Weekly Newsletter #41 - 29 Jan 2025

Reflection - The Jubilee Year

This year is a jubilee year. Pope Francis has set the theme of the 2025 Jubilee Year as Pilgrims of Hope. The word Jubilee comes from the Hebrew word yobel, which is a ram's horn. This wind instrument is blown to mark the start of a Jubilee Year in the Bible (Leviticus 25:9). In ancient times, a jubilee year occurred every 50 years and involved the cancelling of debts, a period of rest for people and the earth, and land being restored to the landless. Now, in The Catholic Tradition, ordinary Jubilees Years are celebrated every twenty five years.

Jubilee years invite Christians to set out on a journey and to cross boundaries. When people travel, they do not only change places physically, but also possibly change within themselves. The etymology of the word “pilgrimage” is quite telling and has undergone little change in meaning over the years. The word comes from the Latin “per ager,” meaning "across the fields," or perhaps from “per eger” meaning “border crossing”: both possible origins point to the distinctive aspect of undertaking a journey. How will this year be transformative for you?

From:

https://www.vatican.va/jubilee_2000/magazine/documents/ju_mag_01051997_p-78_en.html

https://cafod.org.uk/news/uk-news/why-is-2025-a-jubilee-year-in-the-catholic-church

In his explanation of the the theme Pilgrims of Hope, Pope Francis reflects:

Everyone knows what it is to hope. In the heart of each person, hope dwells as the desire and expectation of good things to come, despite our not knowing what the future may bring. Even so, uncertainty about the future may at times give rise to conflicting feelings, ranging from confident trust to apprehensiveness, from serenity to anxiety, from firm conviction to hesitation and doubt. Often we come across people who are discouraged, pessimistic and cynical about the future, as if nothing could possibly bring them happiness.

For all of us, may the Jubilee be an opportunity to be renewed in hope. 

https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/bulls/documents/20240509_spes-non-confundit_bolla-giubileo2025.pdf

Invitation to Prayer

Christ Jesus, on whom the Spirit rests, 

Guide us on our journey as pilgrims of hope. 

Christ Jesus, bringer of Good News, 

Guide us on our journey as pilgrims of hope. 

Christ Jesus, liberator of captives and all who are oppressed, 

Guide us on our journey as pilgrims of hope. 

Christ Jesus, restorer of sight, 

Guide us on our journey as pilgrims of hope. 

Christ Jesus, proclaimer of the year of the Lord’s favour, 

Guide us on our journey as pilgrims of hope. 

Christ Jesus, in whom the Scripture was fulfilled, 

Guide us on our journey as pilgrims of hope. 

Lead us all to be signs of your hope in our world. 

Amen.  

From https://cafod.org.uk/fundraise/parishes/jubilee-2025-resources-for-your-parish

From the Executive Director

Welcome to the 2025 school year! 

I extend a special welcome to all those joining our Catholic education community of almost 3,000 staff, educating more than 18,600 students across 63 primary (52) and secondary (11) schools, for the first time. 

I trust you have all had time for rejuvenation over the holiday period and are energised for another productive year ahead. 

I offer best wishes to those new to Principalship in the diocese this year  - Jaci Commons (Our Lady Help of Christians, Wendouree), Lisa McDonald (Interim - St Joseph’s, Penshurst), Danny Franc (Interim - St Joseph’s, Coleraine), Melissa Sutherland (St Paul's, Mildura), Julie Leonard (St Mary's, Warracknabeal) and Catherine Howison (Marian College, Ararat), along with Karl Dwyer (Sacred Heart, Colac) and Darren Lloyd (St Patrick's, Camperdown) who take up leadership at new schools this year.

It was uplifting to yesterday join central zone staff to begin the year with a Mass led by Bishop Paul in a packed and buzzing St Patrick’s Cathedral.  

In his homily, Bishop Paul reminded us of our mission as Catholic educators to pursue the "fullness of life" for every child in our care. In my welcome, I highlighted the strong sense of collegiality and community we are privileged to share in Catholic education.

I know the energy of this celebration was mirrored by other Masses across the diocese.

As noted at the Masses, this year our Diocesan education community will adopt the theme: ‘May the God of hope fill you with joy and peace.’ (Romans 15:13). This will also be the focus for Catholic Education Week 2025 celebrations from 26-30 May. 

Our DOBCEL Strategy 2035 - ‘Pursuing fullness of life for all’ work continues apace with a  year of ‘sense-making’ about what the new strategy means in terms of action for us at both school and system levels. 

A comprehensive suite of resources, including an introductory video, to support staff to engage with the strategy, is available on the DOBCEL website.

In addition, I am excited to be joining Professor Pasi Sahlberg and Mr Dave Runge (Future Schools) for face-to-face opportunities to discuss the strategy with all school staff in zone groups during April and May.   

While data shows we are currently a ‘good’ system of Catholic schools, the strategy  challenges us to become an even higher performing system, which has been defined as:

• A high performing system of Catholic schools has Catholic identity at its core.

• A high performing Catholic school system is one where both students and staff are strongly engaged in learning and teaching and where they have a positive sense of belonging in their school and community.

• A high performing Catholic school system is one where students and staff feel safe, valued, respected, and where their wellbeing and health are enhanced as foundations of productive learning and teaching.

• A high performing Catholic school system is one where educational research informs  contemporary practice.

• A high performing Catholic school system is one where the quality of student learning outcomes across the curriculum exceeds expectations.

• A high performing Catholic school system is one where student outcomes across different equity groups have similar distributions and averages and where all students have equal access to excellent learning and wellbeing opportunities.

• A high performing Catholic school system is one where all human resources, financial resources, time and natural resources invested in education benefit students, schools, community and society in optimal ways.

As our first ‘DOBCEL Strategy 2035’ system level initiative for 2025, next week (7 February) we are privileged to be hosting world authority on educational change, Professor Andy Hargreaves, to work with a group of middle leaders from around the diocese. Online vacancies are still available to hear Professor Hargreaves’ 90 minute keynote address. Go here to register.  

In keeping with this visit, this week’s stimulus piece is a seven minute video presentation by Professor Hargreaves - Leading From the Middle. 

As usual, I look forward to visiting all schools throughout the year, and I wish you every success as together we work to provide opportunities for the ‘fullness of life’ for our students and communities.     

 With best wishes,

Tom Sexton, Executive Director

Pictured with Executive Director Tom Sexton (from left) are Jaci Commons (Our Lady Help of Christians School, Wendouree), Melissa Sutherland (St Paul’s Primary School, Mildura), Lisa McDonald (Interim Principal St Joseph’s Primary School, Penshurst), Julie Leonard (St Mary’s School Warracknabeal) and Danny Franc (Interim Principal St Joseph’s Primary School, Coleraine).

REMINDER: DOBCEL Strategy 2035 – System Initiative opportunities

Andy Hargreaves keynote presentation: Leading from the Middle

[Online Registrations still available]

This keynote, by Andy Hargreaves, will focus on how leadership from the middle becomes a driver of transformational change.  How can leaders enable their schools and communities to be adaptive, safe and effective places of learning that help young people develop the knowledge and character that will empower them to shape their futures?

Event Details:

• Date and Time: Friday, 7 February 2025 (Keynote: 10.00 am to 11.30 am)
• Format: Online spots are still available. 
• Audience: Open to anyone interested in the content.

Registration - click here.  

Beginning of the Year Mass Celebrations

Yesterday, teachers and staff across the diocese gathered in prayer to mark the beginning of the 2025 school year. 🌟

Bishop Paul led the celebration of Mass with central zone staff at St Patrick’s Cathedral. We thank Bishop Paul for his leadership and support of our mission as Catholic educators to pursue the "fullness of life" for every child in our care.

Best wishes to all staff, students, and families for a successful start to the school year this week.

Showcasing our Catholic schools in Action

This section will highlight the wonderful holistic learning opportunities happening in our Catholic schools throughout the Diocese. The DOBCEL marketing and communications team is always looking for positive stories to share with our community. Please email your stories for consideration to: comms@dobcel.catholic.edu.au.

Welcome back and best wishes for 2025!

We hope you've had a wonderful first day back and best wishes to everyone in our DOBCEL community. Today, WIN News visited St Alipius Parish Primary School in Ballarat to capture the fun and excitement for the preps first day of school! This story will be on TV news tonight at 5:30pm. Congratulations to St Alipius Parish Primary School students, teachers, staff and parents on a great morning at the school. 

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Catholic Education Updates

Catholic Dialogue School Consortium - Registrations close 7 February 

The Catholic Dialogue School Consortium - Pilgrims of Hope sessions will run between 24-26 February 2025.

Registrations are due by Friday 7 February 2025.

Please click here to view the flyer. 

2025 Jubilee Year 2025: Pilgrims of Hope

• Pope Francis has declared a Jubilee Year of Hope in 2025, centred on the theme, “Pilgrims of Hope.”  A Jubilee is a special year of grace and conversion, involving prayer, pilgrimage and sacramental repentance, held every 25 years, or during other years as called for by the Pope. Through a series of concrete rituals, acts and commitments, the goal of a Jubilee year is to inspire and encourage holiness of life among the faithful and therefore to strengthen the Church’s witness to God’s loving mercy in and for the world.
• Pope Francis has written a prayer for the Jubilee Year. Prayers have been printed for schools and parishes and are available for collection from the diocesan offices.  If you require more printed copies, please contact the Pastoral Ministry Office via email pastoralministry@ballarat.catholic.org.au. 
• An electronic version of the prayer card is here and it is also available to download from the diocesan website https://www.ballarat.catholic.org.au/services-agencies-2/pastoral/liturgy-sacraments/jubilee-year-2025-pilgrims-of-hope/
• A hymn has also been written for the Jubilee Year and can be accessed from the diocesan website or the Jubilee Year website https://www.iubilaeum2025.va/en.html
• The National Centre for Evangelisation have prepared resources for the 36 events that will be acknowledged throughout the 2025 Jubilee Year, highlighting special aspects of Church life.  These resources can be accessed from the diocesan website.

Updated Diocesan Liturgical Commission Guidelines

The Diocesan Liturgical Commission has reviewed the “Guidelines for the Reservation of the Blessed Sacrament” and the “Guidelines for Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion.”  Copies of these updated guidelines are available for collection from the diocesan offices.  If you require more copies of either document, please contact the Pastoral Ministry Office via email pastoralministry@ballarat.catholic.org.au.  Both documents can also be accessed from the diocesan website https://www.ballarat.catholic.org.au/services-agencies-2/pastoral/liturgy-sacraments/diocesan-liturgical-commission/

People and Development Updates

Crucial Conversations - 27 & 28 February, Horsham Location

Event details below

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.

Crucial Conversations will be run each term on the following dates -

• 29 & 30 May – location Ballarat
• 2 & 3 Sep Swan Hill or Mildura location TBC
• 11 & 12 Nov - location TBA

*Minimum participant numbers apply for programs to run.

Further information on additional leadership development opportunities for 2025 will be provided in next week's newsletter.

If you have any queries about the program please contact Fiona Murphy or Emma Baldwin

Learning and Teaching Updates

Early Career Teachers - January PILOT

On Tuesday 21 January, we had the pleasure of welcoming first-year early career teachers from across the Diocese to an ECT Pilot program. This program was offered voluntarily prior to the beginning of the school year following feedback from previous ECTs. Attendees participated in several workshops centred on building a positive and productive classroom culture for learning. This session began a three-year journey designed to empower and support our early career teachers as they grow and thrive in the profession.

Early Career Teachers - Professional Learning 2025

The Early Career Teacher Program is a three-year integrated program designed to support early career teacher induction into the Ballarat Diocese and the teaching profession within the particular context of working in the ministry of Catholic education. The program reflects the partnership between DOBCEL and schools, who, together, support the professional growth of early career teachers. Elements of the program presented through these dedicated days will complement formation opportunities initiated by the school community.

Early Career Teacher program days will take place on the following dates throughout 2025. To encourage participation and decrease travel time for people in the north, program days in terms one and two will be repeated in two locations.

If you know an early career teacher, please share these dates with them!

Please note early career teachers who have been granted permission to teach are also welcome to attend.

2025 dates for your diary

First Year ECT Program

Access the above trybooking links below:

1st Year- Early Career Teacher Program - Ballarat

https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1343246

1st Year- Early Career Teacher Program - Robinvale

https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1343271

Second & Third Year ECT Program

Access the above trybooking links below: 

2nd/3rd Year - Early Career Teacher Program - Ballarat

https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1343291

2nd/3rd Year - Early Career Teacher Program - Robinvale

https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1343274

If you have any queries about the program, please contact Julie Cooper  jcooper@dobcel.catholic.edu.au or Sarah Hanley  shanley@dobcel.catholic.edu.au

VIT Effective Mentoring Program 

Calling mentor teachers!

The Effective Mentoring Program (EMP) is a free professional learning program developed and delivered in partnership with the Department of Education and VIT.

This two-day program equips participants with mentoring skills to support beginning teachers and guide them through the provisional to full registration process.

Any teacher who wishes to become a mentor for a PRT moving to full registration can participate in a VIT-approved mentoring program.

For further information and registrations, please click here.

Children & Youth Cultural Gathering: Close the Gap Day 

Ballarat and District Aboriginal Cooperative are hosting a cultural day on Thursday March 30 for Yr 1-9 First Nations students from Ballarat and district. All Ballarat schools are encouraged to promote this event.

More information and register here: https://forms.office.com/r/Tiq1mvXB7p

FIRE Carrier Program

Friends Igniting Reconciliation through Education

The FIRE Carrier Program is a way that schools can show their outward commitment to authentic reconciliation and their support of self-determination in education for First Nations students and their families. All members of a school community are encouraged to share reconciliation with others under the lead of the Commissioned Staff and Student FIRE Carriers.

Each school creates a School Covenant that emphasises the ethos and faith belief of Catholic schools and the social justice responses they are committed to make as part of their Catholic identity. The school covenant focuses on the three core values of Spirituality; Cultural Recognition and Awareness; and Practical Recognition and Justice. Schools commit to actions that meet each of these values. This is a living document that is referred to throughout the year and has the input from the school community including staff and students. First Nations students and families are also invited to contribute if they would like to part of the program.

The FIRE Carrier Program provides a framework for addressing School Compliance including Child Safe Standards and the VCEA Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Action Plan. It is a great opportunity for student leadership, voice and action for social justice.

We look forward to your school becoming a FIRE Carrier School in the future!

For more information about the FIRE Carrier Program send an email to firecarrier@openingthedoors.org.au

You can visit our New FIRE Carrier School Information folder containing our Information Booklet, PowerPoint presentation, Fee Schedule and Expression of Commitment Form ready to share the FIRE Carrier Program with your school leadership, staff and students.

Opening the Doors Foundation

Financial Grants for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Students

The Opening the Doors Foundation provides grants to families to assist with the extra costs incurred in the schooling of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander primary or secondary school students. The 2025 Grant Round is now open, with a closing date of 14 March 2025. For students to commence the 2025 school year with the necessary items, the ideal time to apply is now or before the start of Term 1.

Please note that due to a substantial increase in applications, the Foundation’s Trustees have had to modify the eligibility criteria. The updated criteria and guidelines are outlined on both the Opening the Doors Foundation website and the Opening the Doors Foundation Application. Please contact the Foundation (details listed below), Helen Christensen (0467 415 768) or Jeanette Morris (0408 360 098) for further information.

Pertinent information:

Website: Opening the Doors Foundation; Foundation Application Criteria and Guidelines

App link: Opening the Doors Foundation Application

Phone: 0401 487 414 or 1300 236 356

Email: applications@openingthedoors.org.au

Closing date: 14 March 2025 (applications will not be accepted after this date)

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.

2025 Pathways and Transition Funding 

The Victorian Catholic Education Authority (VCEA) has released the 2025 Funding Arrangements for Vocational Education and Training (VET) and the Victorian Pathways Certificate (VPC).

• As the 2025 arrangements differ from those of 2024, it is recommended that schools review these carefully.
• To be eligible for funding, schools must enrol students on the Victorian Assessment Software

System (VASS) by Friday 2 May 2025. After this date, VASS will not allow schools to:

− enter or withdraw enrolments for Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE), including VCE

Vocational Major (VM), Unit 3–4 sequences

− enter enrolments for units of competency for VCE VET scored Unit 3–4 sequences.

For all enquires please contact Carmel Clarke, Education Officer: Applied & Vocational Learning cclarke@dobcel.catholic.edu.au or 0419 534 355.

Happy New Year! We are so excited to be formally commencing the Flare Primary Literacy Strategy 2025 - 2035. All DOBCEL primary schools will be supported in improving students' Literacy outcomes through this strategy. Whether your school has chosen the intensively supported Guided Improvement pathway, or the more independent Self-Guided Improvement pathway, everything you need can be found here on the Flare Website: https://sites.google.com/dobcel.catholic.edu.au/dobcelstructuredliteracy/home

Please take a moment now to bookmark the Flare Website if you haven't done so already. This is the centre point for all Primary Literacy information and resources.

The Flare Calendar can be accessed from the homepage under the dropdown box 'Events, Schedules and Registrations'. Please remember that almost all Flare events are open to anyone who wishes to come along. Registrations are now open and can be accessed via the calendar (column J).

Anyone planning to attend the Flare Phase A Day 1 PL events (in either Camperdown, Ballarat or Horsham) will need to register via Trybooking as these are paid events. Please endeavour to register by this Friday 31st Jan.

If you are a Flare Phase B, C or Lighthouse school, you're advised to consider registering new staff members to attend the PL events of previous phases, if possible. The Flare Executive team, Emma Rutherford, Breeana Wade and Holly Southwell will create and deliver all the professional learning on the PL syllabus. However, the Exec. Team and all our schools will be expertly supported by the wider Flare Team.

Please refer to the table below to identify your school's key contact person for day to day Literacy needs.

IMPORTANT: If you are a Flare Guided Improvement school and haven't yet filled in your School Information Database, please make this a priority. Contact Breeana Wade or your Literacy Ed Officer for help with this if you need to.

If you are a Self-Guided Improvement school who would like a copy of the 2025 data tool and you have not yet indicated this, please fill out this form as soon as possible: https://forms.gle/boQVCzvdMqVbrsecA

Click here to access the answers to the most Frequently Asked Questions about the Flare Primary Literacy Strategy.

To access the 2025 Flare PL Calendar, please click here.

To access the 2025 Flare PL Syllabus, please click here.

Flare Primary Literacy Leaders' Forum

The Literacy Leaders' Forum is an online networking opportunity for anyone leading Primary Literacy to join with their peers to celebrate progress, problem-solve, form partnerships, find out what's happening in other diocesan schools and learn with and from one another.

Unlike other Flare PL and Coaching offerings, these events are NOT phase-specific and are not tailored to the particular needs of Guided Improvement schools. The agendas for these events will be co-designed with participants.

The dates for the 2025 Literacy Leader Forums are listed below. Please register via the Flare Calendar.

Tuesday 18th Feb 10-3

Tue 13th May 10-3

Fri 22nd Aug 10-3

Fri 7th Nov 10-3

Please note that the Forums are OPTIONAL, even for Guided Improvement schools.

We would very much appreciate your input into the development of the forums. Therefore, all Principals and Literacy Leaders are invited to share their thoughts, preferences, ideas and questions in the following form:

https://forms.gle/2gPvUJgbgD7EwdcCA

Primary Leaders of Learning Meeting Schedule 2025  

Our Primary Leaders of Learning network aims to provide a platform for open dialogue, sharing of evidence-based teaching practices, and collaboration among primary school leaders.   

By coming together, we can leverage our collective knowledge of learning and experiences to enhance the quality of education we provide to our students.

PLOL Meeting Dates 2025 and Agenda Items for Term 1

Term 1: Wednesday 5^th March 1:30 – 3pm

Agenda Items: 

Educational leadership

Curriculum updates

Reporting to Mathematics V2.0

Term 2: Wednesday 28^th May 1:30 – 3pm

Term 3: Wednesday 27^th August 1:30 – 3pm

Term 4: Wednesday 22^nd October 1:30 – 3pm

Mathematics Professional Learning for 2025  

Engaging Primary Students in their Mathematical Learning.     

Online 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.
• Develop a student-centred approach to the teaching of Mathematics.

Read more in this flyer. 

Registration is now open through this Trybooking link

Registrations close Tuesday 4 February 

Career Opportunities in the Diocesan Education Community

Catholic Education Ballarat Vacancy

• Employee Relations Consultant (closes 9 February 2025)
• ICT Support Specialist (closes 9 February 2025)
• ICT System Administrator (closes 9 February 2025)
• Psychologist (2 February 2025)
• Classroom Teachers - Primary and Secondary Schools 

Principal Vacancy

• No Principal Vacancies

School Vacancies

• Junior Maths and Science Position – Mercy Regional College, Camperdown – fixed term position at 0.7 FTE (closes 31 January)
• STEM Teaching Position – St Brigid’s School, Ballan – fixed term position at 0.4 FTE (closes 31 January)
• Learning Support Officer – St Patrick’s College, Ballarat – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 2 February)
• Learning Support Officer – St Columba’s School, Ballarat North – fixed term position at 0.75 FTE (closes 7 February) 
• Music teacher – St Thomas’s School, Terang – fixed term position at 0.2 FTE (closes 10 February)
• Mental Health in Primary Schools MHiPS Coordinator – St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, Warracknabeal – fixed term position at 0.4 FTE (closes 14 February)
• Classroom Teacher – St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, Warracknabeal – fixed term position at 1.0 FTE (closes 14 February)
• Classroom Teacher – St Malachy’s School, Edenhope – fixed term position at 1.0 FTE (closes 14 February)
• Classroom Teacher (Monday and Wednesday) – Sacred Heart Primary School, Colac – fixed term position at 0.4 FTE (closes 28 February)
• Casual Relief Teachers – St Brigid’s School, Ballan (closes 28 February)