Weekly Newsletter #23 - 7 August 2024

St Mary of the Cross MacKillop Feast Day

Tomorrow, 8th August is The Feast Day of St Mary of the Cross MacKIllop, Australia’s only canonised saint. Mary began her ministry in education, in what is now The Diocese of Ballarat. She worked at The Portland Catholic Denominational School, which later became All Saints, Portland. This school is proudly the only Australian Catholic school to include a canonised saint among its lay teachers! It was between 1861 and 1863 that Mary MacKillop and her sister Annie were recorded as assistants to the school master at The Catholic Denominational School, Portland.

This position gave Mary the financial independence to reunite her scattered family under a single roof, and she rented Bay View Cottage from Portland pioneer Stephen Henty. The building was also large enough to accommodate additional boarders, and Mary established the Bay View House Seminary for Young Ladies, offering instruction in a range of subjects.

The stables of Bay View House Seminary provided comfortable sleeping quarters for Father Julian Tenison Woods when he visited the MacKillop family during his travels through Victoria's Western District. Mary had confided in Father Woods her desire to devote herself 'to poor children' and his visits to Portland kept that dream alive. Father Woods persuaded her to return to Penola to help him establish a school.

In 1866, together with Father Julian Tenison Woods, Mary MacKillop founded the Sisters of Saint Joseph of the Sacred Heart and opened a school to provide free education for the children of Penola, South Australia. From this small beginning, Mary went on to establish Catholic schools and places of refuge for the working class and poor across Australia and New Zealand.

Mary was moved by the lack of education, medical care and social services amongst the poor. She worked tirelessly to make a difference, to uphold the dignity of the most marginalised, dejected and deprived. She lived by her words to never see a need without trying to do something about it. A vision we are called to pursue today.

God, through the intercession of Mary MacKillop,
We pray that the fire of your compassion will ignite many hearts.
May Mary’s attentiveness to your dream inspire us.
May her energy to overcome injustice empower us.
May we, like her, make manifest your Presence in our troubled world.
We pray that the beacon of her holiness shine
as a blessing for the universal Church and our world.
We make this prayer in Jesus’ name.
Amen.

Adapted from:

https://www.asportland.catholic.edu.au/history  
https://www.sosj.org.au/making-a-difference-reflection-mary-mackillop/ 
https://www.visitmarymackillop.com.au/building-on-a-dream-portland.html 

Some musical resources are available here:

From the Executive Director

Today I am writing from Horsham where members of our DOBCEL Board, CEB leadership team and Principals have gathered to work on the fine-detail of the new DOBCEL Strategy 2035 with Professor Pasi Sahlberg and Dave Runge.

It has been another day of deep-thinking and engagement, including revisiting the core purpose of this work which is to address the key question: How do we become a high-performing system of Catholic schools? A process for communicating the strategy more broadly across our community is also in planning.

I am thrilled to announce that DOBCEL will be included in an upcoming British Parliament Trust commemorative book marking the 75th anniversary of the Commonwealth. This publication celebrates examples of leadership, innovation and development in all sectors across the 56 nations of the Commonwealth. As a thought-leader in education in Australia I was invited to be interviewed about our work in regional Catholic education. 

The publication is an opportunity to shine a light on the importance of education right across the Commonwealth, but particularly in rural and regional communities, which face unique challenges. The book will be published in October and distributed to more than 400,000 individuals and organisations.  DOBCEL Board Chair Terry Harney and I will attend the official launch of the publication at Westminster Abbey, London, on 9 October.

With best wishes to all for tomorrow’s Feast Day of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop, Australia’s only Saint. I encourage you to read this week’s reflection, noting Mary worked tirelessly to make a difference, to uphold the dignity of the most marginalised, dejected and deprived. She lived by her words to never see a need without trying to do something about it - a vision we are called to pursue today.

This week’s stimulus piece comes from Andy Hargreaves and his reflections on Transforming Alberta Education, - a system of schools similar to our own.  

With best wishes

Tom Sexton

 

CEB leadership team and Principals gathered in Horsham today to work with Professor Pasi Sahlberg and Dave Runge (Future Schools) on the fine-detail of the next five year DOBCEL Strategy. 

Professional Learning Program

Please click the link below to view the PL calendar 2024.

Catholic Education Updates

MAKING A SCENE AT CHRISTMAS - Opportunities for schools to view and learn about the nativity scene

This year to celebrate Christmas, over 500 Christmas Nativities from more than 60 countries will be displayed at Bridge Mall, Ballarat and at the Catholic Diocesan archives.

The display can also be transported to diocesan communities to service clusters of schools and parishes.

Students can:
- see and smell real frankincense and myrrh;
- see coins minted around the time the census was called that brought Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem; and
- see hand crafted cultural nativities from Australia, Africa, Asia, North & South America and Europe (and one that went to Antarctica); and
- see nativities that prize social justice and the environment.

Schools can book for an educational experience:

1. Invite the display to your district 

2. Bridge Mall: 5-22 December 

3. Catholic Diocese of Ballarat archives 20 November – 22nd December and Thursday 4th January – Monday 22nd January 2024.

Contact ASAP: Fiona Tonkin at fiona.tonkin@ballarat.catholic.org.au  

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.

Wellbeing Updates

ReLATE is more than just trauma-informed practice. It is a universal practice of teaching and learning strategies, delivered through a therapeutic practice that supports and empowers every member of the school community. 

Join our free information session to learn about the concepts that underpin ReLATE and how the program can work with your school’s unique community and strategic plan. This session is available to principals, deputy principals, other school leaders and wellbeing professionals. 

ReLATE Information session on the 4th September from 4-5pm.  Sign up is via this page Event Details | MacKillop Institute  

Out of Home Care  

Learning Mentor Training Online - Term 3, 2024    

A short training session to help participants understand the Learning Mentor role delivered by LOOKOUT Centre team members. 
 
DATE: Thursday, 8th August 2024 
TIME: 3:30pm - 5:00pm 

PLACE: Online via Webex - https://forms.office.com/r/EHxCJ9R218 

This session highlights the critical importance of the Learning Mentor relationship as a driver of improved wellbeing and academic outcomes for our children and young people in Out-of-Home Care. 

The SWVR LOOKOUT Centre are looking forward to meeting with existing and future Learning Mentors to share current research and high impact strategies relating to the role of the Learning Mentor in primary and secondary schools. 

Supportive Transitions for Children and Young People in Out-of-Home Care.  

 This Professional Learning opportunity is open to Designated Teachers and any school staff who may benefit from learning more about how to support students currently living in Out-of-Home Care, transition from primary to secondary school, or from one school to a new school or other educational setting.  

This session will be presented online on the 26th August from 3:30-4:30.  

Please click on the link to register. https://forms.office.com/r/XFhhzzSt93 

Wellbeing Leaders Network Secondary 

Date: Thursday 19th September 

Where: Monivae College  

When: 10:00 – 2:30 

Register via link: https://www.trybooking.com/COZGS 

Student Voice Webinar - Dr Russ Quaglia 

We are thrilled to invite you to an exclusive educator webinar, "All Students Have a Voice, But Do We Hear Them?" featuring world-renowned expert in the field of student voice Dr. Russ Quaglia and Sue Bryen from the Quaglia Institute for Student Voice and Aspirations (QISVA).

This special event will be hosted by Justin Roberts and Chris Higgins from The MacKillop Institute. 

Date and Time: 

·                Wednesday, September 4th, 2024, | 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM AEST 

Format: Panel discussion and conversation, featuring a discussion with our esteemed guest – Dr Russ Quaglia. 

Why Attend? 

·       Gain deeper insights into fostering authentic student voice. 

·       Discover practical strategies to amplify student voices in your classrooms. 

·       Learn from the leading experts on how to create an engaging, student-centred learning environment. 

·       Obtain a digital Professional Development certificate upon completion of the webinar. 

Spaces are limited - secure your spot - Register here. 

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. 

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:  https://www.trybooking.com/CRCQR  

For a list of topics covered or for any queries please contact Anne Ruddell aruddell@dobcel.catholic.edu.au

National Week of Action Against Bullying (12 -16 August)

Next week is the National week of action and the theme this year, ’Everyone Belongs’ encourages us to create environments where people are respected and valued. 

Schools are ideal settings to promote inclusion, respect and belonging and all registered schools will receive a resource kit to support the work.  

Click here to register: https://bullyingnoway.gov.au/preventing-bullying/national-week-of-action  

School TV 

School TV also has plenty of fantastic resources to support Bullying No Way: National Week of Action including the Bullying, Cyberbullying and Friendship and Belonging editions. There is also a Cyberbullying Special Report. 

In 2025, more of our diocesan schools will be joining the MHiPS initiative. A briefing session for the principals of these schools will take place on Wednesday 28th August from 9:30am-10:30am. Principals will receive information about this via email. 

For any MHiPS queries, please contact Liz McIntyre (lmcintyre@ceob.edu.au)  or Mel Frost (mfrost@dobcel.catholic.edu.au). 

Curious about the NDIS and Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Ballarat?

Our DOBCEL website now houses NDIS information readily available for our school communities to access.

See the following direct link: https://dobcel.catholic.edu.au/services-to-schools/wellbeing-diverse-learning/disability-funding/the-ndis-and-catholic-schools-in-the-diocese-of-ballarat/

People and Development Updates

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. 

Any queries, please contact Fiona Murphy on fmurphy@dobcel.catholic.edu.au 

Introductory webinar on the Reportable Conduct Scheme -Tuesday 12 September

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:

Thursday 12 September, 1pm - 2pm

Go here to Register: https://ccyp.vic.gov.au/resources/information-sessions/#TOC-1

Recruitment Best Practice Webinar – August 30th 

This informative session will guide you through the recruitment process, covering off various steps from advertising positions through to appointing someone to a position.

Key topics to be covered include interviewing skills, ensuring a positive candidate experience, legal compliance, and adherence to the VCEA Guideline for Employment of Staff in a Catholic School. This session will ensure you know what is required for a structured, fair, and successful recruitment process. 

Who should attend: Anyone responsible for recruitment activities in schools or the CEB office is encouraged to attend. 

Date: 30 August

Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM 

Location: Online 

Cost: Free of charge

Registration via Trybooking: https://www.trybooking.com/CRINC  

For any enquiries about the program, please feel free to contact Sarah Hanley, Talent Acquisition Partner. 

Social Justice Activities Update

🎨 Season of Creation Art Competition is back on for 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:

• Monday 2nd September - Entries close for the Season of Creation Art Competition 9am sharp! 
• Thursday 12th to Saturday 14th September - 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 link 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 

Learning and Teaching Update

Seminar Five - Smart assessment and samples 

In this Seminar on Thursday, 8 August at 3.30, we will look at formative and summative assessment and how we can be more effective and efficient at it. Kirstin will be suggesting activities you can try in your classrooms. She will also be discussing the ‘Feedback not Marking’ movement in the UK and the move to break the cycle of teacher burnout.

Bring along your teams and make use of our non-recorded Q&A opportunities too.

We look forward to seeing you.

Access the Zoom link via Canvas here.

For further details, please contact Julia Petrov, Learning and Teaching Education Officer (Secondary) on jpetrov@dobcel.catholic.edu.au or 0432 499 683.

Structured Literacy Project

Level 1A Day Two - Please register ASAP

NAPLAN Data - VCAA Professional Development

To support you in using your NAPLAN 2024 data, the VCAA will be offering the VCAA NAPLAN Reporting & Data Service Professional Development workshops and webinars again this year, starting from Monday 19 August 2024.

These practical, hands-on workshops and webinars are designed to build capability with all staff members within a school to analyse & investigate your school’s NAPLAN data using both the VCAA Data Service and ACARA’s SSSR reports.

This program will be offered as a two-and-a-half-hour webinar or face-to-face workshop to be delivered from Monday 19 August until Friday 18 October 2024. The webinars and workshops will be presented on behalf of the VCAA by Philip Holmes-Smith, an educational measurement specialist, and Emma MacNamara, a program evaluator and professional learning facilitator, from School Research, Evaluation and Measurement Services (SREAMS), via Webex meetings or at designated venues across Victoria.

These sessions are provided free-of-charge to participants. There will be a 15-minute break during the session.

For the webinars, an overview of how to access and use Webex and its functions will be provided to participants upon registration.

Session Content:

• Provide an overview of the NAPLAN online tailored branched test design and gain an understanding of the new National Scale, Proficiency Standards and Item Difficulties.
• Interpret diagnostic reports in the VCAA Data Service to gain insight into student/school capabilities.
• Discover how to plan for differentiated writing teaching using the NAPLAN results.
• Provide an overview of how to access the Student and School Summary Report (SSSR) and how to interpret it.

To view the available sessions (face-to face or online webinars) and to register, please follow this link.

If you have any queries, please contact VCAA NAPLAN helpdesk on 1800 648 637 or via email vcaa.naplan.help@education.vic.gov.au

 Victorian Curriculum F-10 

The graphic below displays the expected implementation of the Victorian Curriculum 2.0 within DOBCEL schools. More information regarding familiarisation and implementation can be accessed here

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

• 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]

The fourth annual  Prime Minister’s Spelling Bee  is ON NOW! 

Teachers around Australia have already registered over 35,000 students across Years 3-8 since registrations opened.

Kids News has introduced a digital consent form between teachers and parents for the first time this year, and the bulk student upload has also been a hit with our busy teachers!

Registrations and the national school round close at 5pm AEST on Friday 23 August. 

There's still loads of time to get kids busy with their ABCs in this fun, free, online competition, welcoming all Australian schools and registered homeschools and students across Years 3-8.

National Kitchen Garden Awards

The National Kitchen Garden Awards celebrates the inventive, community-driven ways educators and young Australians are using their kitchen garden to learn about health, wellbeing and sustainability. These awards are open to all primary schools, secondary schools and early childhood services across Australia, and you do not need to be a member of the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program to apply.

Applications close 12 August.

For more information, visit the National Kitchen Garden Awards page (https://www.kitchengardenfoundation.org.au/national-kitchen-garden-awards ) on the Kitchen Garden Foundation website.  

Koorie Big Day Out - 30 August

An aspirational, statewide event promoting university pathways for 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

Read more.

Thomas Mayo in Ballarat

Best-selling author and advocate Thomas Mayo speaking to teachers about the power of schools in reconciliation:

Date:      Monday August 12, 2024

Time:      3:45 – 4:45

Where:  Wendouree Centre for Performing Arts – Howitt Street, Wendouree.

Read more.

Career Opportunities in the Diocesan Education Community

CEB Office Vacancies

• Safety & Risk Advisor – Ballarat office, ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 9 August)
• Policy & Governance Administrator – Ballarat office, ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 9 August)
• Education Officer: Learning and Teaching (Primary) – Ballarat office, secondment position at 1.0 FTE (closes 18 August)

School Vacancies

• • 2025 Teacher Expressions of Interest – Emmanuel College, Warrnambool – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 7 August)
  • Faith in Action Leader - St Mary MacKillop College, Swan Hill – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 7 August)  
  • Timetabler - St Mary MacKillop College, Swan Hill – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 7 August)  
  • Pastoral Care Centre Receptionist - St Mary MacKillop College, Swan Hill – ongoing position at 0.87 FTE (closes 7 August)  
  • Personal Assistant to the Deputy Principals - St Mary MacKillop College, Swan Hill – 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)  
  • Loreto Rowing Opportunities – Loreto College, Ballarat – casual position (closes 9 August)
  • Teacher- Monivae College, Hamilton – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 12 August)
  • Deputy Principal Community and Culture – St Mary MacKillop College, Swan Hill - ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 12 August)
  • Deputy Principal - Wellbeing & Learning Diversity – St Paul’s Primary School, Mildura – fixed term position at 1.0 FTE (closes 16 August)
  • Deputy Principal - Learning & Teaching – St Paul’s Primary School, Mildura – fixed term position at 1.0 FTE (closes 16 August)
  • Classroom Teacher – St Paul’s Primary School, Mildura – fixed term position at 1.0 FTE (closes 16 August)
  • Deputy Principal 2025 (Learning Diversity & Wellbeing) Classroom Teacher Ongoing - Siena Catholic Primary School, Lucas – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 16 August)
  • Expression of Interest - 2025 Teaching Positions – Damascus College, Mount Clear – fixed term position at 1.0 FTE (closes 19 August)
  • Education Administration Officer/VASS – Damascus College, Mount Clear – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 19 August)
  • Daily Organiser – Damascus College, Mount Clear – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 19 August)
  • Classroom Teachers 2025 – St Francis Xavier School, Ballarat – fixed term position at 1.0 FTE (closes 19 August)
  • Deputy Principal - Learning & Teaching – St Joseph’s College, Mildura – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 21 August)
  • Learning Group Leaders - 2 Positions – St Patrick’s School, Gordon – fixed term position at 1.0 FTE (closes 23 August)
  • Subject Teacher - (VCE Food Technology, VCE Accounting, VCE and non-VCE Mathematics – St Patrick’s College, Ballarat – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 26 August)
  • 2025 Classroom subject teachers – Marian College, Ararat – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 30 August)
  • Position of Learning - Religious Education and Faith Leader – Marian College, Ararat – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 30 August)
  • Casual Relief Teachers – St Columba’s School, Ballarat North (closes 30 August) 
  • Casual Relief Teacher – St Patrick’s School, Camperdown (closes 30 August)
  • Teacher Expressions of Interest for 2025 – St Joseph’s School, Red Cliffs – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 31 August)
  • Classroom Teacher - 2025 – St Joseph’s School, Coleraine – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 2 September)
  • Casual Relief Teachers – St Aloysius’ School, Redan (closes 30 November) 

Article submitted by Sarah Hanley.