Weekly Newsletter #21 - 17 July 2024
- Reflection
- From the Executive Director
- Professional Learning Program
- Religious Education Leaders Conference - 22/23 August
- Deputy and Assistant Principal and Senior Leaders Forum
- People and Development Update
- School TV Update - Term 3
- Learning and Teaching Update
- Career Opportunities in the Diocesan Education Community
Reflection
If you want to nourish your soul, nurture your stories
At the beginning of Term Three, let us pause to encounter the wisdom of Jim Quillinan and consider how this reflection may inform, form, and transform our work this term.
Who doesn’t love a story ? They can make us laugh, or cry, they can entertain or inform, they can challenge our way of thinking or unite us with others.
One day people will tell stories about us, if they aren’t already! What is the story you would most like them to tell about you? What story would you most like to be forgotten?
We live in world shaped by stories. The Dreamtime Stories go back for tens of thousands of years and still give life to First Nations people. The stories in the Bible go back for thousands of years and we still use them, we still find inspiration in them.
Jesus knew that stories are good medicine for the soul and he told them often. He usually began by focusing attention on his listeners’ own situation or concern or experience. His parables often provoked his listeners to ask questions of their own, to reflect on their own lives, beliefs and attitudes.
Good stories begin by listening – a good storyteller is always a good listener, she or he is one who goes beyond the words and listens to what the story is telling about the soul.
We can tell a lot about the state of our soul by how we feed our minds and hearts, by what we choose to listen to, by what we choose to read, by what we choose to watch on TV and what stories we choose to tell.
It is worth asking sometimes whether I am growing bitter, angry, becoming a person who’s painful to be around, someone with a pretty negative view of life? How do we know? Just listen to what stories we tell, what news we choose to share. Are we feeding that by negative news stories or what we read or do we just foster a negative outlook on life?
Or am I an enthusiast perhaps, a person who sees the silver-lining rather than the dark clouds. Do I help light up a room or darken the mood? Do I feel that I am losing my spark because I’m losing hope, and graciousness in my life? Am I always right or am I open to other ways of looking at a situation.
Nourishing the soul takes energy and commitment – we have to decide to do it!
Jesus reminded us of that in the Parable of the Soils (Matthew 13:3–23; Mark 4:1–20; Luke 8:4–15) when he asked how receptive are we to the Good News? How open are we to hear something new, to accept a challenge, to think outside the square? How have we prepared ourselves? He warned us about putting new wine in old wineskins (Mark 9:17; Mark 2:22 Luke 5:37– 38) – the new wine causes the old wineskins to split and everything just drains away. A great image of our
openness to new ideas, new ways, God’s challenges.
In the words of Pope Francis: Every day God passes and sows a seed in the soil of our lives. We do not know whether today God will find dry ground, brambles, or good soil that will make that seed grow (Mk 4: 3-9). That they become for us the living Word of God depends on us, on our prayer, on the open heart with which we approach the Scriptures. But is it also in how we listen to others, in how we listen to their stories, their lived experiences that "we grow in mutual respect and begin to discern the movements of God's Spirit in the lives of others and in our own.” (Pope Francis).
So nurture your stories and be alert to those you are sharing and your openness to listen to those of others as a barometer of your soul.
Today we often hear people say that they are ‘soulmates’ and I wonder sometimes what that really means. Today, rather than talking about our immortal souls we talk about the here and now so we associate the word ‘soul’ with our essence, our humanness, our mind and heart, our emotions and how we connect with others. That’s not a bad start but being a soul mate still needs attention, still needs cultivating, still needs prayer and openness to God’s invitation to growth and wisdom.
So what stories will you tell today? Will those you encounter be pleased they met you today?
From the Executive Director
Welcome back to Term 3.
I trust you have had a refreshing break and are feeling energised for an exciting and productive term ahead.
This term the ‘FLARE’ Primary Literacy Strategy, an expanded project to further support schools in the area of structured literacy, will move into full swing. The strategy continues our strong diocesan focus on this fundamental area of curriculum delivery. I remind schools of the initial FLARE information session (via zoom) on Tuesday 23rd July. Details are available later in this newsletter and all staff are welcome to attend.
Here at the CEB office, we have hit the ground running with myself and fellow Directors meeting with Professor Pasi Sahlberg and Dave Runge today to further refine the DOBCEL strategic plan for consideration by the Board on 30/31 July. I again thank and recognise all schools and individuals who have participated in the co-design of this vital piece of work to date.
This term, we are delighted to welcome Chris Mitchell to the role of Education Consultant - Northern Zone, replacing Murray McDonald who has retired. Chris brings enormous experience in Catholic education as a teacher and Principal, most recently in the Sandhurst Diocese.
I am pleased to advise that Catherine Howison, who has served as Deputy Principal at St Mary MacKillop College, Swan Hill since 2015, has been appointed by Kildare Education Ministries as the new Principal of Marian College, Ararat, effective from January 2025. Catherine has been a highly esteemed leader in the St Mary MacKillop College Community since 2006 and we offer our sincere congratulations on this well-deserved appointment.
I also offer special congratulations to Annameike Cozens, Emmanuel College, Warrnambool, along with her teachers, who have today been recognised in the 2023 Premier’s Awards for an Outstanding VCE Vocational Major.
In changes to the DOBCEL Board of Directors, Vicki Clarke OAM has unfortunately resigned her position due to changes in family circumstances. We welcome Kathleen Donnellon to the Board, effective from the July 30 meeting. Kathleen has a deep background in the law and brings particular expertise in good governance practice.
As usual, I look forward to visiting a number of schools this term and offer best wishes to all for a safe, happy and productive term ahead.
Tom Sexton
Executive Director
Professional Learning Program
Please click the link below to view the PL calendar 2024.
Religious Education Leaders Conference - 22/23 August
This is a reminder for Religious Education Leaders to register for the upcoming REL Conference.
Could all RELs please register for this conference (including dietary requirements) via the link below by 9 August 2024 - Trybooking Link: https://www.trybooking.com/CQOHS
The details are:
Venue: Country Plaza Halls Gap,
141 Grampians Rd, Halls Gap VIC 3381
Date: 22-23 August 2024.
Focus: Liturgy
Please book your accommodation directly with Country Plaza on Ph (03) 5356 4344 (The accommodation cost is paid by your school)
Attached is a draft copy of the Agenda for the Conference and this will be finalised closer to the event. Over the two days, there will be three rounds of workshops of a practical nature with regards to Liturgy and Prayer. Prior to the Conference, there will be an opportunity to select and register for preferred workshops.
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 1 – 10:00 – 4:00pm and Day 2 9:00 -2:00pm
- Date: Tuesday 20 August and Wednesday 21 August
- Location: St Brigid’s College Horsham VCAL room – 97 Robinsons St, Horsham
- Cost: $150 - includes
- Day 1 – morning tea, lunch and evening dinner
- Day 2 - morning tea and lunch
- Try booking registration
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.
People and Development Update
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
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.
- Try booking 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
'There Where You Are'- Early Careers Teachers Retreat (Years 1, 2 and 3 and any pre-service teachers.)
August 14 and 15
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, Halls Gap, 141 Grampians Rd, Halls Gap VIC 3381
Web link – https://www.countryplazahallsgap.com.au/
Cost – $200 per person
meals provided include –
Day 1 – morning tea, lunch and dinner
Day 2 - morning tea and take-away lunch.
Try Booking link –
https://www.trybooking.com/CSCEB
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.
Introductory webinar on the Reportable Conduct Scheme
Child safety is central to the work we deliver and it is incumbent on each of us to understand our legal responsibilities as we continue to strengthen our culture of child safe schools.
If you're new to the Reportable Conduct Scheme or need a refresher, please consider attending this webinar delivered by the Commission for Children and Young People (CCYP).
Webinar details:
Tuesday 30 July, 11am - 12pm
Thursday 12 September, 1pm - 2pm
Go here to Register: https://ccyp.vic.gov.au/resources/information-sessions/#TOC-1
School TV Update - Term 3
There is plenty happening this term and we hope that School TV will continue to be a valuable resource in supporting your communication with your school communities.
Plastic Free July #PlasticFreeJuly
To find out more click the link - Plastic Free July 17.07.2024
Catholic Earthcare - Season of Creation Art Competition is back this year!
Each year Catholic Earthcare runs an art competition for the Season of Creation. The theme of the competition is the theme for the Season of Creation, which this year is ‘Hope and Act With Creation’.
Students can create ANYTHING they want aligned to this topic, as long as they can take a photo of it to submit. We ask that teachers register on the behalf of students by emailing the submission, school name, student name and year level to catholicearthcare@caritas.org.au
There is a primary and secondary category, with awards presented by the Bishop of Parramatta Vincent Long, and there is also a people's choice award. Last year we used facebook likes to judge the people's choice, this year we will host the images and the voting on our website and details will be sent out about how to vote once registrations are closed.
The winners will be announced at our convocation later in the year and each winner will receive a voucher to an art supplies store.
Entries close September 2 at 9am sharp!
If you have any questions, please email Alice Carwardine at Alice.Carwardine@caritas.org.au
Upcoming significant Ecological Events:
🗓️ July 2024 Plastic Free July
↳ Explore the resources on the Plastic Free July website
🗓️ Tuesday 23rd July 2024 Catholic Earthcare Communities Monthly Online Screening
You are invited to join the next online screening on Tuesday July 23rd – Teilhard Visionary Scientist! Explore the life of Pierre Teilhard de Chardin and his theology! We will be joined by Caritas Australia’s Mission Facilitator Michael McGirr – ex-Jesuit priest and author, for a breakdown of Teilhard’s life and the film.
Flyer: Teilhard Visionary Scientist Flyer
Register here: Catholic Earthcare Screening 'Teilhard' Registration
View the trailer here: Trailer: Teilhard, Visionary Scientist
🗓️ Friday 26th July 2024 Schools Tree Day
↳ Get Involved As A School - National Tree Day
🗓️ Tuesday 30th July 2024 World Day Against Trafficking in Persons #EndHumanTrafficking
↳ World Day Against Trafficking in Persons | UN
↳ World Day Against Trafficking in Persons | World Vision
🗓️ Thursday 12th to Saturday 14th September 2024 The Catholic Earthcare Season of Creation Convocation 2024
Catholic Earthcare is celebrating the Season of Creation this year with a Convocation that will explore how we can ‘Wonder, Weave, and Heal’ Earth and her communities.
Click on the flyer below to find out more and to access the link to the website where you can register.
Registration closes Monday 12th August 2024.
Note: Cost for the 3 days is $100 BUT if you register a group of 4 or more you get 50% discount! You can also register for just 1 or 2 days and the same discount applies for 4 or more.
The Diocesan Hub experience includes Morning Tea & Lunch.
↳ Flyer: The Catholic Earthcare Season of Creation Convocation 2024
Koori Big Day Out 2024
An aspirational state-wide event, promoting university pathways for young Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students in years 10 - 12.
A great chance to connect with the Koorie Units of the 9 Universities in Victoria and explore future pathways and careers.
Parents and Carers are invited to attend the Koorie Big Day Out as well.
For any questions please contact VAEAI on (03) 9481 0800 or emailing vaeai@vaeai.org.au
Learning and Teaching Update
SECONDARY NEWS
ILSY Professional Learning
The ILSY professional learning suit uses a disciplinary literacy approach to guide and support secondary teachers and leaders in the Diocese of Ballarat to explicitly and systematically lead school improvement.
Disciplinary literacy is an approach that harnesses subject specific support to improve literacy across the curriculum. With this in mind, ILSY seeks to assist schools in supporting their teachers to understand how to teach students to read, write and communicate effectively in their specific subject area.
All three 2024 programs are based on the need to ground literacy in the teaching of each subject rather than seeing it as a general skill.
Over the four years of the program, the ILSY PL has presented strategies for school leaders to ensure school-based literacy approaches prioritise subject specificity over general approaches. The diverse content of this term’s ILSY PL has certainly covered a range of areas for consideration. The thinking has been impressive while the sharing of ideas and strategies highlights the benefit of collaborating in a diocesan wide, ongoing professional learning network.
For further details, please contact Julia Petrov, Learning and Teaching Education Officer (Secondary) on jpetrov@dobcel.catholic.edu.au or 0432 499 683.
PRIMARY NEWS
Primary Leaders of Learning - Save the date
- ALL Primary Leaders - (Mathematics, Literacy, Instructional, Curriculum)
- When: Term 3, Week 4 - Wednesday 7 August, 1:30pm - 3:00pm.
Please keep your eye out for the full agenda, coming soon.
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.
Register here
Primary Literacy Strategy
Initial Information Session
Tuesday 23rd July (Week 2) 3.45pm - 5.00pm via this Zoom Link.
All are welcome.
[Please note the updated start time for this VC - previously advertised as 4.30 - 5.00]
Early in Term Three, an expression of interest form will be shared with all DOBCEL primary schools.
All primary principals will be asked to indicate by Wednesday 28th August whether their school is selecting 'Facilitated Literacy Improvement' or 'Self-Guided Literacy Improvement' for 2025.
If your primary school has not engaged with the Structured Literacy Project at Level 1, 2 or 3 in 2024, this will be a key opportunity for you to find out about the new Diocesan Primary Literacy Strategy and how it may be applied in your context.
Structured Literacy Project
Level 1A Day Two - Please register ASAP
Cluster 1: St Brigid's Ballan & St Mary's Clarkes Hill | Thu 22 August | Sovereign Park Ballarat | Register here |
Cluster 2: St Joseph's Warrnambool & St Patrick's Port Fairy | Wed 21 August | Deakin Uni Warrnambool | Register here |
Cluster 3: St Patrick's Koroit & St Pius X, Warrn. West | Tue 20 August | Deakin Uni Warrnambool | Register here |
Cluster 4: All Saints Portland & St Mary's Colac | Tue 20 August | Deakin Uni Warrnambool | Register here |
Cluster 5: Western Trinity Schools | Thu 22 August | Sacred Heart Casterton | Register here |
GENERAL NEWS
Victorian Curriculum 2.0 (F-10)
All Victorian schools were recently contacted to advise of the further release of 2.0 curriculum materials, including:
- 6 learning areas: The Arts, Health and Physical Education; Humanities, Languages (Chinese, French, Italian and Japanese), Science and Technologies
- 4 capabilities: Ethical, Critical and Creative, Intercultural, and Personal and Social
- 3 cross-curriculum priorities
- 3 foundational skills (Digital Literacy, Literacy and Numeracy).
All published Victorian Curriculum V2.0 materials with supporting resources can be accessed at www.F10.vcaa.vic.edu.au
Timeline for Implementation
All schools are advised to begin a period of familiarisation with the new curriculum materials. Further information will follow in regard to a timeline for the implementation of these most recently published elements.
Mathematics V2.0
Most schools will be on track for full implementation of the Mathematics V2.0 curriculum in Semester 1 2025, with a small number having implemented the new curriculum and reporting in the current semester.
Primary Mathematics Education Officer Teresa Hadden has prepared a roadmap for schools who will be engaging in further familiarisation ahead of a 2025 start. Access here.
The purpose of this roadmap is to provide you with a series of steps in preparation for full implementation of V2.0 Mathematics from the start of the 2025 school year.
If you require any support with the familiarisation phase please contact Sarah McKnight, Julie Cooper or Teresa Hadden.
English V2.0
Schools are reminded of the English V2.0 implementation advice:
- 2024: Orientation
- 2025: Familiarisation (Implementation Optional)
- 2026: Full Implementation
In the first semester of 2026 it will be expected that all schools report to the revised English Curriculum. Reporting procedures will continue to require teachers to report against the three English modes.
VCAA Updates
All Diocesan staff can register for curriculum updates by using the links:
Register for F–10 newsletter update.
Subscribe to VCAA Bulletin, Early Years update and Senior Secondary update.
ACU 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.
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 term 3.
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.
Career Opportunities in the Diocesan Education Community
Principal Vacancies:
- St Mary's Primary School, Warracknabeal (closes 4 August)
CEB Office Vacancies:
- Speech Pathologist – Warrnambool office preferred, ongoing position at 0.5 FTE (closes 28 July)
- Marketing and Communications Officer - Full-time, Ballarat Office (closes 4 August)
School Vacancies:
- 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 - St Thomas More School, Alfredton – fixed term position at 1.0 FTE (closes 18 July)
- Classroom Teacher - Maternity Leave Position – Siena Catholic Primary School, Lucas – fixed term position at 1.0 FTE (closes 18 July)
- Classroom Teacher (Leadership Positions Available) – Siena Catholic Primary School, Lucas – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 18 July)
- Casual Relief Teachers – Damascus College, Mount Clear (closes 19 July)
- Mathematics and Science Teacher – Damascus College, Mount Clear – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 26 July)
- Expressions of Interest for all Subject Areas - Marian College, Ararat – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 26 July)
- Religious Education and Faith Leader – Marian College, Ararat – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 26 July)
- Classroom Teacher - Junior - Leave Replacement Position – St Patrick’s Primary School, Ballarat – fixed term position at 0.4 FTE (closes 28 July)
- 2025 Teacher Expressions of Interest – Emmanuel College, Warrnambool – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 7 August)
- 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.