Weekly Newsletter #16 - 2 Jun 2021
Reflection
National Reconciliation Week
This week we celebrate National Reconciliation Week (27 May – 3 June). These dates commemorate two significant milestones in the reconciliation journey— the successful 1967 referendum, and the High Court Mabo decision respectively. 2021 marks twenty years of Reconciliation Australia and almost three decades of Australia’s formal reconciliation process.
Reconciliation Australia’s theme for 2021, More than a word. Reconciliation takes action, urges the reconciliation movement towards braver and more impactful action.
Reconciliation is a journey for all Australians – as individuals, families, communities, organisations and importantly as a nation. At the heart of this journey are relationships between the broader Australian community and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
We all have a role to play when it comes to reconciliation, and in playing our part we collectively build relationships and communities that value Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, histories, cultures, and futures.
Source: nrw.reconciliation.org.au
More Reconciliation Prayers available here
From the Executive Director
Thank you once again to all the staff of our 64 schools for the rapid response in shifting to remote learning last Friday. As we now know schools will return to face-to-face teaching this Friday as detailed in today’s COVID update sent to Principals. Also in today’s COVID update is information about DOBCEL’s approach to strongly encourage all eligible staff to receive their COVID vaccinations as soon as practicable.
At this stage we are still waiting on an updated School Operations Guide for Regional Victorian schools, which, as usual, will be sent to Principals as soon as it become available.
In this newsletter is the latest DOBCEL Policy and Procedure drop. We are getting near the end of this roll out and once again I would like to say how grateful the Board and myself are for your efforts in implementing these policies and procedures.
ACPPA National Initial Teacher Education (ITE)
The ACPPA National ITE project is about to commence. Over recent years ACPPA has been hearing from Principals across Australia about their concerns with both student teacher readiness and the connection with Universities in preparing these students effectively. The project is in collaboration with Australian Catholic University and The University of Notre Dame Australia (with sponsorship from NCEC), ACPPA seeks to explore Principal understanding and lived experience of initial teacher education training and program delivery.
Download further information about the project, and fill in the survey.
Prayers and Condolences for Steven O’Connor – St Patrick’s College, Ballarat Principal
Steven O’Connor’s father, Bill, passed away suddenly and unexpectedly in the early hours of Saturday morning, he was 80 years old. The funeral will be in Paterson, NSW, which is where Bill grew up and is where Bill’s brother and their parents are buried. Bill’s funeral will be next Thursday. Bill was a man of faith and was very active in supporting his local church and community, who I am sure are supporting Bill’s wife, Maryanne.
Tom Sexton
Executive Director, Catholic Education Ballarat
DOBCEL Policy Implementation Update
VRQA requires all DOBCEL schools to implement policies and procedures by mid-2021.
Summary Documents
The below Summary Documents outline policy and procedure key points and changes, actions required by schools, and the document locations in eSORT.
- Fraud Prevention and Reporting Policy and Procedures
- Anti-Slavery Policy and Procedures
- Conflict of Interest Policy and Procedures
- Fit and Proper Person Protocol
- Student Behaviour Management Policy
- Related Parties Transaction
- Suspension and Expulsion of Students Policy (new version – updated 2 June)
Policy Implementation Timeline
There are a number of DOBCEL Policies and Procedures that were not part of the VRQA registration submission. These policies have been noted on page 3 of the updated Policy Implementation Timeline. They are currently under review and will be rolled out to schools during Semester 2, 2021 (where appropriate).
CEB Updates
System Improvement Updates
Annual Report to the School Community (ARSC)
Final copies of the ARSCs are due to be endorsed by the Diocese by 11 June. Before this can happen, reports must be verified by the Principal and approved by Dr Susan Crowe. It has been noted that there are still a number of schools where the report has not been started, and many have less than 50% completed.
Principals are reminded to save and acknowledge each section as it is completed - this 'section complete' includes those sections where there is no report eg. Parish Priest/Church Authority, SAC and/or future directions.
Before you can verify the report, it must be generated. This will show you the final formatting of the report. Please use ‘left alignment’ rather than ‘justify’ for best results, as when you 'justify' those sentences with few words spread out and do not format well. The green tick which has been inactive, will now activate so that you can verify your report. The first flag will turn green when your report is verified.
Learning and Teaching Updates
The HIVE Teaching and Learning Resources
The HIVE now contains information regarding free access to MacqLit and MiniLit resources during this lockdown period as well as information about PAT Reading and Maths adaptive tests that are available free of charge until the end of Term 2.
A reminder that The HIVE also has a link to last year's Remote Learning Resources back on the homepage and in the top site menu for teachers to use as required.
The HIVE Facebook page
The HIVE now has a Facebook presence and you are all invited to follow the page. Please visit us on Facebook and press LIKE to keep up with the latest news on The HIVE Blog.
Well-Being Updates
Learning Diversity
As we are unable to hold Learning Diversity Network meetings, the Term 2 Learning Diversity Newsletter is available here.
2022 ReLATE Program
Expressions of interest are now invited for the 2022 ReLATE Program. Submissions close on Friday 25 June - see further details here.
Well-Being Review
Thank you to the many staff who have already participated in the Well-Being Review conducted by Ian Claridge. Please find attached a short survey that will complement Ian’s report. We thank you in anticipation.
People and Development Updates
New Worker Screening Act 2020 (Vic)
From 1 February 2021, the Worker Screening Act 2020 (Vic) (New Act) replaced the Working with Children Act 2005 (Vic) (Old Act).
What has changed?
The New Act adopts the Working With Children Check (WWC Check) process established under the Old Act to screen criminal, police and relevant disciplinary history information about people working in child-related work. The New Act provides one framework for conducting checks on both National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) workers and people who work with children. The New Act provides for the continuation and uninterrupted operation of the WWC Check process.
The New Act has not introduced any significant change to the WWC Check process.
- The introduction of the New Act does not impact employees who currently hold valid WWC Check;
- Schools need to continue to ensure that all non-teaching employees hold a current WWC Check;
- A current Victorian Institute of Teaching registration remains sufficient for Teachers. This has not changed.
Individuals working for registered NDIS providers in providing support for persons with a disability are required to have an NDIS clearance. The NDIS Check includes a check of criminal history information and relevant disciplinary and regulatory findings. The NDIS Check does not replace Victoria's WWC Check. Therefore, an NDIS provider who is working with children must also hold a current WWC Check.
What do you need to do?
- Note the change to the legislation and advise staff that WWC Check holders need only reapply at the time the WWC Check is due to be renewed;
- Ensure that individuals working for NDIS providers attending to deliver services to students onsite have an NDIS Check and WWC Check;
- The CECV ER Unit will amend the letter of employment templates to reflect the change; please ensure you continue to use the latest version of these templates from the CECV website.
DOBCEL documents will be updated, where required, to reflect the change in legislation and posted in eSORT in the coming weeks. Schools will be advised when the documents are updated.
Flourish Wellbeing eMag - June Edition
The June edition of Flourish eMag, published by Converge International, is now available. In this issue:
- World Environment Day (5 June)
- Spiritual Wellbeing
- Bowel Cancer Awareness
- Micro Workouts and Healthy Snack Ideas
- Emotional Intelligence
- + more
For information about Converge’s Employee Assist Program (EAP) visit their website.
Business Services Updates
DOBCEL Portable Building Allocation Survey 2022
As part of CEB’s planning for 2022 we are currently in the process of:
- Auditing current placements of DOBCEL relocatable classrooms
- Accessing school relocatable allocation needs for 2022
Could all schools please complete the 2022 Application for Placement of DOBCEL Portable Buildings no later than Friday 18 June.
If you have any questions relating to this please contact Penelope Irish (CEB Property and Facility Advisor) on 0429 473 351 or via email.
CEB Systems Operational Workshops – HINT and Risk Register
As part of any roll-out of a new system or process, we like to know that those within Catholic Education Ballarat can become proficient with the tools they use in their daily roles to make their efforts easier. We have recently released two platforms that will indeed do this. There is the opportunity for our risk and compliance personnel, along with school administration team members and those who have a hand in reporting mechanisms, including our principals, to take part in an operational workshop to cover-off on the following platforms.
These Workshops will show you how to use the following:
- HINT – DOBCEL’s own Hazard and Incident Notification Tool for documenting, investigating and addressing mitigation factors to the harm of personnel within our school communities and operational offices.
- Risk Register – DOBCEL’s own platform for rating and addressing levels of risk within the educational sector with a view to mitigation and eradication – be aware of possible harms and dangers.
Dates for these two x 1 hour workshops are below:
- Workshop 1 - Tuesday 8 June at 3:30pm
Click this WebEx link to join - Workshop 2 - Thursday 10 June at 9:30am
Click this WebEx link to join
Each workshop will cover both topics, and staff can attend one workshop or both. We will work through demonstrations of the two platforms and attempt to answer any questions as a panel, as they arise. The workshops will be recorded for those interested participants who are unable to attend to access at their convenience for future viewing.
The following training videos will also assist in the implementation of the programs:
- HINT Tool Presentation (video)
- SIMON Risk Register Tutorial (video)
Catholic Identity and Mission Team Updates
Prayer, Meditation and Reflections for Spiritual Nourishment Resources
These resources are now available to help school staff or individual teachers nourish their own spiritual life and create space for the important work of reflection and nourishment.
200 Years of Catholic Education Updates
How We Celebrated 200 Years of Catholic Education - Online Gallery
A range of events and activities have taken place during Catholic Education Week at schools across the Diocese to celebrate 200 years of Catholic Education in Australia. See how schools celebrated in our online gallery.
If you would like to submit photos for inclusion in the gallery, please contact Emma Newman.
Celebration in the Spotlight: Edenhope
200 students and staff from the following schools partnered together in Edenhope to celebrate 200 years of Catholic Education last Thursday:
- Sacred Heart Primary School, Casterton
- St Joseph’s Primary School, Coleraine
- St Malachy’s Primary School, Edenhope
- St Patrick’s Primary School, Nhill
- Our Lady Help of Christians School, Murtoa
The students participated in a host of activities together including learning hip hop, singing the 'Faith in the Future' national song, forming the shape of 200 together, enjoying 200 cupcakes decorated with edible school logos and displayed in the shape of a cross, prayer, visual history activities and old-fashioned games. Watch the video of the celebrations below.
Career Opportunities in the Diocesan Education Community
Principal Vacancies
- Principal – St Joseph’s Primary School Red Cliffs, to commence Term 1 January 2022 (closes 28 June)
CEB Vacancies
- Education Consultant – Mildura, Horsham, or Swan Hill office location – 1.0 FTE and 5-year contract (closes 18 June)
School Vacancies
- Casual Relief Teachers – St Columba’s School, Ballarat North (closes 31 July)
- Digital Technologies Teacher – OLHC Warrnambool – 1.0 FTE for Term 4 2021, initially (closes 4 June)
- Casual Relief Teachers – St Francis Xavier School, Ballarat East (closes 10 December)
- Timetable and SIMON Administrator – St Joseph’s College, Mildura – Ongoing position at 0.8 FTE (closes 12 July)
Around the Diocese
Vicar General’s Newsletter
The Vicar General’s May Newsletter #23 is available to download.
St Alipius Students Sing at Reconciliation Week Launch
Students from St Alipius Parish Primary School, Ballarat East were honoured to sing at the official launch of Reconciliation Week in Ballarat last week. You can listen to their renditions of I Am Australian and From Little Things Big Things Grow on their Facebook page.
From Other Dioceses and Beyond
Liturgical Music Professional Learning Seminar – ACU Centre for Liturgy
Musicians, liturgists, clergy, teachers, pastoral associates, parishioners and all who have an interest in Catholic Liturgical Music are welcome to register for this professional learning seminar (not for academic credit with no assessments) which is also being offered as a postgraduate unit (for academic credit or audit). This rich face-to-face learning opportunity will provide you with access to your choice of 12 learning hours drawn from Professor Clare Johnson’s lectures and special sessions with guest presenters. Learning session descriptions can be viewed here.
Seminars will be held face-to-face at ACU’s Melbourne Campus on July 5, 6, 7 and 8 2021 from 9.00am -5.00pm. Register and sign up for your choice of learning sessions by Monday 28 June. For more information contact CentreforLiturgy@acu.edu.au.
Download flyers for more information on THLS502 Liturgical Music and THLS502 Liturgical Music Professional Learning Seminar.
Heart of Life Professional Learning Opportunities
Heart of Life is a centre for spiritual and pastoral formation in Melbourne committed to enlivening the divine spark in people’s hearts through contemplative formation. The Centre is offering these workshops which are available for educators across the diocese, along with a range of seminars and courses.
Employment Opportunities at Catholic Education Sandhurst
Catholic Education Sandhurst is seeking applications for the following positions:
- HR & Recruitment Lead (closes 11 June)
- Organisational Development Lead (closes 11 June)
- Employee Relations Advisor (closes 11 June)
Employment Opportunities at Catholic Education Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn
Catholic Education Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn are seeking applicants for the below Principal roles – see further details here.
- St Joseph's Catholic Primary, Grenfell (NSW Central West) (closes 1 June)
- Holy Family Catholic Primary, Gowrie (ACT) (closes 16 June)
- Rosary Catholic Primary, Watson (ACT) (closes 16 June)
- Trinity Catholic Primary, Murrumburrah (NSW Regional) (closes 16 June)
- St Joseph's Catholic Primary, Goulburn North (NSW Regional) (closes 16 June)