Weekly Newsletter #65 - 13 August 2025

Reflection - Feast of the Assumption of Mary

This Friday, 15th August is the Feast of the Assumption of Mary. In the following reflection Joan Chittister OSB explores what The Feast of the Assumption may mean in the lives of contemporary Catholic Christians.

Psalm 16 sings, “You will not allow the one you love to see the pit; you will reveal the path of life to me, give me unbounded joy in your presence.” Those whom God loves, the psalm promises, will be raised up above the thousand daily deaths that come into every life. When we raise our hearts and souls to God, the things that drag us down will lose their grip on us. When we refuse to become imprisoned by things and status and ambition and self and greed, our souls are set free and our bodies are unburdened. Life becomes livable again. Enough becomes enough. God becomes God again. But where can we possibly go to find someone, whose life is not tethered to the earth to the point of death? What proof do we have that anyone can rise above what we want to what we can become? The answer surely is Mary of the Assumption whose love of God lifted her far above the goals and gains of those who had never really seen the Christ for what he was, because their mind’s eye was taken up totally with what they were themselves. Mary of the Assumption teaches us to keep our eyes on the things of heaven; to free ourselves from the fetters of anything lesser; to develop a vision outside of ourselves; and to allow ourselves to be lifted up beyond the petty and the transient to the eternal and the unalloyed. Mary of the Assumption is a sign of what we can become if we are willing to let go of what we have planned for ourselves.

Chittister J (1992)  In Pursuit of Peace: Praying the Rosary Through the Psalms Pax Christi: Washington DC

From the Executive Director

This week, I am pleased to share with our schools that I have accepted a new five-year contract as Executive Director of DOBCEL. It is both a privilege and an honour to continue in this role, working alongside Bishop Paul, the DOBCEL Board, our Principals, school staff and CEB teams. Together, we have built a strong and united system, and I look forward to what we can achieve in the years ahead as we bring the DOBCEL Strategy 2035 to life.

The Directorate team started this week with two days of Strategy Implementation Planning – an important opportunity to step back from the busyness of day-to-day operations and come together to focus on the way forward. Our time was spent reflecting on our objectives as a system. We began the important work of developing an implementation plan that will guide the next stages of the DOBCEL Strategy 2035. These conversations were energising, and I’m confident they will help us all to align our efforts for the greatest impact.

This week also sees our Diocesan Leadership Gathering take place – always a highlight in our calendar. It’s a chance for our leaders to share insights, learn from one another and strengthen the connections that underpin our work. All Principals and leaders are reminded to bring their 'Grow and Let Go' findings from the Network Collaboration Days to DLG refer to during this session.

With best wishes,
Tom Sexton, Executive Director  

Message from the Board Chair

I wholeheartedly support Tom Sexton’s announcement of his new five-year contract as Executive Director of DOBCEL. Tom’s outstanding leadership and unwavering dedication over the past five years have been vital to the growth and success of Catholic education across our Diocese. We are fortunate to continue working alongside Tom and learning from his strong leadership and guidance.

Last week, the DOBCEL Board held its fourth meeting for the year at St Brigid’s College, Horsham. Our agenda focused on the key areas of our governance role – from strategic priorities and risk oversight to policy updates, property matters, and initiatives that strengthen student learning and wellbeing. We also received updates on major projects, community engagement opportunities, and the ongoing implementation of our long-term strategy.

Whenever we hold Board meetings in regional locations, we make it a priority to visit nearby schools. These visits are a highlight for us as Board Directors – they allow us to connect directly with local communities, listen to their experiences, and witness the life of Catholic education across our Diocese.

In the Wimmera, Bishop Paul and our Executive Director, Tom Sexton, visited St Mary’s in Warracknabeal, where they were warmly welcomed by staff and students. It was a privilege to hear of the school’s strong sense of community and the learning, achievements, and priorities unique to their setting.

Across the region, my fellow Board Directors were dispersed among various school communities, taking the opportunity to see first-hand the dedication and creativity of students, staff, and leaders. In Horsham, St Brigid’s College student leaders and staff led us on a tour of the school, including a preview of the new wing nearing completion. I was particularly struck by the story behind the new café space, The Well, which reflects the school’s spiritual narrative and focus on hospitality, and I was delighted to hear that the school’s much-loved productions will recommence.

In addition to St Mary’s and St Brigid’s, schools visited as part of this regional engagement included:

• St Patrick’s School, Nhill
• St Augustine’s Parish Primary School, Creswick
• St Augustine’s Primary School, Maryborough
• Ss Michael and John’s Primary School, Horsham
• Our Lady Help of Christians School, Murtoa

On Tuesday evening, we were joined by local Principals and School Advisory Council Chairs for a shared dinner – a wonderful opportunity to strengthen relationships and celebrate the shared mission of Catholic education across the region.

Being in our schools is always a reminder of the extraordinary commitment of our leaders, teachers, and support staff, and of the vibrant spirit that exists in our communities. On behalf of the Board, I thank everyone who welcomed us so generously and shared their stories. It is a privilege to witness the positive impact of Catholic education in every corner of our Diocese.

Terry Harney
Chair, DOBCEL Board

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Retirement of Michael Myers

After eleven years of dedicated service, Mr Michael Myers will retire as Coordinator for Professional Standards for the Diocese of Ballarat at the end of March 2026.

Please read the letter from Bishop Paul Bird below expressing gratitude and outlining next steps for appointing his successor.

SIMON Nexus Rollout Update

We’re excited to share that 10 schools are now live with the SIMON administration system, replacing their SAS environment, and are also using Business Central for Finance.

Congratulations to our first rollout schools:

• St Patrick’s Ballarat
• St Brigid’s Ballan
• St Francis Xavier Ballarat East
• St Michael’s Daylesford
• Lumen Christi Delacombe
• St Thomas More Alfredton
• St Alipius’ Ballarat East
• St Columba’s Ballarat North
• St Augustine’s Creswick
• Emmaus Mount Clear

What’s Next?

The next group of schools will go live from Monday, 25 August:

• Sacred Heart Casterton
• St Joseph’s Coleraine
• St Malachy’s Edenhope
• St Mary’s Hamilton.

Preparing for Your Rollout

One week before your training, you’ll receive an email from support@simonschools.net  with:

• Instructions to help ensure a smooth system transition
• Your training guides

Tip for Business Managers:

Consider preparing a list of split families, including the fee percentage breakdown per paying contact.

This will assist in setting up split billing families in the new system.

Other SIMON News – Navigating the New UI

Join us for a webinar on Wednesday, 20 August at 1:30 pm for tips and tricks on using the new interface.

• The session will be recorded for anyone unable to attend live.
• Register here

Children & Youth Cultural Gathering - Close the Gap Day

On Monday, 4th August, a group of Siena's First Nations students attended Children & Youth Cultural Gathering - Close the Gap Day, at Federation University, celebrating inclusivity and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices. Some of our First Nations students: Maeve, Darcy, Alirah and Samuel attended the day which fell on National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children's Day. It was an opportunity for children to immerse themselves in the rich traditions and knowledge sharing of Australia’s First Nations Peoples. Shelley and I felt very privileged to share this experience with them and hear their reflections. Thanks to our parents for supporting their attendance.

The day provided opportunity for identity, storytelling, connection and belonging as students participated in a range of cultural activities including: Traditional Dance, yarning sessions, damper making, Aboriginal games and art. It was a wonderful opportunity to connect with other learners from other schools, especially our friends from St Alipius!

We thank April and the Team at BADAC, together with other sponsors for organising a wonderful day! Thanks to our Parents Patti, Pip and Rachel for their support during the day.

The Siena students shared some of their highlights of the day:

Maeve: I learnt that there are many mobs within the Ballarat area, not just one. Making Damper was my favourite part of the day because I enjoyed learning how to make traditional food. It was great to learn about our culture and I  would love to do it again.

Darcy: I learnt about Aboriginal symbols and what they mean; for example spear, shield and gathering circle (pictured in the gallery below).

My favourite part of the day was listening to Pancakes telling us stories. He told them in a funny way that I was able to learn and enjoy them.

Alirah: I learnt a lot more about my culture. Boomerang throwing was my favourite because I have never done it before. I would love to go again because it was really good to go out and spend time learning about my culture.

Samuel: I enjoyed the traditional dance and had the opportunity to showcase this on stage during the finale. I felt proud to get up on the stage to show different characters and stories through my movements.

Written by Caitlin Batch Siena Catholic Primary School, Lucas.

Youth Cultural Gathering - Close the Gap Day

Catholic Identity & Mission Updates

Professional Learning

Inhouse professional learning continued with a session facilitated by Bernadette Luckman on Tuesday exploring Enhancing Catholic School Identity (ECSI). A large group of teachers from both primary and secondary schools across the diocese gathered to brush up on terminology and understanding of the ECSI scales. Find out what else is coming up by viewing the link below and joining at the appropriate time. No need to book - just click the link below to find the login.  

The next presentation is on Wednesday 20th August at 3:45pm, on 14 Concrete Proposals to strengthen ECSI in schools with Matt Byrne: https://awakenings.ceob.edu.au/professional-learning 

Vatican II - Keeping the Windows Open Webinar Series 

Last night, Garratt Publishing continued a 4-part series on the effect of Vatican II with the 2 forthcoming Tuesdays to continue the conversation.

It’s still not too late to join in and back track the first two webinars with CI&M support. To learn more and register for free, visit garrattpublishing.com.au. 

Australian Catholic Education Conference - Next Week

After months of preparation, the NCEC will welcome attendees to Cairns for what will be the biggest Catholic education gathering of the year. There will be an impressive line-up of speakers, presenters, and workshops designed to inspire, challenge, and connect our community.

For those unable to be in Cairns, on-demand tickets are a great way to stay connected, with access to recorded keynotes and presentations, so you can join the discussion and build your professional learning from wherever you are.

For more information, read the media release linked below.

Join the St Alipius Team: Mental Health & Wellbeing Leader Opportunity

St Alipius Parish School is seeking a passionate and experienced Mental Health & Wellbeing Leader (0.4 FTE) to join us from Term 1, 2026 (start date negotiable). As part of the Victorian Government’s Mental Health in Primary Schools (MHiPS) initiative, this strategic role focuses on building staff capacity, establishing referral pathways, and promoting whole-school mental health and wellbeing.

If you hold current Victorian Institute of Teaching registration and have experience in primary education or wellbeing leadership, we invite you to apply. Training and ongoing professional support will be provided through the University of Melbourne’s MHiPS program and Communities of Practice.

Applications close Monday, 25 August. For more details or to apply, please review the linked role description below or contact Principal Emily Clarke at eclarke@saballarat.catholic.edu.au.

People and Development Updates

R U Ok Day

R U OK? Day is Thursday 11 September 2025 and is the National Day of Action, providing an ideal opportunity to engage staff and the wider school community with the values of R U OK? 

You can also encourage and support an R U OK? Culture every day of the year by having regular, meaningful conversations which builds trust and engagement within our communities.  

Learn more about the 4 steps of a RU OK ? conversation 

1. Ask R U OK? 
2. Listen with an open mind
3. Encourage action
4. Check in 

Here are some resources you may like to access for R U OK Day: 

• https://www.ruok.org.au/work
• https://www.ruok.org.au/education
• https://www.ruok.org.au/education#PRIMARYSCHOOLRESOURCES
• https://www.ruok.org.au/education#SECONDARYSCHOOLRESOURCES 

Deputy and Assistant Principal & Senior Leader Network Meeting

The Deputy and Assistant Principal and Senior Leader network meeting for term 3 will be held online on Wednesday 20 August from 2:30 - 3:30pm.

The session will share details of the draft DOBCEL Staff Wellbeing Framework and allow for discussion time between peers.

Please register to attend here (nil cost).

This session is open to all Deputy and Assistant Principal and Senior Leaders across the Diocese.

For further information please contact Fiona Murphy or Janet Claassen.

Professional Learning Opportunities 

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

Student Wellbeing Updates

Term 3 Professional Learning/Network Opportunities 

Primary Teaching & Learning Updates

Assessing Reading Without Running Records & Text Levels
Monday 1st September 3:45 - 4:30pm

All schools are invited to attend an online presentation about why Running Records and the text levels provided by Benchmark Assessment Systems such as Fountas and Pinnell, PM and Alpha Assess, are no longer recommended for use and are being de-implemented by schools across the country. This presentation may be helpful for teachers, teams and schools who find it challenging to assess and report on reading without the support of text levels.

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

Please note that the presentation will not be recorded and you do not need to register.

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).

Engaging with Flare Primary Literacy in 2026

This week, an Executive Director’s update has been shared with Principals that outlines the Flare Primary Literacy engagement options for 2026. All Primary Principals are asked to attend carefully to this update in consultation with their Literacy Leaders, and to complete their engagement indication forms by Friday 29th August. This timeline will enable the Flare team to set dates and share these with schools in a timely way.  

Please note that for purposes of security, only Principals have been granted access to the engagement indication forms. If Principals wish to delegate this task to another member of staff, they will need to grant that staff member access to the Google Form. Please contact Breeana Wade bwade@dobcel.catholic.edu.au for assistance with this if necessary. 

If you have any questions about Primary Literacy, please contact: 

Joe Ewing jewing@dobcel.catholic.edu.au 0429 985 460 or   
Emma Rutherford erutherford@dobcel.catholic.edu.au 0419 479 264 

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 3 Dates

We’re excited to share the upcoming English Curriculum Project events for Term 3. 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

Quick Links

General 

• Country Education Partnership (CEP) will be hosting the Small Schools Forum on Friday, October 10th, in collaboration with the Victorian Academy of Teaching and Leadership: Register here
• 2025 CDF Father James Wall Bursary online application form. Seven $5,000 bursaries will support Year 10 students with leadership potential across academia, arts, sport, and community service. Eligible Catholic secondary schools may nominate one student

DS2035 – Stay Connected to the Strategy

• DOBCEL Strategy 2035 – Full Document (PDF)
• Strategy Portal – Resources, videos, and key messages.
• CIRP Page – Details and application form.

Catholic Identity & Mission

• Professional learning offerings will be updated via the following calendar link as they emerge
• National Liturgy & Liturgical Music Conference from 1-3 October in Adelaide – learn more and register at pilgrimsofhope.com.au 

• The Australian Catholic Youth Festival will be held in Melbourne from 30 November to 2 December 2025 for young people in Year 9 to age 25. Learn more and register at https://acyf.org.au/ 

Teaching & Learning – previously advertised opportunities

• Build Inclusive Learning Environments with Apple Technology: A Ballarat event taking place on Thursday 18 September 2025. Limited spaces available. Register here or contact Coby Reynolds for more information

• Schools are advised to access VCAA resources to assist with familiarisation of the Victorian Curriculum F–10 Version 2.0. 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

• Victorian Teaching Excellence Program 2026: more info and registration
  

• Free NAPLAN Data Professional Learning Sessions: view available sessions and make a booking here

• ACER PAT Webinars – Term 3: For further information click here

• Victorian Schools Garden Program Awards: more info and entry details

Career Opportunities

CEB

• Leader: Wellbeing - fixed term until January 2031 at 1.0 FTE (closes 17 August) 
• Education Consultant – Southern Zone – fixed term until January 2031 at 1.0 FTE (closes 22 August) 
• ICT Support Specialist – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 24 August) 

Principal Positions

• Principal – St Joseph’s Primary School, Warrnambool - 1.0 FTE (closes 2 September) 

Schools

• EOI – Classroom Teacher – Sacred Heart Primary School, Mildura – ongoing and fixed-term positions at 1.0 FTE (closes 13 August)
• EOI – Learning and Community Leaders - Sacred Heart Primary School, Mildura - fixed-term position at 1.0 FTE (closes 13 August)
• EOI – Deputy Principal Position - Sacred Heart Primary School, Mildura - fixed-term position at 1.0 FTE (closes 13 August)
• Director – Learning and Teaching – Monivae College, Hamilton – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 17 August)
• Teaching Positions - St Mary MacKillop College, Swan Hill – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 20 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 of Wellbeing - St Mary MacKillop College, Swan Hill – POL Appointment (closes 20 August)
• 2026 Teaching Opportunities – Emmanuel College, Warrnambool – ongoing positions at 1.0 FTE (closes 21 August)
• Compliance & Risk Coordinator - Emmanuel College, Warrnambool – ongoing positions at 0.80 FTE (closes 21 August)
• School Officer – Reception/Administration – Siena Primary School, Lucas – ongoing position at 0.56 FTE (closes 22 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)
• Science Teacher (7-12) – Marian College, Ararat – ongoing positions at 1.0 FTE (closes 22 August)
• Classroom Teacher 2026 – St Brigid’s School, Ballan – fixed-term position at 1.0 FTE (closes 23 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)