools in Warrnambool and Colac over these days.
Tom Sexton
Executive Director, Catholic Education Ballarat
People and Development Update
DOBCEL Staff Wellbeing Survey 2023
You are invited to take part in the DOBCEL Staff Wellbeing Survey 2023.
This survey will take 5 minutes of your time with the objective to assess and quantify the information already gathered during research, consultations, and workshops. Your response to this survey will contribute to the development of DOBCEL’s Staff Wellbeing Framework.
Please note that this survey is not intended to replace or replicate other wellbeing surveys currently used in Schools or the CEB Office, such as Insight SRC, iPulse surveys, ReLATE, Culture Amp, and others.
Article submitted by Tania Lund.
Season of Creation 2023
Theme: Let Justice and Peace Flow
Each year from September 1 to October 4, the Christian family unites for this worldwide celebration of prayer and action to protect our common home. As followers of Christ from around the globe, we share a common call to care for creation. We are co-creatures and part of all that God has made. Our wellbeing is interwoven with the wellbeing of the Earth.
In 2023 we are called to join the river of justice and peace, to take up climate and ecological justice, and to speak out with and for communities most impacted by climate injustice and the loss of biodiversity. Laudato Si' Movement
Below are more links for resources to be explored and used in your schools and parishes.
- Global Ecumenical online Prayer Service
- Friday 1 September at 23.00hrs (AEST)
- Join here
- Season of Creation Jesuit weekly contemplation exercise
- An invitation to join a Season of Creation Jesuit Resource offering a weekly contemplation exercise.
For further information and to register: Season of Creation - Jesuit and Ignatian Spirituality Australia
- Earthcare Australia
- Monthly Online Film screenings from Earthcare Australia and Being with God in Nature
- 31 August 2023 at 6pm AEST
- The movie we will be screening this month is ‘All that Breathes’ a story of 2 brothers in New Dehli and their efforts to save the Black Kite – a species of bird, dramatically impacted by Climate Change.
- Trailer
- Book here
Catholic Identity & Mission Update
You are Invited to the Graduate Certificate in Teaching Meditation Online Information Session
Catholic Theological College is running an Online Information Session for the Graduate Certificate in Teaching Meditation on Monday 4 September at 7.30pm. Please see the attached flyer for more information.
For anyone interested in attending the information session, registration is essential. Click here to register.
Webinar Invitation – Nostra Aetate: Interfaith Conversations For Today
In the spirit of Nostra Aetate, Garratt Publishing – in conjunction with Yarra Theological Union – invites you to a new four-session webinar series exploring other religious traditions from a Catholic perspective.
- When: Monday Evenings – 4, 11, 18 September, 9 October
- Time: 7:00–8:15 pm (AEST)*
- Where: Online via Zoom
- Cost: $33.00 incl. GST (covers all four sessions) Excludes Trybooking fee.
- Registration: Via Trybooking. Click here.
Articles submitted by Kate Lawry.
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.
Student Wellbeing Update
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 Friday 8 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 Friday 1 September to Anne Ruddell.
Learning and Teaching Update
Victorian Curriculum Mathematics Version 2.0: Final Webinar Today
Over the past month VCAA has held a number of webinars to introduce aspects of the revised curriculum. The final of this series, which focuses on Yrs 7-10 will be held this afternoon, but schools are advised that all recordings are available on the resources page, together with other companion material to assist in unpacking the curriculum.
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).
The latest iteration of the Victorian Mathematics Curriculum (F-10) can be accessed here.
EAL Virtual Event:
The Role of Schools in Supporting Settlement: Focusing on Wellbeing in Migrant and Refugee Education.
August 30 from 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm
The webinar will explore the role of schools in supporting settlement. Settlement can be described as the resumption of ordinary life (Kohli 2014) or the process of establishing yourself in a new country.
The OECD (2019) review of migrant education: Strength through Diversity: The Integration of Immigrants and Refugees in Education and Training Systems highlights the importance of supporting social and emotional wellbeing as best practice approaches to supporting migrant and refugee background students including building resilience, belonging and safety, and social networks.
This webinar will look at the ways we think about education for migrant and refugee students through a frame of supporting settlement and wellbeing and will draw from MYAN national youth settlement guidelines to explore the way settlement support can be enacted through school curriculum.
Presentation will be facilitated by Mollie Daphne (PHD candidate Victoria University) and include participants from schools and community organisations.
Facilitator:
- Mollie Daphne is a VicTesol Committee member and previously held the EAL lead role in Catholic Education in Victoria. She is PHD candidate at Victoria University and currently teaches at a large Catholic secondary school in north west of Melbourne.
Cost:
- $10 – VicTESOL members (including members of other state TESOL associations affiliated with ACTA)
- $30 – Non-members
Free Professional Development Series: The Spring Series
CEP's free online professional development series; the Spring Series continues this week on Wednesday 30 August, 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm.
Session 02: The Blueprint for Effective Student Well-Being
- Date: 30 August 2023, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Sign up for Session 2
Key Speakers are:
Session 03: Bridging the Gap: Strategies for Building Strong Community Connections
- Date: 6 September 2023, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Sign up for Session 3
Session 04: Staffing Strategies: From Recruitment to Retention
- Date: 13 September 2023, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Sign up for Session 4
Quality Teaching Model
The Quality Teaching (QT) Model provides a conceptual foundation for classroom and assessment practice. Developed by Associate Professor James Ladwig and Laureate Professor Jenny Gore from the University of Newcastle, the Model provides teachers with a shared understanding around what we mean by quality teaching informing discussion and analysis of classroom and assessment practice, student engagement and matters of curriculum. It empowers teachers to enrich student learning through a collaborative, teacher-driven framework that enables participants to analyse and improve their practice.
Currently the Australian Government is funding the “Strengthening Induction through QTR” project for early career teachers and key colleagues.
Further information about the QT Model and this professional learning opportunity can be found below.
QTR – Opportunity for Early careers teachers and their key colleagues
National Education Summit 2024
Organisers of the 2024 Education Summit are calling for educators who are willing to share their experience, ideas and case studies at the 2024 National Education Summit events:
- Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre on Friday 14 & Saturday 15 June 2024
- Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre on Friday 2 & Saturday 3 August 2024
Key Pillars of the National Education Summit:
- STEM across the Curriculum
- Capacity Building School Libraries
- Diverse Learners
- ADHD
- The Spectrum
- Mental Health/Anxiety
- Wellbeing
- Classroom of the Future
- AI in the Classroom
- Sustainability in Schools
You will find an overview of each pillar in the ‘Call for Presenters’ portal.
Sessions will form part of a range of conferences and free program of events including traditional presentations, hands-on workshops, and panel discussions.
If you would like to submit an Expression of Interest to present, please complete the online form here before 26 October 2023.
Expressions of Interest for 2024 Master Teachers-in-Residence
EOIs are now open for the Academy’s 2024 Master Teachers-in-Residence from excellent, motivated teachers across the Victorian government, Catholic and Independent education sectors to join the Academy as Master Teachers-in-Residence for a period of 12 months.
Critical to the success of the Academy’s Teaching Excellence Program (TEP), is the attraction and recruitment of highly skilled and motivated Master Teachers. Their role includes the facilitation and co-design of the discipline and place-based work at the centre of the TEP.
The Master Teacher roles will be based at the Melbourne site, with regional and remote work an essential part of the provision of the TEP. There will be an online information session about the roles Wednesday 30 August at 4pm – 5pm. Register here.
Detailed information about the role and the position description here.
If you would like to discuss this opportunity further, please email Justine Mackey, Principal-in-Residence, Teaching Excellence Division or phone 0417 810 693.
To express interest in the role, applicants should email Justin by 11:59 pm AEST on Sunday 3 September 2023 with:
- a brief response to the selection criteria as they relate to the Master Teacher role
- your current CV.
Effective Teaching of Reading and Spelling Conference - ACU Ballarat
Sounds Write Open Day.
Please find attached information regarding a Sounds Write Open Day at Camperdown College in Camperdown on 11 September.
Please refer to the flyer attached for more details and registration.
Career Opportunities in the Diocesan Education Community
Principalship Opportunities.
- Principal - St Mary's Primary School, Clarkes Hill (closes 15 September)
- Principal – St Patrick’s Primary School, Koroit (closes 22 September)
Catholic Education Ballarat.
- Psychologist- ongoing position at 0.8 FTE (closes 15 September)
School Vacancies.
- Primary Teachers - St Mary’s School, Robinvale- fixed term position at 1.0 FTE (closes 31 August)
- Year 7 & 8 Teachers – St Mary’s School, Robinvale- fixed term position at 1.0 FTE (closes 31 August 31)
- Classroom Teachers -St Alipius’ Parish School, Ballarat- fixed term position at 1.0 FTE (closes 1 September)
- Learning Support Officer- Damascus College, Mt Clear- fixed term position at 0.76 FTE (closes 1 September)
- Finance Officer - Accounts Payable – St Patrick’s College, Ballarat – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 4 September)
- Classroom Teacher - St Michael & John’s School, Horsham – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 4 September)
- Generalist Classroom Teacher- St Paul’s Primary School, Mildura- fixed term position at 1.0 FTE (closes 7 September)
- Assistant Rowing Coordinator – Damascus College, Mt Clear – fixed term position at 0.3 FTE (closes 8 September)
- Classroom Teacher- Emmaus Primary School, Mt Clear – fixed term position at 1.0 FTE (closes 8 September)
- Classroom Teacher - Emmaus Primary School, Mt Clear – fixed term position at 0.6 FTE (closes 8 September)
- Classroom Teacher – St Mary’s School, Donald - ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 8 September)
- Classroom Teachers – St John’s School, Dennington – fixed term position at 1.0 FTE (closes 8 September)
- Subject Teachers - Expression of Interest for all subject areas commencing 2024 – Marian College, Ararat- ongoing positions at 1.0 FTE (closes 29 September)
- Casual Relief Teachers – St Columba’s School, Ballarat North (closes 2 October)
- Casual Relief Teachers – St Alipius’ Parish School, Ballarat East (closes 30 December)
Article submitted by Sarah Hanley.