Filter Content
- Going Deeper
- Announcements
- SHINE Thanks
- 2019 NAPLAN Results
- NESA Educational Measurement and Assessment Research Scholarship
- Catholic educators invited to apply for $20,000 Research Fellowship
- Digital Technologies - Google Suite Update
- National Child Protection Week
- 2020 Commonwealth Bank Teaching Awards
- #Lismmeditates
- Positions Vacant
- My Learning
This week we explore the new layers of complexity that appear in the pastoral mission of every Catholic teacher.
The documents state, “Finally, we cannot forget the part played by catholic schools in organic pastoral work and pastoral care for the family in particular, emphasizing in this respect their discreet insertion in the educational dynamics between parents and their children.
And, very especially the unpretentious yet caring and sensitive help offered in those cases, more and more numerous above all in wealthy nations, of families which are “fragile” or have broken up” (The Catholic School on the threshold of the Third Millennium, 5).
The pain of a difficult home situation is not left at the school gate, it enters into the classroom and into the playground. As teachers we can never know how a quiet word of compassion or encouragement can change things for students who are going through difficulties. Looking back on our own schooling we can all recall witnessing that one teacher who made a difference at time of great difficulty, who was unpretentious, sensitive and caring.
Today tomorrow or next week you may be called on to become “that” teacher.
To learn more please click here.
CSO Appointment & Farewell
Alok Hiriyur commenced with the CSO as Network Engineer. Alok has extensive Global IT experience and is a welcome addition to Technology Services at the CSO.
Joanna Ware has announced she will be retiring from her role of Executive Assistant to the Assistant Director - Learning Services effective from 8 November 2019. Joanna has been with the CSO for 13 years and we wish her well in her retirement and future endeavours.
Principal Appointment
On behalf of Fr Bing Monteagudo and the Trustees of the Roman Catholic Church for the Diocese of Lismore, we are pleased to announce Aaron Beach has been appointed to the position of Principal at St John’s College, Woodlawn.
Aaron has held the role of Principal at St Mary’s Catholic College, Casino since 2009 and for the 2019 school year he has been in the role of Principal at McAuley Catholic College, Grafton.
We congratulate Aaron on his appointment and look forward to his continued contribution to Catholic Education in the Diocese of Lismore.
The eighth annual Lismore Diocese SHINE Gathering for Youth Ministry students was held last week at St John Paul College, Coffs Harbour with 700 participants engaged in peer-to-peer youth ministry enhanced by our worship band Wildfire and accompanied by our clergy and staff. We offer a vote of thanks to Bishop Greg Homeming, Fr Paul Gooley and Ellen Hales for their keynote addresses to the gathering and all the speakers, workshop presenters and contributors to the program. In particular, we thank Principal Mr Michael Carniato and the SJPC staff for their hospitality and the use of their space each year for this important student gathering. This commitment combined with that of the accompanying staff who supervise, participate, encourage and grow in faith with our students is what makes this gathering unique and particularly effective in enabling students to achieve the fullness of life (Jn 10:10).
The 2019 NAPLAN results were released today. Please see below a suite of NAPLAN communication material including media releases and links for your information:
- Results: The Hon Dan Tehan MP Federal Education Minister Primary years producing strong NAPLAN results
- Media Release: The Hon Tanya Plibersek Shadow Minister for Education and Training
- ACARA media release: Release of NAPLAN 2019 Summary Information
- ACARA news release: NAPLAN 2019 summary information released
- Results: National Assessment Program
- 2019 Summary results: NAPLAN
NESA Educational Measurement and Assessment Research Scholarship
This scholarship supports PhD students in the Sydney School of Education and Social Work to undertake a placement and research into educational measurement and assessment. Apply here.
This scholarship will provide a stipend allowance of $30,000 per year for up to 3.5 years, subject to satisfactory academic performance.
Who's eligible? You must:
- be an Australian citizen
- have an unconditional offer to study a full-time PhD in the Sydney School of Education and Social Work
- be willing to conduct research in the field of education, particularly in the area of educational measurement and assessment
- be enrolled and due to complete your master's degree by 31 December 2019, or hold a master's degree with a substantial research component in education, psychology, engineering or science
- demonstrate an interest to undertake a placement with NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) for one day per fortnight.
This scholarship is funded by the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA). Click here for more information.
Read LessCatholic educators invited to apply for $20,000 Research Fellowship
(Ref: 126/19)
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.
Please see attached media release and poster or head to our website to submit your application.
Read LessDigital Technologies - Google Suite Update
Google has launched a new page in Drive called ‘Priority’ which Google’s artificial intelligence (AI) will identify the documents most relevant to the user. Along with Priority comes ‘Workspaces’ which allows the user to organise and quickly access files in one place without searching the entire Drive. See Google release notes and watch this tutorial video for more about the new features in your Drive.
National Child Protection Week
National Child Protection Week will be held from 1–7 September 2019.
The theme for this year’s Child Protection Week is about supporting parents, specifically that:
- Kids do well when parents are supported and;
- To raise thriving kids, parents need support to navigate life’s choppy waters
If you wish to promote National Child Protection Week with your staff and parent community please visit the National Association for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (NAPCAN) www.napcan.org.au to access resources.
Advice on child protection training for staff is available by contacting your Human Services Officer. Support for Family School Partnership Services is available to schools considering hosting parent events during National Child Protection week, by contacting Janita Thomson at the Catholic Schools Office.
Read Less2020 Commonwealth Bank Teaching Awards
Presented by the Commonwealth Bank and National Charity Schools Plus, the 2020 Commonwealth Bank Teaching Awards celebrate teachers and school leaders whose achievements have transformed young lives.
If you know an outstanding educator, nominate them now. The value of their work lasts a lifetime, but the chance to recognise and reward them closes on 27 September 2019.
For more information visit: https://teachingawards.com.au/
Read LessAn initiative from the Student Leadership Team at St Mary's Catholic College, Casino
12 September 2019 at St Mary’s Catholic College, Casino
The #Lismmeditates project has been crafted by the Student Leadership Team of St Mary’s Catholic College and aims to raise awareness towards mental health not only in our school, but within the wider diocese. We want this to be a powerful symbol of solidarity - a unified demonstration of support for all people affected by Mental Health.
SMCC Student Leadership Team have asked all schools in the Lismore diocese to unite, taking part in 5 minutes of Christian meditation, at the same time, with the same hope. We want students to recognise that God is alive in their life and in the life of the school community through the Holy Spirit.
This day also happens to be R U OK Day, which will provide the perfect opportunity for the students of the Lismore diocese to reflect on the stigma of mental health and through Christian meditation, pray for those whose lives are touched by Mental Health. Through this students will be encouraged to ask a potentially life-changing question to their peers; ‘are you ok?’.
There has been an overwhelming response with the majority of Catholic Schools in the Lismore Diocese choosing to participate.
Read LessInformation on employment opportunities within the Diocese of Lismore are available via Positions Vacant.
Leadership & CSO Positions:
- Assistant Principal - St Mary’s Primary School, Grafton (closes 13 September)
- Executive Assistant/Learning Services Support Coordinator - Catholic Schools Office (closes 6 September)
Staff are reminded that individuals are required 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.
Religious Education Leadership Conference 2019 - LOCT, LOSE, AP MISSION
(For Accreditation purposes, the Faith Leadership Conference will be titled Religious Education Leadership Conference 2019 – LOCT, LOSE, AP Mission on MyLearning)
This conference has been developed by the Catholic Schools Office to provide Primary and Secondary Leaders of School Evangelisation and Catechesis and AP Mission with new skills and knowledge in various aspects of mission, teaching, learning and school leadership.
Secondary Leaders please note the Term 4 Network Meeting will precede the Religious Education Leadership Conference.
17-18 October - Invercauld House, Goonellabah