THE WAY (Term 1 Week 5 - 28 February 2022)
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WriteOn Competition Success at St James’ Primary, Yamba
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FOR ACTION
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NESA Mandatory Accreditation at Proficient
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Orientation to the Teacher Accreditation Authority (TAA) for teachers employed by the DLCSL
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NESA Notification of Intention to Suspend Teachers - Daily Notifications being Received
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Reminders
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FOR INFORMATION
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Synod2023
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RENEW Cohorts 2 and 3 2022
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Catholic Earthcare Schools Program
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NSW Department of Education Data Breach
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Consultation on proposed introduction of a COVID-19 Vaccination Safety Policy
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HSC Showcase
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Premier's Anzac Memorial Scholarship (Ref: 034/22)
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Young Indigenous Women's STEM Academy
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Pay Increase
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Working with Children Check (WWCC)
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Positions Vacant
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My Learning
As part of St James' Primary School, Yamba, High Potential Learners program, three students were selected to participate in the NSW 2021 WriteOn writing competition for students from Years 1 to 6. (15 November 2021)
Congratulations to St James' Primary School, Yamba, students Heidi van Leest, Eamon Mawn and Poppy Dougherty for showcasing their incredible creativity and talent in the annual WriteOn competition in 2021.
As part of the St James' High Potential Learners (HPL) program, students who were identified as top-performing writers of each Stage were given the opportunity to participate in a school-based workshop to strengthen their skills in composing quality writing pieces.
The selected pieces by students Heidi, Eamon and Poppy were then submitted to the annual WriteOn writing competition, which is open to all NSW primary students from Years 1 to 6. This competition provides students with the opportunity to become published authors and showcase their skills as creative writers.
'It was a privilege to be able to go and work on my writing with the HPL group, and it was really fun!' said Heidi.
'I enjoyed the workshops, especially the research that we did about Indigenous Australian culture,' said Eamon.
'I liked working with others to discuss my ideas for my writing,' said Poppy.
Eamon received a Silver Award in the Stage 2 category.
Congratulations to Heidi, Eamon and Poppy, each submission can be read below.
Conditionally and provisionally accredited teachers and their school-based mentors are reminded that the DLCSL Policy and Procedure for Mandatory Accreditation at Proficient has been revised to align with NESA Policy and is now in effect. The document is attached for your reference and is also on the Teacher Accreditation page on the intranet. Graduate Teachers, and their school-based mentor, are requested to read the policy and procedure before attending the upcoming Graduate Formation system days 1 & 2.
The following resources have been produced to support schools in providing adequate orientation, induction, support and supervision to early career teachers:
Early Career Teacher Orientation Induction and System Support
Teachers and Principals who are new to the Diocese of Lismore Catholic Schools Limited and/or are assuming a new leadership role are requested to view the Orientation to the Teacher Accreditation Authority (TAA).
The Catholic Schools Office (CSO) is receiving daily alerts from NESA with regard to a notification of intention to suspend teachers who are two weeks from having their Working with Children Checks (WWCC) expire. This week alone, seven teachers have been advised that they are facing the prospect of suspension. Teachers must have a current WWCC to maintain their accreditation. Many teachers are due for renewal across the state this year. Teachers will be suspended when the WWCC expires and will not be able to teach until a renewal is received.
As previously advised, there are delays in the processing time for the renewal of WWCC with a considerable backlog with the Office of the Children's Guardian (OCG). Approvals involve a national criminal history check and a review of findings of workplace misconduct. We recommend staff commence WWCC renewal 3 months before expiration date when you receive your first reminder. All staff are advised that the CSO or NESA cannot expedite your renewal process.
To renew your clearance you need to:
- Apply via the NSW Office of the Children’s Guardian (OCG).
- Visit Service NSW with four forms of ID (must be in the same name, cannot be laminated).
- Update your WWCC clearance details on eTAMS and the staff user portal and select Profile Details to edit.
WWCC clearance renewals last for five years. Renewing three months before the expiry of your WWCC will not affect the expiry date of your WWCC; you will not lose time. A WWCC application number is not a clearance and cannot be used for accreditation under the Teacher Accreditation Act 2004.
The Arts: Stage 5 English/ Drama NORPA Opportunity
Expressions of Interest (EOI) are open for secondary schools across the diocese to engage within the NORPA/CSO Stage 5 Project 'Into the Forest'. Please use this link to access the NORPA Information Package and the EOI form. EOI have been extended to close on Friday 4 March, 2022. For more details: THE WAY - Term 1 Week 1.
Arts Matters Workshops Stage 3, 2022
Please use this link to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) for the Arts Matters Workshop at your school in Term 2 or Term 3. EOI closes on Thursday 17 March 2022 (Term 1 Week 7). For more details: THE WAY - Term 1 Week 2.
Up until now, a synod in the Catholic context has been a meeting of bishops who walk together with the Pope. Pope Francis wants the next Synod in 2023 to discuss the issue of synodality itself, broadening its definition to the way the whole church communicates within itself. He has asked the church to reflect on the lived experience of power and responsibility and how it needs to change for us to be more faithful to the Gospel. To make it practical, he has asked for feedback in the areas of communion, participation, and mission.
Some Australian Catholics have participated in the process of the Plenary Council. The Synod takes this further and is specifically targeting structures in the universal church which may provide a voice to all in the church. To this end contributions can be made by individuals or groups through an online portal on the Synod website www.catholic.org.au/synodalchurch. All people of goodwill are encouraged to have a say. There are no gatekeepers who will edit our response to this Synod.
In asking us to participate in this process Francis is well aware that many in the church feel that they are not substantially involved in the consultative process and are jaded. He decries an elitist and clerical church where there is little evidence of the contribution of many of the laity, particularly those who find themselves on the margins of the church or society.
Francis asks us to dream of a renewed church where all people feel that they have a home and can participate. Synod2023 will challenge structures and content that seek to maintain the status quo instead of listening to the urgings of the Spirit. Rather than another talkfest, this is an opportunity to contribute to the future of our world and Church as we chart the way in a new millennium.
To contribute to Synod2023, go to the website for the discussion points. Share these in your family, church or social groups. Comments can be lodged by individuals or groups. Matt Digges, Director of Mission, Sawtell Catholic Care is the coordinator of this process for the Diocese of Lismore. For more information contact him on mattdigges@scca.net.au or on 0427 715 853.
The third and final workshops for Cohort 2 schools will take place in Week 7 of this term. Although the current overseas travel restrictions have been lifted, Dr Michael McDowell will facilitate these via zoom. Registration for this workshop is now open via MyLearning. These workshops are aimed at those teachers who were part of Workshops 1 and 2 in 2021 and continue to implement inquiry based learning in Stages 3 and 4.
For Cohort 3 schools, the workshops for Terms 2 and 3 are now being planned as face to face learning, and will take place in the north and south.
There will also be opportunities for some Cohort 1 and 2 schools to engage with Michael through in-school coaching visits during Terms 2 and 3. For further information, please contact Joan Lancaster.
A presentation to the Catholic Earthcare Schools Program is available in this link. Please do not hesitate to contact Gwen Michener from Caritas for further information.
It has come to the attention of the Catholic Schools Office (CSO) that a number of staff across the diocese have been subject of a data breach, arising from a cyber-attack on the NSW Department of Education. Notification of the data breach has been sent by the Department of Education to those affected. The data accessed was limited to names, contact details and dates of birth. No other personal or sensitive information was disclosed.
Please note this is a breach of data held by the Department of Education, and not the Catholic Schools Office or the Diocese of Lismore Catholic Schools Limited.
The Department of Education has provided assurances that the data breach has minimal to no impact on the accounts referenced in the notification. The notification to those affected contains information on security measures, and those affected are encouraged to call the dedicated NSW Department of Education Privacy Helpline on 1300 239 142 (+61 2 3814 0640) if there are any concerns.
For any further information, please contact CSO Solicitor, John Thompson on 02 6627 6223 or john.thompson@lism.catholic.edu.au
Given its duty of care to provide a safe environment for students and staff, and in line with the most recent Public Health Order from the NSW Department of Health, the Diocese of Lismore Catholic Schools Ltd (DLCSL) is considering implementing a COVID-19 Vaccination and Safety Policy. This policy would require all DLCSL staff, contractors and volunteers to be fully vaccinated or hold a valid NSW Government medical contraindication certificate.
We ask for your input before the DLCSL Board of Directors makes a decision. There are three main opportunities to participate in the consultation:
- An anonymous survey. This survey will help us understand the views of DLCSL staff on the proposal.
- Q and A zoom meetings will be scheduled to pose your questions directly.
- A dedicated email address consultation@lism.catholic.edu.au for you to write directly to the HR team responsible for this consultation.
Please find attached a memo from the Director of Catholic Schools and a consultation information sheet. The link to the survey is located in the memo and can also be accessed on the landing page of the intranet.
We are excited to launch the first HSC Showcase designed to highlight excellence in student HSC major works across the diocese. The HSC Showcase is now live on the Diocese of Lismore Catholic Schools website. This new initiative captures and celebrates the talents of our HSC students across the Diocese of Lismore, as well as providing opportunities for student and teacher learning through the sharing of great practice. The HSC Showcase presents a range of expressive forms that highlight the creativity, innovation, technical skills and conceptual development of our students. We thank our Visual Arts and Industrial Design students for their openness in showcasing their work and their teachers for taking the time to share their student’s creations.
In its inaugural year, the HSC Showcase will highlight student major works from:
- Visual Arts, and
- Industrial Technology.
The HSC Showcase will be expanded in 2023 to include other courses with major works in collaboration with the KLA networks.
Individual student artworks and practical pieces will be highlighted over the coming months in The Way.
Applications for the 2022 Premier's Anzac Memorial Scholarship are now open!
The scholarship gives NSW high school history students the opportunity to travel on a study tour to develop their knowledge and understanding of the history of Australians at war. Accompanied by a military historian, the tour includes visits to significant historical sites to learn about and commemorate the service of Australian men and women.
The tour supports the NSW curriculum and students who are studying Modern History will gain the most benefit from attending the tour.
If you're a Year 10 or Year 11 student studying history, this scholarship is a unique opportunity for hands-on learning of the history of Australians at war.
For further info and to apply, visit http://bit.ly/pams2022
The Young Indigenous Women’s STEM Academy (the Academy) will increase the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander females undertaking studies and careers in STEM. The Academy does this through targeted, long-term support to help overcome the barriers that discourage Indigenous women from pursuing STEM careers.
Learn more here!
Further to information provided to you by Dr Sally Towns on 27 January 2022, the Dioceses intend, backdated from the first full pay period on or after 1 January 2022, to pay staff a wage increase of 2.04%. This aligns with the increases paid by the NSW Government.
The increase and back pay paid to staff covered by the NSW & ACT Catholic Systemic Schools Enterprise Agreement and the NSW & ACT Catholic Systemic Schools Principals Enterprise Agreement will be applied in the pay period ending 4 March 2022 and paid on 9 March 2022.
Staff are reminded of the need to advise the Catholic Schools Office (CSO) with the renewal details of their Working with Children Check (WWCC) prior to their current expiry date. The renewal process can be actioned up to three months prior to a current expiry date.
We encourage you to start this renewal process as soon as you receive the reminder email from the Office of the Children's Guardian three-months prior to your expiry date. Visit the Office of the Children’s Guardian to begin the process.
Once you have received your new expiry date, you can advise your new details to the Catholic Schools Office via staff user portal and select Profile details.
Teachers must also update NESA via eTAMS. You must complete this step or it will affect your accreditation to Teach and your employment.
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.
CATHOLIC SCHOOLS OFFICE
- Team Leader, Payroll
- Technology Officer (Database and Web Services)
- Technology Assistant (TS Support)
- Human Resources Officer x2
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.
Christian Meditation 22CSO-CMISFD
Registration is now open for a one-day Introduction to Christian Meditation. Please note a north and South option. Christian Meditation has been an integral part of prayer life for staff and students across the Diocese of Lismore since 2013. This one-day course is designed as an introduction to Christian Meditation which covers the historical narrative, the essential elements, and experience of the prayer form. Attention is given to successfully implementing Christian Meditation in the K-12 classrooms.
Student Support Workers Network Term 1 22CSO-SSWNT1
This is a non-compulsory network meeting for Student Support Workers in our schools. This will be via zoom. Participants choose a day/ time that suits their timetable:
- Tuesday 8 March 9.00-10.30am
- Wednesday 9 March 1.00-2.30pm
- Friday 11 March 9.00-10.30am
7-12 KLA Collaborative Network Workshop: Languages - 22CSO-71KCNW
In this workshop, participants will engage with facilitators and peers to develop a deeper understanding of content and strategies to improve learning and teaching practice.
- 22 March 2022 - Coffs Harbour Annexe and via Zoom
NESA Accredited PD and MyLearning Training for School Leaders 22CSO-TFSLMA
Leaders with course proposer rights’ in schools (generally the Principal, Assistant Principal Learning and Teaching and the Leader of Pedagogy) who have not already had their first NESA accredited course approved and managed on MyLearning are invited to attend a training session online.