Weekly Newsletter #63 - 30 July 2025

Reflection – Peace in the World

Peace, sometimes seems an impossible possibility. What is happening in many parts of the world seems beyond our control. The tragedy of war and polarisation is what we continually see. What can we do? How can we make a difference? How can we bring peace to the world? An interesting quote from Pope Leo XIV that could be a starting point is: “Let us disarm words and we will help to disarm the world.” 

The Lord's Prayer for Peace

God of Peace
May Your name be honored in our actions.
May Your will for peace be done on Earth as it is in heaven.
Give us the strength to share the resources of this world with compassion, so that all may thrive.
Forgive us our failures to live in harmony, as we strive to forgive those who harm us.
Help us to resist the temptation to divide and use power over, and guide us towards unity and understanding.
Deliver us from the violence and hatred that plague our world, and lead us to a future of lasting peace that we always help to create.

This day and as we go forward
We commit to being instruments of peace.
We commit to build bridges of understanding and to work for justice.
We choose hope over despair, love over hate, and unity over division.
May our actions and our words reflect the values of compassion and peace, so that all may experience Your love and peace.

Amen

From the Executive Director

It’s great to be back after some time away with Ann celebrating a special milestone – our 20th wedding anniversary. I return feeling grateful, refreshed, and ready for the term ahead.

Tomorrow, I have the privilege of speaking with aspiring leaders at the Country Dioceses Leadership Program (CDLP). This excellent initiative brings together middle leaders from Ballarat, Sandhurst and Wagga Wagga for a seven-day residential program focused on strengthening leadership in Catholic education. It’s always a highlight to engage with passionate educators who are stepping into leadership and shaping the future of our schools.

As we continue into Term 3, I want to encourage you – if you haven’t already done so – to complete the DOBCEL Strategy 2035 Survey. The deadline has been extended, but only until Friday 1 August. This is a valuable opportunity to share your insights and help shape our shared direction for the decade ahead. Your voice matters.

Thank you for all you continue to do in service of our students, schools and communities.

With best wishes,
Tom Sexton, Executive Director  

Business Central Finance Training Underway

It’s been a week of laptops, posting and ledger lines as we welcomed our first cohort of schools to the Business Central Finance Training at DOBCEL offices.

A big round of applause to the finance trailblazers from left to right:

• Leah Monaghan – St Michael’s Primary School
• Sammy Pinkus (Trainer) – Professional Advantage
• Kerry McTigue – St Francis Xavier Primary School
• Tracey Speakman – St Brigid’s Primary School
• Matt MacDonald – DOBCEL
• Kristy Callanan – Lumen Christi Primary School

These schools confidently embraced the world of Business Central, bringing curiosity, enthusiasm, and lots of great questions. We’re excited to see how the rest of the week unfolds and look forward to hearing their reflections once they return to the school office.

Final Chance to Complete the DOBCEL Strategy 2035 Survey

The DOBCEL Strategy 2035 Survey has been extended until Friday 1 August. If you haven’t already completed it, please take 20 minutes to do so this week. Your responses will form our 2025 baseline and are vital to shaping and measuring our progress over the next decade.

All teaching and education support staff are encouraged to participate. The survey is confidential and requires responses to each question – please answer thoughtfully. 

Your voice matters. Thank you for your contribution.

National Vocations Awareness Week: 3-10 August

The following resources are available to celebrate National Vocations Awareness Week. Included in the resources are prayer services for primary and secondary schools, suggestions for prayers of the faithful and homily notes. 

CDF Father James Wall Bursary

Catholic Identity & Mission Updates

17th Sunday of Year C – Bishop Paul's Homily

From Sunday’s Gospel Luke 11:1-13, Bishop Paul has offered a reflection on the “Our Father” as a sense of praying without restraint.

CEB TAP PD Offerings

Our Catholic Identity and Mission team (CI&M) with the support of a few generous colleagues in the diocese, are offering some hourly online sessions (3.45-4.45pm) this term and next to support professional learning opportunities that will accrue TAP hours. We will update the offerings via the calendar link as they emerge as well as notifying RELs.

National Liturgy & Liturgical Music Conference

Join Catholic educators, liturgists and musicians for Pilgrims of Hope, a national conference on liturgy and music, 1–3 October 2025 in Adelaide. Featuring keynote speakers Rev Dr Ricky Manalo CSP, Rita Ferrone and Rev Dr Richard Leonard SJ.
Learn more and register at: pilgrimsofhope.com.au

Australian Catholic Education Conference

It’s not too late to register for the 2025 ACEC in Cairns, 20–22 August.

With the theme Hope, Anchored in Faith, the conference offers rich professional learning across faith, excellence and access. In-person and on-demand options available.

For more information and to register, visit catholiceducationconference.edu.au

Australian Catholic Youth Festival 2025

ACYF will be held in Melbourne from 30 November to 2 December 2025 for young people in Year 9 to age 25. Experience faith, fun and community through prayer, talks, music and more.

Learn more at www.ballarat.catholic.org.au or scan the QR code below.

ACYF Resources to assist schools

Home - Australian Catholic Youth Festival Melbourne 2025
Resources - Australian Catholic Youth Festival Melbourne 2025
An invitation to the 2025 Australian Catholic Youth Festival - YouTube

Social Justice Update

Laudato Si' Response to the Cry of the Poor & Ecological Economics

“This poor soul cried and was heard by the LORD
and was saved from every trouble.” Psalm 34:6

“The ecological crisis is also a summons to profound interior conversion… What [we] all need is an ‘ecological conversion’, whereby the effects of [our] encounter with Jesus Christ become evident in [our] relationship with the world around [us]. Living our vocation to be protectors of God’s handiwork is essential to a life of virtue; it is not an optional or a secondary aspect of our Christian experience.” (LS #217)

Laudato Si’: Everything is connected… a jubilee tradition

In his encyclical Laudato Si’, Pope Francis reminds us that everything is connected. Our relationship with nature is not separate from our relationship with God and others.  This concept of integral ecology encourages us to care for the Earth and each other. It calls us to action. 

During his pontificate, the late Pope Francis consistently advocated for debt forgiveness for impoverished nations, particularly those facing unsustainable debt burdens. He urged world leaders to cancel or significantly reduce debts of poorer countries, emphasising that debt relief is a matter of social justice and solidarity. The Pope's calls are often linked to the concept of a Jubilee year in the Catholic Church, a time for forgiveness and reconciliation, both spiritually and financially.

The Jubilee tradition, historically one of restoration and release, is a call to free those oppressed by unpayable debts, offering them a renewed path and hope towards human dignity. In response to Pope Francis’ heartfelt appeal to cancel unjust debt, a call that echoes the profound principles of the Jubilee year, Caritas Australia is encouraging all to stand with people in the most indebted countries in the world bearing the burden of crippling public debt levels.  Right now, the world is facing its worst debt crisis. Currently, 54 countries, from Samoa to Malawi, are struggling under crushing debt. This problem has only been getting worse. This crisis is taking away hope, lives and opportunity from the poorest people in the world. Sign the petition to demand action on the debt crisis. 

The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) report underscores a clear crisis: public debt is now a major drag on development, especially in lower-income countries, and is fueling inequality and fiscal fragility. Addressing it requires not just debt forgiveness – but systemic reforms to global finance. You can read the report here: A World of Debt: A growing burden to global prosperity (2025)

Laudato Si’ Partners News

Check out the latest ResourceSmart School’s Professional Learning events for this term. Open to all Victorian schools and stakeholders.

Term 3 Key Social Justice Dates

People and Development Updates

Professional Learning Opportunities 

The following people and development professional learning opportunities are available for staff to attend:

Student Wellbeing Updates

LOOKOUT Training

These free training opportunities support staff working with young people in Out-of-Home Care.
Learning Mentor Training focuses on individual student support and practical strategies for the mentoring role.
Designated Teacher Training equips school leaders and staff with the knowledge to implement system-wide supports.

View and download the flyers below for full details.

Term 3 Professional Learning/Network Opportunities 

General Teaching & Learning Updates

Explore the latest opportunities for professional growth, support, and engagement. Click the links below for more information on each offering.

Victorian Curriculum 2.0

In July to August 2025, the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA) is releasing version 2.0 of the Victorian Curriculum F–10 in:

• English Foundation levels A to D
• Phase 3 Languages (Arabic, Classical Greek, Framework for Classical Languages, Hindi, Latin, Non-Roman Alphabet Languages, Roman Alphabet Languages, Turkish and Vietnamese)
• English as an Additional Language (EAL).

The DOBCEL curriculum implementation timeline has been updated to reflect this latest information. Please note that both Mathematics & English A-D now sit separately in terms of final dates of implementation.

Schools are advised to access VCAA resources to assist with familiarisation:
Victorian Curriculum F–10 Version 2.0

Victorian Teaching Excellence Program 2026
Advance your teaching practice through this fully funded, 10-month professional learning program.
Applications open until 10 October 2025.
More info and registration

Early Career Teacher Retreat – Halls Gap
A reflective and supportive retreat for teachers in their first three years.
Taking place Wednesday 13th and Thursday 14th August.
Register now. 
Contact Jim Waight or Julie Cooper for more information.

ACER PAT Webinars – Term 3
ACER is pleased to offer a series of webinars targeted to schools using, or about to use, the PAT Progressive Achievement suite online. For further information refer to ACERS’s School Engagement Events Brochure. Link here

Webinars Term 3:

1. Understanding PAT Norms Wednesday 20 August 4pm AEST (30 minutes). Register here 
2. New assessment: PAT Maths 5th Edition Thursday 28 August 4pm AEST (30 minutes). Register here 
3. Analysing and interpreting ACER’s reports for linear assessments Wednesday 3 September 4pm AEST (45 minutes). Register here 
4. Analysing and interpreting ACER’s reports for adaptive assessments Thursday 4 September 4pm AEST (45 minutes) Register here
5. What’s new in the PAT Teaching Resources Centre: resources, navigation and more! Wednesday 10 September 4pm AEST (45 minutes). Register here

Victorian Schools Garden Program Awards
Celebrate and grow your school’s garden projects – over $46,000 in prizes available.
More info and entry details

Primary Teaching & Learning Updates

Flare Literacy Leaders’ Forum – Term 3

Friday 22^nd August 10am – 3pm – register here
All Literacy Leaders, Principals and Teachers are welcome to register for our Term 3 Literacy Leaders’ Forum.
This event is not phase-specific and is applicable to Guided and Self-Guided Literacy Improvement schools.

The agenda for this event includes:

• What’s happening in our schools?
• Literacy ‘quick wins’
• Classroom observations and feedback
• Sharing resources
• Flare Primary Literacy 2026

This session will be online via the Flare Zoom link (on home page of Flare Website).

Primary Leaders of Learning – Term 3 Register now

The Primary Leaders of Learning (PLoL) network provides a space for primary school leaders to connect, collaborate, and share evidence-based teaching practices. This is an opportunity to engage in open discussions, stay updated on curriculum developments, and support one another professionally.

📅 Term 3 Session:
🗓 Term 3 – Wednesday, 27th August | 1:30 – 3:00 PM
🔗 Register for Term 3
💻 Delivered via VC (Microsoft Teams)

Term 3 Agenda:
✅ Developing professional learning
✅ Universal Design for Learning
✅ Curriculum updates

⭐Register ahead for Session 4 ⭐
🗓 Term 4 – Wednesday, 22nd October | 1:30 – 3:00 PM
🔗 Register for Term 4
💻 Delivered via VC (Microsoft Teams)

If PLoL participants would like to chat through your goals set in our Term 2 session, you're most welcome to connect with one of the presenters or your local Education Officer: Learning & Teaching.

For further information please reach out to:

Samantha Meerbach ✉️ smeerbach@dobcel.catholic.edu.au | 📱0417 511 118
Sarah McKnight ✉️ smcknight@dobcel.catholic.edu.au | 📱0427 406 918
Joe Ewing ✉️ jewing@dobcel.catholic.edu.au | 📱0429 985 460
Belinda Chiswell ✉️ bchiswell@dobcel.catholic.edu.au | 📱0484 641 997

Secondary Teaching & Learning Updates

Upcoming English Curriculum Project – Term Three Dates 

We’re excited to share the upcoming English Curriculum Project events for Term Three. These sessions are designed to deepen professional learning, enhance curriculum planning, and support classroom practice: 

• Seminar Five: Re-visiting Reading 
  Thursday 7th August 
  Explore updated strategies to support reading comprehension and fluency across the secondary years. 
  Register here 

• Seminar Six: Using and Teaching Non-Fiction Texts 
  Thursday 28th August 
  Dive into strategies for teaching non-fiction in engaging and meaningful ways. 
  Register here 

• Forum Three: Professional Conversations and Resource Sharing 
  Tuesday 11th September 
  An opportunity to connect, collaborate, and share classroom strategies and resources with colleagues across the network. 
  Register here 

For questions or contributions, contact Kirstin directly at kirstin@kirstinbourne.com or Ingrid May (DOBCEL) imay@dobcel.catholic.edu.au 

Career Opportunities

Vacant Position at Catholic Education Ballarat

• Leader: Wellbeing fixed term until 2031 at 1.0 FTE (closes 17 August)

School Vacancies

• Classroom Teacher- Foundation - St Joseph’s, Warrnambool – fixed-term position at 1.0 FTE (closes 1 August)
• Classroom Teacher – Year 5 - St Joseph’s, Warrnambool – fixed-term position at 1.0 FTE (closes 1 August)
• Classroom Teacher – St Columba’s Primary School, Ballarat North – fixed term position at 0.8 FTE (closes 1 August)
• Operational Teaching Assistant – St Mary’s School, Robinvale – fixed-term position at 1.0 FTE (closes 1 August)
• Teacher – English/Humanities - Monivae College, Hamilton – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 3 August)
• Teacher - Music - Monivae College, Hamilton – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 3 August)
• Teacher Science - Monivae College, Hamilton – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 3 August)
• Teacher Textiles - Monivae College, Hamilton – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 3 August)
• Teacher Art - Monivae College, Hamilton – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 3 August)
• Teacher Physical Education - Monivae College, Hamilton – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 3 August)
• Teacher Mathematics - Monivae College, Hamilton – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 3 August)
• Head of School Year 7 & 8 – Damascus College, Mt Clear - POL Appointment (closes 4 August)
• Head of School Year 9 & 10 – Damascus College, Mt Clear - POL Appointment (closes 4 August)
• Head of School Year 11 & 12 – Damascus College, Mt Clear - POL Appointment (closes 4 August)
• Student Life Leader – Damascus College, Mt Clear - POL Appointment (closes 4 August)
• Year Level Coordinator Year 7 – Damascus College, Mt Clear - POL Appointment (closes 4 August)
• Year Level Coordinator Year 8 – Damascus College, Mt Clear - POL Appointment (closes 4 August)
• Year Level Coordinator Year 9 – Damascus College, Mt Clear - POL Appointment (closes 4 August)
• Year Level Coordinator Year 10 – Damascus College, Mt Clear - POL Appointment (closes 4 August)
• VCE Leader Year 11 & 12 – Damascus College, Mt Clear - POL Appointment (closes 4 August)
• Careers Coordinator – Damascus College, Mt Clear - POL Appointment (closes 4 August)
• SGE Coordinator – Damascus College, Mt Clear - POL Appointment (closes 4 August)
• Performing Arts Coordinator (Drama) – Damascus College, Mt Clear - POL Appointment (closes 4 August)
• Performing Arts Coordinator (Music) – Damascus College, Mt Clear - POL Appointment (closes 4 August)
• Instructional Coach (Literacy) – Damascus College, Mt Clear - POL Appointment (closes 4 August)
• Instructional Coach (Early Career Teachers) – Damascus College, Mt Clear - POL Appointment (closes 4 August)
• Instructional Coach (Design & Pedagogy) – Damascus College, Mt Clear - POL Appointment (closes 4 August)
• Community Connection Ambassador – Damascus College, Mt Clear - POL Appointment (closes 4 August)
• Coordinator AI & Future Learning – Damascus College, Mt Clear - POL Appointment (closes 4 August)
• HOLP Ambassador – Damascus College, Mt Clear - POL Appointment (closes 4 August)
• Head of St Brendan’s Campus – Damascus College, Mt Clear - POL Appointment (closes 4 August)
• Learning Area Leader – Damascus College, Mt Clear - POL Appointment (closes 4 August)
• Applied Learning Leader (VCE/VM) – Damascus College, Mt Clear - POL Appointment (closes 4 August)
• Instructional Design & Pedagogy Leader – Damascus College, Mt Clear - POL Appointment (closes 4 August)
• Head of Curriculum & Assessment – Damascus College, Mt Clear - POL Appointment (closes 4 August)
• Student Growth & Engagement Leader – Damascus College, Mt Clear - POL Appointment (closes 4 August)
• Data & Analytics Leader – Damascus College, Mt Clear - POL Appointment (closes 4 August)
• Classroom Teacher - Damascus College, Mt Clear – ongoing positions, full & part-time (closes 4 August)
• Year 3/4 Classroom Teacher Term 4, 2025 – St Colman’s, Mortlake – fixed-term position at 1.0 FTE (closes 8 August)
• 5/6 Classroom Teacher – St Brendan’s Coragulac – fixed-term position at 1.0 FTE (closes 10 August)
• Director – Learning and Teaching – Monivae College, Hamilton – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 17 August)
• Student Extra-Curricular Activities Coordinator – St Mary MacKillop College, Swan Hill – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 20 August)
• Applied Learning Coordinator - St Mary MacKillop College, Swan Hill – POL Appointment (closes 20 August)
• Transition Coordinator - St Mary MacKillop College, Swan Hill – POL Appointment (closes 20 August)
• Teaching & Learning: Reporting and Assessment Facilitator - St Mary MacKillop College, Swan Hill – POL Appointment (closes 20 August)
• Staff Professional Learning Coordinator - St Mary MacKillop College, Swan Hill – POL Appointment (closes 20 August)
• Senior School Coordinator - St Mary MacKillop College, Swan Hill – POL Appointment (closes 20 August)
• Pathways Coordinator - St Mary MacKillop College, Swan Hill – POL Appointment (closes 20 August)
• Learning Diversity Coordinator - St Mary MacKillop College, Swan Hill – POL Appointment (closes 20 August)
• EAL Coordinator - St Mary MacKillop College, Swan Hill – POL Appointment (closes 20 August)
• Digital Wellbeing Coordinator - St Mary MacKillop College, Swan Hill – POL Appointment (closes 20 August)
• Curriculum Leader Science - St Mary MacKillop College, Swan Hill – POL Appointment (closes 20 August)
• Curriculum Leader Religious Education - St Mary MacKillop College, Swan Hill – POL Appointment (closes 20 August)
• Curriculum Leader Mathematics - St Mary MacKillop College, Swan Hill – POL Appointment (closes 20 August)
• Curriculum Leader Languages - St Mary MacKillop College, Swan Hill – POL Appointment (closes 20 August)
• Curriculum Leader Humanities - St Mary MacKillop College, Swan Hill – POL Appointment (closes 20 August)
• Curriculum Leader Health and Physical Education - St Mary MacKillop College, Swan Hill – POL Appointment (closes 20 August)
• Curriculum Leader English - St Mary MacKillop College, Swan Hill – POL Appointment (closes 20 August)
• Curriculum Leader Arts/Technology - St Mary MacKillop College, Swan Hill – POL Appointment (closes 20 August)
• Head of Campus - St Mary MacKillop College, Swan Hill – POL Appointment (closes 20 August)
• Director or Wellbeing - St Mary MacKillop College, Swan Hill – POL Appointment (closes 20 August)
• Science Teacher 7-12 – Marian College, Ararat – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 22 August)
• 2026 EOI for all Subject Areas – Marian College, Ararat – ongoing positions at 1.0 FTE (closes 22 August)
• Classroom Teacher – St Mary’s Swan Hill – fixed-term position at 1.0 FTE (closes 19 September)
• Casual Relief Teacher – Monivae College, Hamilton – casual position (closes 19 September)
• Casual Relief Teacher – St Mary’s Primary School, Swan Hill – casual position (closes 30 September)
• Volunteer Rowing Coaches – Damascus College, Mt Clear (closes 3 October)
• 2025 Casual Relief Teachers – St Columba’s Primary School, Ballarat North – casual positions (closes 25 November)
• Classroom Teacher 2026 – St Mary’s, Warracknabeal – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 5 December)