Weekly Newsletter #66 - 20 August 2025

Reflection - World Humanitarian Day

Yesterday was World Humanitarian Day. This day provides an invitation to honour those who step into crises to help others, and to stand with the millions of people whose lives are devastated by so many tragedies across the globe that are impacting innocent people's lives.

On 19 August 2003, a bomb attack on the Canal Hotel in Baghdad, Iraq, killed 22 humanitarian aid workers, including the UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Iraq, Sergio Vieira de Mello. Five years later, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution designating 19 August as World Humanitarian Day.

It is a time for reflection and a time to remember all those who serve communities that are in desperate need. 

Here is a prayer from Caritas Australia for The People of Gaza, a place and people who are in desperate need of much love from all humanity. We remember and pray for Gaza and for all those serving the people of Gaza with love and courage.

From the Executive Director

Thank you to all who attended and contributed to last week’s Diocesan Leadership Gathering. It was a rich day of learning, collaboration and inspiration, with opportunities to reflect on our practice, hear from expert voices such as Pasi Sahlberg and Jean Stiles, and strengthen our shared vision for Catholic education across our Diocese. 

Last week, Pasi Sahlberg, Dave Runge and Professor Andy Hargreaves worked with a group of middle leaders as part of The Beating Heart of Educational Transformation program. Professor Hargreaves joined the session online, sharing insights on “leadership from the middle” – an approach that empowers educators at all levels to lead collaboratively and turn challenges into opportunities. It was a rich and engaging session that strengthened this 12-month program, which provides aspiring and middle leaders with mentorship, action research and dialogue with global thought leaders.

On Friday, I attended a VCEA meeting with fellow Executive Directors and our CRMV representative. Together, we discussed and collaborated on significant statewide issues, including EBA negotiations, future funding and NAPLAN results.

This week I am attending the Australian Catholic Education Conference in Cairns, where more than 1,400 Catholic educators and leaders from across the country are gathering under the theme Hope, Anchored in Faith. The program features international keynote speakers and workshops exploring our shared priorities of faith, excellence and access. I look forward to sharing insights and reflections from the conference with you in the weeks ahead.

Finally, I encourage you to continue engaging with the DOBCEL Strategy 2035. An article below provides ideas and prompts to help keep the momentum going in your school communities.

With best wishes,
Tom Sexton, Executive Director  

Diocesan Leadership Gathering Last Week

Prev

Showing images 1 - 8 of 20

Next

Final Chance: DS2035 Baseline Survey Closing Soon

The DOBCEL Strategy 2035 Baseline Survey for schools has been extended for one more week, giving staff a final opportunity to contribute to shaping the future of Catholic education across our Diocese.

The survey is open to all teaching and education support staff in schools. Responses will provide the baseline for our 2035 strategy and help us to track progress over the next decade.

We encourage all staff to complete the survey before it closes on Tuesday 26 August.

Your voice is essential in shaping the future of Catholic education in our Diocese.

DOBCEL Joins CEnet

We are excited to announce that DOBCEL has joined CEnet, Catholic education’s not-for-profit technology services organisation, giving our schools access to a national network of 18 dioceses and more than 370,000 students and staff across Australia.

For our schools, this means stronger, more reliable and cost-effective digital services that support teaching, learning and administration. CEnet’s collaborative model combines the benefits of scale with the flexibility for local solutions, helping us deliver engaging, innovative learning for students and valuable support for staff.

“Joining CEnet marks an exciting step forward for Catholic education in the Diocese of Ballarat,” said Paul Jans, DOBCEL’s Assistant Director, Business Services. “These high-quality, collaborative technology services will strengthen our schools’ capacity to deliver excellent learning experiences and provide practical support for staff.”

This partnership is an important investment in the future of digital learning across our Diocese. We’ll share further updates with schools as services roll out.

Applications now open: 2026 School Community Improvement Grants

The Catholic Diocese of Ballarat Foundation is offering funding of up to $5,000 for six new school-led projects that aim to improve the welfare of school communities across the diocese. All DOBCEL primary schools are eligible to apply, with successful projects to be delivered in 2026. Applications close 10 November 2025, with outcomes announced in December.

To learn more and apply, follow the links below. 

Social Justice Update

Australia faces a growing crisis, with thousands experiencing homelessness and mental health challenges each year. This year’s Social Justice Statement – Signs of Hope on the Edge: Serving Homeless People with Mental Ill Health – calls us to follow Jesus’ example, noticing, listening to, and caring for those on the margins.

Through real stories, we are reminded that everyone has a name, a story, and the right to be seen, heard, and loved. We are invited to respond with compassion, courage, and hope, walking alongside those who are suffering, not just as service providers, but as neighbours and friends.

You are encouraged to watch a video message from Archbishop Tim Costelloe and to download the full Social Justice Statement to explore the insights and calls to action in more detail: Signs of Hope on the Edge – Social Justice Statement 2025–2026.

Catholic Identity & Mission Updates

Early Career Teacher's Retreat

On the 13th and 14th August, 25 early-career teachers in their first three years of teaching  participated in a retreat experience at beautiful Halls Gap. Participants gathered from across all parts of The Diocese. The theme of the retreat was Pilgrims of Hope, drawing on the theme of the Jubilee Year. Focus of the two days included:

• Exploring the nature of a Jubilee Year.
• Times and ways of nurturing one’s own spirit.
• Investigating hope from the perspective of Scripture and Tradition
• What does hope mean in Catholic Education?
• Making connections with other Early Career Teachers.

Highlights of the retreat included a pilgrimage to the incredible Baroka Look Out, for morning prayer. The act of pilgrimage was also built into meditation and contemplation opportunities at The Halls Gap Botanical Gardens. 

This retreat was informed by the document from The National Catholic Education Commission A Framework for Formation for Mission in Catholic Education. The intention was to provide a retreat experience that was built upon accompaniment, centred on the self, others creation and God.

Early Career Teacher's Retreat

Prev

Showing images 1 - 8 of 17

Next

Invitation to Jesus and the Natural World Webinar

It's been 10 years since Pope Francis released his encyclical, Laudato Si’: On Care for Our Common Home. To celebrate, Garratt Publishing is hosting a series of Ecology Webinars.

Join a Season of Creation webinar exploring Denis Edwards’s Jesus and the Natural World: Exploring a Christian Approach to Ecology. Hosted by Alice Carwardine with Dr Ann-Maree O’Beirne RSM, the session will reflect on Jesus’ relationship with creation, as well as Edwards’s life, impact, and enduring legacy.

The webinar is on Thursday 28 August 2025 from 7-8pm AEST. Find out more and register here.

Professional Learning

Inhouse professional learning continues this Wednesday at 3:45pm, with a session facilitated by Matt Byrne on “ECSI and 14 Concrete Proposals” as previously presented by Drs Didier Pollefeyt & Jan Bouwens, KU Leuven. These proposals introduce the concept of “theologies of responsibility and vulnerability” as way of naming the complexities surrounding suffering and grief that meet us in life. The authors present recommendations to educators to support them with student inquiries when they ask about a God of love when their experience might suggest that God seems absent or remote.  

Each week we will remind you of what is available by viewing this site and then at the designated time, linking in through the zoom or teams invite. No need to book and please see future webinars here: https://awakenings.ceob.edu.au/professional-learning 

Vatican II – Keeping the Windows Open Webinar Series 

Last night, Garratt Publishing facilitated their 3rd session in a series of 4, on the effects of Vatican II with “Vatican II - Keeping the Windows Open Webinar Series” (7.00pm – 8.00pm).

Next Tuesday will be the final session. Our own diocesan priest, Dr Kevin Lenehan, Master of CTC, has contributed to these sessions. It’s not too late to join in and back track the previous 3 webinars with CI&M support. 

To learn more and register for free, visit garrattpublishing.com.au. 

People and Development Updates

PageUp Goes Live Across 14 DOBCEL Schools!

We are thrilled to announce that 14 DOBCEL schools have now completed their training in PageUp and are officially live, using the platform for all recruitment and onboarding needs. This marks a significant milestone in the Nexus Project and reflects the dedication and collaboration of our school communities, the CEB ICT/Simon Team and the People and Development Team. 

Following the successful pilot launch with 4 schools and the CEB office, the momentum has continued with 10 additional schools now fully onboarded and actively using PageUp. 

The feedback from early adopters has been overwhelmingly positive, with many highlighting the ease of use and the time saved during recruitment processes. 

What’s Next? 

The rollout continues! Over the coming months, we’ll be partnering with an additional 12 schools to complete their PageUp training and implementation in 2025.  

Our goal is to have all DOBCEL schools transitioned to the platform by June 2026, ensuring a consistent and streamlined recruitment experience across the Diocese. 

For any questions please, reach out to Emma Baldwin or Vicki Dekker at CEB Office Ballarat. 

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 

Professional Learning Opportunities

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

Student Wellbeing Updates

St Patrick’s Primary School Koroit highlight educator wellbeing at the Lead the way Conference in Melbourne

Congratulations to St Patrick’s Koroit who showcased their work into fostering educator wellbeing at the Mackillop Lead the way Conference in Melbourne.

The St Patrick’s Koroit workshop co-presented with the National Director of ReLATE, Justin Roberts, was titled Improving Educator Wellbeing in Student Centered Schools. It explored how proactive measures can support educator wellbeing whilst ensuring students remain at the centre of our practice. They discussed how they have worked to mitigate staff secondary trauma when working with challenging behaviours, how staff focused on self-care when responding during a crisis and how to effectively debrief staff with wellbeing as a priority, after critical incidents.  

In this one-off event, two of Australia’s leading experts, Susan McLean and Dr Michael Carr-Gregg will share invaluable insights on how to empower young people to navigate the online world safely and responsibly.

WEBINAR: Digital Media Literacy & Safety (Part III)
DATE: Wednesday, 3 September 2025
TIME: 7:30 pm

*** IMPORTANT ***

This webinar will not be available to replay later

Please contact the Student Wellbeing Team or Jo Sheldrick at School TV for more information:

 Jo.sheldrick@schooltv.me | Aruddell@dobcel.catholic.edu.au 

Respectful Relationship Student Forum Opportunity for Primary and Secondary Schools in the Ballarat Central Highlands 

Term 3 Professional Learning/Network Opportunities 

Upcoming Wellbeing Priorities for 2026

Reflecting on your wellbeing priorities and the desire to strengthen your systems and processes for supporting student behaviour: 

School-Wide Positive Behaviour Support (SWPBS) offers a clear framework of structures and supports, provided there is a strong commitment to its implementation. 

What is SWPBS; 

SWPBS stands for School-wide Positive Behaviour Support. It's a P-12 Framework that schools use to improve student behavior, wellbeing, and academic outcomes by creating positive, safe, and supportive learning environments. It focuses on preventing negative behaviors and promoting positive ones through evidence-based strategies.   

SWPBS - Expression of Interest 2026 

Pilgrims of Hope – 2025 NATSICC Youth Assembly

Please view the flyer below for details about the 2025 NATSICC Youth Assembly.

Sponsorship opportunities are currently available through the National Catholic Education Commission (NCEC), Mercy Partners, and the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council (NATSICC).

For further information or clarification, please contact Craig Arthur directly on craig@natsicc.org.au.

Diocesan proprietors are also welcome to provide sponsorships for students in their schools who may be interested in attending.

Teaching & Learning Updates

UFLI Foundations Professional Learning – Ballarat

Educators are invited to attend a full-day UFLI Professional session facilitated by Ashraf Samsudin, Specialist Education Consultant with SPELD Victoria.  

📅 Monday, 10th November  
🕘 9:00am - 4:00pm  
📍 St James’ Parish School, Sebastopol  
💲 $300 per person (approx.), plus presenter expenses. Catering not included.  

👉 Confirm your interest via this Google form  
For further information, please contact Julie Cooper – jcooper@dobcel.catholic.edu.au  

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).

Flare Phase A – Day 2 Online PL

Friday 19^th September 9am – 2pm register here. 

This event forms a key part of the Phase A PL Syllabus and will be heavily tailored to the needs of the Phase A schools. However, all Literacy Leaders, Principals, Teachers and Learning Support Officers are welcome to attend. 

The agenda for this event includes: 

• The Literacy Block
• What the “Building Blocks” hour looks like
• Planning Literacy
• Checking for Understanding
• Setting Up for Success (Routines and Norms)

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

Engaging with Flare Primary Literacy in 2026

Last week, an Executive Director's update was 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

• 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

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

• Upcoming English Curriculum Project:
  • Seminar Six: Using and Teaching Non-Fiction Texts
    Thursday 28th August, register here
    
  • Forum Three: Professional Conversations and Resource Sharing
    Tuesday 11th September, register here
    
• 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 

• 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  

• 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 Brigid’s School, Ballan – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 23 August)
• Teacher (Specialist) – St Michael’s School, Daylesford – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 29 August)
• Library Officer & College Archivist – Loreto College, Ballarat- ongoing position at 0.6 FTE (closes 1 September)
• Senior Classroom Teacher – St Alipius Primary School, Ballarat East – fixed-term position, full-time preferred, part-time by negotiation (closes 3 September)
• Junior Classroom Teacher – St Alipius Primary School, Ballarat East – fixed-term position at 1.0 FTE (closes 3 September)
• Classroom Teacher – St Augustine’s Primary School, Maryborough – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 5 September)
• Classroom Teacher – St Mary’s School, Ararat – fixed-term position at 1.0 FTE (closes 15 September)
• 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) 

Other Dioceses 

• Deputy Executive Director – Catholic Education Diocese of Cairns – (closes 3 September)