Weekly Newsletter #36 - 15 November 2023
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Reflection
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Message from the Bishop
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From the Executive Director
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Sacred Heart Mini Vinnies Mission Month Wrap Up!
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SchoolTV Survey - Closing This Week!
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Fact Finder Online Awareness Sessions
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Catholic Identity and Mission Update
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Wellbeing Update
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Learning and Teaching Update
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Career Opportunities in the Diocesan Education Community
Reflection
We Remember…
Many Fath Traditions honour, remember, and pray for those who have died. In the Catholic Christian Tradition, and other Christian communities, November is a particular time to remember and pray for those who have died.
Jim Quillinan explores what this means to him, in the following reflection.
Message from the Bishop
Appointment of Vicar General
In a message on October 30, I advised that, because of health concerns, Fr Kevin Maloney would be retiring from the responsibilities of Vicar General. I renew my thanks to Fr Kevin for his service in this role.
I am now pleased to announce that I have appointed Fr Marcello Colasante to be the new Vicar General of our Diocese.
Fr Marcello will continue in his service as Parish Priest of Ballarat North and Wendouree. He will begin in the role of Vicar General on November 20.
I am very grateful to Fr Marcello for his generosity in accepting this additional role.
Announcement of New Director to DOBCEL’s Board - Vicki Clark
It is with great pleasure we announce that Vicki Clark, a Mutthi Mutthi Wemba Wamba woman, will be joining our Board in 2024.
With roots in the heart of Lake Mungo, New South Wales, Vicki's life has been marked by an unwavering dedication to advancing the understanding of Aboriginal spirituality and defending the rights of Aboriginal people to express this spirituality in its various forms. Vicki has worked diligently to integrate Aboriginal culture within the Catholic Church and the educational system, striving to improve educational outcomes for Aboriginal children and youth. This work was largely reflected in her role as Coordinator of the Aboriginal Catholic Ministry (ACM) in Victoria, a position that she held for 25 years, until 2015.
In 2001, through the ACM, Vicki established the Opening the Doors Foundation which provides Aboriginal children with greater educational opportunities across Victoria. This foundation also helped set up the FIRE (Friends Igniting Reconciliation through Education) Carrier program, a program that comprises a network of Victorian schools dedicated to educating their students, staff, and families about reconciliation and fostering a deep understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and cultures.
Over the years, Vicki has also been on numerous boards including Australian Catholic University, the Mary MacKillop Foundation, Caritas Australia, the Sisters of St Joseph, the Edmund Rice Education Australia, as Deputy of Mallee District Aboriginal Services (MDAS) and as Chairperson of the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council.
Vicki has brought about vital change within the Victorian Catholic church regarding the acceptance of Indigenous faith expression and an awakening to issues of justice. From this, she has won countless awards for her commitment to the Aboriginal community and to Reconciliation, including the Order of Australia Medal which she was awarded in 2018.
Catholic primary and secondary schools across Victoria have benefited from Vicki's work regarding Indigenous matters and we look forward to seeing this continue within our diocese.
As her commitment for reconciliation and justice continues, we ask you to please join us in welcoming Vicki Clark to the DOBCEL Board in 2024.
God bless you all.
Paul Bird CSsR
Bishop of the Diocese of Ballarat
From the Executive Director
Welcome
I would also like to welcome Fr Marcello Colasante as the new Vicar General of our Diocese and Vicki Clark as our newest DOBCEL Director. I look forward to working with them both.
School Visits
Over the last week I have again had the opportunity to visit a number of DOBCEL schools. Thank you to St Francis Xavier Ballarat, Lumen Christi Delacombe, St Aloysius Redan, St Columba’s Ballarat and Siena in Lucas. The students have been highly engaged and the student leaders led me on very thorough tours of their facilities.
Both Lumen Christi and St Aloysius had suffered recent storm damage and although the staff and students are facing challenges, they are resiliently navigating their way through these difficulties.
CEB Leadership Meeting
Thanks are extended to Paul McDowell and the staff and students of St Patrick’s School, Gordon who hosted this month’s CEB Leadership meeting. We were treated to a wonderful Acknowledgement of Country and Prayer that was focussed on Remembrance Day.
During this meeting, the Leadership team took the opportunity to speak with Dave Runge from Future Schools and to watch the movie ‘Most Likely to Succeed’ recommended by Pasi Sahlberg to stimulate conversation. This will help inform discussions about our upcoming Strategic Plan.
Professional Reading/Viewing
This week's featured educational stimulus is a recommended podcast. In this engaging conversation, Deborah Netolicky discusses the reinvention of schooling with Professor Pasi Sahlberg, exploring the sources of inspiration to enhance the educational experience for students. Pasi emphasises the significance of working at scale, focusing on well-functioning systems of schools rather than isolated individual schools. It is precisely this perspective that motivates our collaboration with Pasi over the next four years.
Week 8 DLG
A reminder to Principals that the DLG VC will take place on Thursday at 10am via the Zoom link sent to your calendars.
Tom Sexton
Executive Director, Catholic Education Ballarat
Images from St Patrick's School, Gordon.
Sacred Heart Mini Vinnies Mission Month Wrap Up!
The Mini Vinnies at Sacred Heart Parish Primary School in Casterton have been hard at work fundraising for Mission Month!
With activities such as Wheels Day, Crazy Hair Day, Drive Thru Lunch, Water Olympics and a Vinnies Fashion Show, the team raised an incredible $494.47 for Catholic Mission Australia. You can read all about these wonderful events and see pictures via the link below.
The students have also been busy painting and crafting a new range of Art Cards. They have hit the shelves just in time for Christmas!
Mission Month Wrap Up & Christmas Art Cards
Article submitted by Principal Suzie McManus.
SchoolTV Survey - Closing This Week!
We now have only 12 schools yet to complete the survey.
These schools will be contact directly as we hope to have all school information communicated to the SchoolTV team by the end of this week.
We remind school leaders to complete the survey gathering your school’s contact details which can be accessed HERE. This survey should take no longer than 10 minutes to complete.
Thank you to those who have already completed the survey.
Please see attached flyer for further information.
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 we will remove all those myths and common misunderstandings you might have about our EAP.
Join our free webinar to learn more.
Article submitted by Tania Lund.
Catholic Identity and Mission Update
Staff Prayer Resources for Advent 2023
Advent commences on Sunday 3 December. The following resources may assist with staff prayer in your school/college during the Season of Advent.
These can be adapted to best meet the needs of local context and communities.
Advent 2023 with Anticipation and Joy Caritas Australia Advent Parish Booklet Advent Resources for Secondary Schools Advent Simplicity Challenge - Ignatian Solidarity Network | Laudati Si’ Cosmic Advent Wreath Prayer of the Church Advent Advent with Mary MacKillop Advent Resources - IgnatianSpirituality.com |
Resources submitted by Jim Waight.
Knox Public Lecture 2023 - Tuesday 28 November
The annual Knox Public Lecture is an important date in the calendar of Catholic Theological College. It commemorates the life and ministry of the founder of The College, the late James Robert Cardinal Knox, fifth Archbishop of Melbourne.
As Archbishop he had a grand vision for theological education in Melbourne, which led to the formation of a significant Catholic theological faculty dedicated to the education not only of future priests but also of religious and laity.
Please see the invitation below for further information about this years lecture.
Article submitted by Kate Lawry.
Wellbeing Update
International Day of People with Disability
"International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD) is a United Nations day observed on 3 December each year to increase public awareness, understanding and acceptance of people with disability.
By acknowledging this important day, we can take action to remove barriers for the 4.4 million Australians with disability and contribute to positive change in our classrooms and our community.
Together, we can all take action to challenge perceptions about disability, remove barriers and promote inclusive and respectful attitudes and behaviours in our community."
The United Nations theme for IDPwD 2023 is ‘United in action to rescue and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for, with and by persons with disabilities.’
The Australian IDPwD website can be found here.
Your school’s Learning Diversity Leader will have received an email with further resources and links to assist classroom and school community recognition of this day.
Learning and Teaching Update
Introductory Workshop: The Victorian Mathematics Curriculum V2.0
During term 1, Primary Leaders of Mathematics and classroom teachers are invited to engage in introductory workshops on the F - Yr.6 Victorian Mathematics Curriculum. These sessions will be facilitated by Julie Cooper and Teresa Hadden, Primary Education Officers from CEB.
The content will include:
- Exploring the structure and introductory documents for the Victorian Mathematics Curriculum V2.0
- Discover the similarities and differences between V1.0 and V2.0
- Map out a Scope and Sequence for the year demonstrating the interconnectedness of concepts.
- Focus on a key mathematical concept in each workshop and create I can statements and assessment ideas from F - Yr.6. This material will then be shared across the Diocese.
The format of this professional learning has been trialed and modified based on participant feedback by Teresa Hadden with 3 schools in the Southern Zone during term 4.
This professional learning is targeted at Primary Leaders of Mathematics and classroom teachers.
Dates & Venues:
- 27th Feb: St. Paul’s Mildura
- 1st March: St. Patrick’s Stawell
- 4th March: St. Alipius Ballarat East
- 6th March: St. Pius X Parish Hall Warrnambool West
Registration details will be shared soon.
Locating Your Work Within the Educational Landscape
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 30 November 2023.
Telling a Story with Your School’s Data
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.
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 17 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 30.
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.
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.
Upcoming Truth Telling in Education Webinar - Preventing Racism in Schools
Post-referendum, incidents of racism against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students are escalating and Reconciliation Victoria is calling on all educators to increase strategies to prevent racism in our classrooms and schoolyards.
Jane Lewis (former Senior Adviser Education at the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission) will explore the complexities of racism and offer strategies/resources to create a safer space for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.
- Date: Thursday 16 November 2023
- Time: 4:00pm - 5:00pm
- Cost: Free
- Register: via this link
Post-Referendum Actions for School/Early Learning Communities
Reconciliation Australia’s 'Reconciliation after the Referendum' webinar is now available on their website. In conjunction with this, Reconciliation Australia has put together a list of actions for schools and early learning services to take in response to the referendum, and focused on supporting your First Nations staff, students and community while sustaining your school/ service's commitment to reconciliation. Key actions include:
- Listen Before jumping into "action mode", schools and early learning services must listen to and be led by First Nations stakeholders as they determine when and how to respond to the outcome of the referendum.
- Prioritise the wellbeing of First Nations staff, students and community members, keeping in mind the impact that the result, media and the public conversation may have had on individuals and communities. View this article about the Referendum and Education for resources about wellbeing.
- Reflect We must all reflect on how we engaged our school and service communities in conversations about reconciliation before the referendum, and how we will more responsively engage in these conversations into the future.
- Recommit As you implement and refresh your RAP, ensure it responds to this moment and prepares us for a brighter future.
- Research what other schools and early learning services in your area, as well as organisations, have a RAP and think about broadening your reconciliation network.
Engaging Students in their Mathematical Learning
Professional Learning for Leaders of Mathematics and Classroom Teachers Facilitated by Michael Ymer.
Rationale: To impact on teacher practice from planning through to teaching of engaging Mathematical tasks.
Focus / Learning Intentions
- Explore classroom management strategies
- Identify mathematical tasks which are engaging for ALL students
- Enhance participant’s knowledge of the Mathematical curriculum
Dates
- 13 May – Ballarat
- 14 May – St. Patrick’s Koroit School Hall
- 15 May – Horsham
- 17 May - Mildura
Registration links will be made available soon.
Career Opportunities in the Diocesan Education Community
Catholic Education Ballarat Vacancies
- Psychologist – ongoing position at 0.8 FTE (closes 16 November)
- Speech Pathologist – ongoing position at 0.5 FTE (closes 16 November)
- Education Officer: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 19 November)
School Vacancies
- Classroom Teacher – St Brigid’s School, Ballan – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 16 November)
- Classroom Teacher - Experienced or Graduate – St Patrick’s School, Stawell – fixed term position at 0.23 FTE (closes 17 November)
- Head of Learning & Teaching Junior – Marian College, Ararat – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 17 November)
- Learning Support Officer – St Patrick’s School, St Arnaud – fixed term position at 0.8 FTE (closes 17 November)
- Leader of Youth Ministry – Damascus College, Mount Clear – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 17 November)
- Canteen Assistant – St Mary MacKillop College, Swan Hill – ongoing position at 0.63 FTE (closes 17 November)
- Teacher – St Mary MacKillop College, Swan Hill – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 17 November)
- Learning Support Officers – St Mary MacKillop College, Swan Hill – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 17 November)
- Learning Support Officer – St Patrick’s College, Ballarat – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 19 November)
- Classroom Teacher – St Mary’s School, Sea Lake – fixed term position at 1.0 FTE (closes 20 November)
- Classroom Teacher 2 Positions - Lower and Upper Primary – Our Lady Help of Christians School, Wendouree – fixed term position at 1.0 FTE (closes 20 November)
- Fit4Life Wellbeing Team Members – Emmanuel College, Warrnambool – fixed term position at 1.0 FTE (closes 23 November)
- Teacher of Biology, Science, Environmental Science, Math – Emmanuel College, Warrnambool – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 23 November)
- Teacher of Digital Systems, Materials Design, Systems Engineering & IT – Emmanuel College, Warrnambool – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 23 November)
- Classroom Teacher – St Augustine’s School, Maryborough – fixed term position at 1.0 FTE (closes 24 November)
- First Aid Officer- Administration Support – Damascus College, Mount Clear – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 24 November)
- Classroom Teacher – St Joseph’s School, Charlton – fixed term position at 1.0 FTE (closes 24 November)
- Learning Support Officer/s – St Columba’s School, Ballarat North – fixed term position at 0.7 FTE (closes 27 November)
- Student Counselling Practitioner – Damascus College, Mount Clear – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 27 November)
- Deputy Principal – St Mary’s School, Swan Hill – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 1 December)
- Casual Relief Teachers – St Alipius’ Parish School, Ballarat East (closes 30 December)
Article submitted by Sarah Hanley.