Weekly Newsletter #34 - 1 November 2023
Reflection
All Saints Day???….All Souls Day???
Today is All Saints Day and tomorrow is All Souls Day. Joan Chittister explores, in part the significance of what is being celebrated and remembered on these two days in today's reflection.
“All across the world, plants and flowers, trees and flags, mementoes and framed photographs stand on quiet graves to mark that communion of life that one generation feels with another. Our souls stretch always forward, yes, but our hearts stretch always back. The chain of life never breaks, the shape of soul never strains beyond what formed us, what filled us with life in the first place.
We are bound to one another, each generation a link in the chain, each generation a standard for one to come. The people over whose graves we weep are not simply people we have known or who, though strangers, have had the decency to disappear from an earth already overcrowded. No, we cry tears of loss only for those whose lives touched our own and made them better. We cry both for parents and for politicians, for friends and for public figures, for anyone who has lived out “the communion of saints,” the Eucharist of humankind, the Christening of life and made it real in our own time, in our own neighbourhoods, in our own world. We weep for those whose faith has formed our own.
When we visit the graves and say the memorial prayers and tell the family stories over the bodies of the dead, we tell of the Christ we saw in them. We remember how it looked in them. We know in them what it is like to be driven by the consuming power of God, to be totally oriented toward God. The communion of saints stands before us, stark witness to the holiness of God, reminding us always to leave behind us for those yet to come a searing memory of the same.”
Chittister, J (2006) In Search of Belief Liguori Publications: Missouri
An Invitation to Pray
For Those Who Walked With Us
For those who walked with us, this is a prayer.
For those who have gone ahead, this is a blessing.
For those who touched and tended us, who lingered with us while they lived, this is a thanksgiving.
For those who journey still with us in the shadows of awareness,
In the crevices of memory,
In the landscape of our dreams,
This is a benediction.
Amen
- Jan Richardson
Letter from the Bishop
Dear Friends,
I write to advise that, because of health concerns, Fr Kevin Maloney will be concluding his responsibilities as Vicar General.
Fr Kevin was appointed to this role over five years ago, in April 2018. Since then, he has fulfilled the varied tasks of Vicar General with great generosity. He has served as a member of the College of Consultors, the Personnel Board, the Bishops Advisory Council, the Board of Diocese of Ballarat Catholic Education, the Catholic Development Fund Committee and the Professional Standards Panel, as well as chairing the Diocesan Finance Council and the Pastoral Planning Panel. He has been ready to travel to various parts of the diocese to assist local communities with issues as they have arisen. For much of this time, Fr Kevin also attended to the pastoral care of several parishes and coordinated professional development opportunities for priests.
Unfortunately, in the course of this year, Fr Kevin has had a number of health concerns. His medical advisers have recommended that he retire from his responsibilities as Vicar General. He will conclude in this role on November 1, after sharing his final Vicar General’s Letter on All Saints Day.
On my own behalf as bishop and on behalf of the diocese, I thank Fr Kevin for his dedicated service as Vicar General through these years.
I hope to appoint a new Vicar General in the coming weeks, after further consultations.
God bless you all.
Paul Bird CSsR
Bishop of Ballarat
From the Executive Director
Diocesan Leadership Gathering
Thank you to the Principals who took time away from their schools on Thursday and Friday last week to attend the last face to face meeting for 2023. It was with great enthusiasm that I shared the exciting news regarding the partnership between DOBCEL, Pasi Sahlberg, David Runge and Melbourne University. Together, we will co-design and implement our forthcoming Strategic Plan, marking a significant step in our journey towards becoming a high-performing system of Catholic schools. Pasi Sahlberg is a renowned international expert in school system improvement. We are truly honoured to have him join us and he will serve as our Professor in Residence over the next four years. I invite you to explore one of Pasi's most recent publications, "Reinventing Australian Schools," which he co-authored. Additionally, for more in-depth insights and information, please visit Pasi's website.
At this meeting the Principals also had the opportunity to work with Professor Stephen Dinham to unpack some of the current theories and practices of leadership capabilities and instructional leadership.
This final gathering of the year is an opportunity to thank and farewell a number of Principals for their service to Catholic education: Inez French, Peter Fahey, Cathy Grace, Andrea Cox, Chris Kavanagh, Terry Brennan and Chris McAloon. The following staff were thanked for taking on the role of Interim Principal throughout 2023: Bambi Afford, Shaun Mohr, Stacey Atkins, Chris Robarts, Joy Quarrell, Gabby Chadwick, Maryanne Comitti, Melissa Sutherland, Sue Paulka and Ryan O’Callaghan. A special presentation was also made to Tracey O’Neill on behalf of the Principals for her service and leadership as the DOBCEL Board Chair.
Thank You Fr Kevin Maloney
Like Bishop Paul, I would like to extend my heartfelt appreciation to Fr Kevin Maloney for his dedicated service as Vicar General. I would also like to acknowledge Fr Kevin's contributions to Catholic schooling in our diocese. He has made significant and enduring impacts throughout our diocese, having served in various parishes and held a diverse range of responsibilities. Notably, in the 1990s, he assumed the position of Director of Religious Education for all our schools. As a Parish Priest, Fr Kevin undertook the role of Governor for many schools and more recently, he has played a pivotal role in our diocese by serving on the DOBCEL Board. It is worth noting Fr Kevin’s appointments over the years:
- Assistant Priest at Ballarat East (1979-1983) and Swan Hill (1983-1986);
- Parish Priest at Mortlake (1987-1992), Bungaree (2002-2004), Daylesford, Creswick (2004-2013), Gordon (2009-2013), Redan and Sebastopol (2013-2021);
- Administrator of Ballarat East (2019), Bungaree (1999-2002), Beaufort (2013) and Linton (2018-2021) parishes.
- Fr Kevin was Co-Governor of St Francis Xavier Primary School, Ballarat East (2019 - 2022) and Damascus College, Mt Clear ( 2018 - 2022).
School Visits
Over the last week I have had the opportunity to visit a number of DOBCEL schools. I thoroughly enjoy interacting with the students and speaking with the staff. Thank you to the following primary schools: Ss Michael & John’s Horsham; St Patrick’s Ballarat; St James’ Sebastopol; Emmaus Mt Clear; St Mary’s Clarkes Hill and St Brendan’s Coragulac.
Tom Sexton
Executive Director, Catholic Education Ballarat
Images from Diocesan Leadership Gathering.
Images from school visit to St Mary's, Clarkes Hill; St Brendan's,
Coragulac; OLHC, Murtoa and SMJ, Horsham.
Smartcopying
As term 4 progresses, many schools will be planning their end-of-year celebrations such as presentation evenings, graduation ceremonies and Christmas concerts.
We have linked a smartcopying newsletter that updates schools on the ways they can use music in these events.
Article submitted by Dr Susan Crowe.
Wellbeing Update
The Inclusive Schooling Online Summit registrations are now open and next year it's FREE to access live and for the replay 48 hours post-summit. It will be held on March 28 & 29 (9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. AEST each day), Please note March 29 is Good Friday.
There is an option to purchase an Extended Viewing add-on for an additional 60-day on-demand replay period (1st April to 30th May)
- $99 if booked and paid up to February 29
- $149 from February 29
Please find below the link for the registrations
2024 Inclusive Schooling Online Summit Tickets | TryBooking Australia
Student Wellbeing
In 2024, DOBCEL is partnering with School TV to support school communities on their wellbeing journey. This exciting health and wellbeing initiative will be rolled out in all DOBCEL schools with RI/MPJP welcome to engage SchoolTV at the DOBCEL discounted price.
Please see attached flyer for further information.
We also remind school leaders to complete the survey gathering your school’s contact details which can be accessed HERE.
Thank you to the 15 schools who have already responded. You will be hearing from the SchoolTV team shortly.
People and Development Update
Flourish Wellbeing eMagazine – November 2023
The November 2023 edition of Converge International’s Flourish Health and Wellbeing eMag is now available.
Featured Articles:
- Movember.
- White Ribbon Day
- An interview with James Cripps – Converge Consultant and First Nations Lead
- Podcast – Laughter and Mental Health
Also in this edition:
- What is addiction?
- How to develop resilience during difficult times
- Global sleep cultures
- How bullying starts at work
- Catching kindness
- Cost of living money tips
- Strength training for sports performance
- And more!
For more information about the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) visit Converge International website.
Fact Finder Online Awareness Sessions - Employee Assistance Program (EAP) by Converge International
Join us for our live online awareness sessions to learn more about our Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
What will it cover?
Whilst EAP is an important part of your wellbeing, Converge International is able to provide more than just mental health support. During the session(s) we will remove all those myths and common misunderstandings you might have about our EAP.
Join our free webinar to learn more.
SESSION ONE – Principals and Leaders
- When: Wednesday 15 November 2023
- Time: 12:30 – 1:00pm
- Click here to join.
SESSION TWO – All Staff
- When: Tuesday 21 November 2023
- Time: 12:00 – 12:30pm
- Click here to join.
Staff Wellbeing Wednesday – November Newsletter
The November 2023 edition of the Wellbeing Wednesday Newsletter is now available for staff.
In this edition you will find information on:
- Movember – Men's Health Awareness Month
- World Kindness Day
- White Ribbon Day
- National Skin Cancer Action Week
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – Fact Finder Awareness Sessions by Converge International
Articles submitted by Tania Lund.
Learning and Teaching Update
Navigating the Educational Landscape
Strengthening approaches to curriculum, assessment, and pedagogy anchored in school improvement.
Rationale:
In 2024 Diocesan schools are invited to engage with the research-informed principles of curriculum, assessment, and pedagogy that underpin the Education Landscape - a whole of system guide to strengthening our approaches to learning that are anchored in an ecological understanding of learner agency. The context and starting point for this professional learning is each school’s localised school improvement strategy and their aspirations for learners and their school community. Schools will be supported to translate these guiding principles into practice through an evidence-informed inquiry, embedded in their day-to-day work as designers, leaders, teachers, and learners, with colleagues and young people in their local communities.
Outcomes:
- Deeper understanding of learner agency that informs your approaches to curriculum, assessment, and pedagogy (schools will determine their focus).
- A ‘value add’ to your school improvement strategy informed by internal and external research that strengthens your approaches and outcomes.
- Skilful use of process and protocols that privilege dialogue, diverse perspectives, and critical reflection with discernment towards ways of ‘being’ a leader and learner that inspires commitment and action.
- Localised Communities of Practice that regularly engage in collective learning around questions that matter as they seek to strengthen practice.
Participants – target audience
Primary and Secondary School teams of three educators. Ideally the team comprises a whole school leader, a teacher leader who has responsibility for leading the learning of teacher colleagues and a classroom teacher.
Pre-requisites
- School team attends an online orientation session in late 2023.
- School team has the capacity to commit to 2 spaced days of professional learning in Term 1 2024.
- A commitment to partnering with other schools in a Community of Practice and to participate in face to face and online sessions across the year (focus and times decided by school teams)
- A commitment to document and share learning with other school communities and colleagues in office locations.
Commitment
Each school team member is willing to:
- Be active, reflective, and investigative learners, prepared to take risks and open to learn from others.
- Partner with colleagues from other schools through a Communities of Practice, committing the time and resources necessary to deeply engage with each other and with the learning.
- Analyse different forms of evidence and to use the guiding principles as a lens to make sense of local learning contexts and priorities.
- To share the learning from your professional inquiry with others in a variety of ways and contribute to system wide learning.
Expressions of interest to Joe Ewing by November 30th.
Data Storytelling: Dr Selena Fisk Returns
Schools interested in either of the options for working with Dr Selena Fisk are asked to indicate this in the coming weeks so that arrangements and locations can be finalised. Selena spoke briefly to Diocesan Principals at the Diocesan leadership Gathering in Horsham last week. A short video presentation by Selena promoting her latest book is available to be viewed here.
Option 1: Data Storytelling: The Next Chapter.
Schools who have previously engaged with Selena Fisk will continue their learning and refinement of practice using data to inform instruction and strategic decisions. Early in the year schools will identify a data project within their school that will improve data processes and present their work in Term 4, receiving feedback from Selena. Note the early date in Term 1.
Dates:
- Term 1
1. Selena Fisk PL ‘Data Storytelling & Framing a Project’. (Ballarat: Wednesday 7 February)
Where: Mercure Ballarat Hotel & Convention Centre
Register here
2. VC Coaching / Project Circle with Education Officer. (Date TBC) - Term 2
1. Selena Fisk online webinar (½ day) ‘Maintaining Momentum’ (Wednesday 17th April) - Term 3
1. VC Coaching / Project Circle with Education Officer. (Date TBC) - Term 4
1. Selena Fisk PL ‘Data Storytelling’. (10 October)
Cost:
- Catering (TBA)
Please note, schools who have not previously worked with Selena are welcome to register, but familiarity with Selena’s work or engagement with the Data Storytelling LMS is recommended.
Participants are required to register by November 30th.
Option 2: Data Champions
Selena’s work with Data Champions is a deeper examination into the particular data literacy needs of key staff members and the contextual particularities of participating schools. Participating schools will receive ongoing contact and feedback from Selena Fisk including 8 days face to face with Selena, morning & afternoon tea on each day as well as a copy of each of Selena's four books.
Dates:
- Term 1
Shepparton: Thursday 14 & Friday 15 March 2024 - Term 2
Wangaratta: Wednesday 22 & Thursday 23 May 2024 - Term 3
Ballarat: Tuesday 30 & Wednesday 31 July 2024 - Term 4
Bendigo: Tuesday 15 & Wednesday 16 October 2024
Cost :
$1800* per participant. This cost includes workshops, ongoing contact, books and catering. Travel and accommodation costs would be met by participating schools. Program viability relies on a minimum of 10 diocesan participants.
*Amount based on participation minimum. Costing is based on a sliding scale dependent on numbers.
Schools interested in Data Champions are asked to contact: Samantha Meerbach or Joe Ewing.
CEP’s FREE Professional Development Series
The Summer Series is the last series for 2023 following on from CEP's highly successful previous seasons of professional development.
Specifically designed by educators, for educators, this season consists of three highly interactive online sessions.
The first session starts Wednesday 1 November 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm.
Session 01: A Principal’s Guide to Starting In a New Rural Setting
- Date: 1 November 2023, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
- Key Speakers: Peter Seal, Principal, Orbost P-12, Amy Weavell, Principal, Moonambel Primary School, Mark McLay, CEO, Country Education Partnership and Brendan Ryan, Consultant, Country Education Partnership.
- Sign up for Session 1
If you are interested in submitting a question for Session 02: Q & A with Stephen Fraser, please submit this through the form below:
Session 02: Q and A with Stephen Fraser
- Date: 8 November 2023, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
- Key Speakers: Stephen Fraser, Deputy Secretary, School Education Programs and Support at Department of Education.
- Sign up for Session 2
Session 03: [BONUS SESSION] Staff Conflict Training for School Leaders
- Date: 15 November 2023, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
- Key Speakers: Kris Darmody from Fresh Start Mediation.
- Sign up for Session 3
The recordings from each of the all seasons are available for viewing. Watch them all here.
Extending Mathematical Understanding training 2024
Have you started the conversation in your school in relation to training a teacher in the EMU Year 1 or Years 3 – 6 Specialist Teacher course for 2024?
The EMU Specialist Teacher courses provide professional learning for teachers to develop their expertise and leadership in mathematics. Underpinning the program is an accreditation process that ensures that EMU specialist teachers maintain ongoing learning in this essential curriculum area, have the expertise to deliver professional learning to colleagues, and work within a whole school approach to improving learning and teaching for all.
For a training course to be offered in Ballarat as occurred in 2020, Monash University as the facilitators would require at least 20 participants.
To provide you with a clearer understanding of what is involved and the course details below are the links to the training courses for 2023
Please discuss this with your Education Officer or email Teresa Hadden.
Career Opportunities in the Diocesan Education Community
Catholic Education Ballarat Vacancies
- Child Safe Standards Manager- fixed term position at 1.0 FTE (closes 12 November)
- Marketing and Communications Manager – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 12 November)
- Executive Coordinator/Assistant – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 12 November)
- Case Manager – Complaints Resolution – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 12 November)
School Vacancies
- Classroom Teacher, Full Time / Negotiated Part Time – St Joseph’s School, Penshurst – fixed term position at 1.0 FTE (closes 1 November)
- Classroom Teacher - Experienced or Graduate – St Patrick’s School, Stawell – fixed term position at 0.6 FTE (closes 3 November)
- Classroom Teacher - Experienced or Graduate – St Patrick’s School, Stawell – fixed term position at 1.0 FTE (closes 3 November)
- Learning Support Officer - Extensive needs – Damascus College, Mount Clear – fixed term position at 1.0 FTE (closes 3 November)
- Learning Support Officer –St Coleman’s School, Mortlake – fixed term position at 0.6 FTE (closes 6 November)
- Phys Ed/Health Teacher – St Colman’s School, Mortlake – fixed term position at 0.4 FTE (closes 6 November)
- Music teacher – St Thomas’ School, Terang – fixed term position at 0.2 FTE (closes 6 November)
- St Thomas’ Primary School, Terang & St Colman’s, Mortlake P.E Teacher Position – fixed term position at 0.4 FTE (closes 6 November)
- Deputy Principal & Catholic Identity Leader – Sacred Heart Primary School, Mildura – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 6 November)
- Mental Health & Wellbeing Leader – Sacred Heart Primary School, Mildura – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 6 November)
- Learning Community Leader (Year 5 & 6) – Sacred Heart Primary School, Mildura – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 6 November)
- Learning Community Leader (Year 3 & 4) – Sacred Heart Primary School, Mildura – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 6 November)
- Learning Community Leader (Prep-Year 2) – Sacred Heart Primary School, Mildura – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 6 November)
- 2024 Learning Support Officer (FTE 0.72) – Sacred Heart Primary School, Mildura – fixed term position at 0.72 FTE (closes 6 November)
- 2024 Learning Support Officer (FTE 0.54) – Sacred Heart Primary School, Mildura – fixed term position at 0.54 FTE (closes 6 November)
- 2024 Classroom Teacher – Sacred Heart Primary School, Mildura – fixed term position at 1.0 FTE (closes 6 November)
- Classroom Teacher - Experienced or Graduate – St Patrick’s School, Stawell – fixed term position at 1.0 FTE (closes 10 November)
- Classroom Teacher (Junior) - St Patrick’s School, Koroit – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 10 November)
- Multiple Subject Teaching roles – Marian College, Ararat – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 10 November)
- Teacher – St Mary MacKillop College, Swan Hill – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 10 November)
- School Finance Administration Officer – St Augustine’s School, Creswick – ongoing position at 0.8 FTE (closes 12 November)
- Deputy Principal 2024 - Classroom Teacher – Siena Catholic Primary School, Lucas – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 13 November)
- Classroom Teacher - Experienced or Graduate – St Patrick’s School, Stawell – fixed term position at 0.23 FTE (closes 17 November)
- Casual Relief Teachers – St Alipius’ Parish School, Ballarat East (closes 30 December)
Article submitted by Sarah Hanley.