Weekly Newsletter #15 - 26 May 2021
Reflection
200 Years of Catholic Education
As we celebrate 200 years of Catholic education in this Great South Land, we pray:
Christ our Teacher,
you grace the staff and leaders of Catholic education today.
As they build on the achievements of their predecessors
direct them in their present efforts
to ensure that every young Australian has the opportunity
for an excellent education and formation in faith.
As our Inspiring Spirit,
you lead us into the future.
In the century ahead grant those teaching and learning in our schools,
those planning and leading,
and the families and community that entrust their young people to us,
a love of learning and a willingness to be the face of Christ
in the world of tomorrow.
Pour out your abundant blessings upon all involved in the ministry of Catholic education.
Amen.
From the Executive Director
This week across the diocese and Australia there have been a range of events to celebrate 200 years of Catholic Education in Australia. Our first Catholic school was established in Portland in 1849, 172 years ago. On Monday we had 30 schools from across the diocese celebrate Mass at the Cathedral. I was very impressed with the efforts of these schools to travel to our diocesan Mass in Ballarat, in particular the 5 schools in West Wimmera and Southwestern Mallee Parish, with some of the students getting up at 5 am to catch the bus to get to the Cathedral on time. Of course in a diocese the size of ours it was not possible or practical for many of our schools to travel to Ballarat, so it is great to see that all of our schools are celebrating this milestone with gusto in their local communities. Many of you would be aware of a video clip on our website of the St Alipius Parish Primary School students singing the ‘Faith in our Future’ song. The NCEC has also featured this song with Catholic schools around Australia participating, including St Alipius PS - it can be viewed here. See below for further updates on the celebrations, including a copy of Bishop Paul Bird's excellent Homily reflecting on 200 years of Catholic Education in Australia.
I have also had the pleasure of visiting to Lumen Christi Primary School, Delacombe and St James’ Primary School, Sebastopol this week.
National Reconciliation Week starts tomorrow and highlights the importance of the relationships between the broader Australian community and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Schools are encouraged to use this collection of resources to assist with professional learning and planning learning experiences and activities.
CEB Staff Appointments
Paul Jans – Assistant Director: Business Services
I am very pleased to announce the appointment of Paul Jans to the role of Assistant Director: Business Services for Catholic Education Ballarat (CEB). Paul comes to CEB from Damascus College, Mount Clear, where he has been the Business Manager since 2007, and will bring a wealth of experience and school and system knowledge to the position. We look forward to welcoming Paul to commence his new role at CEB on Monday 5 July (read the official announcment).
Julie Duynhoven will transition to part-time employment from Term 3 and will generously facilitate a smooth induction and transition for Paul into this senior position before her retirement at the end of the 2021 school year.
Meagan Becker – EAL Officer
We welcome Meagan Becker to the position of English as an Additional Language Education Officer. Meagan has extensive experience working with EAL students and has recently been in a similar role with the Department of Education. Meagan will begin her 0.4 position at the start of Term 3 and will work from the Warrnambool Office.
Tom Sexton
Executive Director, Catholic Education Ballarat
CEB Updates
Change to Catholic Super’s Unique Superannuation Identifier (USI)
All schools should have received communications from Catholic Super regarding their new ABN and USI.
In summary, from 1 July 2021, you will need to ensure the new ABN and USI (below) for Catholic Super are updated in your payroll system and reflected in your clearing house submissions so that your payments and data will reach the fund successfully.
- New ABN: 33 813 823 017
- New USI (effective 1 July): 33 813 823 017 601
Please note, if you are utilising Central Payroll Services, the payroll team will be actioning this change in your payroll software.
If you did not receive communications from Catholic Super and would like a copy, please email payroll@dobcel.catholic.edu.au
NCCD Update
To date, information has been provided to schools via Learning Diversity Leader networks and Learning Diversity Education Officer visits to schools. Links to view previous presentations are included in the May NCCD Update available on The HIVE, along with further information and CECV COMS which will support your NCCD submission process.
Draft Wellbeing Framework - Invitation for Feedback
A copy of the draft Wellbeing Framework is available to download. This Framework was developed by Education Officers in consultation with school staff and the Wellbeing Standing Committee (2019-2020). The document is offered as a draft and schools are encouraged to offer feedback to Liz McIntyre via email.
National Reconciliation Week Resources 2021
Reconciliation Australia’s theme for 2021, More than a Word. Reconciliation Takes Action, urges the reconciliation movement towards braver and more impactful action.
Reconciliation is a journey for all Australians - as individuals, families, communities, organisations and importantly as a nation. At the heart of this journey are relationships between the broader Australian community and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
National Reconciliation Week commences tomorrow, 27 May, and concludes on 3 June.
Schools are encouraged to use this collection of resources to assist with professional learning and planning learning experiences and activities.
STEM MAD (Make a Difference) Showcase
Primary and Secondary schools are invited to share student learning during our first-ever STEM MAD (Make a Difference) Showcase. The showcase is designed to celebrate STEM-based learning initiatives that address real-world problems and demonstrate how students in Catholic schools take action that matters.
STEM MAD (Science, Technology, Engineering - Make a Difference) is an acronym that captures anything your students have undertaken through the use of technology - attempting to solve a real-world problem or making a difference for the better.
For more information see The HIVE and our STEM MAD information video. If you have any queries regarding this project, please contact Kevin Cummins on 0400 885 534 for assistance.
We look forward to sharing your STEM projects with other Catholic schools across Australia for the betterment of all.
200 Years of Catholic Education Updates
Bicentenary Celebrations
This week schools across the nation celebrate 200 Years of Catholic Education in Australia. The bicentenary commemorates the anniversary of the first official Catholic school in Australia, founded in October 1820 by Irish Catholic priest Fr John Therry. The school, which Catholic historians believe was located on Hunter Street in Parramatta, taught 31 students. This school was transferred to the site of the present St Patrick’s Cathedral in 1837 and was entrusted to the care of the Marist Brothers in 1875. Parramatta Marist High School, now located in Westmead and St Patrick’s Primary, Parramatta trace their origins back to this first school.
Over 200 years Catholic schools have educated millions of young people and today educate one in five Australian students. Today, there are 1,751 Catholic schools educating 768,000 students and employing 98,000 staff. Nearly 40 per cent of Catholic schools are located outside of metropolitan cities in regional, rural and remote communities.
All Saints Parish School in Portland was the first Catholic school to open in the Ballarat Diocese 172 years ago in May 1849, making it the second Catholic school to open in the Colony of Victoria (District of Port Philip). St Patrick’s Parish Primary School opened in Port Fairy a short time later in July 1849.
Visit the 200 Year Celebration website for more details on the bicentenary.
Ballarat Diocese Mass at St Patrick's Cathedral
Representative students from across the Diocese of Ballarat came together to attend Mass at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Ballarat on Monday morning to celebrate the Feast of Our Lady Help of Christians, 200 Years of Catholic Education in Australia and Catholic Education Week.
View the Homily delivered at the Mass, and click the images below to enlarge them.
National Mass streamed live from St Mary's Cathedral, Sydney
The National Mass was livestreamed from St Mary’s Cathedral in Sydney on Monday morning and can be watched below.
Students raise their voices to celebrate the bicentenary of Catholic education in Australia
Catholic students from across the country have joined together in a video performance of the national song ‘Faith in the Future’, to celebrate 200 years of Catholic education in Australia. Congratulations to the students from St Alipius Parish Primary School, Ballarat East, who participated in the video. The national song was composed by Fr Rob Galea from the Sandhurst Diocese, who is featured in the video with students from Notre Dame College, Shepparton.
Prime Minister’s Message for the Bicentenary of Catholic Education
The Prime Minister of Australia Scott Morrison has recorded this congratulatory message to the Catholic education community for the occasion.
Request for Photos and Footage of Local 200 Year Celebrations
Has your school held a celebration of 200 years of Catholic Education? We are compiling a gallery of local celebrations across the diocese to share with our school communities and beyond. The footage and videos will also be shared with NCEC for possible use in a national compilation. Thank you to those schools who have already submitted content.
Submissions Guidelines
- Make sure DOBCEL and NCEC has consent to publish the images/footage you are submitting
- Upload your photos or footage into this google drive -or- iPhone and iPad users: share your files with enewman@dobcel.catholic.edu.au
- Upload the highest quality files you can (largest filesize = best quality)
- Clearly label each file with your school name and location
- The content deadline has been extended to 2pm on Friday 28 May, however if you expect to have content available after this date, please contact Emma Newman
For enquiries please contact Emma Newman.
Career Opportunities in the Diocesan Education Community
CEB Vacancies
- Education Consultant: Northern Zone – fixed term, full time, location negotiable (closes 18 June)
School Vacancies
- School Finance Officer – St Brigid's School, Ballan (closes 26 May)
- Classroom Teacher – St Brendan's School, Coragulac (closes 30 May)
- Classroom Teachers – St Alipius' Parish School, Ballarat East (closes 31 May)
- Human Resources Manager – Marian College, Ararat (closes 31 May)
- Digital Technologies – Our Lady Help of Christians School, Warrnambool (closes 4 June)
- Timetable and SIMON Administrator – St Joseph's College, Mildura (closes 12 July)
- Casual Relief Teachers – St Columba's School, Ballarat North (closes 31 July)
- Casual Relief Teachers –St Francis Xavier Primary School, Ballarat East (closes 10 December)
Secondment Opportunities at St Mary’s Primary School, Donald
St Mary's Primary School, Donald has two exciting opportunities for an experienced Teacher looking for rural teaching experience.
- Position 1: Fixed Term Secondment for Term 3 2021, Full Time Teacher (Long Service Leave position)
- Position 2: Fixed Term Secondment until January 2022, Full Time Teacher (Parental Leave position)
Applications close this Friday 28 May, 9am. See further details here.
From Around the Diocese
Damascus College Bright Futures Breakfast
Damascus College, Mount Clear is hosting a Bright Futures Breakfast on Thursday 3 June with guest speaker Jocelyn Bignold (OAM), the CEO of McAuley Community Services. All funds raised at the breakfast will support the Bright Futures scholarship, giving access to a Catholic education. See event details here, and purchase tickets here.
Mercy Regional College Alumni Night – Save the Date
Mercy Regional College, Camperdown (MRC) is holding an Alumni Night – All Year Reunion on Saturday 9 October. All past students of Camperdown Regional College (CRC) and MRC and their partners are invited to attend. See event details here, and update your details on the the MRC Alumni Association webpage to receive event updates.