THE WAY (Term 3 Week 2 - 19 July 2021)
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FOR ACTION
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Contemplative Prayer Retreat
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FOR INFORMATION
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Announcements
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Learning STEM through Play at St John’s Primary School, Mullumbimby
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Maintenance of Proficient Teacher
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Australian Education Ministers' Considered Improvements for NAPLAN and 2021 Results
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CSNSW Online Teaching & Learning Resources Portal
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HSC Changes for Drama - COVID Update: Drama – Individual Project
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Vinnies Winter Sleepout Online
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Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service - Thank you for your support
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COVID Update
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WHS advice on wearing reusable masks
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Warning on myGov phishing scams
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Positions Vacant
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My Learning
A two-day Contemplative Prayer Retreat is being offered in the Diocese of Lismore to all staff who desire to enrich their personal prayer life using contemplative approaches which embrace the elements of Stillness, Silence, and Simplicity.
Retreatants will explore the deeper knowledge and understandings of Christian Meditation using the method introduced by Fr John Main, based on the historical experience of the Desert Fathers and Mothers from the early Christian communities. Christian Meditation was first introduced to the Diocese of Lismore in 2014 and during the past 7 years, has continued to become an important daily prayer for many of our students and teachers.
In addition to meditation, other contemplative prayer forms will be experienced including Labyrinths Prayer Journalling and insights from the wisdom of contemporary mystics and sacred scripture. To benefit from the experience, all retreatants are encouraged, where possible, to stay overnight at Invercauld House. You can register via My Learning.
Catholic Schools Office Appointments
Sandie Johnson has been appointed to the position of Project and Administrative Support with the Transformation Team commencing on Monday, 26 July 2021. Sandie is currently working as the Safeguarding Officer at the Chancery.
Trina Gray has been appointed to the position of HR Officer also working with the Transformation Team commencing on Monday, 9 August 2021. Trina is currently employed as a Business Partner in the Human Services department at Southern Cross University.
We congratulate Sandie and Trina on their appointments and look forward to them commencing their roles with the Transformation Team.
School Appointment
Christine Harmer has been appointed to the position of Assistant Principal – Learning and Teaching at MacKillop College, Port Macquarie commencing on Monday, 9 August 2021. Christine is currently employed as the Leader of Pedagogy at St Joseph’s Regional College, Port Macquarie.
We congratulate Christine on her appointment and look forward to her commencement in her new role.
St John's Primary School, Mullumbimby, Kindergarten students designed and made machines to save stranded whales with parents and collaborate with the staff of Sea World. (28 May 2021)
The Kindergarten students of St John's Primary School, Mullumbimby, were given a wonderful opportunity to solve a "real" problem for Sea World Marine Park, Gold Coast, to rescue stranded whales using machines they developed.
The students have been immersed in a Conceptual Playworld, a model of intentional teaching developed by Monash University. Teachers create an imaginary scenario where students are invited to go on imaginary journeys, meet and solve challenges, and learn STEM concepts – all whilst playing.
Using the story The Snail and the Whale by Julia Donaldson as a guide, the students took on the roles of various characters to explore the types of forces needed to move a stranded whale, such as; veterinarians, mathematicians, engineers and construction workers. The teaching staff also took on roles and joined in the play scenario.
Through outdoor play, the students tested the types of forces needed to move heavy objects, developed their designs, tested and changed their plans to build a prototype to save the whale and move it from the beach and back into the ocean.
'I loved extending our learning space to the outdoors and having access to natural materials for STEM investigations. Using quality literature as a stimulus for a STEM inquiry was another positive of the project, and it allowed me to integrate learning across multiple KLA's,' said Kindergarten teacher Ellie Bailey.
'It was great to work alongside Monash University and collaborate with other schools in the Diocese. The students were highly engaged and really loved taking on their roles to solve real issues and collaborate with their peers as they were problem-solving,' stated Naomi O'Dwyer, Leader of Pedagogy.
Feedback from parents was that they loved the opportunity to come into school and see the designs and prototypes the children had constructed.
Comments from students were:
'I loved entering the play world through the magic rainbow tunnel.'
'I loved being able to save the whales.'
'I loved playing outside and building things in the bushes.'
'We loved using force to lift the whale off the beach with ropes.'
The staff from Seaworld were very impressed with the creative problem solving displayed by the Kinder students.
Please refer to the attached memo regarding maintenance of proficiency.
Please refer to the attached Memo regarding the Australian Education Ministers’ Considered Improvements for NAPLAN and 2021 Results.
The CSNSW Online Teaching & Learning Resources Portal has been updated with important announcements and links to resources. They include:
- NSW DoE learning from home resources for your school
- CSSA Trials timetable revised
- Explore Virtual Excursions through NSW DoE DART Learning
- Spotlight on Diverse Learners: Learning from Home for EALD Learners 7-10
- CSNSW’s Open Access Resources
Please visit the CSNSW Online Teaching & Learning Resources Portal to access the above.
We wish you all a safe and smooth return to Term 3 and recognise this is a challenging time for schools in lockdown areas. Please reach out with any questions.
Note: We are committed to getting you connected, so if you need assistance with accessing the portal please email appsupport@csnsw.catholic.edu.au.
Drama students studying ‘Critical analysis – theatre reviews’ who have yet to see four live plays may review filmed versions. They should indicate in their submission that they are reviewing a filmed version of a play.
The Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service, on behalf of Dr Rob Bartolacci, would like to thank staff for their contributions to this important service.
I would like to say a sincere THANK YOU from myself and everyone at the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service, for the amazingly generous support that was given to our End of Financial Year appeal.
I'm pleased to be able to share with you that together we surpassed our fundraising goal of $150,000!
Thanks to the continued generosity from our community, we are proud to have a dedicated team of highly skilled Pilots, Aircrew Officers, NSW Ambulance Paramedics and NSW Health Doctors, who are ready to respond 24-7 for those in need.
We truly cannot do what we do without your support.
Travel to Hotspots and Lockdown Regions
Please be reminded that if you have entered a lockdown or identified hotspot area, you are then required to mirror the lockdown requirements of that area or self isolate for 14 days, whichever is the shortest. You will be required to take Long Service Leave or Leave Without Pay (if you do not have sufficient LSL available) during the self isolation period.
If a hotspot has been declared while you were travelling in a particular area or following your return home you will be required to work from home during your self isolation period and you will continue to be paid.
COVID FAQ’s
COVID FAQ’s are now located on the intranet. These have been developed from the questions from schools. These will be updated as restrictions and requirements change and added to as more information becomes available and questions received. We will indicate above the FAQ’s when items have been updated or added so you can easily see the recent changes.
Staff and students (over the age of 12 years old) are required to wear masks on buses and in public indoor areas. Please follow the NSW Health guidelines for wearing and washing reusable masks - https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/covid-19/Pages/cloth-masks.aspx
The ATO has issued a warning in regards to phishing scams on myGov as there has been an increase in reports of email scams that try to steal personal information. Scammers pretending to be from the 'myGov customer care team' are sending emails that include screenshots of the myGovID app, asking people to verify their identity by clicking on a link.
If you get an email or SMS like this, do not click on any links and do not provide the information requested.
If you receive an SMS or email that looks like it is from myGov, but it contains a link or appears suspicious, you can report it to ScamWatch: https://www.scamwatch.gov.au/get-help/protect-yourself-from-scams
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, 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.
Stage 4 & 5 Mathematics: Planning and Assessment Workshops TERM 3, 2021 21CSO-S45MPA1
This course is for Secondary Mathematics teachers who did not access this course in Term 2. This is a second offering of this online course for Term 3. The Leader of Learning: Mathematics and teachers will collaboratively engage in a Moodle workshop in their own school. Schools can decide on a date to access this learning and can liaise with Jo Hall to secure in-school support if you would like it. You will need to have a confirmed date in Weeks 3 - 8 for this learning when your teams register. The learning supports collaborative planning and design of Mathematics learning and teaching with a focus on Learning Intentions, Success Criteria and Assessment.
Lismore Diocesan Primary Sports Council Meeting 2021 21CSO-LDPSCM1
This meeting is by invitation only. These meetings are held each term with two Zone representatives, Diocesan Principal representative and the Diocesan Sports Coordinator attending.