Weekly Newsletter #19 - 19 June 2024
Reflection
Refugee Week - Sunday 16 June to Saturday 22 June.
This week is Refugee Week, which is Australia’s peak annual activity to promote greater awareness of refugees, the issues they face, and the contributions refugees are making to the Australian community. May we be inspired by Sr Jane Keogh CSB, who was awarded a Member of the Order of Australia in the recent King’s Birthday Honours list. Her courage is inspiring.
Here is her story:
It might be unusual for a religious sister who has just been appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM), but one of Sr Jane Irene Keogh CSB’s fondest memories is of being arrested. That’s happened to her twice, most notably when she was participating in a sit-in protest at then-ACT Senator Zed Seselja’s office a decade ago. Sr Jane was among a group of refugee advocates who had planned a peaceful protest which entailed sitting on the floor with a candle and praying until he agreed to “do something” and set a date for the release of children in immigration detention. “He didn’t do that … but I got my ride in the back of a paddy wagon and had to give a statement at the police station,” she said.
But her advocacy work really began when the Tampa affair hit the headlines in 2001.
“I was angry over Tampa and I wanted justice. I don’t know where that came from.” That anger spurred the former school principal on. She joined a Christian group called Love Makes A Way and began getting involved with vigils and protests.
Now aged almost 80, Sr Jane keeps going with her advocacy because of compassion and hope, rather than the anger that once inspired her.
And while being appointed an AM was initially something Sr Jane wasn’t sure she’d accept, she’s decided it will add additional weight to whichever letter she pens to a politician next.
from: https://cathnews.com/2024/06/11/arresting-tale-of-sister-appointed-an-am/
Creator God,
whose Son became a refugee
and had no place to call his own,
look with love on those who today
are fleeing from danger,
homeless and hungry.
Bless those who work to bring them relief.
Inspire generosity and compassion in the hearts of all of us.
Guide us and every nation of the world towards that day when all will rejoice in your justice and of peace;
Through Jesus Christ, our brother.
Amen.
Adapted from http://nouwen-network.com/prayersforrefugees.html
From the Executive Director
Greetings from the north of the Diocese where I am with Professor Pasi Sahlberg and Dave Runge to work with school communities on the development of the DOBCEL strategic plan over the next three days.
While it will be a very busy few days, it is central to our commitment to the co-design process that we engage with as many schools as possible. I offer sincere thanks in advance to the Principals, staff and communities of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, Merbein, St Paul’s, Mildura, St Mary’s, Robinvale, St Mary MacKillop College, Swan Hill, St Mary’s, Swan Hill, St Mary’s, Sea Lake and St Joseph’s, Red Cliffs, who will host us.
While at St Paul’s, today, I have also had the opportunity to meet with Darren Chester, Federal Shadow Minister for Regional Education and Anne Webster MP for Mallee. It is important we engage with all sides of politics to ensure representatives have a deep understanding of the work of our schools in regional communities, along with resourcing needs. I thank Principal Vince Muscatello for facilitating this opportunity.
On Sunday, we farewell 16 Principals and leaders from across the DOBCEL community as they embark on a 15 day Ireland Spiritual Heritage Pilgrimage. The pilgrimage celebrates 150 Years of the Diocese of Ballarat, and provides an opportunity for the leaders to recognise, celebrate, and understand more deeply the profound influence of the Irish, and particularly the religious orders whose charisms form the foundations of our distinctly Catholic education to this day. The tour will be led by Fr Justin Driscoll and we trust the pilgrims will have an enriching and enjoyable experience.
This week is Refugee Week, when we particularly acknowledge and offer prayerful support for those who have been displaced from their homelands, along with celebrating the contributions refugees are making to the Australian community. I thank and congratulate our schools for the work you continue to do in support of refugee children and families.
This week’s stimulus piece is: An Excerpt from Spark & Sustain: How all of the world’s school systems can improve learning at scale.
With best wishes
Tom Sexton
Executive Director, Catholic Education Ballarat
Dave Runge, Tom Sexton and Pasi Sahlberg were warmly welcomed to Our Lady of the Sacred Heart School, Merbein by Principal Narelle Gallagher, staff and students, today.
Diocesan Formation Sessions - Save the Date
In preparation for the Diocesan Assembly in November 2024, a series of formation sessions will be held around the Diocese in July and August, with a focus on leadership and governance.
Members of school leadership teams are encouraged to participate in these sessions, to be facilitated by Fr Justin Driscoll.
Further details are available on the letter from Bishop Paul linked below.
Details of sessions are:
Horsham - July 28 (10.30am – 4.00pm) Ss Michael & Johns Church, Horsham
Colac - July 30 (10.00am – 3.00pm) St Mary’s Parish, Colac
Ballarat - August 4 (10.30am – 4.00pm) Ss Peter and Paul Church, Buninyong
Ballarat - August 13 (5.00pm – 8.30pm) Our Lady Help of Christians Church, Wendouree
Warrnambool - August 25 (10.30am – 4.00pm) St Joseph’s Church
(Please note times may vary slightly)
Professional Learning Program
Please click the 'Download Here' button below to open the flyer.
Supporting Classroom Behaviour Workshop
Strengthening Universal Practices to support Classroom Behaviour: Essential Strategies for Teachers and School Leadership with Dr Shiralee Poed.
There are many elements to being an effective teacher and understanding behaviour support is one of them. Transform your teaching practice and enhance your students' learning experience through this practical workshop on strengthening our universal approach to behaviour management in the classroom.
Guest speaker for this full day session is Dr Shiralee Poed. Shiralee is an Associate Professor in the School of Education at the University of Queensland, bringing over 30 years of experience including her role as Chair of the Association for Positive Behaviour Support Australia and co-author of SWPBS Handbook (Australia).
This session promises to provide teachers and leaders with valuable universal strategies and insights to enhance their approach to supporting positive behaviour in the classroom.
It is highly recommended that teachers and school leaders attend in teams wherever possible.
- Time and date: 30th August
- Venue: Church of Christ - Horsham
- Register here
Article submitted by Lisa Templar.
People and Development Update
Federation University students need your feedback!
The DOBCEL People and Development team is working with students at Federation University who are currently undertaking an industry-based project as part of the Work Integrated Learning Unit.
The work-integrated learning unit allows students to work with organisations on real-life work scenarios, where the students are required to research and deliver suggested outcomes. Fed Uni is working with DOBCEL to help us better understand why people choose to come and work in DOBCEL schools or offices and how we can best ‘attract and compete’ in a competitive job market. By better understanding the reasons people choose to work and stay with DOBCEL, we can focus our efforts on delivering more of the things that are important to our people.
Together with the P&D team, Fed Uni students have devised a short survey to gather your feedback and we encourage as many people as possible to share their thoughts and experiences. Your feedback will help the students devise suggestions and present findings designed to enhance our unique offerings and create an employee experience tailored to what our people want.
The survey has 14 questions and will take around 5 minutes to complete; and can be accessed here. Survey responses are anonymous.
The survey is open now and will remain open until Friday 28 June 2024.
If you have any questions regarding the project please contact Sarah Hanley, Talent Acquisition Partner.
Crucial Conversations – Swan Hill 3 & 4 September 2024
Time: 9:00-4:00 (both days)
Location: Swan Hill (Murray Downs Resort, Swan Hill)
Cost $500 (inclusive of learning materials (3 x books), morning tea and lunch)
Try booking registration - https://www.trybooking.com/CSRZV
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.
Future workshop dates:
Crucial Conversations will also be run on 12 & 13 Nov in Ballarat.
Trybooking links will be supplied for bookings soon.
If you have any queries about the program please contact Fiona Murphy on fmurphy@dobcel.catholic.edu.au
Catholic Identity and Mission Update
Invitation to Nurture the Heart of Ballarat - Planting Seeds of Compassion
Recently Mary Darcy (Educational Psychologist) and Lynne Reeder (Adjunct Research Fellow School of Science and Psychology) approached Kate Lawry, Leader: Catholic Identity and Mission, on behalf of Ballarat City Council, outlining the concept of “Planting Seeds of Compassion” that now has become a Ballarat project that harnesses a community’s wellbeing.
It is a loving and hoped filled response to a city and region’s people who have experienced duress and stress. The Ballarat initiative has tapped into the world-wide project of “Compassionate Cities” – Ballarat is one - that fosters the place of well-being for all including the other-than - human and environment.
The invitation is to Year 6 and 10 students to participate in an authorised project between the City of Ballarat and Compassionate Ballarat (Please see attachments below of letter to principal and a teacher’s guide for further explanation). This project will involve Year 6 and /10 students in an RE or Wellbeing class, using the attached teachers guide to facilitate a discussion and collect 4-5 compassionate wishes that are then returned to www.compassionate.ballarat.com.au
More information is in the attached below including the timeline.
UN World Day of Combat Desertification & Drought - 17 June 2024
The future of our land is at stake. Desertification, land degradation, and drought are among the most pressing environmental challenges of our time, with up to 40% of all land area worldwide already considered degraded. Desertification affects as much as one-sixth of the world’s population, seventy percent of all drylands and results in widespread poverty.
This year, the theme of the Desertification and Drought Day “United for Land. Our Legacy. Our Future” spotlights the future of land stewardship — our most precious resource to ensure the stability and prosperity of billions of people around the world.
Pope Francis’ 2015 encyclical, Laudato Si’, calls on all to take "swift and unified global action" to save “our common home”. “Today, however, we have to realize that a true ecological approach always becomes a social approach; it must integrate questions of justice in debates on the environment, so as to hear both the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor.”
Pope Francis, Laudato Si’, 49.
READ: IISD Article - How Can We Work With Nature to Tackle Drought and Desertification?
REFLECT: After reading the article, consider the impact of desertification on the earth and the poor in the present day, as well as in the years to come. Like the nature based solutions you read about, what small things can you do this week that can make a difference to the larger issues of climate change, desertification, drought or poverty?
ACT: “Think Global, act local.”
So, what will your legacy be for a restorative future? Choose one small action you can take in your daily life to help improve soil quality and make a difference to the larger issues of climate change, desertification, drought or poverty, such as composting, creating a water efficient garden, reducing water consumption, supporting biodynamic farming, tree planting, investing in climate-smart agriculture etc.
Perhaps you are ready to take up one of the three ways suggested in the article to include nature in climate adaptation ?
1. Increase awareness to demonstrate the diverse returns on investment
2.Collaboration is key—consider drought as part of a wider problem
3. Learning more about how nature can help
Upcoming significant ecological events:
🗓️ Thursday 20th June 2024 World Refugee Day
🗓️ Sunday 7th July to Sunday 14th July 2024 NAIDOC Week - ↳ NAIDOC Week
Caritas Australia Project Compassion 2024 - Request for feedback
We hope it’s been a really positive experience for your students to be involved in the Project Compassion campaign again this year – we would be so grateful if you could please take a few minutes to complete this short survey which will help us plan for 2025: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/httpsPC24SchoolSurvey
Jillian Hogbin - Caritas Diocesan Director
New Course Offering - Professional Certificate of Catholic Social Ecology
The Catholic Institute of Western Australia (CIWA) has expanded its course offerings to encompass a distinctive Professional Certificate of Catholic Social Ecology.
For more information: Professional Certificate of Catholic Social Ecology
Article submitted by Kate Lawry.
Learning and Teaching Update
General News
2024 Early Career Teacher Retreat - "There Where You Are"
Early Careers Teachers Retreat – years 1, 2 and 3 and any pre-service teachers.
August 14 and 15 2024
The 2024 Early Career Teacher Retreat in Halls Gap is back in term 3. The retreat is run on a three-year cycle and this year is titled “There where you are.”
The two-day retreat will provide content and experience on:
- Nurturing your own spirituality
- Caring for my spirit
- Making connections with other early career teachers in The Diocese of Ballarat.
- Why be ecological?
- Sacred Ground
- Caring for our common home.
There will be the opportunity to explore nature as a component of the retreat, reflecting on scripture and tradition in the process.
Click here to view a little more on the retreat.
Additional details:
Wednesday August 14 and Thursday August 15 2024
- Timings - August 14 - 9:30 to 4:00pm and August 15 - 9:00 – 1:00pm
- Venue – The Country Plaza, 141 Grampians Rd, Halls Gap, VIC 3381 - Web link
- Cost – $200 per person
- meals provided include –
- Day 1 – morning tea, lunch and dinner
- Day 2 - morning tea and take-away lunch.
- Trybooking link
Travel and accommodation are to be organised by participants. A limited number of rooms have been reserved for participants to book at the Country Plaza.
Deputy and Assistant Principal and Senior Leaders Forum - 20 & 21 August
The two-day Forum is open for both primary and secondary Deputy and Assistant Principals and Senior Leaders.
There will be a variety of presenters across the two days with interactive sessions on the school improvement framework, leadership formation (developing psychological safety and empathy) and developing trust to have crucial conversations.
Time: Day One (10:00am – 4:00pm) and Day Two (9:00 -2:00pm)
Location: St Brigid’s College, Horsham VCAL room – 97 Robinsons St, Horsham
Cost: $150 (cost includes Day 1 – morning tea, lunch and evening dinner Day 2 - morning tea and lunch
Try booking registration: https://www.trybooking.com/CSVWV
Schools will be expected to organise and pay for any necessary travel and accommodation costs of participating staff.
For further information on the Forum, please contact Janet Claassen or Fiona Murphy.
Library Professional Learning
A day of Library professional learning was held last week at the Warrnambool Library coordinated by Emmanuel College. Content from the day included:
- Zine making workshop
- Library Slam
- Cataloguing
Thanks to Marg Sinnott for her coordination of this day.
Victorian Curriculum 2.0 (F-10)
All schools will be aware of the continuing update to the Victorian Curriculum, with Mathematics and English as the first updates. School leaders are encouraged to register for ongoing updates for future curriculum and related resources:
Register for F–10 newsletter update
Subscribe to VCAA Bulletin, Early Years update and Senior Secondary update
ACER PAT Professional Learning
ACER is pleased to offer a series of webinars targeted to schools using, or about to use, the PAT Progressive Achievement suite online. Here's the schedule for terms 2 & 3
Term 2 2024
Register to watch on demand: Unpacking ACER’s Adolescent Coping Scale for Schools (2nd ed.) [12 June]
Term 3 2024
Coping, resilience and fortitude: Supporting adolescents in schools [24 July]
Understanding and making comparisons using PAT norm data [7 August]
Analysing data using ACER's Bands, Group and Student reports (Linear assessments) [17 September]
Analysing data using ACER's Data Explorer (Adaptive assessments) [18 September]
PAT CEB Webinar Recording
The recording of the recent CEB PAT Webinar PAT Assessment to Support Mid-Year Reporting has been uploaded and can be found on the DOBCEL Schools’ Hub’s PAT Assessments & Resources site, under the newly-added Recordings banner. On this site you will also find the Reporting Alignment Tool discussed in the webinar, under the new drop down heading Reporting.
Please contact the PAT Team (Breeana Wade, Teresa Hadden and Lisa Templar) with any questions.
CEP will be hosting the Small Schools Forum on Thursday 20 June in collaboration with the Victorian Academy of Teaching and Leadership. This event promises to be an enriching experience for all involved, offering valuable insights and opportunities for networking.
Taking place across 7 live sites in Bairnsdale, Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong, Mildura, Moe, and Shepparton the Small Schools Forum will feature inspiring speakers and presentations from practicing small school principals. Attendees will have ample opportunities to connect with peers and delve into discussions on topics relevant to small schools.
One highlight of the event will be the presentation of the latest research findings on teacher retention in rural schools, providing valuable insights for educators.
All interested individuals, including representatives from small schools across sectors, are welcome to join CEP for this cross-sectorial event. Whether you come as part of a cluster or as an individual, your participation is invaluable. Best of all, this event is completely free!
To learn more about the day download the flyer or to register your interest, please click here.
The Winter Series, CEP’s PD Online have commenced.
Specifically designed by educators for all educators, this season consists of 4 interactive sessions: Sign up here to join a current webinar of to access recordings.
AI in Education: 19th June 2024, 4:00 - 5:00 pm
Retention of Staff: 26th June 2024, 4:00 - 5:00 pm
Stay informed on the latest industry trends and research, hear inspiring leadership stories, acquire strategies to help balance demanding workloads, learn how to manage AI technology in the education space and gain an understanding of how to retain and engage your team.
Each session is highly interactive, providing participants with the opportunity to ask questions and receive feedback from educational industry experts. Sign up now and take a significant step towards advancing your career and personal well-being.
Digital Technology - Apple Professional Learning
The latest Apple Professional Learning Live schedule is now available. These are free online webinars hosted by Apple to support schools and educators using Apple devices.
There are sessions still to come in June that would be valuable for schools using iPad and/or Mac.
- Deploy and Manage Devices with Apple — Wednesday 19th June 4pm AEST
More information on dates and how to register click here.
Richmond Football Club Emerging Aboriginal Leadership (REAL) Program - Expression of Interest
REAL Schools is a school-based program that introduces Indigenous students to the work of the Korin Gamadji Institute.
Within this program, students will learn about the Richmond Emerging Aboriginal Leadership (REAL) program, including an introduction to the three key pillars of the program: Leadership, Social and Emotional Wellbeing, and Culture.
This interactive program includes cultural games, content from Richmond Football Club Indigenous players and practical social and emotional wellbeing exercises, governed by subject matter experts by our Indigenous psychologist employed by KGI. At the end of the session, students will find out how to enrol in the REAL programs and stay connected with the KGI Team.
About REAL Program
REAL journey is designed in three stages.
- First stage is for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in Year 7 & 8.
- Second stage is for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in Year 9 & 10.
- Third stage is for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in Year 11 & 12.
Where from here?
If you or a support staff, who are in contact with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students, are interested or wanting to know more about the 2 hour FREE workshop, please email Brady Cooper, Programs Manager - bcooper@richmondfc.com.au to organise a date and time.
Primary News
Primary Leaders of Learning - Network Meeting
SAVE THE DATE
ALL Primary Leaders - (Mathematics, Literacy, Instructional, Curriculum)
Our next network meeting will be Wednesday 7th August - 1:30pm - 3:00pm (Term 3, Week 4)
Please keep your eye out for the full agenda, coming soon.
Expressions of Interest for Face-to-Face Sounds-Write Training
One of our Central Zone schools has been offered the opportunity for Face-to-Face training in the ‘Sounds-Write’ systematic synthetic phonics program, provided there is sufficient interest for feasibility purposes. We are currently seeking expressions of interest from schools in our diocese wishing to partner in this training. The four-day course will be held in Ballarat from Monday August 26 to Thursday August 29
Course fees are approximately $1000 per participant, with a small additional percentage of the facilitator's overall fee to be paid by participating schools. The course will cover all theoretical and practical aspects of the ‘Sounds-Write’ approach, with the addition of tailored advice for implementation in Grades 3-6. Further information on course content can be found by following the link to the Sounds-Write webpage.
Please contact Julie Cooper jcooper@dobcel.catholic.edu.au or Susan Vowles svowles@scballarat.catholic.edu.au to express your interest NOW.
Maths Bites - Unpacking The Victorian Mathematics Curriculum V2.0
Throughout Term 1 some primary learning leaders took part in familiarisation workshops on the revised Victorian Mathematics Curriculum. During Term 3 we will provide another opportunity for Primary Leaders of Mathematics and classroom teachers to engage in introductory workshops on the F - Year 6 Victorian Mathematics Curriculum V2.0 in preparation for full implementation in 2025.
These ONLINE sessions will be facilitated by Teresa Hadden and Sarah McKnight, Primary Education Officers from CEB.
Please note: The content presented will be an online version of the face to face days offered in Term 1.
The online sessions will take place on:
- Tuesday 30th July, 2pm - 3pm
- Tuesday 6th August, 2pm - 3pm
- Tuesday 13th August, 2pm - 3pm
The content will include:
- The structure and introductory documents for the Victorian Mathematics Curriculum V2.0
- The similarities and differences between V1.0 and V2.0
- The connections between the Achievement Standard, Content Descriptions and Elaborations
- New reporting requirements
- Mapping a Scope and Sequence for the year demonstrating the interconnectedness of concepts.
Please use the link below to register: https://forms.office.com/r/CjNzTSebDF
Structured Literacy Project PL Registration for Term Three
- Level 3 Face to Face Network: Monday 15 July 10am - 3pm
- Country Plaza Inn, Halls Gap. Register here.
This event is recommended for school leaders and places are limited to a maximum of six attendees per school (unless otherwise negotiated).
Please note: There are a small number of tickets left to this event, so we are opening it up to ALL interested participants, whether your school is currently in the Structured Literacy Project or not.
This would be a great opportunity to find out more about Structured Literacy and to do some strategic planning around Literacy improvement in your own context. The agenda for the day is as follows:
10:00 | Welcome, Prayer, Introductions and Review |
10:30 | Why? A compelling case for change |
11:00 | Morning Tea |
11:15 | What?
How?
|
1:00 | Lunch |
1.30 | Where, When & Who?
|
2:45 - 3.00 | Close of Day: Feedback & Certification |
If you have any questions about this event, please speak to your local Ed. Officer or contact Emma Rutherford.
Level 1A Day Two
Cluster 1: St Brigid's Ballan & St Mary's Clarkes Hill | Thu 22nd August 10 - 3 | Sovereign Park Ballarat | Register here |
Cluster 2: St Joseph's Warrnambool & St Patrick's Port Fairy | Wed 21st August 10 - 3 | Deakin Uni Warrnambool | Register here |
Cluster 3: St Patrick's Koroit & St Pius X, Warrn. West | Tue 20th August 10 - 3 | Deakin Uni Warrnambool | Register here |
Cluster 4: All Saints Portland & St Mary's Colac | Tue 20th August 10 - 3 | Deakin Uni Warrnambool | Register here |
Cluster 5: Western Trinity Schools | Thu 22nd August 10 - 3 | Sacred Heart Casterton | Register here |
Level 1B Day Two
These events do not require Trybooking registrations. We will be in touch shortly about arrangements.
DIBELS Digital Resource & Workshop Availability
A suite of online DIBELS workshops has been developed to support DIBELS Professional Learning and administration in ALL DOBCEL Schools.
The suite contains:
Workshop 1 (Part 1): The What, The Why and The How of DIBELS (40 mins)
- The Principal Uses of DIBELS
- Administration Fidelity & Approved Accommodations
- Administration Timelines
- Benchmark Goals & Rapidly Progressing Achievement Scales
- DIBELS & the Five Pillars of Reading
- Scoring Conventions
Workshop 1 (Part 2): The Subtests (Between 10 and 25 mins per subtest, all recorded individually for flexible use)
- Administration Procedures
- Administration Practises with Mock Student Scripts
- Moderated Scoring Opportunities
Workshop 2: The DOBCEL DIBELS Data Tool (35 mins)
- Baselining Data Terms
- Data Entry
- Composite Scores, Percentiles & Normative Descriptors
- Effect Sizes (Cohort and Student)
- DIBELS Dashboard
Workshop 3: We’ve got the Data. Now What? Responding with Instruction and Intervention.
- RTI in a Structured Literacy Methodology
- Data Informed Decision Making
- Priority Sub Skills for intervention
- Instruction and Intervention planning
- Progress Monitoring
- Supported Decision Making: Intervention Prescriptions
Level 1 Structured Literacy schools will access these resources as part of their Online Module schedule in Term Three. All other schools are able to access these recordings at any time to support staff learning.
Access to these workshops can be found by navigating through the following path:
www.dobcel.com - Resources - DIBELS - DOBCEL DIBELS Workshops - Online Modules: Asynchronous Delivery
DIBELS Face to Face Workshop Availability: The following workshops are available for schools who wish to undertake Face to Face learning instead of utilising the above online workshops. These dates, and their corresponding registration links, are as follows:
WORKSHOP 3: We’ve Got the Data. Now What? | ||
Ideal for schools already using DIBELS and wish to delve deeper into using the data to inform instruction and intervention. | ||
Time & Date | Venue & Location | Registration link |
Friday 2nd August | Mildura - The Academy | |
Tuesday 6th August | Warrnambool - (Venue TBC based on numbers) | |
Tuesday 13th August | Ballarat - Catholic Education Office | |
WORKSHOP 1: The What, The Why & The How of DIBELS
| ||
Ideal for schools who have not yet begun their DIBELS journey and require a deep dive into the DIBELS suite, the subtests and DOBCEL’s DIBELS data tool. | ||
Time & Date | Venue & Location | Registration link |
Tuesday 3rd September | Warrnambool - (Venue TBC based on numbers) | |
Wednesday 4th September | Ballarat - Catholic Education Office | |
Friday 6th September | Mildura - The Academy | |
If you have further questions about these resources, please contact Breeana Wade at bwade@dobcel.catholic.edu.au
Michael Ymer Yearly Overview Documents
Michael Ymer’s yearly overviews have been thoughtfully designed to align with the Victorian Mathematics Curriculum version 2.0, which reflects the educational priorities and standards set for Victoria. The content for each term has been divided into distinct content strands. There are direct connections made between the strands to enable for deeper learning experiences.
These documents align with the new Mathematics Reporting Guidelines. Schools who attended the recent Professional Learning with Michael received these planners.
If you didn’t attend and would like to access the planners the cost is $150 for the set and involves a PLT on how to use them effectively.
To order the planners and book a PLT please contact Julie Cooper or Teresa Hadden.
2024 reporting advice for primary language specialist programs
2024 reporting advice for primary language specialist programs is now available here. Reporting examples and wording are provided on pages 2 & 3.. Two of the most frequently asked questions are:
Does my school need to report on F - 6 Languages?
Yes. All schools registered in Victoria must ensure they:
- monitor and report on students’ performance, in accordance with the minimum standards for school registration; and
- implement and report against the Victorian Curriculum’s achievement standards for Languages
Does my language teacher need to provide a progression point for Languages reporting?
No. Schools are not expected to report against age expected levels in the Victorian Curriculum for Languages. However, schools are required to display student achievement using a five point scale.
Note: Teachers as Co-Learners schools have been provided with separate reporting advice.
Micro-credentials in higher Education Courses for Primary and Secondary teacher professional development and leadership upskilling.
10 fully sponsored places available to CEB teachers for 2024 from low SES, Rural, Regional and Remote schools for semester 2 commencing July 29 .
Applications for Semester 2 close on July 15.
This learning is online and primarily asynchronous with synchronous non-mandatory course engagement sessions.
Course outlines:
Applications close on July 12th so if you are interested please contact Teresa Hadden (thadden@dobcel.catholic.edu.au) ASAP
Career Opportunities in the Diocesan Education Community
Catholic Education Ballarat Vacancies:
Catholic School Vacancies:
- Specialist Teacher - Visual Arts – St John’s School, Dennington – fixed term position at 0.45 FTE (closes 21 June)
- Loreto Rowing Opportunities – Loreto College, Ballarat – casual position (closes 21 June)
- Casual Relief Teachers – St Patrick’s College, Ballarat (closes 28 June)
- 2025 Teaching Expressions of Interest – Loreto College, Ballarat – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 5 July)
- Deputy Principal - Mercy Regional College, Camperdown – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes July 8)
- 2025 Learning Support Officers Expressions of Interest - Mercy Regional College, Camperdown – ongoing position at 0.75 FTE (closes July 8)
- 2025 Teaching Expressions of Interest - Mercy Regional College, Camperdown – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 8 July)
- College Counsellor - Mercy Regional College, Camperdown – ongoing position at 0.8 FTE (closes 8 July)
- Casual Relief Teachers – St Paul’s Primary School, Mildura (closes 12 July)
- Expressions of Interest for all Subject Areas commencing 2025 – St Patrick’s College, Ballarat – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 17 July)
- Spanish Teacher - Expressions of Interest for 2025 – St Patrick’s College, Ballarat – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 17 July)
- Classroom Teacher - Maternity Leave Position – Siena Catholic Primary School, Lucas – fixed term position at 1.0 FTE (closes 24 July)
- Teachers – St Mary MacKillop College, Swan Hill – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 7 August)
- Casual Relief Teachers – St Columba’s School, Ballarat North (closes 30 August)
- Casual Relief Teachers – St Aloysius’ School, Redan (closes 30 November)
Article submitted by Sarah Hanley.