Weekly Newsletter #18 - 16 Jun 2021
Reflection
God of the Ordinary
The kingdom of God is as if someone would scatter seed on the ground, and would sleep and rise night and day, and the seed would sprout and grow, he does not know how. Mark 4:26-27
As the liturgical calendar moves from the Easter season back into Ordinary Time, it is a good reminder for us that the movement of the Spirit most often occurs in the mundane and inconsequential moments and places of life. The reign of God is evident in the kind word, the gentle action or the warm embrace. It can be heard in the cheery laugh of the Prep child, the insightful comment from the quiet staff member or the challenging words of the “difficult” parent.
Scripture scholar Barbara E Reid notes: “No action is too small for sowing God’s reign. Faithful everyday choices to scatter the seeds of Christ’s love unleashes a power that can transform the world.”
May the Spirit move us into places, conversations and encounters that will realize the reign of God in our communities. Your kingdom come, your will be done.
From the Executive Director
Yesterday the DOBCEL Board met with a key focus on ICON and its future in our DOBCEL schools. It was a very comprehensive discussion and discernment process. The Board will announce its final decision before the end of next week.
Last week we ran two well-attended Risk Management Workshops, with more to come next term. As a result of these workshops and feedback from principals we will be clarifying a number of key elements in regard to the use of the Hazard/Incident and Notification Tool (HINT) in next week’s newsletter.
Sr Rosemary Kelly of Mercy Place, Ballarat died on Monday 14 June. Sr Rosemary’s ministry was primarily in education, having taught in many schools in the Ballarat Diocese including Ballarat North, Ballarat East, Penshurst, Donald and Robinvale. She was also Principal at Robinvale and Charlton and Deputy Principal at Ballarat East. Catholic Education is very grateful for Sr Rosemary’s long ministry in our diocese.
A Requiem Mass is to be held on Monday 21 June at 1pm at St Alipius Church, Ballarat East.
Announcements
Retirement: Anne Anderson, Principal of St Mary’s Primary School, Donald
Late last week, Anne Anderson advised me of her intention to resign as Principal of St Mary’s Primary School, Donald, effective as of the end of Term 3. In keeping with Anne’s humble character it took some convincing for Anne to allow me to put out more than a two line statement announcing her retirement!
As Anne will be taking well-deserved, Long Service Leave during term three this year, her time as Principal will effectively end in early July this year. See further details here.
On behalf of the Diocesan Education Community, I congratulate Anne on her contribution to Catholic Education over the years and wish her all the very best for the future.
Advertising to replace Anne will commence shortly.
Appointment: Director of Catholic Education, Wagga Wagga
It is with great excitement and some sadness that I make the following announcement: Dr Andrew Watson has been appointed as the Director of Catholic Education for the Diocese of Wagga Wagga, commencing January 2022 – see further details here.
Andrew has been a tremendous Secondary Education Consultant in the Diocese of Ballarat and I am sure you will all join with me in congratulating him on his appointment and wishing him all the best. We are fortunate that Andrew will see out the year with CEB. We will commence advertising for Andrew’s replacement early in Term 3.
Appointment: Interim Principal – St Brigid’s Primary School, Ballan
Due to ongoing health concerns and on advice from her doctor, Gabe Driscoll, Principal of St Brigid’s Primary School, Ballan, will need to continue her period of sick leave until at least the end of Term 3. We continue to keep Gabe in our thoughts and prayers.
Anthony Clifford will continue in his role as Interim Principal for the remainder of Term 2, however Anthony is unable to continue on beyond this term. We would like to thank Anthony for his willingness to step in to assist the St Brigid’s School Community and the strength of leadership he has shown over the last term.
Following discussions with Paul Bissinella at St Francis Xavier Primary School, Ballarat East, we are pleased to announce that Jayne Bosworth will step into the role of Interim Principal while Gabe is on sick leave during Term 3. See further details here.
Appointment: Deputy Principal – Learning, Teaching and Innovation at Mercy Regional College, Camperdown
Congratulations to Natalie Stephenson on her appointment as Deputy Principal – Learning, Teaching and Innovation at Mercy Regional College, Camperdown, announced last week. Natalie will commence her new role mid Term 4, 2021.
Tom Sexton
Executive Director, Catholic Education Ballarat
System Improvement Updates
Learning and Teaching
Canvas Online Professional Learning Platform Launched
Today, CEB is very proud to announce that our online professional learning platform is open to teachers and principals to access professional learning opportunities in new and exciting ways, in addition to our traditional face-to-face professional learning sessions that will continue as normal.
Over the last year, we have seen the value of having a variety of strategies to reach our students, and as of today, you now have access to high-quality professional learning modules to complete at your own pace, accredited against VIT professional development requirements.
All staff have been enrolled in two courses by default to demonstrate the simplicity of this new model of professional learning. See further details on The Hive blog, and visit hive.ceob.edu.au/lms to get started with exploring Canvas.
Term 2 Mathematics Newsletter
The Mathematics Newsletter for the end of Term 2 is now available.
Reminder: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Competition
The CECV Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Working Party invite Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in Victorian Catholic schools to finish a design for our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Action Plan. Entries close this Friday 18 June at 4.00pm – see flyer for details.
Student Wellbeing
Reminder: ReLATE 2022 – Upcoming Sessions and Expressions of Interest
Reframing the Learning and Teaching Environment
Within ReLATE, wellbeing is understood as an essential pre-condition for quality learning and teaching. Safe, predictable and supportive learning environments are created and maintained in classrooms where students are not just known, but deeply understood. School leaders and staff are supported both on their professional learning and development journey and in their wellbeing.
You are invited to join Ben Sacco, National Implementation Manager (ReLATE) from MacKillop Family Services, who will speak with Ben van de Camp, Principal of St John’s Primary School, Dennington and Stacey Atkins, Deputy Principal of St Pius X Parish School, Warrnambool, about their ReLATE journey and answer any questions you may have about the ReLATE model.
Please feel free to come and join us at one or both sessions:
- Friday 18 June, 9:30-10:30am – use this Zoom link to join
- Tuesday 22 June, 2:00-3:00pm – use this Zoom link to join
Business Services Update
Reminder: 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 this 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.
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) - Principal – St Joseph’s Primary School, Penshurst, to commence Term 1, January 2022
(closes 5 July) - Principal – Our Lady Help of Christians Primary School, Warrnambool East, to commence Term 1, January 2022 (closes 12 July)
CEB Vacancies
- Education Consultant – Mildura, Horsham, or Swan Hill office location – 1.0 FTE and 5-year contract (closes 18 June)
- Psychologist – Ballarat office location, to commence Term 3, 2021 – 1.0 FTE and ongoing position (closes 28 June)
- Education Officers – Learning and Teaching – 2 positions: Term 3 and 4 2021 LSL replacement position/ongoing position from Term 1, 2022 – both 1.0 FTE (closes 28 June)
School Vacancies
- Executive Officer – Emmanuel College, Warrnambool – contract position at 0.4 FTE
(closes 18 June) - Teaching Positions 2022 – St Joseph’s College, Mildura – expressions of interest for 1.0 FTE and ongoing positions (closes 9 July)
- Timetable and SIMON Administrator – St Joseph’s College, Mildura – ongoing position at 0.8 FTE (closes 12 July)
- Year 5/6 Classroom Teacher – St Mary’s School, Hamilton – 1.0 FTE Week 3 of Term 3 until the end of Term 4 2021 (closes 12 July)
- Classroom Teachers – St Columba’s School, Ballarat North – 3 Parental Leave positions: 1.0 FTE, 0.4 FTE, 0.6 FTE in Terms 3 and 4 2021 (closes 12 July)
- Casual Relief Teachers – St Columba’s School, Ballarat North (closes 31 July)
- Casual Relief Teachers – St Francis Xavier School, Ballarat East (closes 10 December)
From Other Dioceses and Beyond
Recruitment Opportunities in Other Dioceses
The following recruitment opportunities are currently available in other dioceses:
- Kildare Ministries – read the announcement about Jeff Burn’s retirement
- Catholic Education South Australia
The Good Oil 2021 Writers’ Award for Emerging and Published Writers
The Good Oil 2021 Writers’ Award is an initiative of the Sisters of the Good Samaritan. The award aims to support and encourage the development of emerging and published writers. The Good Oil’s editorial vision is to nourish the spirit, stimulate thinking, promote social justice, and encourage reflection and dialogue about issues of the day from a Christian, Catholic, Good Samaritan perspective. The theme for the award is “Inclusivity”, which is embodied in the Parable of the Good Samaritan (Lk 10:25-37).
A panel of judges will award first, second and third place. The prize for the winning entry will be $600; second prize $400; third prize $200. See further information about the award, guidelines and entry form. Entry is free and closes at midnight on Sunday 22 August, 2021.
ACU Centre for Liturgy – Liturgical Music Professional Learning Seminar
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. View learning session descriptions here.
Seminars will be held face-to-face at ACU’s Melbourne Campus on 5, 6, 7 and 8 July from 9.00am-5.00pm. Register and sign up for your choice of learning sessions by Monday 28 June. See flyer for more information or contact CentreforLiturgy@acu.edu.au.