Weekly Newsletter #35 - 13 November 2024

Reflection Piece - A Blessing Prayer

May the God of strength be with us,
holding us in strong and loving hands,
May we be the sacrament of God's strength
to those whose hands we hold,
May the blessing of strength be with us.

May the God of gentleness be with us,
caressing us with sunlight and rain and wind.

May God's tenderness shine through us
to warm all who are hurt and lonely.
May the blessing of gentleness be with us.
May the God of wonder be with us,
delighting us with sunrise and sunset, enchanting our
senses, filling our hearts, giving us wide-open eyes
that we may see the splendour in both the humble and majestic.

May we open the eyes and hands and hearts of the blind and deaf and the insensitive.

May the blessing of wonder be with us.
May the God of compassion be with us,
holding us close when we are weary and hurt and alone.
And may we be the warm hands and eyes of compassion
for our sisters and brothers when they reach out to us.
May the blessing of compassion be on us.

May the God of simplicity be with us, opening us to a clear vision of what is real and true,
Leading us deeply into the mystery of childhood.
And may our dealings with others be marked by honesty, which is simplicity.
May the blessing of simplicity be on us.

May the God of joy be with us, thrilling us with God's nearness,
filling our hearts to fullness, and filling our throats with laughter and song.
May our joy bring life and joy to others.
May the blessing of joy be with us always.

May the God of love be with us.
May our lives be continual, giving and receiving of love with our God,
our friends, and with all whose lives we touch.
May God's love in us light fires of faith and hope,
and may the fire grow and burn deeply and inflame the earth.
May the blessing of love and friendship be with us always.

- Author Unknown

From the Executive Director

It is pleasing to see so many schools marking Remembrance Day this week. As a Catholic education community we acknowledge, honour and remember those who have served our country in all wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations. With so much conflict currently happening across the globe, the day also serves as a reminder of the importance of our work to promote and pray for peace in our schools and communities, never losing hope of a more peaceful future. 

The DOBCEL 2035 strategy document has now been completed. Sincere thanks to all who have taken part in the co-design process over the past 12-18 months. The document sets out the aims and broad directions for a high-performing system of Catholic schools in the Diocese over the next decade. More information will be provided shortly and there will be significant opportunities for all members of the DOBCEL community to engage with the strategy early in 2025.    

In an exciting development, DOBCEL has now confirmed that it will undertake an action research system prototype in 2025 to co-design a revised school improvement framework with those schools scheduled to undertake their school review in 2026.  

As part of this process, we are thrilled that Professor Emeritus David Hopkins, an international leader in school improvement, will provide a keynote address for us, followed by a workshop in February 2025. David Hopkins has been Chief Adviser to three Secretary of States on School Standards in the UK, Dean of Education at the University of Nottingham and consultant to the OECD and WHO, as well as advisor to some 20 Ministries globally and a secondary school teacher.

The keynote will be held on 17th February next year and be open to everyone, either in person or via video-conference. Calls for Registrations will be made shortly. The workshop component will be for schools who are scheduled to undertake the school improvement review in 2026, along with key CEB staff. David Hopkins, Professor Pasi Sahlberg and David Runge will guide this initiative that is anticipated to take 6-9 months.

This week’s stimulus piece is from Prof David Hopkins, Unleashing Greatness – A Strategy for School Improvement.

Best wishes

Tom Sexton, Executive Director

Remembrance Day - St Joseph's, Coleraine

This week, Year 5 and 6 students at St Joseph’s, Coleraine prepared a beautiful Remembrance Day service for their school community. The students worked with buddies in Year 1 and Foundation to create a wreath and with Mrs Harman to create the words for the service. Lest we Forget.

DOBCEL Child Safe Standards update

As we prepare to roll-out a training program specifically for Learning Support Officers working in DOBCEL schools in December, our Child Safe Manager, Jacinta Cook talks about the importance of ongoing training in implementing Victoria’s Child Safe Standards.

Compliance and Risk Support Officers Forum

On Tuesday, twenty Compliance and Risk Support Officers (CARSOs) and associated DOBCEL staff, gathered at the Ballarat Golf Club conference room to further explore the roles and responsibilities of the CARSO.

Presentations reviewed expected documentation that had to be completed to fulfil legislative and regulatory requirements for schools across the Diocese and the scheduled timelines to complete such documents.  It was also noted that CARSOs had particular responsibilities however, they should not be taking on tasks that are not included in their role description.

The session on practical opportunities and ways to develop planning tools and schedules was received with enthusiasm. The group also engaged in rigorous discussion on strategies required to achieve goals when things may not go according to plan.

A report post VRQA Minimum Standards and Child Safe Standards reviews 2024 was given, where schools and CARSOs of the Ballarat Diocese were congratulated on having schools compliant in all areas.  The one non-compliance was rectified within two days of the reviewer visit.  This demonstrates what a great job our CARSOs are doing in our schools.

 The CARSOs participated in an in depth exploration of Excursions, Camps and Travel Policy and Procedures and then completed risk assessments and the necessary forms for undertaking such excursions.  This also involved some very serious discussion in the table groups.  Although normally the teacher responsible for the excursion or camp would complete the template, the CARSOs will review that everything has been covered.

Photos from the Compliance and Risk Support Officers (CARSO) conference.

Catholic Education Updates

University of Notre Dame - study pathways for aspirational leaders - Online information session

The University of Notre Dame Australia warmly invites Diocesan leaders, school principals, and colleagues to an Aspiring Educational Leader online information session on the 20^th November 2024.

This session will provide an overview of Post Graduate offerings and study pathways available to aspirational leaders and teachers looking to enrich their career by developing their capacity and capability.

Professor Sally Egan, Senior Director Academic Strategic Development, will highlight the study pathways available, scholarships and fees (including the benefits of Commonwealth Supported Places), and facilitate a live Q&A with faculty members.

Details and registration are available on the flyer.

Catholic Dialogue Schools Consortium - Feb 24th and 25th 2025

How can the Catholic Dialogue School promote genuine dialogue? & What is the impact of Relativism and the Colourful School on the schools across our diocese?

These are questions of the moment for our diocesan schools. We have this shrinking window in time to capture the religious imaginations of our learners – young and older. With this purpose in mind please take up our invitation to hear Prof Didier Pollefeyt and Drs Jan Bouwens in Bendigo or online on Feb 24^th and 25^th 2025.

Please register your interest in attending online via the QR CODE below by Friday 15 November.

This learning contributes another vital building block in understanding Catholic Identity for our current context. If you have any questions, please contact: gbernasconi@ceoballarat.catholic.edu.au

Practical Theological Instrument (PTI): Developing a Catholic School Culture of Dialogue - ECSI Masterclass No.2 

You are warmly invited to join us on 20 November for the second ECSI Masterclass! Building on the success of the first Masterclass this past April, the second offers you and your colleagues a broad and deep look into our newest Practical Theological Instrument (PTI) on forming teachers and staff for a culture of dialogue.

The Masterclass event is free of charge and open to all those invited by CEB - Please register here.

ECSI Masterclass No.2

Practical Theological Instrument (PTI): Developing a Catholic School Culture of Dialogue

Wednesday 20 November 2024

LIVE ONLINE AEDT 4:30pm - 6pm

Presenters: Prof Dr Didier Pollefeyt, Drs Jan Bouwens

One week prior to the Masterclass, the specific link and login details will be sent to all those registered online.  More information about the 2024 series of ECSI Masterclasses can be found at this page.  

We look forward to seeing you there!

Gina Bernasconi: Ed Officer: ECSI - gbernasconi@ceoballarat.catholic.edu.au

Vatican International Photography Contest - Sport in Motion

In the context of the Jubilee of Sport for the Year 2025, the Dicastery for Culture and Education (Vatican) is promoting an international photography contest, under the title ‘Sport in Motion’. The contest is aimed at young photographers, professional or amateur, under the age of 25.  The contest includes 5 categories of photography: Sport and hope (sport as a message of hope to society); Sport and family (sport as a moment of family life); Sport and disability (sport as a platform for inclusion); Sport and politics (sport as a resource accessible to all); Sport and ecology (the relationship of sport with the elements of nature). 

The deadline for participation ends on April 30, 2025 and the winners will be announced at the Jubilee of Sport (June 14-15, 2025). The winners will be awarded a meeting with the Holy Father, a visit to the Vatican Museums, a workshop in the Osservatore Romano newspaper and the international dissemination of the photos in the Holy See's media.  Entries can be made by email to sportinmotion@dce.va and further information (entry form / rules / jury) can be found on the Dicastery's website https://www.dce.va/it/news/2024/concorso-di-fotografia.html

Wellbeing Updates

Year 5 and Year 11 Positive Gender Relations Student Forum 

Opportunity for Central Zone Primary Schools 

The focus of the forum will be centred around a positive approach for all students to be active bystanders that demonstrate respect and recognition of the rights of others. This will be taken from the Resilience, Rights and Respectful Relationships ‘age-appropriate’ curriculum for Year 5 and 6 students -Curriculum Topic 8: Positive Gender Relations. 

Facilitators will provide a safe and proactive session where Year 11 students will lead a discussion for small groups of Year 5 students. The students will create something to take back to their school to promote proactive peer support and help seeking strategies that can be used in response to instances of gender-based violence. The work can then carry on into 2025 as these students will be Year 6 and Year 12 school leaders. 

This event will be held on Thursday 21st November, at the Ballarat Academy of Teaching and Leadership, where students, accompanied by their teachers, will participate in a 90-minute session.  

To ensure a safe and effective learning experience, all attending teachers are required to participate in a pre-event session on Thursday 14th November from 3:45pm until 4:30m, which will cover the forum's content, classroom strategies, and essential safety protocols. 

Date: 21st of November 

Time: 9:30 – 11:00 

Venue: Ballarat Academy of Teaching and Leadership  

36 Camp St Ballarat  

Facilitators: Christian Brown, Respectful Relationship Lead, CHA, Department of Education Trevor Edwards, Liaison Officer, Respectful Relationship Lead, CHA, Department of Education 

For further information please contact Brooke Nester bnester@dobcel.catholic.edu.au 

Register Here 

Navigating Child Protection and The Orange Door: Reporting, Referrals, and Best Practices 

An opportunity for essential training session for schools, facilitated by the Child Protection team, to help you understand the critical roles of both Child Protection and The Orange Door. In this session, the experts will guide you through when to report to Child Protection versus when to refer to The Orange Door, using real-life case examples for clarity. 

Event Details: 

• Date: December 3, 2024 
• Time: 3:30 pm - 5:30 pm 
• Format: Online 

Key Topics Covered: 

• Understanding the role of Child Protection vs. The Orange Door 
• Guidelines on when to report vs. when to refer, with case examples 
• Best practices for responding to a child making a disclosure 
• Identifying signs of child abuse and neglect 
• How to be fully prepared when making a report to Child Protection 

 This is a valuable opportunity to strengthen your knowledge and preparedness in safeguarding students. 
 
To register yourself or your group, simply email Christian Brown christian.brown@education.vic.go.au. 

People and Development Updates

Training Opportunities

Dealing with requests for information, subpoena/court order - VC online webinar

An online Webinar being delivered on the 25^th November providing practical advice and guidance for schools in dealing with Requests for Information, Subpoenas and Court related Orders, all of which are becoming more prevalent in our workplaces.   These sessions will be delivered by Micheale Myers, Diocese Professional Standards and Damian Ferrari, Case Manager for Complaints Resolution.  This Webinar is provided at no cost, and you can register through Trybooking.  

Learning Support Officers PD Opportunity

“Why is child safety central to the work of a Learning Support Officer?”

Learning and Teaching Updates

 Seminar 8 - New date! Thursday, 28 November at 3.30pm.

Following on from our in-person curriculum building day last week, our next online seminar will focus on assessment. Part of any curriculum design should include a ‘backwards by design’ thought process where we look at what the formative and summative outcomes of a unit are and how we need to teach students the skills to get them there.

We will allow plenty of time for questions (happy to take questions based on the in-person day or just around assessment in general).

Our big area of focus for the session is:

What kind of formative and summative assessment tasks could we need to design to address the Modes that are listed in the Victorian Curriculum 2.0?

We will explore formative tasks and link them to feedback and the kinds of assessment rubric we might use.

We will also look at summative tasks and consider how we can make them a genuine opportunity for students to put together all of their formative learning experiences.

We will also look at how AI can be a helpful tool for this kind of planning too.

The ECP Canvas site can be accessed here.

https://ceob.instructure.com/

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

2025 Phase A Guided Improvement Schools: Assessment Preparation VC

A reminder that, on Thursday, 14th November, 2025 Phase A Guided Improvement schools will be gathering online to hear about assessment and data requirements for 2025. This VC will run from 10am - 3pm and is accessible via the Zoom link on the Structured Literacy website.

If you are intending on coming to this event and have not yet filled out the assessment preparation form sent to all Phase A 2025 principals last term by Breeana Wade, please complete this form as soon as possible. We strongly recommend that all 2025 Phase A literacy leaders attend this event, as it will significantly impact assessment schedules from February onwards. You are more than welcome to send multiple people to the VC if your school is able to manage that.

Whilst this event is specifically targeted towards 2025’s Phase A schools, it is open to all schools who wish to attend. If you are not Phase A in 2025 and do wish to attend this VC, please fill out the form linked above so that we are aware of your attendance.

The day will cover:

• Aligning Assessment & Pedagogy (Breaking up with Running Records).
• Aligning Assessment & Pedagogy (Literacy Assessment aligned with Scarborough's Rope and the Sciences of Reading and Learning).
• Assessment and Administration Fidelity: It's all a Matter of Trust.
• The Flare Assessment Schedule: What, Who and How Often?
• Assessment Checklists: Tools for Leadership Task Tracking.
• Data Tool Setups and Inclusions for Guided Improvement Schools.
• School Information Databases: Help us to Help you.

Mathematics Professional Learning for 2025  

Engaging primary Students in their Mathematical Learning.    

Professional learning facilitated by Michael Minas the founder of Love Maths. 

Michael has worked in education for over 25 years and his areas of interest include problem solving and student engagement.  

Rationale:   

To impact on teacher practice through planning for and teaching of engaging Mathematical learning experiences. 

Focus / Learning Intentions:   

• Identify Mathematical tasks which are engaging for ALL students
• Enhance participant’s knowledge of the F-6 Mathematics Curriculum

Registration details to follow.

Read more 

F-6 Mathematics Curriculum V2.0

Where are you currently on the Roadmap in preparation for the implementation of Mathematics V2.0 in 2025? Reflect on what you have in place and cross-reference your progress against the roadmap.

For more assistance, please contact:

Sarah McKnight:smcknight@dobel.catholic.edu.au OR

Teresa Hadden: thadden@dobcel.catholic.edu.au

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.   

Wednesday, 4 December 4pm AEDT
Join to explore what an assessment of critical reasoning skills can tell educators and to find out the benefits of understanding student proficiency in a range of reasoning skills. We will explore how to unpack and effectively use this information. 

DigiCon24 Conference at ACMI, Federation Square. November 28-29!

Read more about DigiCon24 here.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education 2025

If Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education is a focus area of your school’s 2025 Annual Action Plan, could you please contact the pertinent CEB staff member listed below, in order for adequate planning time to occur. 

Central Zone and Far Northern Zone primary schools; Damascus College, Loreto College and St Patrick’s College – please contact Helen Christensen. 

Mid-Northern Zone and Southern Zone primary schools; Emmanuel College, Marian College, Mercy Regional College, Monivae College, St Brigid’s College, St Joseph’s College, St Mary MacKillop College and Trinity College – please contact Jeanette Morris. 

Victorian Curriculum F-10 Implementation

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.

Making a Scene at Christmas - Bookings

Making a Scene at Christmas will be on display in Bridge Mall Ballarat from 4 December and bookings are available for schools.

When children visit this display of over 500 Nativities they experience Nativities that illustrate  the story of Jesus birth as told in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke.  They get to see and smell frankincense and myrrh and to hold coins that date back to the reign of Herrod, that is the time of the birth of Jesus.

The other Nativities are from twelve African nations, fifteen American nations, eighteen Asian nations and twenty-five European nations – most hand crafted and some highlight issues of social justice or theological interpretation.

We can work with up to fifty children at a time and a session usually lasts for 90 minutes.

If you are a Ballarat school, and you want to book in a day or session please contact Fiona on 0437 426 268.

Career Opportunities in the Diocesan Education Community

Catholic Education Ballarat Vacancy

• Primary Education Officer: Structured Literacy Coach - Mildura, Swan Hill, Horsham, Ballarat or Warrnambool, fixed term (12 months) or secondment position at 1.0 FTE (closes 17 November)
• Strategy Implementation Manager – Ballarat Office, ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 24 November)
  

Principal Vacancy

• Expressions of Interest- Interim Principal, Sacred Heart Primary School, Casterton – fixed term (12 months) or secondment position at 1.0 FTE (closes 25 November)
• Expressions of Interest- Interim Principal, St Joseph's Primary School, Coleraine – fixed term (12 months) or secondment position at 1.0 FTE (closes 25 November)
• Expressions of Interest- Interim Principal, St Joseph's Primary School, Penshurst – fixed term (12 months) or secondment position at 1.0 FTE (closes 25 November)
• Principal - Emmanuel College, Warrnambool – fixed term position at 1.0 FTE (closes 2 December)
  

School Vacancies

• Classroom Teacher/s (leadership opportunities) – St Columba’s School, Ballarat North – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 15 November)
• Specialist Teacher ( Music/Performing Art ) – St John’s School, Dennington – fixed term position at 0.4 FTE (closes 15 November)
• Specialist Teacher (STEM) – St John’s School Dennington – fixed term position at 0.4 FTE (closes 15 November)
• Physical Education Teacher – Sacred Heart Primary School, Colac – fixed term position at 0.8 FTE (closes 20 November)
• Japanese Teacher – Emmanuel College, Warrnambool – ongoing position at 0.8 FTE (closes 21 November)
• Learning Support Officer 2025 – St Patrick’s School, Port Fairy – fixed term position at 0.08 FTE (closes 22 November)
• Classroom Teacher – Our Lady Help of Christians School, Murtoa – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 22 November)
• Classroom Teacher – Our Lady Help of Christians School, Murtoa – ongoing position at 0.6 FTE (closes 22 November)
• Classroom Teacher – St Joseph’s School, Charlton – fixed term position at 1.0 FTE (closes 22 November)
• Deputy Principal – St Alipius’ Parish School, Ballarat East – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 25 November)
• Mental Health in Primary Schools MHiPS Coordinator – St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, Warracknabeal – fixed term position at 0.4 FTE (closes 25 November)
• Classroom Teacher – St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, Warracknabeal – fixed term position at 1.0 FTE (closes 25 November)
• Teachers: Various roles to commence 2025 school year – Trinity College, Colac – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 25 November)
• Classroom Teacher – St Malachy’s School, Edenhope – fixed term position at 1.0 FTE (closes 27 November)
• Classroom Teacher – St Patrick’s School, St Arnaud – fixed term position 1.0 FTE (closes 28 November)
• Teacher: Senior English – Emmanuel College, Warrnambool – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 28 November)
• Specialist Teacher – St Joseph’s School, Coleraine – fixed term position at 0.6 FTE (closes 29 November)
• Flexible Classroom Teaching – St Patrick’s School, Stawell – fixed term position at 1.0 FTE (closes 29 November)
• Classroom Teacher – St Patrick’s School, Stawell – fixed term position at 1.0 FTE (closes 29 November)
• Casual Relief Teachers – St Aloysius’ School, Redan (closes 30 November)