THE WAY (Term 1 Week 5 - 22 February 2021)
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Bicentenary of Catholic Education in Australia
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Announcements
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Beacon - a cyber safety educational app
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Vegetable Week & The Big Vegie Crunch - Primary Schools
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Learning and Innovation Grants
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Maintenance of Proficient Teacher Accreditation
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ACU Graduate Certificate in Education (Highly Accomplished and Lead Educational Practice)
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Seeking Student Art Across the Diocese Term 1 2021
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Teacher Expert Network
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Interstate Teachers
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Family School & Community Partnerships
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Positions Vacant
Today marks the national (virtual) launch of the Bicentenary of Catholic Education in Australia. National Catholic education Executive Director Jacinta Collins said the bicentennial celebrations recognise the enormous contribution of Catholic schools in Australia.
“Over 200 years Catholic schools have educated millions of Australian students,” Ms Collins said. “We have grown alongside the government sector in ensuring the education of generations of young people, and have contributed to the development of individuals, local communities, and the economic and social fabric of this nation.”
“Australian Catholic schools have a long and proud tradition of delivering high-quality, faith-based education. Our graduates have made, and continue to make, a significant contribution in business, civic and public life, sport, performing and creative arts, community services, and all facets of society.
“The bicentenary is an opportunity to celebrate those who have served in Catholic education since its earliest days; the contribution of religious institutes, clergy and lay people in the foundation of schools in cities, rural and remote parts of Australia; and the continuity of this mission with the leaders, staff, families and the wider Church community today. We look forward with great hope and faith in the future of Catholic schools by continuing to respond to our mission of meeting the educational and spiritual needs of young people and our communities.”
“As we celebrate 200 years of Catholic education in Australia, we recognise and pay respect to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, the First Australians and first educators of this land. They have educated their children for tens of thousands of years and make a significant and valued contribution to our school communities and the cultural and spiritual heritage of Australia.
“We also acknowledge that throughout our 200-year history we have not always lived up to our mission to safeguard the wellbeing of the children and young people in our care. We recognise these failings and are committed to ensure Catholic schools are safe and life-giving places for all students.”
A national prayer has been written and was launched at the NCEC Virtual Symposium in October 2020. It is available on the 200 years website.
A pastoral letter on Catholic education was released by the Australian Catholic Bishops at the national launch of the bicentennial celebrations today by Chair of the Bishops Commission for Catholic Education, Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP. The pastoral letter is attached below.
Throughout the year the SEACS team will keep you updated with news and events for the celebrations within the Diocese of Lismore as well as national events. The Media and Communications team are in the process of creating 200 year celebration posters for each school. These will be distributed to schools next week.
Staff Farewell
Peter McWilliam, Finance Services Consultant has announced his intention to retire with his last day of work being Friday 30 April 2021. Peter commenced at the Catholic Schools Office in August 1991.
Joe Foley, Project Officer has announced that he will be resigning from his position effective Friday 5 March 2021. Joe commenced at the Catholic Schools Office in June 2019.
Paula McDougall, My Learning & NESA Officer has announced that she will be resigning from her position effective Thursday 1 April 2021. Paula commenced at the Catholic Schools Office in January 2014.
Kate Noble, Recruitment Administration has announced that she will be resigning from her position effective Friday 12 March 2021. Kate commenced at the Catholic Schools Office in January 2020.
We thank Peter, Joe, Paula and Kate for their commitment and contribution to Catholic education in the Diocese of Lismore.
Telethon Kids Institute and Bankwest have launched Beacon - a cyber safety educational app designed to keep parents and carers up to date with trusted, tailored information, to help keep their kids safe online. Beacon will shine a light on the online world with:
- Articles and videos backed by the latest research
- Tailored content and alerts, unique to your family needs
- Create your own family agreement
- Help and services that are available to you and your family
Vegetable Week, featuring the event ‘The Big Vegie Crunch,’ is a free, quick and easy school-based event for NSW primary schools, funded by NSW Health. Vegetable Week 2021 will run from Monday 15 March to Friday 19 March, with The Big Vegie Crunch held at 10am on Thursday 18 March.
To register your school and access resources go to https://healthy-kids.com.au/teachers/vegetable-week-the-big-vegie-crunch/
Learning and Innovation Grants of $10,000 have been offered to five schools (from 18 applications) to 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 our Catholic schools and a snapshot of the five successful schools is listed in the project summary. These grants aim to enhance the current curriculum and focus on innovative instructional techniques. The projects will be run with consultation, and in collaboration with, the Innovation & Learning Consultant throughout the 2021 school year. See the attached for details of the successful schools and their projects.
NESA has updated the Maintenance of Accreditation Policy. Last week teachers were asked to view NESA’s presentation about updated maintenance requirements. The following presentation will further articulate Maintenance requirements for Proficient Teachers during NESA’s transition arrangements.
Please see the attached flyer. Some important points to note:
- The course is a standalone graduate certificate HOWEVER it can also articulate into Masters Education or Masters Educational Leadership offering 40cp towards a 120 cp Masters.
- The course is offered remotely – online and in a zoon or teams environment on a regular basis so that the group can connect and support each other – this was an important part of the course development so that it was accessible to regional teachers.
- The course is very practical and students will complete it with documentation developed through their assessments that will contribute to an application at higher levels and a deeper understanding of the work required to produce evidence of impact at the higher levels.
- The course has been written with accredited HALTs and accredited HALTs will contribute to lectures and feedback to assessments.
- Successful HALT applications will also be given prior recognition by the university further contributing to the completion of a masters without making the choice between HALT and Masters
If you are interested, please have a conversation with your Principal about how your work is evidencing the Standards at highly accomplished or lead teacher, your openness to post-graduate study and pursuing HALT accreditation. When you have your Principal’s approval, please email Leisa Fisher by 5pm Monday, 22 February 2021 with a brief expression of interest, including your phone number. The TAA will then forward potential candidate details to CSNSW.
Have you given your students an opportunity to share their artistic creativity?
You can involve your school in the art display which is curated for the Catholic Schools Office (CSO). The artwork will be displayed at Presentation House Lismore, CSO Annex Coffs Harbour, Invercauld House Goonellabah and it is proposed that the art will also be displayed at the CSO Annex Port Macquarie at a future date.
Would you like your student’s art shared nationally in the Student Art on Display catalogue? This catalogue goes to all schools and Parishes in our Diocese and Australian Catholic Schools Offices.
We are especially requesting your involvement if you haven’t participated in this program. Please consider contributing.
Easy to do:
- Select 8 original artworks, either 2D or 3D
- Student Label-name, year level, title, materials used
- Delivery-arrangements can be made by emailing Jan Seymour
- Please complete this form 2021 Sem 1 CSO Student Art Display Expression of Interest by Monday 1 March (Term 1 Week 6) so Jan Seymour can coordinate the collection of artwork from your school before Friday 19 March (Term 1 week 8).
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.
Congratulations to the staff from the Diocese who will be involved with NESA ensuring that teacher voice is part of the redevelopment of the curriculum.
- Alarna Garthon (primary) St Joseph’s Primary School, Kempsey
- Sharon De Dassel (primary) St Francis Xavier Primary School, Woolgoolga
- Jessica Sheather (primary) St Mary’s Primary School, Bowraville
- Marlaina Garcia (secondary) St John’s College, Lismore
- Magenta Kerr (secondary) St Paul’s College, Kempsey
- Nadine Connolly (secondary) St Mary’s Catholic College, Casino
Research has revealed that high performing schools have high levels of parent engagement. To learn more about the benefits of family and school partnerships watch this short 5 minute video in which Dr George Otero presents some of the compelling reasons why school communities should invest in relationships. Access the video by clicking the Rationale video icon on the Family School & Community Partnership domain on the intranet.
Information on employment opportunities within the Diocese of Lismore are available via Positions Vacant.
Catholic Schools Office
- Finance Operations Manager
- Finance Planning and Reporting Manager
- Risk Manager
- Systems Accountant
- Project Accountant
- Transformation Team Support
- Child Protection Practitioner
School Based
- School Counsellor - St James' Primary School, Yamba
- School Counsellor - Our Lady Help of Christians Primary School, Lismore South
- School Counsellor - Holy Family Catholic Primary School, Skennars Head
- School Counsellor - St Joseph's Primary School, Coraki
- Student Support Worker - St Joseph’s Primary School, Woodburn
- Student Support Worker - St Carthage’s Primary School, Lismore