THE WAY (Term 3 Week 1 - 12 July 2021)
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Message from the Director of Catholic Schools
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Message from the Director of Catholic Schools (COVID-19)
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FOR ACTION
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NAPLAN: Student Growth Matching Data and Reports
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FOR INFORMATION
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Catholic Earthcare Youth Summit 2021
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Accreditation at Proficient Teacher
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Accreditation at Proficient Teacher
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Maintenance of Proficient Teacher - Professional Development
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Schools Plus - Smart Giving
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RAS Foundation Rural Scholarships
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Be Inspired Bursary for Regional Teachers
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HRIS Recruitment Software - PageUp
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SALT Compliance Software
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Working with Children Check Process Delays
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Positions Vacant
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My Learning
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever (Hebrews 13:8)
In the early 1960s, Bob Dylan penned a song, "The Times They Are A-Changin", and since its release, the song has been an anthem for change for people all over the world. Over the school holiday period, the following lines from Dylan's song have been on a loop in my head as we continue to navigate our way through the current COVID situation and prepare for Term 3:
"And you better start swimming
Or you'll sink like a stone
For the times they are a-changin'"
Things never stay the same but COVID has forced rapid change upon us over the last 15 months whether we like it or not. Leadership consultant and author Peter Drucker once said, "Everybody has accepted by now that change is unavoidable. But that still implies that change is like death and taxes — it should be postponed as long as possible and no change would be vastly preferable. But in a period of upheaval, such as the one we are living in, change is the norm."
During Term 3, let us have the courage to maintain focus on the change we need to achieve and wisdom to seek out opportunities in the challenges ahead.
"May God shield you in every steep place. May Christ steady you on every rough path. May the Spirit go with you through every dark pass." (Ancient Celtic Blessing)
We will be returning to Term 3 as planned. Due to the current COVID situation, there are some additional guidelines and restrictions to which we must adhere. Details of these have been emailed to Principals and are also available on the Intranet.
These guidelines recommend that all staff wear masks. I acknowledge that this is not ideal in the classroom environment and understand if you feel that wearing a mask in the classroom may act as an impairment to how you would normally deliver your lessons and interact with your students. I would like to reiterate that mask wearing for teachers is a recommendation and is not mandatory and that you must feel both safe and comfortable in your classrooms. I do ask that you consider modelling adherence to the mask wearing recommendations in staff rooms, staff meetings and other indoor areas of the school.
Students are required to to wear masks on public transport and indoor public venues. The current recommendations also include mask wearing for students over the age of 12 years old in school. Mask wearing is a student’s choice and Staff are not required to police student mask wearing at school.
I thank you again for your continued dedication to our students, families and schools as we navigate the current situation.
ACARA has emailed a list of students to the NAPLAN Coordinator in each Year 7-12 school with a request to confirm their details. In each case, the students on the list could not be matched from one test to the other (with adequate certainty) to provide NAPLAN Growth.
Please complete the spreadsheet which was emailed to your school and return to the CSO Audit and Compliance Officer, Andrew Madden by Friday, 16 July.
The 2021 NAPLAN results are on track to be available to schools in August as usual.
Catholic Earthcare, a program of Caritas Australia, is inviting students in Years 10 - 12 from across NSW and the ACT to its Earthcare Youth Summit. This event will be held virtually and will be hosted by Mount St Benedict College (Broken Bay Diocese) on 27 August 2021. The Summit aims to engage senior students in discussion on environmental issues and how they can live sustainably. The attached flyer contains further information and contact details.
Congratulations to Dianne Caspersz (St Anthony's Primary School, Kingscliff), Thomas McQueen (St Joseph's College, Banora Point), Karrie Furchtman (St Mary's Primary School, Casino), Kate Duncan (St Joseph's Primary School, Maclean), Elaine Hempsell (St Joseph's Regional College, Port Macquarie), Shauna Ellis (casual teacher), Ashleigh Bailey (St Mary’s Catholic College, Casino) and Kandis Hoffman (St Mary’s Catholic College, Casino) on becoming accredited as Proficient teachers.
We acknowledge their great work and that of their Mentors, and the broader support of their school community in this process.
Attendees of the Graduate Formation Program - Day 4, please refer to the attached memo regarding your accreditation.
Please refer to the attached memo regarding Maintenance of Proficiency and Professional Development.
Eligible schools can receive funding for a strategic project designed to improve student outcomes. A Smart Giving Grant provides schools with funding of up to $30,000 for individual schools or $60,000 for clusters of 4-10 schools and strategic support to help with project design, implementation and evaluation. To be eligible to apply, schools must have an ICSEA value below 1000. Further eligibility criteria is detailed in the application guidelines. Applications for the 2021 Grant Round open 12 July and close 20 August.
Applications are now open for Royal Agricultural Society of NSW Foundation (RASF) Rural Scholarships.
The RASF encourages applications from NSW students of any age across a diverse range of tertiary courses with a focus on playing a part in shaping the future of rural and regional NSW.
Scholarships of up to $6,000 for full-time or up to $3,000 for part-time study are available. Students can be studying at university, TAFE or college, and can be on campus or via distance education.
Click here to find out more and apply. Applications close 5 September 2021.
(Ref: 178/21)
Are you a regional science educator who wants to celebrate the excitement of science, scientific discovery, and science education?
The Be Inspired bursary was established to provide an opportunity for regional science teachers to attend NSW Science Teachers Association 2021 National Science Week celebrations. These high-profile events recognise science and educational advancements in Australia and celebrate the dedication of science teachers across New South Wales. Supported by Inspiring Australia, the Be Inspired bursaries are providing a unique opportunity for regional science educators to attend these celebrations.
There are FIVE bursaries available up to the value of $1000. These bursaries are to be used to attend ONE of the following NSW Science Teachers Association National Science Week celebrations.
- Aboriginal Astronomy Cruise
- Propelled by Science: A Provocative Talk Fest
- 70’s Dinner Party at the Museum
- Family Fun Day at the Zoo
- Propelled by Science: The Future of Energy
Bursaries will provide funding for event registration, travel costs, accommodation, and/or teacher relief to the value of $1000.
Closing Date: Midnight Sunday, 18 July 2021
For more information visit the website.
The Catholic Schools Office has moved to using recruitment software called PageUp. As of Monday, 28 June, all new positions being advertised including casual applications will go through this process.
MyProfile is no longer available for Registration of Employment.
Changes to the Positions Vacant Page and how to apply as an existing staff member.
A new Internal Positions Vacant page is now available for existing staff. It is accessed through the intranet, then select School Services, Recruitment and Positions Vacant – internal site.
Internal applicants who apply via this page will have access to an application form designed for existing staff. If you are not logged in it will default to the external page.
This page mirrors the external page however positions advertised only within your school or the Diocese will only be found here.
The Positions Vacant Page now includes new functions:
- Job Search and Search Filters – e.g. job type, location.
- Subscribe to Job Alerts - notified of any positions advertised in your selected location or job type.
Update completed 28 June 2021
You will notice a few changes next time you login to your SALT Compliance Modules. Attached is the User Guide.
If you have any issues, please create a helpdesk assigned to Self Administered Legal Training.
This is because the National Police Checking Service has been experiencing an unusually high use of their checking system.
To find out more about this issue, go to: https://www.ocg.nsw.gov.au/about-us/news/delays-in-processing-applications
Information on employment opportunities within the Diocese of Lismore are available via the intranet Recruitment page.
CATHOLIC SCHOOLS OFFICE
- Human Services Administration Assistant
SCHOOL
- Assistant Principal – Mission, Mary Help of Christians Primary School Sawtell
- Assistant Principal – Mission, Mackillop College Port Macquarie
- Assistant Principal – Pastoral Care, St John Paul College, Coffs Harbour
- Assistant Principal – Pastoral Care, St Joseph’s Regional College, Port Macquarie
- Literacy and Numeracy Instructional Leader, Mount St John Primary School, Dorrigo
Staff are reminded to register for all professional learning courses through the My Learning site. The site has the facility to recommend courses to others. This will be potentially useful for Principals and Assistant Principals who wish to recommend staff to register for particular courses.
Staff are reminded that the closing date for courses is five working days prior to the course.
To register, please visit My Learning.
7-12 Leader of Curriculum Video Conference Term 3 2021 - 21CSO-71LOCZ2
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 the Leaders of Curriculum.
- 11 August 2021 via Zoom