THE WAY (Term 1 Week 7 - 14 March 2022)
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FOR ACTION
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STEM MAD 2022
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Consultation on proposed introduction of a COVID-19 Vaccination Safety Policy extended
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FOR INFORMATION
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Catholic Mission
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Headspace Mental Health Education Sessions for Parent/Carers & Community
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Staff Wellbeing
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Update: An Exciting Opportunity: Pathways to Leadership: Leading with Impact Program 2022
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Deadly Cultural Learning Plans/Goori Career Action Plans - REVISED Due Date
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AITSL: Teacher Support
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Graduate Formation Program 2022 - North
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National School Science Safety Campaign
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Young Indigenous Women's STEM Academy (Ref: 028/22)
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Replacement of Birth, Marriage, Change of Name Certificates, Passports and Australian Citizen Certificates
This year we are taking part in the national STEM MAD competition and we are inviting you to be part of it. Open to Primary and Secondary.
What is STEM MAD?
STEM MAD is designed to acknowledge and promote STEM learning initiatives that address real-world problems and demonstrate how students in Catholic schools take action that matters. Student teams are invited to design a product, service or innovation to Make A Difference (MAD) to others or the environment. There is a maximum of four students per team. Projects must have a working model or digital prototype in order to be accepted to participate in STEM MAD National. This is a competition with other dioceses in Australia. The finalists from Lismore will have the opportunity to attend the finals in Melbourne in September 2022 (funding available from the Catholic Schools Office).
If you would like to enter a team or more (unlimited number per school), please complete this Google form.
More information can be found on the intranet, including past winners.
Further to the memo issued by Dr Sally Towns on 23 February 2022, we advise the staff consultation survey will be extended to provide staff ample opportunity to respond given the current disaster. The survey will now close Friday 11 March 2022.
As previously advised, 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.
Parents, Carers, and Community Members in NSW are invited to attend free mental health education sessions in Term 1.
The sessions aim to:
- Strengthen your understanding of mental health and the warning signs for suicide and self-harm.
- Strengthen your understanding and skills in how to cope and where to find help.
- Build awareness of local services and the various support services available.
- Strengthen relationships between local area mental health services, local schools, headspace centres and other community organisations.
- Strengthen your understanding of mental health definitions.
- Enhance your conversational approach to mental health and well-being.
- Build skills and strategies to support young people, including the transition to work and study.
- Build awareness of local, state and national supports available to young people.
- Increase your knowledge and understanding of the mental health challenges facing young people today.
- Introduce you to some of the skills and strategies to encourage and support help-seeking.
Registration is free and you can choose to attend any of the sessions or those specific to the mid and north coast.
Do you or members of your family need support for mental health and wellbeing?
If you are experiencing health issues but can’t access your GP, the free GP Telehealth Service on 1800 931 158 is available 24hrs, 7 days a week and can provide medical certificates, prescriptions and a summary to the patient’s regular GP.
The impacts of natural disasters are not just financial and physical, and they can also affect our mental health and sense of wellbeing. Some common reactions following a major traumatic event include:
- feelings of fear, sadness and tearfulness or anger
- feeling overwhelmed, numb, detached or withdrawn
- difficulty with focusing attention, concentration and planning ahead
- unwanted and recurring memories or bad dreams related to the event or sleep problems.
These reactions can be quite strong and are often at their worst in the first week. In most cases, they fade over the following weeks, although they may be experienced for a much longer period.
You can also access support through: Connect to Wellbeing on 1300 160 339 which will connect you to the right mental health support for you or your family.
- Access EAP 1800 818 728 https://www.accesseap.com.au/counsellor-request
- Mental Health Line 1800 011 511
- Lifeline 13 11 14 (Lifeline Text 0477 13 11 14)
- Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636
- MensLine 1300 78 99 78
Do you need financial assistance and support?
Disaster Relief Grant for individuals
If your home or essential household contents were damaged or destroyed by a natural disaster, you may be eligible for the Disaster Relief Grant. This grant helps people to recover from the effects of a disaster and re-establish a basic standard of living. It is not provided to replace insurance or compensate for losses. Access information about the grant, the eligibility criteria and the application here.
Disaster Assistance Finder
If you are not sure what type of assistance you can access, complete the 5 simple questions in the Disaster Assistance Finder Survey to identify the different types of supports you can apply for.
Services NSW Flood Recovery Customer Service
If you would prefer one on one support, book an appointment for Services NSW flood recovery customer care service. They provide personalized, individual support. Make a booking by clicking here.
Self-care strategies
- Recognise that you’ve been through a distressing time. Don’t get angry with yourself for being upset.
- Remember that there is no right or wrong way to feel.
- Don’t suppress your feelings — share them with people you trust when you are ready to do so. Do not try to block out thoughts of what has happened. Gradually facing what has happened can assist you to come to terms with a traumatic experience.
- Rest if you’re tired. Physical movement is also important.
- Let friends and family know of your needs — when you feel tired, need time out, want to talk or be with someone.
- Avoid making any major decisions or big life changes.
- Keep reminding yourself that things will get better, and you do have the ability to manage.
- Give yourself time to adjust. Resilience is the norm, but it can take a while to bounce back.
- Make time to relax. Use the approach that suits you eg: meditation, mindfulness, art, music.
- Make time for the things in your life that give you joy. Engaging in activities that are enjoyable is a very important way of gaining a sense of control, balance, meaning and purpose in life.
One of the best things we can do for ourselves following a traumatic experience is to spend time with people who care about us and to feel the social support of friends, family and the community.
Given the current circumstances in the north of the diocese, applications will be accepted to this great opportunity until Friday 18 March.
In recognising the need to support the ongoing growth and development of aspiring leaders, the Diocese of Lismore will offer the Pathways to School Leadership: Leading with Impact Program for commencement in Semester 2, 2022. The Program is designed and facilitated by Dr Stephen Brown (Director: The Brown Collective).
The letter of invitation, program summary and the application process can be accessed through this link.
The due date for plans has been extended to Week 10, Term 2. Principals, Indigenous Education Workers, and their Support persons should have received information via email regarding release time for Deadly Cultural Learning Plans/Goori Career Action Plans (DCLP/GCAP) planning meetings.
Attached are updated Guidelines to support the completion of DCLPs. Schools that require further support need to contact Doreen Flanders.
The Australian Professional Standards for Teachers and the Australian Professional Standard for Principals guide you on how to progress through each career stage. AITSL supports you to meet the Standards by providing a broad range of evidence-based guides and tools, some of which have been curated for you.
Access Teacher Support if you are:
- wanting to improve your classroom practice
- looking for wellbeing resources
- a beginning teacher in 2022 (see details about the useful app)
- a beginning teacher in a remote setting
- inducting a beginning teacher
- able to support casual teachers to develop
- a new or aspiring leader or principal.
The first two systems days for the Graduate Formation Program in the North (as advertised in week 4) have been rescheduled.
- Mentors in the North are invited to attend online Mentor Training. There has been a change in policy and procedure in 2022. Please register on MyLearning.
- Year A and Year B Graduates in the North will still attend a systems day on Friday 6 May; with tentative arrangements made for a second day on Thursday 5 May (venue and facilitators TBC).
- Any teacher who needs individual advice about mandatory accreditation at Proficient in the interim is advised to contact dio-taa@lism.catholic.edu.au or their Regional Mentor.
The program in the South remains unchanged and participants are asked to register via MyLearning. Graduates and Mentors in the Clarence are encouraged to attend these days if they were originally enrolled in the North:
Year A - SOUTH - ( Hastings, Clarence) 31 March & 1 April in Port Macquarie
Year B - SOUTH - (Clarence, Hastings) 31 March & 1 April in Coffs Harbour
Please contact Leisa Fisher (0408 676 252) or your Regional Mentor if you need further information or assistance.
The National School Science Safety Campaign ‘Science Safety Matters’ is an initiative of the Australian Science Teachers Association (ASTA). ASTA is supported in this campaign by the Australian Academy of Science (AAS).
Science by its very nature requires inquiry and investigation, which inherently has risks. Whilst these risks are real, they can be mitigated through safe practices and embedding a safety-first culture within schools. The responsibility for safety with school science rests on the shoulders of school science educators, and school leadership.
The campaign was officially launched on Wednesday 16 February, you can download a copy of the launch video via the link provided (https://youtu.be/-lvsLzHGTLU), or on ASTA’s social media accounts as per below:
The campaign will consist of social media posts, articles and resources which will be provided over the course of the year.
Schools can subscribe to the Science ASSIST online advisory service, as well as access the many resources already available on the Science ASSIST website.
ASTA policy position papers are available on the ASTA website under the Impact and Advocacy Section.
For further information contact: labsupport@asta.edu.au
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:
Birth, Marriage or Change of Name certificates that have been destroyed due to a natural disaster can be reissued at no charge at your nearest Service NSW Centre or call 13 77 88 for more information.
Service NSW can also help you to replace certificates registered in other Australian states and territories or in New Zealand. For more information on NSW flood support services visit https://www.nsw.gov.au/floods
If your passport has been lost or damaged, you may be eligible for a free replacement. You'll only need to provide basic information to confirm your identity and that you were in a natural disaster area. No application form will be required. Call the Australian Passport Information Service on 131 232.
Your Australian citizenship certificate can be replaced free of charge, provided you apply within 18 months of the natural disaster event. Visit the Department of Home Affairs for more information.