Weekly Newsletter #28 - 6 September 2023
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Reflection
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From the Executive Director
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Country Dioceses Leadership Program (CDLP) 2024 Applications Open
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Celebrating the Birth of Jesus: Nativity Scenes from Around the World
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SchoolTV - DOBCEL Commitment to High Quality Online Wellbeing Platform
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Catholic Education Update
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People and Development Update
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Catholic Identity & Mission Update
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Student Wellbeing Update
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Learning and Teaching Update
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Career Opportunities in the Diocesan Education Community
Reflection
A Time to Notice….
This week we have entered the first full week of the Season of Creation 2023
The following reflection by Fr. Andy Hamilton SJ explores the concept of “noticing” and how it is linked to the Season of Creation from the perspective of The Catholic Story and Vision especially relating to ecological justice..
When we attend to the beauty of our world, we notice how complex and delicate are the relationships of which we are part. We notice the scent of flowers in spring, the light green of new growth, the plumage of lorikeets and the part that scents and colours have in the drive of nature to perpetuate itself. We notice, too, how nothing is superfluous in nature, nothing is ugly. The fallen bark and dead grasses provide material for birds to nest and mulch in which ants and other insects can find food. Our world is an image of God’s love for us. It is not merely useful for our purposes but in its excess, it reminds us of the overwhelming gift of God’s love.
To notice such things and to be grateful for them lie at the heart of our celebration of the Season of Creation. It is the baseline with which our use of God’s gifts of creation must harmonise. It also enables us to recognise and regret the disrespect with which we often treat God’s creation. The pollution, the exploitation and destruction of the rhythms of creation for gain, or even worse for the destruction of the human and natural world through the weapons of war, are not simply mistakes, but are blasphemy. Although we know that much of this disrespect is unintended, and perhaps even unnoticed, we grieve to see it.
To notice and celebrate the Season of Creation reinforces our commitment to respect it. This can take many different forms. We can join campaigns to draw attention to the ways in which creation is disrespected. We can celebrate the beauty of creation and try to embody respect for it in our ordinary lives – in the way in which we travel, eat and sleep, for example, read, sow seeds, wrap and dispose of rubbish. The Season of Creation is a time to attend to our world, to celebrate its beauty and respect its delicacy, and to join others in coming to its defence.
From https://catholicoutlook.org/a-reflection-for-the-season-of-creation/
Invitation to Prayer…..
Recall: Enter into a time of prayer and bring to mind a place in nature that is meaningful to you. It can be a place from childhood, a place visited during a special trip, or maybe somewhere you’ve never been, but has significance to you.
Imagine the place as vividly as possible, as if you are there right now. Noticing the colours...the textures...the different shapes...the sounds...the smells. Notice also how you feel in this place.
Pray: As you imagine yourself in this special place, ask if there is a message God is sharing with you at this time. Just notice if anything arises.
Give thanks: When you are ready, close by offering a prayer of thanks to God for the gift of creation and whatever message you may have received at this time.
Taken from LSM PRAYER BOOK
From the Executive Director
Last Friday I attended the Catholic Capital Grants Directors meeting where we approved new projects and received progress reports on current projects.
DOBCEL Board Meeting
The DOBCEL Board travelled to St Patrick’s Primary School, Koroit yesterday for our September meeting. On the way to Koroit, the Directors visited Our Lady Help of Christians and St Pius X primary schools, both in Warrnambool and were impressed with the students, staff and grounds.
The meeting was followed by a dinner for Parish Priests, Principals and SAC Chairs. We were also pleased to welcome Roma Britnell MP to the dinner. This gave the Board an opportunity to discuss the statewide issue of school bus eligibility for Catholic students amongst other matters with Roma.
Structured Literacy Project
Primary School Principals are asked to complete the one question form, located in the Learning & Teaching article in this newsletter, by Monday 2 October.
Catholic Capital Grants: Call for grant funding applications to fund major capital works
Principals are advised that applications for grants to fund major capital works under the Victorian Government Capital Funding Program (VGCFP) 2023–24 are now open and will close at midnight on Friday 20 October 2023.
Please see Circular for further information.
CCG (Vic) Ltd will also be holding information sessions via videoconference to assist schools with the application process. The available sessions are scheduled for:
- Thursday 7 September, 10.00 am – 11.00 am
- Tuesday 12 September, 11.30 am – 12.30 pm.
Those intending to attend a session are asked to provide their names and email addresses to ccgadmin@macs.vic.edu.au, and may also include any questions they would like answered during the relevant session.
For those unable to attend, a recording will be made available for download.
If you require additional support with your application, please contact: Ashley Wiseman, Manager: Planning and Infrastructure, on email awiseman@dobcel.catholic.edu.au or on phone 0484 819 360.
Tom Sexton
Executive Director, Catholic Education Ballarat
Images from St Patrick's Primary School, Koroit.
Country Dioceses Leadership Program (CDLP) 2024 Applications Open
The Country Dioceses Leadership Program (CDLP) enables middle leaders from across three country Dioceses (Ballarat, Sandhurst & Wagga) to engage in a residential 7-day professional development program with a significant focus on the skills, knowledge and capabilities for effective middle leadership within a Catholic context.
The program provides opportunities for participants to identify their effective leadership practice and apply this within their own school context through a spaced learning model, and a coaching program.
Applications for the 2024 program close on Friday 10 November, 2023.
For further information, application form and principal endorsement please see attachments below.
Article submitted by Tim O'Farrell.
Celebrating the Birth of Jesus: Nativity Scenes from Around the World
The first nativity scene recorded in history was conceived by St. Francis of Assisi in 1223. After visiting the Holy Land and birthplace of Jesus, St. Francis was concerned that the meaning of Christmas was being forgotten. To highlight the importance of the birth of Jesus, St Francis of Assisi obtained permission from the sovereign Pontiff to construct a nativity scene in a cave near Greccio, Italy. It was to include the people of the town and animals, making it a living nativity scene. Although this tradition still continues in some countries today, the 19th century saw the nativity scene gradually being replaced with static displays with baby Jesus, Mary and Joseph in a manger surrounded by richly robbed figurines and animals.
Today, nativity scenes continue to be displayed at Christmas in churches, schools and in homes. They act as a reflection on the deeper truths and mysteries of the birth of Jesus whilst giving us the opportunity to experience a calm silence, even if just for a moment. They can make us reflect on the importance of family and loved ones whilst uniting the world together through the birth of Jesus.
Displayed in the Diocesan Archive Centre, this exhibition highlights the private collection of Fiona Tonkin and Kay Paton plus other nativity scenes from the wider community. The archives is open Monday to Friday by appointment only and the nativity scenes will be exhibited from Monday 20 November.
For more information, please contact Samantha Fabry archives@ballarat.catholic.org.au
SchoolTV - DOBCEL Commitment to High Quality Online Wellbeing Platform
DOBCEL is excited to announce the establishment of a partnership with SchoolTV that will see all DOBCEL schools having their own school branded online platform accessing the resources of SchoolTV which currently serves over 900 schools and 9 Dioceses.
The SchoolTV platform provides schools with an extensive range of wellbeing resources, so they can work together in partnership to ensure better wellbeing for all students. School TV is proving to be a fantastic support to Family & School Community Engagement which remains a priority at DOBCEL.
Further detail regarding SchoolTV can be accessed via this link DOBCEL SchoolTV presentation.
What happens next?
- SchoolTV will contact each school to arrange setup of the online platform with school customisation and training in the use of SchoolTV.
- CEB Wellbeing Team will support setup and training.
- Any questions you may have about SchoolTV can be directed to Tony Perkins or Liz McIntyre.
Article submitted by Tony Perkins.
Catholic Education Update
Teaching Excellence Program
The Teaching Excellence Program (TEP) enables highly skilled teachers to advance their capability and confidence for exemplary teaching – Applications close 15 September.
TEP is a year-long professional learning program for highly skilled teachers, supporting and challenging them to become even better teachers. Through the program, teachers analyse their teaching practice to deepen content and pedagogical content knowledge in and across the key discipline areas. They access contemporary, evidence-informed research and apply this learning to their student’s learning needs. Teachers utilise a practitioner inquiry approach to deepen their knowledge, capability and confidence to teach even more effectively in their context.
TEP is open to highly skilled teachers with a minimum of three years teaching experience from the government, Independent and Catholic sectors, including those teaching in alternative settings.
Supported by a team of Master Teachers-in-Residence, TEP teachers engage with national and international expert educators in a diverse range of learning activities, including Conference Days, Discipline Days, Teaching Excellence Learning Community (TELC) Days and Practitioner Inquiry.
Teaching in the disciplines
The program is structured around key disciplines, including:
- The Arts
- English, including English as an additional language
- Health and Physical Education
- The Humanities
- Languages
- Mathematics
- Science
- Technologies
Information Sessions
Information sessions are being held weekly for both teacher applicants and principals to support applicants with their 2024 TEP applications and answer any questions.
We encourage applicants to attend an applicant/teacher information session to find out more about the program and so that we can clarify and support applicants to submit their applications. The principal information sessions are opportunities to hear from Principals-in-Residence. The sessions will provide information for principals to support their teacher applicants through the application process and the year of professional learning that follows. Register for an information session.
If you have questions about the program, please contact Fiona Murphy or more information can be found at Teaching Excellence Program.
Article submitted by Matthew Byrne.
Project Compassion 2024
Thank you for your continued support of Project Compassion. A reminder to please order your Project Compassion 2024 materials by the cut off date 30 September 2023. If you choose not to reorder the order requirements from this year will be sent. You can reorder through the website or by the QR code sent to you by email.
Alternatively you can contact the Supporter Services team at Caritas Australia on 1800 024 413.
Article submitted by Dr Susan Crowe.
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.
Flourish Wellbeing eMagazine – September 2023
The September 2023 edition of Converge International’s Flourish Health and Wellbeing eMag is now available.
Featured Articles:
- Supporting Australians during The Voice to Parliament referendum.
- R U OK? Day
- Podcast – Meditation vs Mindfulness
Also in this edition:
- Be bold this Liptember.
- 7 health ways to deal with anger.
- What’s the best way to move.
- The benefits of resistance training.
- Snooze silence.
- And more!
For more information about the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) visit Converge International.
Articles submitted by Tania Lund.
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.
Student Wellbeing Update
Rural Health Connect- Psychology Service
Rural Health Connect is an online platform that links people to psychologists over video calls and phone calls. Rural Health Connect originated in Central QLD in response to a clear need for better access to psychologists in rural areas and have now expanded across rural Australia. They deal with drought, bushfire, floods and isolation on top of all of life’s other pressures yet access psychologists at less than a fifth of the rate of people in cities. The lack of professionals in rural areas, long drives to appointments, lack of privacy in small towns and stigma are all deterrents to seeking help.
Rural Health Connect want everyone, regardless of where they live or their life circumstances, to be able to access the psychologist that is right for them. And to be able to conduct their sessions without disrupting their daily lives.
This service is available for rural and regional children, adolescents and adults.
Rural Health Connect mission is to make psychology sessions accessible to all; and to provide a convenient, private and affordable way to conduct sessions.
Please make your families and School Student Wellbeing teams aware of such a valuable resource.
Rural Recovery Victoria Program - Provisional Psychologist Pilot
Learning and Teaching Update
Victorian Curriculum Mathematics Version 2.0: Resources Online
All schools are reminded that the latest resources (including recorded webinars) are available online at the VCAA website.
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). Schools are advised to keep abreast of these resources and updates as they become available.
The latest iteration of the Victorian Mathematics Curriculum (F-10) can be accessed here.
Introduction to CEB’s new PAT resources site including the Faces On The Data Tool
- Thursday 5th October 3:30 - 4:30pm
Target Audience:
- Mathematics, Literacy, Curriculum, Learning Diversity Leaders, Leadership
- Classroom Teachers
Focus: Introduce participants to the new DOBCEL PAT resources site developed by the CEB PAT Team.
What will you be introduced to?
A series of SPOT DOCS - Single Point of Truth slide decks that provide consistent messaging and advice around PAT administration fidelity, data tracking and measures of achievement.
Slide deck 1: Administration Slides to be used for all PAT Assessments (PATM Linear and Adaptive, PATR Linear and Adaptive, PAT S and PAT G&P), which can be inserted into classroom daily slides or used as stand alone slides. This slide deck ensures consistency and fidelity of administration school (and system) wide, and makes classroom administration seamless, with timers, administration icons, student visuals and teacher instructions included.
Slide deck 2: PAT Decision - Making Roadmap
Slide deck 3: PAT Administration Frequently Asked Questions
Slide deck 4: Measures of Achievement: Unpacking the Core Terminology
Slide deck 5: Pros and Cons of PAT Linear V PAT Adaptive
Slide deck 6: Conversion charts from Scale Scores to Percentile Ranks
Slide deck 7: PAT Faces on the Data Explanation Slides
Breeana Wade will also provide an overview Presentation of PAT Faces, with particular emphasis on the adjustments tab which has been included as a result of the Q & A with Caithlin and Daniel from ACER at the Primary Leaders of Learning Meeting on the 15 August.
Register by Wednesday 4 October via this link
If you have any questions please contact Breeana Wade, Teresa Hadden or Lisa Templar
Free Professional Development Series: The Spring Series
CEP's free online professional development series; the Spring Series continues this week on Wednesday 6 September, 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm.
Session 03: Bridging the Gap: Strategies for Building Strong Community Connections
- Date: 6 September 2023, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Sign up for Session 3
Missed Session 1? Building a Strong and Sustainable School Culture- Watch It Here
Missed Session 2? The Blueprint for Effective Student Well-Being: Watch It Here
Session 04: Staffing Strategies: From Recruitment to Retention
- Date: 13 September 2023, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Sign up for Session 4
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.
DOBCEL Structured Literacy Project - Final Levels for 2024
Over the course of Term Three, DOBCEL primary schools have received a great deal of information about the DOBCEL Structured Literacy Project Levels of Support for 2024. It is now time to 'lock in' a final decision so that 2024 calendar dates can be shared with schools early in Term Four.
All Primary Principals are asked to please complete this ONE QUESTION form by Monday 2nd October 2023.
** Please note, even if you are opting NOT to join the project at any level, you will need to indicate this on the form. **
If you need further information about the various levels of support, please view this slide-deck. Your Education Consultant or local Education Officer will be able to provide you with further advice and support with selecting the best level for your school.
Please contact Emma Rutherford (Project Lead) or Joe Ewing (Learning & Teaching Leader) if you have any questions, concerns or suggestions.
DIBELS Training - Term 4, 2023
In Term 4 CEB Learning & Teaching team are offering training in the DIBELS assessment suite.
WHAT:
- DIBELS( Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills) is a set of assessments that can be used by teachers as a measure of Literacy skill acquisition.
- Learn about the assessment, its administration, fidelity to its implementation and potential for analysis and use of the data collected.
WHEN & WHERE:
Date | Time | Location | Book |
Monday, October 9, 2023 | 10 am – 2 pm | Horsham Office | |
Wednesday, October 11, 2023 | 10 am – 2 pm | Ballarat Office | |
Monday, October 16, 2023 | 10 am – 2 pm | Warrnambool Office | |
Monday, October 23, 2023 | 10 am – 2 pm | Northern Zone (Venue TBC) |
WHO:
- Any schools interested (other than schools who have nominated for Level 1 Structured Literacy for 2024)
- Leaders, Teachers, Level Leaders, Curriculum Leaders, Learning Diversity Leaders
- CEB Education Officers (L&T and LD/Wellbeing)
If you would like to know more about DIBELS for your school, go here or contact your Education Officer.
Please note: Structured Literacy Schools across the Diocese will be using these assessments. 2024 Level One schools will do this training in 2024 as part of their Professional Learning.
Ballarat Japanese Teachers Professional Learning Workshop
A new cross-sectoral initiative was held on Wednesday 30 August in Ballarat with Japanese teachers from both Catholic and government primary schools joining together to attend a professional learning workshop. 20 Japanese teachers from the Ballarat and Warrnambool regions enjoyed presentations about Years F - 6 Japanese curriculum and teaching resources, a Japanese drama workshop and participated in learning activity demonstrations. A huge thank you to Simone Bawden (Ballarat North Primary) and Amanda Pepplinkhouse (Emmaus Primary) for coordinating this wonderful day of learning that fostered collegial spirit amongst the Japanese teaching community.
Selena Fisk Final Presentation Day
Over the past three terms, schools across the Ballarat Diocese have connected with Selena Fisk and Data Storytelling Professional Learning.
On Tuesday 5 September teachers from Our Lady Help of Christians (Wendouree), Siena (Lucas), St Patrick’s (Gordon) and Lumen Christi (Delacombe) shared their action research key findings. The conversations were engaging and stretched each others’ thinking moving forward and the continuing work at their school. Excitingly, these schools are looking forward to forming a network that will gather to share and support each other through their ongoing implementation of the work in their school context.
Congratulations on all of the hard work these schools have done and continue to do.
We would also like to acknowledge the work of those schools who were unable to participate and we look forward to hearing about their data journeys at the Partnership Meetings or during our next visits.
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.
- 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)
- 2024 Classroom Teaching Position – St Patrick’s Primary School, Ballarat – fixed term position at 1.0 FTE (closes 14 September)
- Languages Classroom Teacher – St Paul’s Primary School, Mildura – fixed term position at 0.60 FTE (closes 14 September)
- Admin/Finance Officer – St Mary’s School, Donald – ongoing position at 0.6 FTE (closes 15 September)
- Classroom Teacher/Specialist Teacher (STEM) – St Patrick’s School, Koroit – fixed term position at 0.8 FTE (closes 25 September)
- Subject Teachers - Expression of Interest for all subject areas commencing 2024 – Marian College, Ararat- ongoing positions at 1.0 FTE (closes 29 September)
- Classroom Teacher- 2024- St Joseph’s School, Coleraine – fixed term position at 1.0 FTE (closes 29 September)
- Classroom Teacher- St Michael and John’s School, Horsham – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 2 October)
- Full Time Classroom Teacher – St James’ School, Sebastopol – fixed term position at 1.0 FTE (closes 2 October)
- 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.