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Dear Colleagues,
I write to say farewell to you. This may be the last time that I communicate with you as Director, a position that I have held since Easter 2012 and I have worked in the Catholic Schools Office since 2000, a total of 20 years – a long time in anyone’s eyes!
I am sad that I am saying goodbye as I have been privileged to hold the best position in Catholic education in the diocese and I have been fortunate to have been able to serve in the diocese for such a long period of time. However, I know that it is time for me to vacate the Director’s chair and let someone with new eyes and fresh ideas to take up the many challenges that we face into the future. I wish our new Director, Dr Sally Towns, every best wish as she takes up the position after the holidays.
I have seen a lot of changes in our parish schools over the time I have worked here as those of you who are approaching my vintage have also.
In all of that time however, one factor that has never changed, and will I believe, ever endure is the outstanding quality of the staff who support our 17,500 students. Your passion, witness, dedication and skill ensure that every child enrolled in every one of our schools receives a high quality education.
Thank you for what you do and God bless you.
Best wishes,
David Condon
Director of Catholic Schools
This week we discuss the last of the three ‘isms’ “Nihilisim”.
Nihilism “can best be described as the belief that life itself has no objective meaning, no purpose or no intrinsic value. If life has no meaning, purpose or value then that viewpoint will impact all areas of human experience, relationship, work, spirituality, creativity and art and so many more.
The Gospel message is that creation matters; every human life matters; all of human life and history has meaning, purpose and value. Jesus did not come to redeem a meaningless and pointless human experience, He came to give life and to give it to the full. Each day in either moments of direct teaching or in discussion and encouragement with students, God wants to use teachers to help every young person understand that life can in fact be good and that they do matter”.
To learn more click here.
Simon Crook Secondary Science Workshops
In August, some funding was made available to schools to send a teacher to the Simon Crook Physics workshop at Xavier Catholic College Ballina. Since that announcement, a range of other Stage 6 Science workshops has been advertised by Simon which may better suit school needs. Schools may fund one teacher to send to any one of the workshops in their local area. Additional staff members can be funded by the school. Tim Kelly will contact Science Leaders of Learning with details of the workshops and how to claim funding.
K-6 Science and Technology Units
Teachers are advised that the sample units for Term 3 are now available on the Australian Curriculum site using this link.
Please note that teachers will need to contextualise these units to suit their own setting and students. If you need support with Science and technology planning or teaching, please contact your cluster’s Education Officer or Kate Salmon.
There are a number of staff who have a Working with Children Check expiring during the next school holidays. These staff should make sure that upon renewal their details are provided to the CSO via this link: https://form.jotform.co/80798498515879.
If your renewal details are not provided prior to expiry date then this will affect your employment until you provide the updated details.
Information on employment opportunities within the Diocese of Lismore are available via Positions Vacant.
- Principal - St John’s College, Lismore (closes 22 July)
- Principal - McAuley Catholic College, Grafton (closes 22 July)
- Principal - St Mary’s Primary School, Grafton (closes 22 July)
SEASONS FOR GROWTH - ONLINE RECONNECTOR WORKSHOPS
Trained SEASONS FOR GROWTH companions have the opportunity to participate in an online Reconnector workshop. This is to ensure that all staff who deliver the program in our Diocese are accredited companions with Good Grief.
7-12 PDHPE COLLABORATIVE NETWORK 2019 PCN71201
This two-day workshop is designed for the Leaders of PDHPE. The focus will be on implementation of the new curriculum and the leadership required to ensure that teachers adopt quality pedagogical approaches that promote learning and achieve the aims and objectives of the syllabus.
- 6-7 August: McAuley Catholic College, Grafton
HIGHLY ACCOMPLISHED AND LEAD TEACHER (HALT) ACCREDITATION INFORMATION MEETING 2019 HAALTHA
Attendees will be given an overview of CSO HALT policy. The resources provided will also aid in beginning the process of voluntary accreditation at the higher levels.
- 30 July: Invercauld House, Lismore 4.00-5.30pm
- 31 July: Catholic Schools Office Annex, Coffs Harbour 4.00-5.30pm
- 6 August: St Joseph’s Regional College, Port Macquarie 4.00-5.30pm
ASPIRING WOMEN LEADERS - 2 HOUR WORKSHOPS (open to all staff)
Whether you are an aspiring leader or simply a leader in your own life, these 2 hour workshops address issues confronting all women. Both Virtual and Face-to-face workshops available.
Radiate Confidence - Explore the neuroscience behind women and confidence, quieting the inner critic and conquering self-doubt to advance their career path
Influence your career - Waving a wand won’t make a dream opportunity magically appear. It takes asking for what you want and being bold!
ASPIRING WOMEN LEADERS - 1 DAY MID-TERM RETREAT (open to all staff)
Participate in one, two, three or four of the workshops on offer during this face to face retreat day on 18 July 2019.
Register your Expression of Interest for this event via My Learning and select your mix of workshop options available.
ASPIRING WOMEN LEADERS - 2 DAY MID-TERM 7 HABITS RETREAT (open to all staff)
No matter how competent a person is, they will not have sustained lasting success unless they are able to effectively lead themselves, influence, engage and collaborate with others, and continually improve and renew their capabilities. These elements are at the heart of personal, team, and organizational effectiveness. Participants not only learn to be more effective, but also how to use processes and tools to live and apply the 7 Habits everyday.
The small group 2 day retreat format will allow for greater opportunity for personal reflection and group discussion than ordinarily afforded in the standard 2 day program. Register your Expression of Interest for this event via My Learning.
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