Weekly Newsletter #4 - 21 February 2024
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Reflection
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From the Executive Director
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Professional Learning Program
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‘Be That Teacher’ campaign – nominate a teacher to participate
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2024 Spirit of Catholic Education Awards
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Wellbeing Update
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Adult Lenten Resources 2024
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Catholic Identity and Mission Update
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People and Development Update
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Learning and Teaching Update
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Career Opportunities in the Diocesan Education Community
Reflection
LENT 2024
At the moment, The Catholic Church is in The Liturgical Season of Lent. What is Lent? These two reflections explore Lent more fully from the perspective of The Catholic Christian Tradition.
Lent is not about penance. Lent is about becoming, doing and changing whatever it is that is blocking the fullness of life in us right now. Lent is a summons to live anew.
Joan Chittister, 12th February, 2024
It is time to act, and in Lent, to act also means to pause. To pause in prayer, in order to receive the word of God, to pause like the Samaritan in the presence of a wounded brother or sister. Love of God and love of neighbour are one love. Not to have other gods is to pause in the presence of God beside the flesh of our neighbour. For this reason, prayer, almsgiving and fasting are not three unrelated acts, but a single movement of openness and self-emptying, in which we cast out the idols that weigh us down, the attachments that imprison us. Then the atrophied and isolated heart will revive. Slow down, then, and pause! The contemplative dimension of life that Lent helps us to rediscover will release new energies. In the presence of God, we become brothers and sisters, more sensitive to one another: in place of threats and enemies, we discover companions and fellow travellers. This is God’s dream, the promised land to which we journey once we have left our slavery behind.
Pope Francis, in Catholic Outlook, 17th February 2024
Invitation to Prayer….
God of all Wholeness, heal our hearts of all that prevents us responding to our sisters and brothers excluded by poverty and prevented from living a full and healthy life.
This Lent, may we: implore justice through our prayer, stand in solidarity through our fasting, and reach out through our giving.
Send your life-giving power to revive the weary, restore the broken and renew the face of the earth.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
CAFOD
From the Executive Director
I trust the first weeks of the school year have gone smoothly in your communities.
It has been wonderful to see the various liturgical, commissioning and welcome celebrations that have been occurring around the diocese. The importance of these gatherings and rituals, underpinned by our Catholic faith, cannot be underestimated.
This week our strategic planning consultation process gathers momentum. Today, I am with the DOBCEL Board and Bishop Paul Bird in Warracknabeal, for a workshop led by Professor Pasi Sahlberg, Dave Runge, and Canadian school improvement expert, Jean Stiles, followed by a tour of St Mary’s school. Many thanks to Principal Nerida Holland and her team for their support and input into this process.
All Principals will engage with the strategic planning process as part of the quarterly diocesan leadership gathering in Horsham tomorrow.
Please continue to keep the community of Pomonal in your prayers as a number of our teachers, staff and families continue to recover from the recent bushfire tragedy.
Best Wishes
Tom Sexton
Executive Director, Catholic Education Ballarat
Wonderful recent visits to Trinity College, Colac and St Patrick's, Camperdown.
The DOBCEL Board and Bishop Bird are in Warracknabeal today for a workshop led by Professor Pasi Sahlberg, Dave Runge, and Canadian school improvement expert, Jean Stiles, followed by a tour of St Mary’s school.
Professional Learning Program
‘Be That Teacher’ campaign – nominate a teacher to participate
Be That Teacher campaign is one of the actions in the National Teacher Workforce Action Plan agreed by all Education Ministers in December 2022 to attract more people to teaching and to keep the teachers we have.
The campaign features teachers from across Australia sharing their real stories about the lasting impact they have had on their students. See some of the examples on the campaign website Be That Teacher .
Nominate a teacher from your school to share their teaching story !
The campaign has profiled many wonderful and inspiring teachers from across Australia and we want to profile more. Schools are invited to nominate a teacher from your school to be featured on the campaign website and social media posts, to help inspire the next generation of teachers. They will just need to answer a couple of questions and/or film a short video talking about why they teach. They also need to be comfortable with their story being shared on the department’s website and/or social media channels.
Please email bethatteacher@education.gov.au with your nominated teacher’s full name, contact number and email address, and the campaign team will reach out to them with next steps.
Questions or feedback should be directed to bethatteacher@education.gov.au
2024 Spirit of Catholic Education Awards
Thinking about nominating some of the amazing staff and colleagues at your school for a Spirit of Catholic Education Award?
The nomination form can be found here and further information on the awards can be found here.
Nominations are open until Friday 1 March.
Please contact Fiona Murphy with any queries.
Article submitted by Fiona Murphy.
Wellbeing Update
Student wellbeing Update - Opportunity to Connect Online
We welcome new leaders to the Student Wellbeing space for 2024!
In order to support you with your new role, the Student Wellbeing team will be offering an online session. We also invite existing Wellbeing leaders who would like to explore tools and initiatives.
- When: Friday 23 February
- Time: 9:30am-11am.
Join the team with a cuppa and any questions you may have! To obtain the link, please email Anne Ruddell or Mel Frost.
At this session you will:
- meet the DOBCEL Student Wellbeing Team.
- discuss priorities, roles and responsibilities for leaders who are new to Student Wellbeing in 2024.
- gain knowledge about SWPBS, ReLATE, MHiPS, School TV, the Wellbeing Framework and the Online Health Check to support you in leading your school.
Learning Support Officers - Behaviour Response PL
Over 60 LSOs have attended our Behaviour Response PL offered in Koroit and Horsham. If you would like to attend our final session for this term, please register via try booking here.
- Where: Catholic Education Office, Ballarat
- When: Tuesday February 27th
- Time: 9:30am -2:00pm
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 be provided with 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 and Trauma Informed Care.
Youth Mental Health First Aid - Accredited Training
19th & 20th March 2023 Ballarat
Youth Mental Health First Aid training equips people with the knowledge and confidence to approach or respond to students who may need information or support. The impact of that first supportive conversation for any individual, and in particular a young person, in a time of need can be profound. The course teaches adults how to assist young people who are developing a mental health problem or in a mental health crisis.
Course participants learn about the signs and symptoms of the common and disabling mental health problems in young people, where and how to get help when a young person is developing a mental illness, what sort of help has been shown by research to be effective, and how to provide first aid in a crisis situation.
Developing mental health problems covered are: depression, anxiety problems, psychosis, substance use problems and eating disorders.
Mental health crisis situations covered are: suicidal thoughts and behaviours, non-suicidal self-injury (sometimes called deliberate self-harm), panic attacks, traumatic events, severe effects of drug or alcohol use, severe psychotic states and aggressive behaviours.
For further information please contact Brooke Nester bnester@ceob.edu.au . To register for the event please register here
Reframing the Teaching and Learning Environment (ReLATE)
We have the following dates available for a ReLATE Information/Refresher opportunity for new staff from existing ReLATE schools and for school leaders exploring how Trauma Informed Care can attend to the Wellbeing and culture change priorities within your School Improvement Plan. Please attend if you are looking for universal and subjective support for staff response to student behaviour or if you see a need to develop internal skills or external supports to cope with adversity, stress or trauma.
- Thursday 29th February 2024 at St Patrick’s Primary School, Koroit
- Monday 4th March 2024 at Horsham office – 6A McLachlan Street, Horsham
- Wednesday 6th March 2024 at Ballarat office – 200 Gillies Street North, Lake Wendouree
If you would like to attend, please email Liz McIntyre lmcintyre@dobcel.catholic.edu.au or Esther Cini Esther.Cini@mackillop.org.au with your selected date and an approximate number of staff attending.
Adult Lenten Resources 2024
The following resources may be useful for staff/adult prayer and reflection during this Liturgical Season.
The Cry from the Cross
A resource that is produced from the Jesuits in Britain. Each week during Lent a session will be released on Mondays.
Message from Pope Francis about the Season of Lent
This is a letter from Pope Francis. Staff could engage in this letter through dialogue. Dialogue may be prompted by questions such as and not limited to:
- What is the gold in this letter for you?
- How does this letter speak to you?
- What does this letter offer to our school/college community?
- If you had the chance, what questions would you ask Pope Francis about this letter?
- I wonder if you wrote a letter about Lent what would you include/write about?
- For you, what are the challenges in this letter?
- What might be some challenges for our community in this letter?
- How is this a hope filled document?
The format of each session could include staff reading the letter each week, then in small groups discussing one or two of the above questions. These sessions could be ten to fifteen minutes in duration.
Laudato Si Lent
To access this resource, participants need to subscribe/register, which is free. This resource explores themes such as action, prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, inviting a response from participants to live this special liturgical season by reading and reflecting on the content of a Lenten calendar, and reconciling their relationship with Earth through concrete actions according to the regional campaigns.
How to Find Time in Your Day for Lent
This is a reflection from Loyola Press. Staff could engage in this reflection through dialogue in small groups. Individuals could be invited to read the reflection, the group is then invited to dialogue. This dialogue may be prompted by questions such as and not limited to:
- What is the best part of this reflection for you?
- How/Why does this reflection speak to you?
- If you had the chance, what questions would you ask the author of this reflection?
- I wonder if you wrote a reflection about Lent what would you consider important to include?
- For you, what are the challenges in this reflection?
- How is this a hope filled document?
The format of each session could include staff reading the letter each week, then in small groups discussing one or two of the above questions. These sessions could be ten to fifteen minutes in duration.
A Set of Stations of the Cross
This set of Stations of the Cross could be prayed over the duration of Lent. Each week the staff could use two stations as a way of entering prayer. They have been created by The Diocese of Ossory in Ireland so they speak from this context, please use them according to the context and needs of your community.
Reflections on the Way of the Cross
These are written for use in the Diocese of Ossory in Ireland. Please discern and adapt according to your community.
Resources submitted by Jim Waight.
Catholic Identity and Mission Update
World Day of Social Justice, Tuesday 20th Feb
Yesterday, Tuesday 20th February, marked the World Day of Social Justice, as declared by the General Assembly of the United Nations at its sixty-second session, in November 2007. This day was first observed in 2009, and was declared a national day of significance to commemorate and urge all efforts to combat unemployment, social exclusion, and poverty. The United Nations General Assembly recognised that social development and social justice are indispensable for the achievement and maintenance of peace and security within and among nations and that, in turn, social development and social justice cannot be attained in the absence of peace and security, or in the absence of respect for all human rights and fundamental freedoms.
In his Encyclical Letter Laudato Si’: On Care for Our Common Home, Pope Francis’ urges, probably for the first time in history, not only “the entire Catholic world,” but also “all people of good will,” and “every person living on this planet” (LS 3) to commit to action in this direction to care for “our common home.”(LS 1) In chapter 5, Pope Francis speaks of Global Inequality, ‘The human environment and the natural environment deteriorate together; we cannot adequately combat environmental degradation unless we attend to causes related to human and social degradation. In fact, the deterioration of the environment and of society affects the most vulnerable people on the planet: “Both everyday experience and scientific research show that the gravest effects of all attacks on the environment are suffered by the poorest”.[26] For example, the depletion of fishing reserves especially hurts small fishing communities without the means to replace those resources; water pollution particularly affects the poor who cannot buy bottled water; and rises in the sea level mainly affect impoverished coastal populations who have nowhere else to go. The impact of present imbalances is also seen in the premature death of many of the poor, in conflicts sparked by the shortage of resources, and in any number of other problems which are insufficiently represented on global agendas.[27]” (LS 45)
World Day of Social Justice reminds us that as a global community, of the need to build fairer, more equitable societies for the common good. As a definition or standard of justice, the common good entails the equal participation of every member of society in basic material, social, and political goods, both as a contributor and as a beneficiary. In fact, the common good is a form of a dynamic community that is a good in itself.
AN INTRODUCTION TO BEING CHARITABLE
This Week’s Exercise:
🤔 🤝 Pope Francis once wrote, “to live charitably means not looking out from our own interests, but carrying the burdens of the weakest and poorest among us.”
You may like to participate respectfully in an experience of prayer using either a physical labyrinth space, or the labyrinth provided on the right.
- 🧘Begin by centering oneself in the moment, taking a few deep breaths and clearing the mind if possible.
- Think about the issues surrounding poverty, unemployment and or social exclusion and the many individuals that face this injustice.
- Trace with your finger or walk the path of the labyrinth mindfully and slowly.
- When you reach a point about halfway to the centre, pause and read the following quote from the book of Genesis: So God created humankind in God's own image, God created them; male and female God created them.
- Continue the path pausing at the centre to reflect on the following from Pope Francis - “To live charitably means not looking out for our own interests, but carrying the burdens of the weakest and poorest among us”
- Reverse your path on the labyrinth pausing one last time to ponder one or more of the following questions: Why should I care? How can you live more charitably? How can you carry the burdens of the weakest and poorest among us? What social justice issue have you seen with your own eyes recently that has stayed with you? How can you live more charitably to ensure this social justice issue is addressed?
Ballarat Mosque Open Day
As part of strengthening community spirit and building bridges of understanding, the Ballarat Islamic community invites you to their Ballarat Mosque Open Day on Sunday the 25th of February 2024.
Come along to gain insights into the beauty of Islam and develop a better understanding about its people and culture. The day includes a Mosque tour, free halal BBQ and exciting activities such as
‘try a hijab’, henna painting and fun activities for kids.
- Where: Ballarat Mosque, 116 Elsworth Street East, Canadian VIC 3350
- When: February 25th 10.30 am until 02.30 pm
- RSVP: Obaid Noor, Islamic Society of Ballarat, Mobile: 0411 351 292
The creation of a diocese: Faith, Gold, and the early pioneer priests in western Victoria - New Archives Display!
The formation of the Catholic Diocese of Ballarat on March 30, 1874, and the installation of Bishop Michael O’Connor as first Bishop of Ballarat arose, from the humblest of beginnings. From the early 1830s, immigration was instrumental in bringing thousands of catholic migrants to Port Phillip Bay. Over the following decades, many settled to western Victoria in search of gold and to start a new life. To support the catholic population, priests from Ireland and other parts of the world were encouraged to migrate for the Melbourne mission. Many travelled throughout this district, to establish the first catholic schools and churches of the region. Living under the hardest of conditions, they travelled on horseback and lived in tents. Many priests performed mass, baptisms and marriages along the way.
Although many priests returned to their homelands, they left behind a foundation on which to build upon. Those who did remain, became known as the pioneer priests of the western district. It is through their heroic efforts towards establishing the first catholic missions that, the Diocese of Ballarat was eventually founded. This display gives a glimpse into the lives of some of the priests and the first bishops who worked and travelled in Ballarat and western Victoria.
Bookings are essential. Please book via archives@ballarat.catholic.org.au (max 10 per tour)
The display can be opened for school groups up to about 15-20 at a squeeze!
People and Development Update
Money Assist Awareness Session by Converge International - TOMORROW!
Join us for our live online awareness sessions to learn more about Money Assist. This is just one of the seven streams available through our EAP suite of support available to our staff and their families.
What will it cover?
- Financial Wellbeing in the workplace
- Impact of Financial Wellness to individuals and to businesses
- How to improve your own Financial Wellbeing
- And more…
Join our free webinar to learn more.
Session Details -
- When: Thursday 22 February 2024
- Time: 11:00 – 11:30am
- Facilitator: Cate Turton
- Link: Click here to join the meeting
A little bit about our Facilitator-
Cate has had more than 30 years in the financial services industry with a background in retail banking, lending, financial literacy education and financial counselling and coaching. Cate heads up the Fincare Financial Coaching team who have been providing quality financial care and guidance to employees across Australia for almost 20 years.
If you are unable to attend the session it will be recorded and available to review in next weeks’ newsletter.
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.
Learning and Teaching Update
Micro - credentials in higher Education Courses for Primary and Secondary teacher professional development and leadership upskilling.
10 fully sponsored places available to CEB teachers from low SES, Rural, Regional and Remote schools for semester 1 commencing March 18th. ( possible option due to lateness of this offer to start Semester 2).
This learning is online and primarily asynchronous with synchronous non-mandatory course engagement sessions.
Course outlines
Applications close on 27th February so if you are interested please contact Teresa Hadden thadden@dobcel.catholic.edu.au ASAP
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
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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.
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.
- Academic Vocabulary Scope and Sequence
- Reporting requirements
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
Digital Technology Open Day - Emmaus Catholic Primary School
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 | |
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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 | |
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If these dates/locations do not suit, contact your Learning and Teaching Education Officer for another option.
Learnership - Creating Skillful learners with James Anderson
Best selling author, international speaker and educator James Anderson is coming to Ballarat and Swan Hill in April.
After more than a decade of focusing on the skill of teaching, James Anderson believes it’s now time to focus the skill of learning, and how the behaviours students develop contribute to their learning. This workshop shows you how to help students to develop the skill of learning and raise the status of learning from an act to an art in schools.
James’ invitation is to:
- discover how to help students understand themselves as learners, as you nudge them along the mindset continuum.
- nurture a more growth oriented mindset.
- build students' relationships with their Learning Zone, so they embrace challenges.
- develop learner agency with students making them powerful in the face of challenge and adversity.
Save the date! Tuesday 23 April in Ballarat and Wednesday 24 April in Swan Hill.
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.
ILSY 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.
ILSY 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.
ILSY 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.
If you require further information about ILSY, please contact Julia Petrov, Learning and Teaching Education Officer (Secondary) via email or ph. 0432 499 683
English Curriculum Project 2024: Improving English from 7 to 12
VCE Forum (Week 3)
Our first VCE forum for the year will be tomorrow, 15 February at 3.30 focusing on the new VCE Creating Texts (Frameworks) unit of the VCE. Kirstin has already presented ideas and materials about this as part of the MACS VCE network and in a video with the Chief Examiner that is available to view on Canvas.
In this session, Kirstin will be looking in more detail at the classroom teaching of the unit. She will consider the teaching processes involved in this unit and will be presenting ideas about resources and writing tasks and will also answer any questions you might have about designing and running your SACs. This session is intended for teachers of Units 3 and 4 as well as interested English leaders. If you can’t attend the session, please email questions in advance and Kirstin will be happy to try to answer them. You can then access this presentation via the recording.
Learning your learners (Week 4)
On Thursday, 22 February at 3.30 pm, Jade Cleave from Intellischools will take us through a range of data sources available through SIMON Analytics that will assist English teachers in building a greater understanding of the strengths and areas of improvement for individual students and each English class as a whole.
This session will start with an overview of the different types of data relevant to an English teacher which will be recorded. This will be followed by an opportunity to ask questions which will not be recorded.
Details about further seminars and forums can be seen below.
All resources and recordings can be accessed via the English Curriculum Project course in Canvas.
For further information and registration details, please contact Julia Petrov, Learning and Teaching Education Officer (Secondary) via email or ph. 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 St James, Sebastopol School Hall
- 14 May – St Patrick’s, Koroit School Hall
- 15 May – Horsham
- 16 May - Mildura: The Academy 97 Seventh St.
The DOBCEL Schools’ Hub DIBELS 8th Tool is currently being updated for schools not at Level 1 of the Structured Literacy Project, and will be available through your school’s access point by Friday 9th February.
This update includes percentile rank availability for all subtests upon entry of raw scores, and normative descriptors for composite scores.
For all Level 1 Structured Literacy schools, your data tool (including tracking for all assessments on the SunLit assessment schedule) is available via the School Access menu on the Structured Literacy Hub, as per this week’s email communication.
Please contact bwade@dobcel.catholic.edu.au with questions.
CEP's Online PD is back for Season Two
CEP’s Autumn Series, commences on 6th March, featuring an array of fresh topics for each session including: Trauma Aware Care, Teacher Shortages, Working in Alternative Settings, and the Launch of P-12 Alliance. We invite you to join CEP any Wednesday afternoon in March for engaging discussions, expert speakers, and a touch of laughter.
6th March CEP Autumn Series - Session One (online)
Trauma Aware Care - Who is caring for the carer? Impact of vicarious trauma of educators.
Free online webinar. Register here
13th March CEP Autumn Series - Session Two (online)
Retaining graduate teachers - what can you do?
Free online webinar. Register here
20th March CEP Autumn Series - Session Three (online)
Working in Alternative Settings
Free online webinar. Register here
27th March CEP Autumn Series - Session Four (online)
P-12 Alliance Official Launch
Free online webinar. Register here
Bush Voices is the CEP newsletter with more information about each of the programs that CEP co-ordinate for small schools. Check it out here!
Victorian Academy of Teaching and Leadership
Offering a variety of professional learning opportunities for teachers and leadership development, some of which include:
Cultivating Agency in Learning - Commences 27 March
Unlock your students’ full potential by transforming assessment in your school to support deeper learning and personal growth.
To find out more and register visit the Academy website
Innovating for Student Engagement - Commences 8 May
A unique, immersive experience that challenges and supports secondary school principals in their thinking through workshops that explore contemporary and research-informed approaches.
To find out more and apply visit the Academy website
Women in Leadership: Build your capability and influence - Commences 15 May
Discover your leadership values and vision, and learn how to reach your full potential as an impactful woman by developing your leadership skills and confidence.
To find out more and apply visit the Academy website
Career Opportunities in the Diocesan Education Community
CEB vacancies
- Payroll Officer – location at any DOBCEL office (Ballarat, Warrnambool, Mildura, Horsham, Swan Hill) – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 3 March)
School Vacancies
- Classroom Teacher (FTE negotiable) – St Mary’s School, Sea Lake – fixed term position at 1.0 FTE (closes 25 February)
- Humanities/English Teacher – Monivae College, Hamilton – fixed term position at 1.0 FTE (closes 26 February)
- Drama Teacher – Monivae College, Hamilton – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 26 February)
- Physical Education Teacher – Monivae College, Hamilton – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 26 February)
- Health & Physical Education/Mathematics Teacher – St Mary MacKillop College, Swan Hill – fixed term position at 1.0 FTE (closes 28 February)
- Science Teacher – St Mary MacKillop College, Swan Hill – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 28 February)
- Casual Relief Teachers – St Brigid’s, Ballan – Casual position (closes 28 February)
- English Teacher – St Joseph’s College, Mildura – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 29 February)
- Learning Support Officer – Our Lady Help of Christians School, Warrnambool – ongoing position at 0.88 FTE (closes 29 February)
- Classroom Teacher (Maternity Leave Replacement) - Our Lady of the Sacred Heart School, Merbein - fixed term position at 1.0 FTE (closes 1 March)
- Maths Science Teacher - Parental Leave Replacement – Mercy Regional College, Camperdown – fixed term position at 0.8 FTE (closes 4 March)
- Subject Teachers - Expression of Interest for all subject areas 2024 – Marian College, Ararat – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 8 March)
- Junior Classroom Teacher - Fixed Term - Maternity Leave Replacement (FTE negotiable) with possible Learning Diversity Leader POL – St Patrick’s School, Koroit – fixed term position at 1.0 FTE (closes 11 March)
- Teacher of Science and Math – Emmanuel College, Warrnambool – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 28 March)
Article submitted by Sarah Hanley.