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- Going Deeper
- TEDx2019: St Joseph's Primary School, Port Macquarie
- Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop – Penola Retreat & Pilgrimage 2019
- ‘Empowering the Daughters’ Immersion 2020 – Phillipines
- Los Angeles Religious Education Congress 2020
- PROJECT NEW EARTH: A STEM Design Project for Primary Students and their Teachers
- 2020 Lismore Diocesan Primary and Secondary Convener/Manager Nominations
- Catholic Educators invited to apply for $20000 Research Fellowship
- 2019 Australian Curriculum Conference
- KEEPING TRACK OF, and HOW TO EVALUATE your NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) registered Professional Development (PD)
- Implementing the HSC Minimum Standard
- National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) Online Update
- ACER PAT Testing: Reading and Mathematics
- Bonus ACER Vocabulary Test
- Anytime Fitness Gyms
- Aspiring Women Leaders
- RAS Foundation Rural Scholarships
- Positions Vacant
- My Learning
This week we take a look at the last of the four ‘ism’ “pluralism” in our exploration of factors of the modern classroom.
The documents state “The extreme pluralism pervading contemporary society leads to behaviour patterns which are at times so opposed to one another as to undermine any idea of community identity. Rapid structural changes, profound technical innovations and the globalization of the economy affect human life more and more throughout the world.” (The Catholic School on the threshold of the Third Millennium 1)
Technological innovations have had an enormous impact on education, and upon young people. Social media, gaming and the explosion of available content have profoundly reshaped the experience of being a human person in the 21st Century. How might we address this issue of pluralism, community and complexity…we can begin by reminding ourselves of the beautiful line of Hebrews 13 ‘Jesus Christ is the same yesterday today and forever’ .
To learn more click here.
TEDx2019: St Joseph's Primary School, Port Macquarie
Mrs Sarah Blundell, Mrs Emma Francis and Mrs Jeannine Ucdereli supported students at the Glasshouse as they shared their skills and understanding of a range of technology, including stop motion video, coded beebots and Edison Robots, Makey Makeys, Scratch and 3D printing. Many in the community were fascinated by the skills and explanations demonstrated by the students.
“It was a great opportunity to talk to some of our local Secondary Schools and hear about how they had recently competed internationally in Robotics. It was nice to be able to interact and share my own learning from school with adults.”
“I really enjoyed looking through the microscope at the algae that is found in our rivers and oceans. The microscope made it look so big and I could see more detail. I really enjoyed creating the circuit to play a game”.
“I really liked working on the Stop Motion animation with clay at our St. Joseph’s stand. I liked this because I could move things around and it came together to make one word. I made the word STEM. I liked the Virtual Reality Goggles which took me on ride on a rollercoaster”.
“I liked talking to people and sharing information about what we do at school. People found it very cool to learn about what we had displayed.”
St Joseph’s Primary School, Port Macquarie has committed to embedding innovative pedagogy and practices, particularly those related to Digital Technologies and STEM, into teaching and learning programs to improve student engagement and outcomes. The school continue to enhance its culture of learning, building on student capacity in collaboration, communication, critical thinking and creativity.
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Sarah Blundell - St Joseph's Primary School, Port Macquarie
Email: sarah.blundell@lism.catholic.edu.au
Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop – Penola Retreat & Pilgrimage 2019
Expressions of Interest (EOI) are invited from Assistant Principals and Assistant Principals Mission and Leaders of School Evangelisation and Leaders of Catechesis to apply for participation in the Diocese of Lismore, Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop, Penola Pilgrimage, beginning on Sunday 15 September 2019 and concluding on Thursday 19 September 2019. The Retreat & Pilgrimage is open to 7 participants.
Please direct any questions to Helen Hunter.
EOI close on Friday 9 August 2019. See attachment for more information.
Submit your EOI via this link.
‘Empowering the Daughters’ Immersion 2020 – Phillipines
One of the formation experiences offered to staff to build capacity of ‘Head, Heart & Hands’, is the opportunity to undertake the Cabuyao Immersion Experience, 12–21 January 2020, as part of Fr Nonong Fajardo’s Empowering the Daughters Project in the Philippines. This group will consist of a Parish Priest, one Catholic Schools Office Representative, one Principal, three teachers and two female Youth Ministry Officers.
Expressions of Interest (EOI) are called for participation in this Immersion opportunity. EOIs are welcomed from current leaders and potential future leaders and should be endorsed by the Principal and Parish Priest.
EOI Proforma: Cabuyao Immersion Experience EOI Proforma
EOI Close Date: 23 August 2019
Read LessLos Angeles Religious Education Congress 2020
Expressions of Interest (EOI) are called for participation in an opportunity to help enhance Catholic Identity in Parish Secondary and Primary Schools in the Diocese of Lismore. EOIs are welcomed from current leaders and potential future leaders.
The Los Angeles Religious Education Congress, held on 20-23 February 2020, is one of the premier conferences of its type in the world and the Catholic Schools Office is offering a small number of scholarships. These scholarships are offered to build capacity in schools in the following areas:
- Catholic Identity and Mission (Proclaim Lismore 2013-2020)
- Catechesis and Religious Education and/or School Evangelisation
- School Improvement – Catholic Culture (Foundational Values/measured in DOLSIS)
EOIs should be endorsed by the Principal and Parish Priest and should address a future project that emerges from the learning. On completion of the Congress a report and input for the school should be discussed with the School Leadership Team, School Service Consultant and SEACS Consultant.
For further information regarding the Congress visit http://www.recongress.org/
Please submit your EOI Proforma by 30 August 2019.
Read LessPROJECT NEW EARTH: A STEM Design Project for Primary Students and their Teachers
Following the hugely successful collaboration with the Diocese of Wollongong in 2018: Project Stay Afloat, we are excited to invite participation on the new STEM challenge project for 2019.
Aligned to the 2019 National Science Week theme, Destination Moon, is this year's STEM challenge. The collaborative project will run throughout Term 3, and will involve working and talking with a school in the Wollongong Diocese during National Science Week (10-18 August 2019) and throughout the term.
This year's project has been structured to allow for greater participation across K-6. Schools have the flexibility to choose how they would like to participate. There are strong links to the K-6 Science and Technology syllabus, as well as the Cross Curriculum Priority of Sustainability.
To register for Project New Earth and participate in the Connected Classrooms component of the project, please complete the registration form.
For more information, please visit the Project New Earth website. New resources are being developed for this project, so keep an eye on the website for updates.
Need more information or support with your project, contact Greg Dwyer, Education Officer (Learning Services).
Read Less2020 Lismore Diocesan Primary and Secondary Convener/Manager Nominations
Expressions of interest are invited for interested and qualified teachers for Lismore Diocesan sport conveners and team managers for 2020.
To provide your expression of interest:
- Visit the Lismore Diocesan sports website.
- Password: SportStaff. This section of the website is for Lismore Diocesan staff only. Please do not provide this password to students, parents or carers.
- Select “Registrations” from the drop-down list provided.
- PRIMARY: Complete the form “Lismore Diocesan Primary Convener/Manager Nominations for 2020”. Nominations close Friday 23 August, 2019.
SECONDARY: Complete the form “Lismore Diocesan Secondary Convener/Manager Nominations for 2020”. Nominations close Friday 13 September, 2019.
Catholic Educators invited to apply for $20000 Research Fellowship
Catholic school leaders, teachers and administrators are invited to apply for the chance to travel abroad to research an important subject of their choice. Now in its sixth year, the annual Brother John Taylor Fellowship provides up to $20,000 in travel and expenses for an employee of a Catholic school or an associated body to study and write about a topic that addresses schooling priorities or challenges facing Catholic education.
The Fellowship, offered by Catholic Schools NSW (CSNSW), promotes excellence from within the Catholic teaching profession by building a library of research for all Catholic educators to draw upon.
For more information, see the media release and poster or head to our website to submit your application.
Read Less2019 Australian Curriculum Conference
Registrations are now open for 2019 Australian Curriculum Conference.
Theme: Achieving educational excellence through student empowerment, engagement and enrichment.
Event Details: 6-7 September 2019 at the Melbourne Zoo.
The call to action of the https://www.conference.acsa.edu.au/ ‘Through Growth to Achievement’ education review highlights the urgent need for educators and education systems to ensure that Australian students receive a world-class education that empowers, engages and enriches. ACSA's 2019 conference will explore the key priorities identified that challenge a sustained, long-term and coordinated improvement effort based on shared ambition, action and accountability.
Read LessWhen you complete a NESA Registered PD course, the PD provider will upload your participation to your PD log in your online account within 30 days. If a NESA Registered PD course does not appear after 30 days, please follow up with the provider to ensure they have your correct details.
You need to evaluate NESA Registered Professional Development (PD) for it to be attributed to your PD requirements. To do this:
- log in to your NESA online account
- expand the Maintenance of Accreditation link in the left hand menu and click Registered PD
- click on the course you wish to evaluate.
For more information, view the How-to video guide on evaluating NESA Registered PD in the eTAMS Help section.
Read LessImplementing the HSC Minimum Standard
NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) have developed eight online modules to support secondary school teachers with their understanding of the HSC minimum standard.
The modules are online, free and can be accessed at any time.
- Gain a better understanding of the requirement to demonstrate a minimum standard of literacy and numeracy for the HSC from 2020.
- Build you knowledge about the implications for students and teaching practice.
- Designed for secondary school teachers, eight online learning modules are available to complete at your own pace in Schools Online.
Completion of each module contributes 2 hours of NESA Registered Professional Development to maintaining Proficient Teacher accreditation in NSW. Modules can be accessed here.
Read LessNational Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) Online Update
As a result of an Australia Education Council meeting in Melbourne on 28 June the following Press Release NAPLAN Review has been distributed. Please note the extended year for transition does not apply to our diocesan schools, nor any schools that have already moved to the NAPLAN Online format. The Press Release is in relation to the Federal Government not supporting a full review of NAPLAN, as proposed by New South Wales at Education Council.
Please refer to the attached memo that contains updates to NAPLAN Online.
ACER PAT Testing: Reading and Mathematics
A reminder that as part of our system agreement for the provision of PAT testing for reading and mathematics, it is requested that schools operate within the protocols as outlined here. PAT assessments are to be administered once per year, in the first four weeks of Term 4. The testing period in early Term 4 allows for a data capture at a time of year that will compliment NAPLAN data which will be released in June when we fully transition to NAPLAN Online.
As we transition into a system testing window, schools do have the flexibility in 2019 to test at any time of year. In 2020, the testing window for PAT Reading and PAT Maths will be in the first four weeks in Term 4.
For support with the administration of PAT assessments, or the analysis of data at a school or cohort level, please contact Christy Ismay, Education Officer (Learning Services).
As of Monday 15 July, all schools will have automatic access to the PAT Vocabulary Skills assessment through their online account. The Vocabulary Skills assessment focuses on the role vocabulary plays in reading comprehension and minimises other reading comprehension skills. The reading load in the assessment is light and the tasks involve single words, single sentences or very short texts.
This trial is available to schools for the whole of Term 3 at no cost. Schools can access the support documentation via the ‘Help’ tab within their individual OARS account via Help > Progressive Achievement (PAT) > Vocabulary Skills, or by contacting Christy Ismay.
For any ACER/PAT related enquiries, please contact Christy Ismay, Education Officer (Learning Services).A number of staff have contacted the Catholic Schools Office (CSO) in recent times to inquire as to whether our system of schools could be registered with Fitness Passport, a corporate health and fitness program. The CSO has spoken with Fitness Passport and unfortunately they are not in a position to offer a program for our workforce.
The CSO however, is pleased to announce that we have negotiated a corporate discount with Anytime Fitness (www.anytimefitness.com.au). Anytime Fitness gyms are located across all main areas of our Diocese. Local branches in Tweed Heads, Goonellabah, Coffs Harbour, Grafton, Kempsey and Port Macquarie have offered all Diocesan school and CSO employees discounted weekly rates. You simply need to attend the club in person, let them know your place of employment and sign up for membership.
If you have any questions, please contact Toby Wongkruth (Ph 02 6627 6260).
It was a delight to have over 120 women attend the Aspiring Women Leaders networking event late last term. Designed by the Workplace Gender Equity Committee (WGEC) to celebrate female leadership that currently exists in the Diocese, and by sharing their stories to support, inspire and empower other women in their own leadership journey.
The evening was open to all female staff, given that we are all, each and every one of us, leaders and important role models, and was a wonderful opportunity to come together and connect with other women in education over a glass of wine, and generated valuable conversation from the group. This event has been followed by a series of Aspiring Women Leaders mid-term networking days over the recent term break and after hours workshops to be held during term 3.
To find out more about the WGEC or any of the Aspiring Women Leaders training opportunities, visit the Catholic Schools Office intranet.
Read LessRAS Foundation Rural Scholarships
The Royal Agricultural Society (RAS) of NSW Foundation invites scholarship applications from students of any age across a diverse range of tertiary courses (including university, TAFE or college) who require a financial helping hand to complete their studies. Applicants should demonstrate a keen interest in community involvement and will be passionate about playing a part in shaping the future of rural and regional NSW.
To find out more, please visit the website. Applications close 31 August 2019.
Recruitment Drive for Teachers in the Northern Territory
Please see the attachment for information on the Annual Recruitment Drive for Teachers in the Northern Territory.
ANT DAY - NCCD WRAP-UP Term 3, 2019 ADNWUT3
These Professional Learning Days are designed to support schools to review their processes and practices around adjustments to Learning and Teaching as well as methods used to record the evidence of adjustments. It will be underpinned by sound knowledge and understanding of school obligations under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (DDA) and the Standards that assist schools in understanding and implementing the NCCD.
- ANT Day South - 20 August: Opal Cove Resort, Coffs Harbour
- ANT Day North - 21 August: Invercauld House, Goonellabah
PEER 2 PEER LEARNING ENVIRONMENT (P2P LE) 2019 P2PLEPL
This professional learning is for years 7-12 teachers who wish to become trained observers in Peer 2 Peer Learning Environment. It is best suited to teachers that have been identified as having high quality and effective communication and behaviour management skills. Trained observers are expected to be an ongoing resource to provide peer observations and feedback. It is a pre-requisite that teachers have completed training in the Micro Skills for Classroom Management prior to this course.
- 7 & 8 August, 5 September: St Joseph's College, Banora Point
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, Goonellabah 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
GOOGLE DRAWINGS - THE UNDERUTILISED GOOGLE SUITE TOOL 2019 – GDTUST07
This online credentialled short course is conducted over a two-week period and is open to all staff and will provide eligible teachers with THREE hours of accreditation with NESA.
- Online Course Commences: Friday 2 August 2019
- Online Course Finishes: Friday 16 August 2019
STAGE 2 MATHEMATICS PLANNING & ASSESSMENT WORKSHOPS 2019 S2MPAAW01
This workshop is for Stage 2 classroom teachers in each cluster. It will support the collaborative planning and design of Mathematics learning and teaching programs with a focus on assessment.
- 14 August: Clarence Cluster, Coffs Harbour
- 15 August: Nambucca Cluster, Macksville
- 19 August: Hastings Cluster, Port Macquarie
- 27 August: Tweed Cluster, Kingscliff
- 28 August: Coastal Cluster, Lismore
- 29 August: Richmond Cluster, Lismore
LIBRARY NETWORK WORKSHOP 2019 LNW2
The Library Network Workshop is a full-day workshop delivered by the Diocesan Library Network Committee members, and is intended for a staff member from each school library in the Diocese to deepen their knowledge and understanding.
- 7 August: North, Lismore
- 14 August: South, Port Macquarie
JIM KNIGHT INSTRUCTIONAL COACHING 2019 JKIC03
Instructional Coaching is a 2 day course aimed at supporting the work of Leaders of Pedagogy, Instructional Leaders and Assistant Principals in their work as Instructional Coaches in schools. The role of Instructional Coaches or Leaders in schools is to build a partnership to develop evidence-based teaching practices. These roles must work "shoulder to shoulder" in the classroom to model and observe classroom practice and to support reflection and professional conversation.
- 22 & 23 August: Lismore
7-12 LEADER OF CURRICULUM VIDEO CONFERENCE TERM 3 2019 LOCT3
This workshop will provide Leaders of Curriculum with the opportunity to discuss important issues including changes to curriculum, data and whole-school initiatives. The agenda will be co-constructed by Leaders of Curriculum.
- 20 August: CSO Lismore and various Video Conference facilities
K-6 PDHPE NEW SYLLABUS 2019 K6PNS1901
Primary schools in the Diocese of Lismore will be implementing the new K-6 PDHPE syllabus in 2020. So that schools are fully prepared for this new syllabus, each school is invited to send a team of teachers to the K-6 PDHPE Leadership Day in Week 8 of Term 3.
The target audience for this leadership day is: One key member of the Leadership Team (AP Teaching and Learning or Leader of Pedagogy), one teacher with expertise and/or interest in the PDHPE learning area and one other teacher who may have expertise in Physical Education or hold a leadership role in the area of Sport.
- 10 September: South - Opal Cove Resort, Coffs Harbour
- 11 September: North - Invercauld House, Goonellabah