Weekly Newsletter #1 - 31 January 2024
Reflection
The Gift You Are
We come to 2024 conscious of the gift each one of us is.
We are gifts of the universe unfolding for billions of years
To produce a wondering and wonderful life-form
With awareness, appreciation and creativity.
We are gifts of the universe,
Bringing us forth, to sing, to dance and to be joyful on its behalf
On behalf of all creation.
We are gifts of the Great Mystery, God the Creator,
Permeating, penetrating and embracing everything that exists.
And coming to human expression in and through us.
We are gifts of human love,
Of commitment, of risk, of hope, of trust, of promise
Of dreams of what can be.
We are gifts of all the joy that love can bring
Of dreams come true, of Divine possibilities.
We are earthen vessels
Gifted with power and impulses
That drive the universe
We are earthen vessels
Charged with the Great Mystery
At work everywhere
In the vastness of the universe.
We are gifts
To be opened and shared
Called to be co-creators
Of an evolving humanity
Enablers of the ‘Kingdom of God”
We come to this year
To affirm our commitment
To expansion, to risk, to possibilities
To the gift we want to be, and can be
For anyone whose lives we touch.
To wherever the Spirit of Life and Love
May lead us
We give our Amen
Adapted from Michael Morwood Pages 54-57
Morwood, M (2018) Prayers for Progressive Christians Kelmor Publications: Sunbury
From the Bishop
My thanks to everyone who helped with the preparations for the central zone Mass at St Patrick’s Cathedral on Monday. It was good to have so many gathered to start the new school year in a prayerful way.
Attached here is my homily from this celebration for the benefit of our education communities throughout the diocese.
My best wishes and prayerful support for a wonderful year pursuing the fullness of life for all in 2024.
Paul Bird CSsR
Bishop of the Diocese of Ballarat
From the Executive Director
A warm welcome to the school year to all Principals, teachers and staff, and especially those new to our DOBCEL community of schools.
I trust the school year has commenced smoothly for you and that you feel energised for a successful year ahead, nurturing and guiding your students to the ‘fullness of life’.
It was wonderful to be in a packed St Patrick’s Cathedral for the central zone opening year Mass celebration with Bishop Paul on Monday. The Cathedral was buzzing with energy and the sense and strength of our DOBCEL community was palpable. I’m sure this feeling was replicated across the diocese, both at the other zone and school-based liturgical celebrations.
Bishop Paul’s homily on the occasion sets the scene for our year ahead as we acknowledge our 150th year as a diocese. On March 30 1874, our diocese was established, separating from the Archdiocese of Melbourne. Of course some schools were established years earlier, including our first school in Portland opened in 1849.
The theme - Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer - will underpin a range of activities to mark the anniversary throughout the year, including a visit by a symbolic Message Stick to every school across the diocese.
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As most will already be aware, we are extremely excited to begin work alongside world-renowned Finnish educator Professor Pasi Sahlberg and CEO of Future Schools Australia Dave Runge, who will advise, guide and co-design with us a strategic plan to shape the direction for our system of schools over the next five years.
As part of this work, Pasi and Dave will engage with a range of school communities, Principals, diocesan leadership staff, and the DOBCEL Board over the first half of this year. A full schedule of stakeholder engagements will be outlined in next week’s newsletter.
I am sure you will agree the opportunity to work alongside education leaders of the calibre and experience of Pasi and Dave over an extended period is a significant one.
Pasi and Dave are also genuinely excited to be working with us and look forward to meeting as many of you as possible over the coming months.
To continue to “prime the pump” for this co-design phase I invite you to read Michael Fullan’s recent article, Why We Can’t Escape the Status Quo in Education: 200 years of doing the same thing just won’t cut it.
Tom Sexton
Executive Director, Catholic Education Ballarat
Catholic Identity and Mission Update
Teacher Accreditation Platform (TAP) Reminder
We are aware that a number of teachers across the diocese received a letter on January 1 reminding them of their accreditation requirements. While these emails indicated that they were sent from Teacher Accreditation Ballarat, they were in fact auto-generated by Melbourne.
Teacher Accreditation Ballarat was not aware that this email was going to be sent to teachers across the diocese. We apologize for any distress that this email may have caused teachers during the holidays. Please be assured that we will bring this to the attention of Melbourne in order to prevent this happening again.
Professional Learning Update
Please click here to see all Catholic Identity and Mission professional learning opportunities for 2024.
Articles submitted by Kate Lawry.
Finance Update
School Student Broadband Initiative
A reminder to schools to ensure their families are aware of the Australian Governments School Student Broadband Initiative (SSBI), which has now been extended through to December 2025. This means eligible families who sign up this year will get access to close to two years of free internet.
To boost education opportunities and narrow the digital divide, the Australian Government is providing up to 30,000 eligible families with school age children with no internet at home, access to free NBN under the SSBI.
Access to the SSBI will become easier, with the announcement of a National Referral Centre that parents/carers with school students can contact directly to check their eligibility.
Victorian families with students enrolled in Prep to Year 12, who do not have an active NBN connection (or had one in the previous 14 days) but can access a standard NBN service at their premises, can become eligible with an application to the National Referral Centre.
You can find more information about the NRC on Anglicare Victoria’s website available here: Student Internet Program - Anglicare Victoria or contact Jordan Smith at the Catholic Education Ballarat Office.
Click here for optional newsletter templates with suggested wording to help schools communicate the SSBI program to families.
Article submitted by Jordan Smith.
People and Development Update
2024 Spirit of Catholic Education Awards
DOBCEL is proud to sponsor an award process aimed at continuing to recognise the outstanding service and leadership within Catholic education throughout our Diocesan school communities, and Catholic Education Office.
In 2024, the refreshed awards align with the DOBCEL strategic priorities, which are positioned to support the DOBCEL vision, “as partners in Catholic Education and open to God’s presence, we pursue fullness of life for all.”
All DOBCEL employees are encouraged to nominate an individual or team who consistently performs in an exemplary way. Nominees can be from a school in the Diocese of Ballarat or the Catholic Education Ballarat (CEB) office.
Nominations can be submitted for any of the following five categories –
- Building inclusive Catholic learning communities.
- Empowering all to flourish.
- Fostering inspiring leadership.
- Achieving best practice.
- Enhancing family engagement, governance, and stewardship.
Each award category has a series of criteria based on the opportunity questions detailed in the DOBCEL Strategic Directions 2020-2024 document.
At least one award recipient will be selected, with a maximum of three awards each year. Award recipients will be presented during the Catholic Education Week Dinner. All nominees will be acknowledged in some way.
To view more information about the Spirit of Catholic Education Awards, please see the Catholic Education Week tab on the DOBCEL website or click here.
Nominations open on Wednesday 14 February 2024 and close on Friday 1 March 2024. Everyone is encouraged to get involved and nominate their colleagues.
Early Career Teacher Days 2024
The Early Career Teacher Program is a three-year integrated program designed to support early career teacher induction into the Ballarat Diocese and the teaching profession, within the particular context of working in the ministry of Catholic education. The program reflects the partnership between DOBCEL and schools who together support the professional growth of early career teachers. Elements of the program presented through these dedicated days will complement formation opportunities initiated by the school community.
Graduate and Early Career Teacher program days will take place on the following dates throughout 2024. To encourage participation and decrease travel time for people in the north, program days in terms one and two will be run in two locations (Ballarat and Robinvale). The content on both days will be the same, and participants should only attend one day.
If you know an early career teacher, please share these dates with them!
TERM 1:
| TERM 2:
Try booking registration links to be provided soon.
Try booking registration links to be provided soon. |
TERM 3:
Try booking registration links to be provided soon. | TERM 4: Individual check-ins with Early career teachers |
If you have any queries about the program please contact Sarah Hanley.
Effective Mentoring Program
Calling mentor teachers!
The Effective Mentoring Program (EMP) is a free professional learning program developed and delivered in partnership with DE and VIT. This two-day program equips participants with mentoring skills to support beginning teachers and guide them through the provisional to full registration process.
Any teacher who wishes to become a mentor for a PRT moving to full registration is able to participate in a VIT-approved mentoring program.
Two-day EMP Course
Location | Day 1 | Day 2 |
Ballarat | 13 March 2024 | 24 April 2024 |
Bendigo | 24 July 2024 | 28 August 2024 |
Geelong | 7 May 2024 | 26 June 2024 |
Horsham | 27 March 2024 | 23 May 2024 |
Mildura | 14 August 2024 | 18 September 2024 |
Warrnambool | 7 August 2024 | 11 September 2024 |
One-day EMP refresher course
Refresher courses are available for those who have completed the initial two-day training but would like to refresh their mentoring skills.
- 1 March - Melbourne
- 5 June - Melbourne
- 8 August - Melbourne
For further information and registrations please click here.
Crucial Conversations - Feb 28 & 29 2024
- Time - 9:00-4:30
- Location - CEB office or Glowery Room, St Patrick’s Cathedral Hall
- Cost - $500 (inclusive of learning materials (3 x books), morning tea and lunch)
- Registration
Crucial Conversations teaches a model for effective communication, that can be applied to any situation, but particularly difficult or high-stakes situations. It focuses on fostering dialogue, managing emotions, and achieving mutual understanding. The model helps to navigate high-stakes discussions with openness, respect, and skill, enhancing relationships and driving positive outcomes.
This program is designed for anyone who would like to develop skills in providing effective feedback and fostering open dialogue. The skills can be transferred across a range of situations including providing feedback and fostering open dialogue with colleagues, parents/carers and the community. It is relevant for people working in schools as well as the CEB office.
Crucial Conversations will be run each term on the following dates -
- 28 & 29 Feburary - Ballarat
- 30 & 31 May - Warrnambool
- 3 & 4 September - Swan Hill or Mildura location TBC
- 12 & 13 November - TBA
If you have any queries about the program please contact Fiona Murphy.
Meet and Greet - Children’s Book Council Australia
Children’s Book Council Australia (Vic) invite all interested in Children’s books and reading to a meet and greet.
- Where: Mildura Library,
The Alfred Deakin Centre,180 - 190 Deakin Ave, Mildura - When: Monday 5 February 2024, from 5pm
What's on offer:
- Find out what Children’s Book Council can do for you and your students from pre-school to Young Adults
- Introduction to the BorrowBox platform from Bolinda Publishing
- Meet colleagues with light refreshments available
If interested please contact Matthew Kinleyside kinleyside@mildura.vic.gov.au
Article submitted by Loretta Kaval, Ballarat Regional Co-ordinator
Children’s Book Council Of Australia (Vic.)
Wellbeing Update
Safer Internet Day
The Awareness and Capability and Education Sector teams at eSafety have developed a range of resources for Safer Internet Day on February 6!
This includes NEW Virtual Classroom’s and an Education Stakeholder Kit for you to utilise and share. eSafety are also providing a 2024 Parent and Carer webinar series and Teacher Professional Learning programs.
Student Wellbeing Update
Welcome to Term 1! We are looking forward to working with you in 2024.
The Student Wellbeing Team are offering Wellbeing, Allied Health and Learning Support Officer Professional Learning networking opportunities early in the year to provide a consistent response to school approaches to:
- Behaviours of Concern
- Social and Emotional Learning
- Respectful Relationships
- Attendance
The Professional Learning sessions will build a practical understanding of responding to students who may demonstrate concerning behaviours. Participants will be provided with a range of information to inform perceptions of behaviour and external/internal factors that may influence behaviour. Participants will also receive resources, practical strategies, and approaches to support a range of students that can be incorporated into daily practice.
The sessions will focus on universal adjustments for students with an emphasis on inclusion of all and supported by School Wide Positive Behaviour Support.
If you are a new or existing Learning Support Officer/Allied Health/Wellbeing Leader and are looking for resources and opportunities to connect with colleagues, please register via the links below.
- Horsham - Warrnambool - North - Mid North - Central and South
While a date for Professional Learning for our LSOs in the Ballarat area is still being confirmed, you are most welcome to register for any of the PL opportunities below and further information will be communicated soon.
These professional learning sessions will enable schools to make explicit links with the DOBCEL Student Wellbeing Framework.
Please contact members of the Student Wellbeing Team for further information.
Learning and Teaching Update
Don’t Miss Out on Data Storytelling
Interested in developing your school’s data literacy skills? Register to be part of our 2024 cohort! Registration Link
Dr Selena Fisk makes data collection, analysis and storytelling relatable and real.
Develop a data literacy skills for all staff with school wide practices that inform instruction and enable strategic decision making. Sign up today to partner with Selena throughout 2024.
Dates: Wednesday February 7 at Catholic Education Office BALLARAT
Cost: $60
Term 1
- Selena Fisk PL ‘Data Storytelling & Framing a Project’.
- VC Coaching / Project Circle with Education Officer. (Date TBC)
Term 2
- Selena Fisk online webinar (½ day) ‘Maintaining Momentum’ (Wednesday 17th April)
Term 3
- VC Coaching / Project Circle with Education Officer. (Date TBC)
Term 4
- Selena Fisk PL ‘Data Storytelling’. (Thursday 10th October) Cost: $60
Primary Leaders of Learning
- VC - Thursday February 8, 1:30 - 3pm
All Primary Leaders of Learning: Mathematics, Literacy, Curriculum and Learning Leaders are invited to attend an online meeting on Thursday 8 February between 1.30 & 3.00pm. The network is intended as an opportunity for learning leaders to share with and learn from each other, to develop professional knowledge and leadership skills. The meeting will be recorded for leaders unable to attend in real time.
Register here.
DIBELS Training
Is your school implementing the Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills (DIBELS) or intending to?
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.
Date | Time | Location | Book |
Wednesday, February 14, 2024 | 10 am – 2 pm | Ballarat Office | |
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Wednesday, March 13, 2024 | 3:45pm - 4:30pm | VC | |
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Wednesday, May 15, 2024 | 3:45pm - 4:30pm | VC | |
| |||
Wednesday, July 17, 2024 | 10 am – 2 pm | Dependant on registrations | |
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Wednesday, November 6, 2024 | 10 am – 2 pm | Dependant on registrations | |
|
If these dates/locations do not suit, contact your Learning and Teaching Education Officer for another option.
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 trialled 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:
- 27 Feb: St. Paul’s Mildura
- 1 March: St. Patrick’s Stawell
- 4 March: St. Alipius Ballarat East
- 6 March: St. Pius X Parish Hall Warrnambool West
Opening the Doors Foundation:
Financial Grants for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Students
The Opening the Doors Foundation provides grants to families to assist with the extra costs incurred in the schooling of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander primary or secondary school students. The 2024 Grant Round is now open, with a closing date of 12 April 2024. For students to commence the 2024 school year with the necessary items, the ideal time to apply is now or before the start of Term 1.
Full criteria and guidelines are included on the Opening the Doors Foundation website and the Opening the Doors Foundation Application, but the following points may prove helpful for families who are considering applying:
- The Applicant (child) must be of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent.
- The Applicant must be enrolled in a Catholic or Independent educational institution located within the State boundaries of Victoria.
- The Applicant can only submit one regular grant per year.
- First time applicants must provide a Confirmation of Aboriginality Certificate, which must be in the child’s name. If a Confirmation Certificate is not obtainable, please contact the Foundation as applicants may be able to submit a Statement of Recognition (Recognition of Aboriginality Form) instead.
- The Foundation supports the extra costs of school. This does not include 'fees'.
- Items already purchased cannot be reimbursed.
- Maximum grant amounts are included in the app.
- Applications will not be accepted after the closing date - 12 April 2024.
Pertinent information:
- Website: Opening the Doors Foundation; Foundation Application Criteria and Guidelines
- App link: Opening the Doors Foundation Application
- Phone: 0401 487 414 or 1300 236 356
- Email: enquiries@openingthedoors.org.au
Closing date: 12 April 2024
Improving Literacy in the Secondary Years 2024
Founded in contemporary research, evidence and best practice, the Improving Literacy in the Secondary Years (ILSY) program will continue to offer professional learning in approaches to disciplinary literacy. In its fourth year, the program in 2024 will offer three series of workshops facilitated by Professor Larissa McLean Davies, Dr Pauline Thompson and Dr Rob Sbaglia from the University of Melbourne.
Middle Leaders:
Participants will engage in a series of workshops, team coaching and an action learning project to build disciplinary literacy practices in their own school setting. Further information and registration details here.
Whole School Improvement Team:
The Whole School Improvement Team (WSIT) will involve participants from the ILSY 2021, 2022 and 2023 cohorts and professional learning leaders. The program will assist teams to identify, implement and evaluate evidence-based disciplinary literacy strategies. Further information and registration details here.
Executive Boost:
The Executive Boost program has been designed to develop the capabilities of Secondary Principals and Senior Learning Leaders to improve student learning outcomes through a whole school approach to disciplinary literacy. Further information and registration details here.
English Curriculum Project 2024: Improving English from 7 to 12
Background: 2023 Pilot program
During Semester 2 2023, DOBCEL partnered with Kirstin Bourne to develop a pilot program in response to the feedback received from secondary English leaders and teachers in the Diocese of Ballarat. Grounded in evidence-informed practice, a series of online professional learning opportunities were presented to enhance teachers’ knowledge of the pedagogy, curriculum and assessment required to improve student outcomes in years 7 – 10 English.
To ensure that the program was responsive and effective, individual conversations took place with all of the English Leaders in participating schools. These conversations shaped the design of the program as well as the accompanying resources.
Over the semester, four online seminars addressed the teaching of writing and reading as well as crafting units of work and assessment. These were recorded and made available, along with the extensive resources, through the online learning platform, Canvas.
Running parallel to the seminars were four forum sessions. These informal sessions built on the learning from the seminars allowing further discussion, clarification and options for application in classrooms. To encourage open and honest conversations, the forums were not recorded but the resources that accompanied them were made available via Canvas.
The Canvas platform has ensured participants have guided access to all resources and recordings. This has assisted English Leaders to disseminate examples of best practice to their English teaching teams.
Feedback from our 2023 participants
- “I loved the tasks we can use in any class, even for Year 7.”
- “Thanks for sessions and resources. Certainly got me thinking about the way I teach.”
- “Looking at the whole 7-12 plan together was really useful.”
- “Another really useful session.” “These are great strategies.”
- “Brilliant - expert resources and such a time saver.”
2024 Program
Following positive feedback about the pilot program, as well as schools expressing their desire to continue to be supported in this way, a more comprehensive program will be offered in 2024. This will build upon the success and engagement of the 2023 pilot.
In order to meet the needs of schools, the program will be presented across two semesters providing consistent guidance to embed evidence-based English teaching practice in classrooms and to align more effectively with the planning and development of curriculum. Rosenshine’s principles, cognitive load theory and the science of learning inform the pedagogy of both the seminars and the English curriculum resources. As with the pilot program, direct contact with schools via check-in conversations will be used to continue to inform the program and ensure the needs and concerns of schools are addressed.
In 2024 we will be providing units of work, seminars and forums:
For further information and registration details, please contact Julia Petrov, Learning and Teaching Education Officer (Secondary) via email or 0432 499 683.
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
- 16 May - Mildura: NOTE THE CHANGE OF DATE Venue TBC
Registration links will be made available soon.
Career Opportunities in the Diocesan Education Community
School Vacancies
- Archivist – Damascus College, Mount Clear – ongoing position at 0.3 FTE (closes 5 February)
- Learning Support Officers – Loreto College, Ballarat – fixed term position at 1.0 FTE (closes 7 February)
- Student Counselling Practitioner (Early Career) – Damascus College, Mount Clear – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 8 February)
- Teacher – St Mary MacKillop College, Swan Hill – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 9 February)
- School Wellbeing Officer/Counsellor – St Columba’s School, Ballarat North – fixed term position at 0.6 FTE (closes 12 February)
- Classroom Teacher (Maternity Leave Replacement) – St Michael & John’s School, Horsham – fixed term position at 1.0 FTE (closes 15 February)
- Classroom Teacher/s - St Columba’s School, Ballarat North – fixed term position at 1.0 FTE (closes 16 February)
- Casual Relief Teachers – St Brigid’s, Ballan – Casual position (closes 28 February)
- Teacher of Science and Math – Emmanuel College, Warrnambool – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 28 March)
Article submitted by Sarah Hanley.