Weekly Newsletter #74 - 29 October 2025

From the Executive Director

I know many principals and staff will feel disappointed that we won’t be proceeding with the EB25 offer recently put to Catholic Education staff across Victoria, and I want to acknowledge that sentiment sincerely. Your professionalism, engagement, and ongoing commitment to your school communities remain deeply valued.

While the overall result didn’t reach the strong majority required, we did achieve a majority “Yes” vote in primary schools across the state - and within DOBCEL, we achieved a majority “Yes” across our primary and secondary schools for those who took the time to have their say. Thank you for your efforts and for making your voices heard. This process has shown that Catholic employers can be proactive, united and determined to find better ways forward for our staff and our school communities. We remain committed to a fair, sustainable and consistent framework of pay and conditions for all Catholic school employees across Victoria.

As many of you are aware, the SIMON service was taken offline late last week after unusual login activity was detected. Our security measures worked as intended, alerting us quickly so we could act to protect the platform and ensure safe containment of data. Working with external cyber security experts Atmos and CrowdStrike, we restored safe on-site access to SIMON by Monday morning. The SIMONEverywhere and PAM apps remain offline as a precaution while investigations continue. Thank you for your ongoing patience and for adapting so quickly to the enhanced security measures, including the continued use of Multi-Factor Authentication.

Today I was in Melbourne briefly to open the VCEA hosted conference for Capital Grant Authorities across Australia. I look forward to meeting with all our principals in Horsham tomorrow.

Finally, as VCE exams continue, my thanks go to all teachers and school staff supporting students through this important time. Your care, encouragement and commitment make a real difference.

With best wishes,
Tom Sexton
Executive Director 

Reflection of the Week

This Friday 31st October, is World Teacher’s Day. We take a moment to reflect on the incredible impact each and every one of our teachers makes on a daily basis. We pray in gratitude for who they are and the difference they make in the lives of their students.

Let's Celebrate World Teachers' Day on Friday 31 October!

The Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL) is once again championing the “Hats Off to Teachers” campaign to honour the incredible work of Australia’s educators—those who inspire, support, and shape the future of children and young people every day.

Get Involved and Share the Celebration
Building on the success of last year’s campaign, which reached millions nationwide, AITSL is aiming even higher in 2025. Organisations and individuals are encouraged to spread the word and celebrate teachers in their communities.

The World Teachers’ Day campaign website is now live, featuring a refreshed celebration kit packed with resources to help you show your appreciation.

🔗 Explore the campaign and access materials via the AITSL Website.

ACYF25 Registration Deadline - 30 October 2025

Final Call to Register – ACYF 2025
Registrations close this Thursday, 30 October at midnight.

Interested pilgrims can register directly with ACYF and arrange their own accommodation, or join the diocesan group via the cancellation list. To express interest or join the cancellation list, please email: fran.peterkin@ballarat.catholic.org.au

Featured Speakers Include:
Cardinal Bychok CSsR, Katie Prejean McGrady, Fr Rob Galea, Sr Mary Grace S.V., Bishop Mark Edwards OMI, Joshua Angrisano, Maggie Craig, Fr Chris Ryan MGL, and more.

Special Note: Bishop Paul will be attending the Festival.

Support for Pilgrims
The Catholic Diocese of Ballarat Foundation and the Catholic Development Fund have generously committed funding to support pilgrims attending ACYF. Distribution details will be confirmed once final numbers are known.

We appreciate your help in promoting ACYF and encouraging young people in your parish to register their interest.

Please read below the special message from Bishop Paul Bird.

Country Dioceses Leadership Program (CDLP) 2026 Applications Open

The Country Dioceses Leadership Program (CDLP) enables middle leaders from across three country Dioceses (Ballarat, Sandhurst & Wagga) to engage in a residential 7-day professional development program with a significant focus on the skills, knowledge and capabilities for effective middle leadership within a Catholic context.

The program provides opportunities for participants to identify their effective leadership practice and apply this within their own school context through a spaced learning model, and a coaching program.

Applications for the 2026 program close on Friday 7 November, 2025.

For further information, application form and principal endorsement please see attachments below:

Please view the CDLP flyer here.

Application Form - CDLP Leadership Program

Principal Endorsement - CDLP 2026

Catholic Identity & Mission Updates

Professional Learning for Catholic Identity and Mission TAP Session 30th October 2025

We are incredibly blessed to be joined by Bishop Paul Bird CSsR who will facilitate this session. 

This presentation will outline the history of the Mass from Jesus in the Synagogue and at the Last Supper and how the Mass has developed through the centuries. 

Accreditation: Category 2 & 3

Strategy 2035 Pillar: Rich Pedagogical Practices

It will take place from approximately 3:45pm -4:45pm. You will be able to join by the following link:

THIS IS A NEW LINK FROM THE ONE PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED 

Join the meeting now

• Meeting ID: 410 531 308 482 7
• Passcode: sP3pJ2xH

This professional learning will be both very informative and will gain 1 hour towards your TAP hours

Priority Courses for 2026 – Sponsorship Applications Now Open

DOBCEL has identified the priority professional learning courses for 2026, with links and flyers now available online. These courses support teachers and leaders in meeting the VCEA Accreditation Policy requirements, particularly Level 2 Accreditation for those teaching Religion or holding leadership positions.

The programs provide valuable opportunities for theological reflection, formation, and deeper engagement with the Catholic tradition. Sponsorship is available, with enquiries and applications to be directed to sponsorship@dobcel.catholic.edu.au.

Applications close on Friday, 31 October.

Full course details and application information can be found on the DOBCEL website. 

ECSI Masterclass IV: Good Practices in Enhancing Catholic School Identity (Online) - Save the Date and Register

Aggiornamento Letter to Principals

Dear Principals and Religious Education Leaders,

Following the success of this year’s Aggiornamento professional learning sessions (aggiornamento, Italian for “updating” came to prominence as one of the aims for the Church of the Second Vatican Council), we are pleased to say that we are able to offer further sessions in 2026.

 The Aggiornamento sessions we are offering are 90-minute online modules with TAP accreditation. We are appreciative of ACU, Assoc Prof. Robyn Horner and Dr. Teresa Brown in particular, for the privilege and generosity of access to Aggiornamento.

The Learning Outcomes for the modules include introducing participants to the practice of thinking and talking about Catholic faith in dialogue with their experiences in the contemporary world and, enabling participants to consider the ways in which they may apply their learning in their specific school and our diocesan context. As such, the first two modules, we are offering 101 & 106 are specifically oriented towards graduate teachers and those teachers new to the diocese or who are returning to the diocese.

The cost per module will be from $30-$50 depending upon numbers; this cost is payable to ACU.

Although clashes in dates will inevitably occur, our hope is that you’ll be able to prioritise these learning opportunities for colleagues not only for their theological content, also and essentially for the personal and spiritual learning each session will offer.

The modules will be advertised via the PL Calendar and enrolments invited early in 2026.

Sincerely,

Gina Bernasconi & Justin McInerney   

Invitation to Attend Online Seminar from the Sisters of Our Lady of Sion

The Sisters of Our Lady of Sion invites everyone to the upcoming Online Seminar entitled "Muslim-Christians Relations with Prof Daniel Madigan SJ on Thursday, 6 November 2025 (4:00 - 5:00PM). 

To register, please click here.

For more information, visit the Notre Dame de Sion website.

Social Justice Updates

We Are the Action Heroes

Hope is not only a feeling — it’s something we do.

At the recent Raising Hope for Climate Justice Conference, actor and former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger called Pope Leo XIV an “action hero for climate justice.”

Smiling, the Pope turned the spotlight toward the people:

“There is indeed an action hero with us — it is all of you, who are working together to make a difference.”

He then offered a timeless challenge:

“God will ask us if we have cared for the world He created and for our brothers and sisters. What will be our answer?”

Our Answer Begins with Action

While governments debate their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs - climate commitments) under The Paris Agreement, people of faith are responding with People’s Determined Contributions (PDCs) — living commitments from families, parishes, schools, and communities around the world.

👉 Add your voice and your action: raisinghope.earth/action

🎥 Watch and share the 50-second campaign video — tag your parish, movement, or family, and show that hope is alive: Let’s Turn Hope into Action – Pope Leo XIV (YouTube)

Use the hashtags: #AnswerTheCry #CommitToOurCommonHome #RaisingHope

Together, we are the action heroes Pope Leo spoke of — ordinary people with extraordinary hope.
This is what faith in action looks like.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Prophetic Voices from the Margins: The Way Forward to COP30

“We are one family, with one Father. We inhabit the same planet and must care for it together.”  — Pope Leo XIV

As the Church’s call to ecological conversion grows stronger, bishops, youth, and faith leaders from Asia, Oceania, Africa, and Brazil unite ahead of COP30 in Belém, Brazil. Together, we’ll lift a moral voice for creation and explore what it means to care for our common home today.

🌍 Join the Laudato Si’ Movement Asia Pacific for an inspiring online gathering of prophetic voices for climate justice.

Date & Time:            

• October 30th 2025, 8:00pm (AEDT)
• November 27th 2025, 8:00pm (AEDT)

Duration:                    2 hours
Register now:             Zoom Registration Link

Featured Speakers:

• Bishop Allwyn D’Silva (India) – Champion for the poor and ecological justice across Asia
• Bishop Gerry Alminaza (Philippines) – Leading voice for fossil fuel divestment and just transitions
• Adi Mariana Waqa (Pacific/Australia) – Theologian uplifting Pacific voices of resilience and hope
• Ashley Kitisya (Africa) – Youth leader driving faith-based climate action in Africa
• Eduardo Scorsatto (Brazil) – Catholic youth leader connecting faith and ecological awareness in the Amazon
• Jacqui Rémond (Australia) – Co-founder of the Laudato Si’ Movement, reflecting on integral ecology in the Pacific

Come be part of the Church’s living witness for creation — a global family caring for our common home.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ResourceSmart Schools Awards 2026

The ResourceSmart School Awards are Victoria’s largest sustainability celebration for primary and secondary school students, teachers and school volunteers. Since 2008, over 1,600 schools have participated in the ResourceSmart Schools program, with over 200 recognised in the ResourceSmart Schools Awards.

Showcase your sustainability story: Entries are open!

This year, the ResourceSmart Schools Awards celebrate 17 years with the theme ‘Our Sustainable Community’, acknowledging the supportive network where teachers, students and stakeholders share knowledge, passion and commitment to drive sustainability for a thriving environment.

• Entries open: Now!
• Entries close: Monday 9 March 2026
• Finalists announced: Wednesday 23 April 2026
• Award ceremony at Melbourne Cricket Ground: Thursday 11 June 2026

Find out more and enter here

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Upcoming Key Social Justice Dates:

Pastoral Ministry Office Updates

Jubilee of the World of Education:  October 31 – November 2, 2025

The Jubilee of the World of Education celebrates all forms of education – early learning, school (both primary and secondary), and tertiary education.  Further resources for the Jubilee of the World of Education are available from the diocesan website 

People & Development Updates

DOBCEL & Simon Breakspear People Leader - Pilot Program 2026

DOBCEL is pleased to partner with Simon Breakspear to deliver a practical people leadership program to help build essential people leadership skills.

The program covers –

• Cultivating psychological safety
• Clear communication and deep listening
• Giving effective feedback.

For further information on the program please click here.

Click through to the flyer below.

For questions, please contact Fiona Murphy on FMurphy@dobcel.catholic.edu.au

Early Career Incentives Program 2026

DOBCEL is proud to offer Early Career Incentives bonus payments for graduate teachers commencing their careers in DOBCEL schools. 

What’s on offer?
✅ $5,000* graduate sign-on bonus
✅ $10,000* graduate sign-on bonus in identified remote or small schools
*Pro-Rata payment for part-time

Additional for remote and small schools:
✅ $5,000 relocation support 
✅ $9,629 annual remote allowance (paid fortnightly for 3 years)
       - Equivalent to POL 3 (CEMEA)
       - Indexed annually

Limited funding available. Click here to know more about the program. 

Application Link: ECIP2026

Applications open 17 October - 14 December 2025.

For more information, kindly contact James Murphy (JMurphy@dobcel.catholic.edu.au) or Vicki Dekker (VDekker@dobcel.catholic.edu.au).

Professional Learning Opportunities

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

2026 Professional Learning Guide

Be sure to check out this week’s DOBCEL 2026 Professional Learning Guide for new events and updated details!

• New! – Principal Induction 2026
• New – Additional FLARE Primary Literacy Strategy events have been added following popular demand and feedback!

• Update! – The Safeguarding Masterclass sessions have been updated with new details for the first two sessions including an expertise guest speaker who will be presenting for the Term Two session.
• Update! – New Learning Outcomes have been included for various FLARE Primary Literacy Strategy events

We encourage all school leaders to review the Learning Guide and invite team members to explore the many opportunities available for professional growth and collaboration in 2026.

Over the coming weeks, events will progressively be added to the Professional Learning Program and Calendar page on the DOBCEL website, where registrations will open via TryBooking.

Link to 2026 Professional Learning Guide

e-Safety Professional Learning

The following short professional learning opportunities outlines webinars, other training and tips to help you protect your school from cybercrime.

Webinars for school leaders and staff:

Social media age restrictions explained

• Hosted by the eSafety Commissioner
• Date: Various available
• Time: 3:45 pm to 4:15 pm
• Register at any time before the webinar, at Social media age restrictions explained – a guide for educators and youth-serving professionals

Tips for boosting cyber safety and password protection
To learn more about your cyber safety strengths and to receive a tailored plan to increase your individual cyber safety, complete this 5-minute cyber safety check.

We encourage all staff to change your passwords regularly. A strong, unique and unpredictable password is the first line of defence against a cyber security attack. To check the strength of your password and find out if it has been leaked, refer to the Password strength tester. 

The 2026 Converge Wellbeing Calendar is available!

Converge have made some exciting updates to help you inspire and engage your people in their health and wellbeing.

The Wellbeing Calendar is your go-to playbook for celebrating key wellbeing moments and initiatives throughout the year. It’s also your guide for sharing meaningful messages that keep wellbeing top of mind across your schools.

To help you make the most of it, join Converge for an interactive session, who will walk you through everything you need to know to bring the calendar to life in any workplace.

Access the Converge 2026 Wellbeing Calendar

• All the resources and information you’ll need for your 2026 wellbeing initiatives.

Have Your Say – Australian Teacher Workforce Survey Now Open in Victoria

The 2025 Australian Teacher Workforce Survey is now live across Victoria, offering educators a vital opportunity to shape the future of teaching in Australia.

This national survey is designed to capture the real experiences of teachers and school leaders—from classrooms to early childhood settings—and inform education policy, workforce planning, and support initiatives. The more voices we hear, the stronger and more representative the insights will be.

Why Participate?

• It takes just 10 minutes to complete.
• Your input helps ensure decisions reflect the realities of today’s education landscape.
• All registered teachers receive a unique survey link via email.

Promote the Survey AITSL has launched a dedicated promotion toolkit featuring:

• Newsletter copy
• Social media assets
• Posters
• Email templates
• PowerPoint presentations

These resources are ready to share across your networks, diocesan channels, and school communities.

Your voice matters — help shape the future of education.

For more information or to access campaign materials, visit the AITSL website.

Student Wellbeing Updates

Term 4 Professional Learning/Network Opportunities

Navigating social media age restrictions

From 10 December 2025, children under 16 will no longer be able to create or keep accounts on most major social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, X and YouTube.

While under-16s can still view publicly available content, schools may need to consider new ways to communicate with students and families. Educational platforms like Google Classroom and YouTube Kids are not affected.

Visit eSafety’s new Social Media Age Restrictions Hub for guidance, resources and webinars to help your school community prepare and support parents, carers and students through the transition.

Information Session: RRRR, Policy & CI/M Work

Join us for a Q&A session covering the Resilience, Rights and Respectful Relationships (RRRR) curriculum, relevant policies, and Continuous Improvement/Monitoring work.

📅 Date: Wednesday, 30th October
🕒 Time: 3:30 PM

Join the meeting now

Meeting ID: 450 237 025 253 9
Passcode: CD6kH7Fd

4Rs Masterclass Opportunities (Secondary)

This two-day intensive training unpacks the updated Resilience, Rights and Respectful Relationships (RRRR) learning materials and builds participants knowledge, skills and confidence for its delivery.  It is designed to empower those who are leading and/ or supporting the implementation of the Respectful Relationships whole school approach, personal and social capabilities, and/ or consent education. 

Secondary
Further Information: Resilience, Rights and Respectful Relationships (RRRR) SECONDARY 2-Day Masterclass

Ballarat Registration for Wednesday 26th & Thursday 27th November 2025 (attendance required for both days)

International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD)

The International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD) is a United Nations–recognised day, observed annually on 3 December 2025.

Its aim is to raise awareness, understanding, and inclusion of the 5.5 million Australians with disability.

Resources for schools, communities and workplaces can be found at IDPwD website.

Click on the flyer below for more information.

Positive Partnerships is inviting everyone to the Japanese community webinar Executive Functioning on 5^th November .

For further information see flyers below.

Supporting transitions in Education – School fact sheet ACD

Fact sheet for families from Advocating for Children with Disabilities in supporting transitions in education.

Teaching & Learning Updates

Thank you to those who were able to attend our final Session of PLoL for 2025. We know how busy this stage of term 4 is and we really appreciate you making the time to join us. 

We are in the stages of formalising Primary Leaders of Learning for 2026 and your feedback and thoughts are very much welcomed and appreciated.  If you are yet to do so, please tuck away some time to complete this🔗GOOGLE FORM  by the end of Week 4.  Your contributions will contribute greatly to the future direction of PLoL.  All leaders across the diocese are invited to complete this feedback. 

Below, you'll find the Session #4 recording, slide deck, and other relevant professional readings and resources we explored together. 

• Session #4 Recording 
• Presentation Slide deck PDF 
• AllReady Project 
• Intention Setting Slides  
• PLoL 2025 Feedback and 2026 thinking (please complete) 

We thank you for your support across 2025 and look forward to continuing to support leadership capabilities of our Primary leaders across the diocese in 2026. 

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 

Added Whole Staff PL Dates for 2026

In response to feedback, the Flare Team has added three further dates to the 2026 PL Calendar. These will provide the opportunity to gather face to face for whole-staff learning if schools wish to do so. We are not able to provide this option for all whole-staff sessions, but have prioritised one session per phase, depending on the content that best lends itself to real-life delivery.

Please note that schools do not have to attend BOTH of these. You will register for either the face-to-face option OR the online option.

ANYONE may register for any of these dates. If you are a self-guided school, you are more than welcome to join us for any Flare PL offering, either as a whole staff group or as individuals. If you are a guided school, you may wish to register new staff for prior phase PL as part of your induction processes.

Registrations will be opened prior to the end of 2025, via the Flare 2026 Calendar which will soon be made available on the Flare website. We kindly encourage you to register for the whole-staff PL days at your earliest convenience. Specific venues will be determined following registrations - as numbers dictate.

Literacy Leaders - Important Reminder

Please remember that if you are a Literacy Leader who missed the recent Literacy Leader Coaching VC, the recordings are now available. We ask that you please prioritise watching the recording and completing the required administration tasks within the next week or two.

Expression of Interest – Sounds Write Training

Siena Catholic Primary School is offering a 4-day training program in Sounds-Write, a highly effective Structured Synthetic Phonics program. This training will equip educators with the skills and knowledge to implement a research-based approach to teaching reading and spelling. There will be both a focus on F-2 training, 3-6 and Education Support Training, building on our training this year. 

Sounds Write Facilitator: Jacinda Vaughan

Training Dates: 9th, 10th, (11th-  Real time teaching day across the school observation) 12th & 13th February 2026. Wednesday is a training free day - no payment required. The reason being is so that we can provide staff with a brain break in what is an intensive training schedule.

Location: Siena Catholic Primary School, 150 Eleanor Dr, Lucas

Cost: To be advised once details are confirmed. 

We invite expressions of interest from all who are keen to attend.

To express your interest, please contact sryan@slucas.catholic.edu.au.

Early career teachers term 4 – Educator Wellbeing

 Our next Early Career Teacher (ECT) professional learning session will be on Tuesday, 18 November from 2:15 pm to 3:15 pm.

This session will focus on Educator Wellbeing and will be presented by Be You.

The session will explore practical strategies to help you maintain balance, manage stress, and foster wellbeing as you continue to grow in your teaching career. It’s a valuable opportunity to pause, reflect, and invest in yourself before the end of the school year.

We recognise that Term 4 is always a busy one, and some teachers may prefer more individual support at this time of year. If you would like a 1:1 conversation with a CEB staff member to reflect on your experiences, discuss challenges, celebrate successes, or simply debrief on the year that’s been, please contact James Murphy who will arrange a meeting with a CEB staff member at a suitable time.

We look forward to seeing you at the session!

To register for the Be You session please click here  (this is a no-charge event)

Any questions please contact James Murphy or Julie Cooper

Setting up for Success Day - 2026

After a successful pilot in 2025, we are pleased to again offer the 1^st year graduate teacher ‘Setting Up for Success’ day. A day specifically tailored for graduate teachers commencing their first year of teaching in 2026. This day is designed to provide graduates with practical tips and early connections that will set them up for a confident start to the year.

 The program will cover:

• Professional responsibilities
• Setting up classroom routines
• Engagement strategies
• Getting to know your learners
• Taking care of yourself - educator wellbeing

 Session Details

• Central - Ballarat: Tuesday 20 January 2026, 9:00am – 12:30pm, followed by a networking lunch (supplied) location – Catholic Education Ballarat office – 200 Gillies St, Lake Wendouree
• North - Robinvale: (if required): Thursday 22 January 2026 – 9:00am – 12:30pm, followed by a networking lunch (supplied) location – St Mary’s School, 12 Watkins St, Robinvale (session to be confirmed based on graduate numbers – location of session will be based on the location of the majority of graduates, so may be subject to change)

 This is a free, optional program and we recognise that not everyone may make it. It is deliberately scheduled before the school year starts to provide meaningful learning to enable early career teachers to succeed from day 1.  Participants of the 2025 Pilot Group found it highly valuable, helping to refresh practices learned at university and during placements, while also building peer connections with fellow graduate teachers. We invite you to encourage your 2026 graduate teachers to register and take advantage of this opportunity.

Click here to access a flyer to share with any 2026 first-year teachers.

Graduates can register for the program here.

Media Literacy Week: Building AI Literacy in Our Schools

This week is Media Literacy Week in Australia — a reminder of the importance of equipping young people with the skills to think critically, evaluate information, and navigate the digital world responsibly.

In an era of AI and misinformation, helping students understand how artificial intelligence shapes the media and information they consume is more vital than ever.

💻 Day of AI Australia is a fantastic, free national program supported by leading Australian universities. It offers engaging, curriculum-aligned resources designed to help teachers foster AI literacy across both Primary (Years 1–6) and Secondary (Years 7–10) classrooms.

✨ What’s Included

• ✅ Free teaching materials aligned to the Australian Curriculum
• ✅ Updated annually and tailored to each year level
• ✅ Flexible – teach it anytime during the school year
• ✅ Supported by Australian universities and industry experts

💡 How to Access

Teachers can log in to the Day of AI LMS using their registered email and select the level suited to their class.
The platform provides everything you need to confidently integrate AI learning into your classroom.

🔗 Explore the Day of AI Australia Program

Let’s empower our students to become thoughtful, informed, and ethical digital citizens this Media Literacy Week!

2026 Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science - Now Open for Nominations

Nominations are now open for the 2026 Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science – Science Teaching Prizes, recognising exceptional educators who have made outstanding contributions to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education.

Two prizes are available:

• Primary School Science Teaching Prize – $250,000
• Secondary School Science Teaching Prize – $250,000

Each winner will receive $250,000 in prize money, a medallion, lapel pin, and award certificate. There is also the opportunity for highly commended recognition for other exceptional nominees.

This is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate and reward teachers who inspire curiosity, creativity, and a lifelong passion for STEM among their students.

🗓 Nominations close: Thursday, 18 December 2025, 5:00pm AEDT

Help shine a spotlight on Australia’s most inspiring science teachers — share this opportunity with your networks and encourage your community to nominate a deserving educator.

👉 Learn more and submit a nomination: The 2026 Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science – Science Teaching Prizes | business.gov.au

Invitation to Immunisation Webinar by NCIRS

The National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS) invites you to join an upcoming webinar exploring how we can better protect adolescents through immunisation.

• Date: Wednesday, 5 November
• Time: 7:00–8:00PM (AEDT)
• Online Webinar

This session will highlight the essential role of school coordinators, staff, and nurses in delivering school-based vaccination programs. Participants will gain valuable insights into:

• The importance of adolescent immunisation
• Key drivers influencing vaccine uptake
• Opportunities for collaborative action to strengthen school vaccination efforts

We warmly invite colleagues from Catholic Education Departments to attend—particularly those involved in coordinating or supporting school vaccination programs.

Your support in sharing this invitation with relevant staff and encouraging registration would be greatly appreciated.

👉 Register here

Together, let’s strengthen our collective approach to protecting adolescent health through immunisation.

DOBCEL Canva Webinar Series

Final Session Next Week – Don’t Miss Out!

Boost your classroom creativity and digital confidence with our Canva Webinar Series – designed especially for educators. Whether you're just starting out or keen to explore Canva’s AI-powered features, this final session will help you create engaging content and collaborate with students more effectively.

🗓️ Wednesday 5 November
🕒 3:45 PM – 4:30 PM
📍 Via MS Teams
Topic: Student Collaboration, Activities & Lesson Plans

Register or catch up on previous sessions: Click here
Questions? Contact Coby Reynolds at creynolds@dobcel.catholic.edu.au

Quick Links

General 

• 2026 Teaching Excellence Program (TEP) submission until 31 October 
  • Learn more on this link
• Applications for 2026 School Community Improvement Grants open until 10 November:
  • Community Improvement Grant
  • Grant Application Form

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
• Sponsorship Applications for Priority Courses for 2026 is until 31 October 2025, click here for more details. For inquiries and applications to be directed to sponsorship@dobcel.catholic.edu.au
  

Teaching & Learning 

• 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 on Monday 10 November from 9am-4pm at St James' Parish School, Sebastopol. $300 per person. Confirm your interest via this Google form . Contact Julie Cooper for more information

• Term 4 2025 ACER’s PAT Webinars
  • Please make note of the upcoming webinars being presented by ACER about the administration and analysis of PAT data:
    
    • Predicting PAT learning growth [5 November, 4:00PM]
    • Leading improvement in student engagement [13 November, 4:00PM]
    • PAT Science and STEM Contexts: how and why schools use these assessments [26 November, 4:00PM]
• Monash University - Middle Years Extending Mathematical Understanding (EMU) Intervention Specialist Teacher Course
  • To help us plan effectively, we’re gathering Expressions of Interest (EOIs) from educators who are likely to register if applications open.

Student Wellbeing Updates

• Professional learning offerings will be updated via the following calendar link as they emerge

Career Opportunities

CEB

• Manager: Policy, Risk and Compliance – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 9 November)
• Education Officer: Wellbeing Secondary – fixed-term at 1.0 FTE (closes 9 November)
• Education Officer: Learning Diversity – ongoing position at 0.6 FTE (closes 9 November)
• Speech Pathologist – fixed-term position at 0.5 FTE (closes 9 November)

Principal Positions

• Principal - St Pius X Primary School, Warrnambool – 1.0 FTE (closes 16 November)

Schools

• Wellbeing and MHiPS Leader – St Patrick’s Primary School, Stawell – POL appointment (closes 31 October)
• Religious Education Leader – St Patrick’s Primary School, Stawell – POL appointment (closes 31 October)
• Learning Diversity Leader – St Patrick’s Primary School, Stawell – POL appointment (closes 31 October)
• Leader of Pedagogy: Numeracy – St Patrick’s Primary School, Stawell – POL appointment (closes 31 October)
  Leader of Pedagogy: Literacy and Languages – St Patrick’s Primary School, Stawell – POL appointment (closes 31 October)
• Student Agency Facilitator – St Patrick’s Primary School, Stawell – POL appointment (closes 31 October)
• Classroom Teacher (Including Specialists & Co-ords) – St Patrick’s Primary School, Stawell – fixed-term position at 1.0 FTE (closes 31 October)
• 2026 Humanities, Physical Education Teachers (7-10) – Marian College, Ararat – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 31 October)
• Learning Support Officer – Marian College, Ararat – fixed-term position at 0.8 FTE (closes 31 October)
• Business Manager – Marian College, Ararat – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 31 October)
• 2026 Technology Teacher – Marian College, Ararat – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 31 October)
• Learning Support Officer – St Brendan’s Primary School, Coragulac – fixed-term, part-time position (closes 2 November)
• Junior Classroom Teacher – St Mary’s Primary School, Clarkes Hill – ongoing position at 0.4 FTE (closes 3 November)
• Learning Support Officer – St Thomas’ Primary School, Terang – fixed-term position at 0.73 FTE (closes 5 November)
• Visual Arts Teacher – St Mary McKillop College, Swan Hill – ongoing position at 1.0 (closes 5 November)
• Teaching Positions - St Mary McKillop College, Swan Hill – ongoing position at 1.0 (closes 5 November)
• Religious Education Teacher - St Mary McKillop College, Swan Hill – ongoing position at 1.0 (closes 5 November)
• Maths/Commerce Teacher - St Mary McKillop College, Swan Hill – ongoing position at 1.0 (closes 5 November)
• Curriculum Leader Religious Education - St Mary McKillop College, Swan Hill – ongoing position at 1.0 (closes 5 November)
• Learning Support Officer - St Patrick’s Primary School, Stawell – ongoing, part-time position (closes 31 October)
• Media and Community Engagement Officer – St Brigid’s College, Horsham – part-time, ongoing position (closes 7 November)
• Teacher for 2026 – All Saints Parish School, Portland – fixed-term position at 1.0 FTE (closes 7 November)
• Sports and Camps Coordinator – St Brigid’s College, Horsham – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 7 November)
• Teacher Librarian – Damascus College, Mt Clear – ongoing position at 0.6 FTE (closes 10 November)
• 2025 Casual Relief Teachers – St Columba’s Primary School, Ballarat North – casual positions (closes 25 November)
• Japanese Teacher 2026 – St Mary’s Primary School, Warracknabeal – ongoing position at 1.0 FTE (closes 5 December)
• Casual Relief Teachers – St Patrick’s Primary School, Ballarat – casual positions (closes 31 December)