THE WAY (Term 4 Week 7 - 15 November 2021)
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Announcement from Adam Spencer, Chair – DLCSL Board of Directors
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Letting Go: Community Art Project
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FOR ACTION
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2022 CSSA Trial HSC Examinations: Expressions of interest for committee members (Ref: 313/21)
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HSC Showcase Initiative
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Reminder: Grants Available for 2022
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FOR INFORMATION
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Announcements
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Leadership Development in the Diocese of Lismore - November 2021
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Marist Fathers Indigenous Education Grant applications for 2022 are now open!
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Higher Levels of Accreditation
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Digital Inclusion - ‘How to’ Professional Development (PD) Series
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NESA Update for Pre-2004 Teachers - Maintenance of Accreditation
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Are you planning to take a break from teaching?
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Teachers Accreditation Updates
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Webinar for Parents and Carers
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Social Media - Posting of Swimming Carnival Images and Video
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Positions Vacant
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My Learning
It is with very mixed emotions that I write to inform you that Dr Sally Towns has resigned from her position of Director of Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Lismore. Sally has led our System of 45 Catholic Schools in some extremely challenging times. Recent years in our parishes and school communities have been characterised by devastating bushfires, floods and, of course, the global pandemic and Sally’s steady and calm leadership through these challenging events has been exemplary.
In addition, Sally has also been leading one of the most significant organisational changes that we have seen in our schools since the inception of the Catholic Schools Office in 1973, being our transition to a new governance structure. This is another task that she has undertaken with patience, expertise and wisdom and our schools are extremely grateful for this.
Sally leaves us to take up the role of Executive Director of Brisbane Catholic Education in the Brisbane Archdiocese forming the next step in her career in Catholic Education. I am left in no doubt that Sally will undertake this role with the same high levels of competence, passion and faith filled commitment and continue to enrich her legacy of high quality Catholic Education in the organisations that she leads.
Announcements will be made in due course regarding the next steps in recruiting a new Director of Catholic Schools, however in the meantime I am sure that you will join me in sentiments of gratitude for her valuable contribution to our schools.
At this stage Sally’s resignation will take effect by Easter of 2022 and leading up to this time appropriate opportunities will be held to recognise and farewell her.
St Francis Xavier Primary School, Ballina, participated in an engaging and innovative community art project during Learning from Home. (23 August 2021)
The Visual Art Learning Enhancement students from St Francis Xavier Primary School, Ballina, led an innovative and exciting project during Terms 2 and 3. Students were directed by Brisbane based installation artist and community practitioner Amelia Kalifa.
With Amelia’s direction, students developed an interesting and engaging experience that would involve the whole school community. The project that the student decided to facilitate was ‘Letting Go’. Students, parents and staff each designed a boat made out of natural materials that would carry each participant’s fears and hopes for the future. This was not an easy task as participants were asked not to use any glue, paper, or string so that the boat would not be a risk to animals or the environment.
Everyone was eager to be involved with the project, launching over 400 boats, sending videos or images of them launching their boat and pin the launch site’s location on an interactive map. Year 4 teacher Bronte Doolan said, ‘my greatest fear is the unknown, and my hope is that I learn to embrace change.’ ‘My biggest fear is not being able to fall asleep; I hope listening to calming stories will help,’ Lilla Year 2. Zali in Year 5 said, ‘my fear is losing a family member, and my hope is that everyone lives life to the fullest.’
The project provided an interactive and positive opportunity for the school community to connect during Learning from Home. St Francis Xavier has put together a display of this project which can be found here Letting Go website. To find out more about Amelia Kalifa visit www.ameliakalifa.com.
The CSSA Trial HSC Examinations are prepared by committees of practicing teachers, university lecturers and educational consultants in a variety of HSC courses.
The Head of CSSA Exams is seeking expressions of interest for the following positions:
Committee Members for the following 2022 CSSA Trial HSC Examination
- Investigating Science
A letter regarding the Expression of Interest requirements for the roles with the CSSA and the application process is provided below.
Interested applicants are asked to send a Cover Letter and current Curriculum Vitae to Monica O’Brien, Head CSSA Exams, to monica.obrien@csnsw.catholic.edu.au by 9am Friday 12 November 2021.
2022 CSSA TRIAL HSC EXAMINATIONS-EOI-Committee Member-Investigating Science
The website will present a range of expressive forms that highlight the technical skills and conceptual development of the student and their work. In 2022 we will commence with a showcase of works from 2021 students in English Extension 2, Industrial Technology and Visual Arts.
In collaboration with Leaders of Curriculum, we are asking current HSC Teachers for these three courses to select appropriate student(s) work and to submit the work and permission form by the extended date Friday 19 November. Submission information and permission forms are below.
We are excited to be able to exhibit the excellent work of our Yr 12 HSC students through this online showcase and we thank the teachers for their support of this initiative.
If you have any questions please contact Kurt Challinor.
Expressions of Interest for both the Innovation and Arts grants close on Thursday 18 November 2021. Please refer to THE WAY (Term 4 Week 3 - 18 October 2021) for more details.
CATHOLIC SCHOOLS OFFICE APPOINTMENT
Nick Houghton has been appointed to the position of Education Officer – Primary commencing in January 2022. Nick is currently employed as the Leader of Learning Stage 2 at St Finbarr’s Primary School, Byron Bay.
SCHOOL APPOINTMENT
David Bermingham has been appointed to the role of Principal, St John’s Primary School, Mullumbimby to commence on Monday, 28 January 2022.
David is an experienced educator in the Brisbane Diocese. Currently, he is Assistant Principal Religious Education at Our Lady Help of Christians Primary School in Hendra and he was previously on the Leadership Team at Star of the Sea Primary School, Cleveland, where he held the position of Information Communication Learning Technologies Coordinator and Data Coach.
We congratulate Nick and David on their appointments and look forward to their commencement in their roles.
Welcome to the first newsletter showcasing the development of the leadership strategy in the Diocese of Lismore. Our strategy will focus on the identification, development, retention and progression of the finest Catholic school educators and is underpinned by a culture of engagement, continuous learning, high performance and aspiration to leadership.
The Marist Fathers Indigenous Education Grant 2022 is now open. The Marist Fathers are mindful of the important role of education in furthering the prospects and opportunities of Indigenous youth. This fund aims to assist Indigenous students who are in need in areas not normally covered by other available sources of funding.
A grant will be made available for assistance in any of the following areas:
- School uniform and school footwear expenses
- Text book and stationery expenses
- Special subject levies and equipment
- VET course fees
- School retreats
- School camps
- Distance learning in junior high school
- Necessary documentation must be provided to claim reimbursement
Applications must be received by Friday 18 February 2022. Click here for the online application form.
Are you thinking about seeking accreditation as a Highly Accomplished or Lead Teacher in 2022? NESA is running PD designed for teachers to develop an understanding of Highly Accomplished and Lead Teacher accreditation. This session is suitable for teachers employed in schools or early childhood services. Book online:
- Wednesday 24 November 2021, 4.00 pm – 5.30 pm (online)
Throughout this term, there will be 2 minute practical PD videos on various Texthelp toolbars and functions. Teachers from across the Diocese are embedding the toolkit in their teaching pedagogy to remove barriers and increase student participation and engagement. These 2 minute clips show how the teachers in various settings are achieving success with the Texthelp suite.
‘How to use the Vocabulary tool - Read and Write toolbar’
Kara Collyer, Hastings Inclusion Officer
Want more information?
Contact: Kara Collyer or visit Texthelp.com
All staff and students with a ‘lism’ email address can access the extension for free.
Refer to the attached memo for information regarding pre-2004 teachers and their maintenance of accreditation.
When you take more than 6 months off from teaching, you can put your teacher accreditation requirements on hold. Even if you have applied for leave with your employer, you will also need to apply for leave with NESA to put your accreditation on hold.
While on leave, you may not have to pay the 2022 annual teacher accreditation fee if:
- you apply before 29 January 2022; and
- your leave starts before 1 May 2022 and ends after 1 October 2022
It is easier to apply before going on leave, simply click ‘Apply now’ to get started.
eSafety parent guide to digital technologies and mental health
The Council of Catholic School Parents NSW/ACT invites you to a free one-hour webinar designed for parents and carers of young people aged 10–18.
Details:
Monday 22 November 2021, 7.30-8.30pm
It will cover:
- what do to about accidental exposure to content about suicide, self-harm or eating disorders
- using games, apps and social media to support mental wellbeing
- the pros and cons of digital mental health platforms
- strategies for young people to support friends online.
Questions should be directed to clare.dunstan@ccsp.catholic.edu.au
Resources:
As school swimming carnivals are permitted within COVID safe guidelines, we remind schools to be particularly cautious when posting images and videos from the swimming carnival to social media and websites. Celebrating school events and achievements on social media, school websites and in your newsletters is encouraged and images of student participation is the most effective way to do this, however, events that include students in swimwear require an additional level of curation before images and video are posted and made publicly available. This includes swimming carnivals, swimming sports lessons, camps and retreat activities.
Photos that CAN NOT be posted include:
- Full length images and video of students in swimwear, this includes students standing, sitting and diving into the pool
- Students in swimwear on the blocks
- Students without shirts (ie. students with swimmer pants and no shirt)
If you have already posted images and videos of your recent swimming carnival, please review and remove any images or video including students in swimwear as detailed above.
Photos that CAN be posted include:
- Students in the pool with head and shoulders out of the water
- Students swimming where the body is slightly or completely obscured or distorted by the water and the students face is not visible (ie. the student can not be identified)
- Students wearing rash shirts or t-shirts over swimwear or with towels wrapped around them (ie. where most of the students body is covered)
- Students in fancy dress or costumes over swimwear
It is recommended that schools review swimming based historical social media posts and their social media photo library to review and remove any images or video that may not be appropriate.
Should you have any questions, concerns or require further information, please contact Leesa Kwok: Manager, Media and Communications at leesa.kwok@lism.catholic.edu.au or media@lism.catholic.edu.au or on 0429 575 722.
Information on employment opportunities within the Diocese of Lismore is available via Positions Vacant.
Existing staff should apply through the Internal Positions Vacant page on the intranet; select School Services, then Recruitment and Positions vacant – internal site.
EXPRESSION OF INTEREST - ACTING PRINCIPAL
Expressions of interest (EOI) are called for the position of Acting Principal St Joseph's Primary School, South Grafton for the 2022 school year. The EOI is open to internal applicants in the Lismore Diocese.
Information on the EOI is available via the Recruitment Positions Vacant - Internal Page of the Intranet.
Closing date is 3.00pm Friday 19 November 2021.
SCHOOLS
- Leader of Catechesis & Religious Education Teacher – McAuley Catholic College, Grafton
- Literacy and Numeracy Instructional Leader K-2 – St Joseph’s Primary School, South Grafton
- Assistant Principal - St Paul’s Catholic Parish Primary School, Moss Vale
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.
Leader of Learning R&A Process Cycle 2022-2026 Overview - 21CSO-LOLRPC
An optional zoom session to unpack the revised Registration & Accreditation process for 2022-2026.
- Option 1 - 24 November via Zoom Meeting
- Option 2 - 25 November via Zoom Meeting
Training for School Leaders - MyLearning and NESA Accredited PD - 22CSO-TFSLMA
Principals, APs Learning & Teaching and Leaders of Pedagogy are invited to participate in a one hour online course to use the revised MyLearning platform to apply for and manage school devised and delivered NESA Accredited PD. Participants will develop a deeper understanding of how to evidence the content criteria of the identified priority area in their course.