THE WAY (Term 4 Week 7 - 23 November 2020)
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Good News Story
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Announcements
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Lismore Indigenous Theological Education (LITE) Study Scholarships 2021
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FaCe Teacher Project
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eSafety Free Virtual Lesson - Primary Schools
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Kids Helpline @ School - Free Primary School Lessons
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Information to Support Your School Community
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Where new technology meets pedagogy for the future
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Lucid Software
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The Arts and Innovation Grants Available for 2021
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NESA Random School Inspections
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Inclusive STEM Environments
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Teacher Expert Network (NSW)
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Australian Catholic Super Meetings
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Modern Award Pay Increase
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Positions Vacant
St Brigid’s Primary entered their first ever “Wakakirri”. This is Australia’s largest performing arts event for schools and is open to primary and secondary schools Australia wide. Through the involvement in Wakakirri, it allows all students the opportunity of building confidence, resilience and an appreciation of culture. The entry from St Brigid’s comprised students from Kindergarten to Year 6 who committed to give up much of their own time to be a part of this cultural activity.
“Bushfires Traditionally” was a performance compiled by staff, students and a team of professionals from the schools community. The story shared was based around events happening at the time that students could relate to - namely the fires.
St Brigid's were well supported in our story by Bundjalung Nation’s Indigenous Elders and were privileged to be able to share the cultural story of traditional Indigenous land management practices. To complete this story they were able to combine this year's Wakakirri theme of “The Dragon” which was used as a symbol of the source of the fire.
To watch St Brigid's production of “Bushfires Traditionally” please visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?
We have pleasure in announcing the following appointments to commence 27 January 2021:
School Appointments
Principal
On behalf of Fr James Foster and the Diocese of Lismore Catholic Schools Limited, I am pleased to announce the appointment of David Johns to the position of Principal of St Paul’s College, Kempsey. Mr Johns is currently Assistant Principal at St John Paul II College, Nicholls ACT and has previously held Assistant Principal and Principal positions in the ACT and Northern Territory.
Assistant Principal
Maria Wilson has been appointed to the position of Assistant Principal - Mission at St Joseph’s Primary School, Laurieton. Maria is currently Leader of Evangelisation/Leader of Pedagogy at St Joseph’s Primary School, Wauchope.
CSO Appointments
Kerrin Cronin has been appointed to the position of Learning and Teaching Consultant Primary. Kerrin is currently Professional Officer School Improvement Primary with the Catholic Education Office Wollongong. Kerrin has previously held the positions of Project Officer, Leadership and Professional Growth and Principal at St Michael’s Primary School, Thirroul and Holy Cross Primary School Helensburgh.
The following people have been appointed to the role of Cluster Mentor Coordinator for 2021:
- Carmel Driscoll – North Clarence
- Beth McMillan - Nambucca
- Ann Palmer - Hastings
- Jocelyn Reece – Coastal and Richmond
Expressions of Interest
The Catholic Schools Office is calling for expressions of interest from School Indigenous staff who wish to apply for a Catholic Schools Office Study Scholarship in 2021 within the Wontulp-Bi-Buya College, Cairns. For further information regarding Indigenous Study Scholarships in 2021, please see the attached memorandum.
Expressions of Interest close Friday 15 January 2021: Indigenous Study Scholarships 2021
Please be reminded FaCE Teacher Project applications close Friday, 20 November 2020.
The FaCE Project ensures a quality teaching of Religious Education in the years of disaffiliation of religion, predominantly stages 3 and 4. This includes enabling specialisation in RE knowledge, formation and confidence in contemporary faith issues, pedagogies and methods. Both internal and external research underlines a need for such specialisation.
Detailed information is attached regarding the FaCE Project.
Bookings are available for the 2021 Virtual Lesson Be an eSafe kid: fake news, real harms.
The lesson is designed to test your students' ability to detect fake news. Explore the impact of misinformation online. Get tips on how to find trusted and safe sources of information online and where to go for help if things go wrong.
The target audience is Middle primary & Upper primary.
Lessons are available:
- Monday 8 February 2021 at 9.30 to 10.15am
- Monday 8 February 2021 at 1.30 to 2.15pm
- Wednesday 10 February 2021 at 9.30 to 10.15am
- Thursday 11 February 2021 at 10.30 to 11.15am
- Monday 15 February 2021 at 9.30 to 10.15am
To register your class go to https://register.gotowebinar.com/rt/2123666437861453327
For further information go to https://www.esafety.gov.au/educators/virtual-classroom/be-esafe-kid-fake-news-real-harms
The lessons are evidence-informed and interactive in a fun and engaging way. The Kids Helpline Counsellor can work with your school to tailor each session to the needs of your school or class.
For more information go to https://kidshelpline.com.au/schools/primary
Carer Gateway
Carer Gateway provides practical information to services, free counselling, respite, free coaching, financial support and how to connect with other carers through a community forum. https://www.carergateway.gov.au/
Video https://youtu.be/OVlMMrJTrJM
Young Carers Network
The Young Carers Network is a place for young carers to learn about support services and access resources.
https://youngcarersnetwork.com.au/about
Lifeline Video Counselling
Lifeline with the support of RACV and NRMA, is able to provide a video
counselling service at no cost to those who have been impacted by recent
bushfires and/or COVID-19. No Charge. No referral required. For people aged 18 years and over.
www.lifeline.org.au/community-counselling
Parentline NSW
Parent Line is a free telephone counselling and support service for parents and carers with children aged 0 to 18 who live in NSW. The trained, professional counsellors are available 9.00am to 9.00pm Monday to Friday and 4.00pm to 9.00pm on weekends. Phone number 1300 1300 52
Reachout - Support for Parents of Teenagers
Reachout provides free personalised professional support to help you support your teenagers through a tough time.https://parents.au.reachout.com/one-on-one-support.
Interested in using Virtual Reality? Schools in the diocese are exploring the benefits of Virtual Reality in the classroom. Learn more about why we are using these emerging technologies in the diocese and the successes schools are having: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6NQjXmdedo
See the Digital Technologies intranet page for more information on how to borrow this equipment from the Catholic Schools Office.
Lucid Software is a web-based desktop publishing software application. It is used to create brochures, flyers, newsletters, business cards, posters, magazines and presentations.
Lucidchart is a visual workspace that combines diagramming, data visualisation, and collaboration to accelerate understanding and drive innovation. With this intuitive, cloud-based solution, anyone can learn to work visually and collaborate in real time while building flowcharts, mockups, UML diagrams, and more.
Lucidspark is a virtual whiteboard where collaborators can work together in real time brainstorming ideas to create mind maps and storyboards.
Lucid Software pro licences are available to all staff. Please submit a Helpdesk ticket to request allocation of a pro license.
To learn more about the purpose and place of Lucid Software and understand ways to help students create in the classroom, you can access a Lucid Software webinar here: https://clickv.ie/w/AXRo
Opportunities exist for schools to apply for grants in the areas of the Arts and Innovation.
Learning and Teaching Innovation grants provide an opportunity for teachers and school leaders to accelerate and advance learning in the classroom. These grants are awarded to support an innovative vision of education within Catholic schools. For more information on Innovation grants, and to apply, refer to the links 2021 Learning & Teaching Innovation Grant Overview & Guidelines, and Expression of Interest.
Expressions of Interest for Innovation grants close on Friday, 18 December 2020.
Arts Partnership grants provide the opportunity for diocesan schools to partner with creative professionals such as artists in residence or arts and cultural organisations. For more information on Arts Partnership grants, and to apply, follow this link. Expressions of Interest for Arts grants close on Monday, 8 February 2021.
Information on the 2021 program for schools selected randomly for inspection has been published on the NESA website.
Stakeholders are informed via an Official Notice published in the 9 November edition of the NESA News.
Focus areas for Strand A inspections are:
- Safe and supportive environment – child protection.
- PDHPE (primary).
- Stage 6 assessment policies and procedures that comply with the ACE website and NESA Official Notices (secondary).
Focus areas for Strand B inspections are:
- These inspections will have a focus on the standard of teaching and student engagement:
- consistency between the various elements of the school’s curriculum including NESA syllabus outcomes, scope and sequence, teaching programs, assessment records and samples of student work
- records of teacher reflection and evaluation of the effectiveness of teaching and learning activities.
- HSIE (primary);
- Technology Mandatory and one Stage 5 Technologies elective (secondary); OR
- Stage 6 Mathematics.
For your information, please refer to the following link for resources to support STEM learning: Classroom strategies for inclusive STEM learning environments. The recently launched online guide complements the Girls in STEM Toolkit (the GiST) website.
This information has been produced by Education Services Australia (ESA) and in support of the Australian Government’s vision of an Australian society that provides equal opportunity for people of all genders to learn, work and engage in STEM. The guide is based on The Girls in STEM Toolkit’s Seven principles for gender-inclusive learning environment research that informed the development of the GiST.
To further support classroom application of the Principles, ESA engaged The University of Adelaide to undertake a systematic literature review of recent research on engagement in STEM education with a particular focus on girls and young women. The key research findings were then aligned to The GiST’s Seven Principles for Inclusive STEM Education, resulting in a collection of practical strategies and resources that teachers can use to bring these critical Principles to life and create an engaging and inclusive STEM classroom.
For more information and to access the online version of the guide please visit the GiST website at www.thegist.edu.au
An opportunity presents!
Following the significant curriculum reforms the NSW Government announced on 23 June 2020, the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) has embarked on a programme of reform in consultation with all school sectors.
In recognition of the important role teachers play in this programme of reform, NESA has developed a state-wide teacher engagement model to work with teachers from each of the education sectors across all phases of school. The model is called Teacher Expert Networks (TENs) and it will have a key role in providing advice to NESA during the implementation of the new curriculum.
NESA is requesting teacher nominations from Catholic schools to be part of the TENs programme. Please find attached:
- TENs role description;
- FAQ sheet for the TENs programme.
CSNSW acknowledges that the TENs programme relies on the good will of teachers who will be acting in a voluntary and advisory role. However, it offers a rich experience of professional engagement and cross-sectoral networking, as well as the opportunity to play a vital role in curriculum reform. TENs will also be working with leading national and international experts on this programme.
CSNSW is asking each Diocese to nominate:
- 6 teachers with curriculum expertise (3 primary and 3 secondary);
- 1 teacher who works with ATSI students;
- 1 teacher who works with students with disability;
- 1 EALD teacher.
Please send nominations to Michele McDonald by the COB Friday 27 November.
The individual sessions times available run for up to 30 minutes and can address the following issues:
- Tax benefits of making salary sacrifice contributions
- Understanding the insurance that is provided through your super (life, total & permanent disability & income protection) & options available to change your cover
- Learning about your investment options and making sure you are in the right strategy
- Learning about our different levels of financial advice services, some are at no cost
- Locating lost super and how to consolidate other super funds
- Binding nomination of beneficiaries
- Retirement planning & how to ensure you are saving enough to retire on
To book a phone/skype appointment please click here - Australian Catholic Super Meetings. Once the appointment has been made a calendar invite will be forwarded.
If the time slots or days do not suit, or you have further questions, please contact Rita on Rita.Svensson@catholicsuper.com.au.
Please note that this is open to all employees and not just members of Australian Catholic Super.
Employees covered by the Miscellaneous Award have received a 1.75% increase effective from 9 November 2020.
This increase applies to the gross base salary of people employed in Trainee and YMO positions.
NB: Trainee rates of pay are included in Schedule E - National Training Wage of the Miscellaneous Award.
Information on employment opportunities within the Diocese of Lismore are available via Positions Vacant.
CATHOLIC SCHOOLS OFFICE
- Education Officer - Primary (Coffs Harbour)
- Education Officer – Primary (6 months Maternity Leave) – Expressions of Interest
- Data Integration and Visualisation Officer
- Media and Communications Officer
- Administration/Software Application Support Assistant (Part-time)
- Transformation Manager
SCHOOLS
- Assistant Principal - Learning & Teaching: St Joseph’s Primary School, Woodburn
- Assistant Principal – Mission: St Joseph’s Regional College, Port Macquarie
- Assistant Principal – Learning & Teaching: St Joseph’s Primary School, Port Macquarie
- Assistant Principal – Mission: St Francis Xavier Primary School, Woolgoolga