THE WAY (Term 4 Week 10 - 12 December 2022)
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A Celebration of Service
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FOR INFORMATION
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Announcements
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Accreditation at Proficient - Congratulations
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Good News Story - Youth Ministry Officers
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Catholic Schools Newsletter
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2023 Marist Fathers Grant Applications
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Secondary Curriculum Dates 2023
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NAPLAN 2023
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Winner of Premiers Award
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MAI Reminder
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Positions Vacant
Sister Margaret Bannon, RSM, concludes her 52 years of compassionate and dedicated service within the Diocese of Lismore. (5 December 2022)
For 52 years, Sr Margaret Bannon RSM has experienced the joys of teaching and accompanying school communities to thrive.
In October, it was announced that Sr Margaret would conclude her ministry within the Diocese of Lismore Catholic Schools at the end of the year. A remarkable service that has placed students and families at the centre through respectful and caring conversations that are deeply authentic and recognise the ‘whole’ child.
Despite not having formal training, she began her work in the Diocese at a local Catholic infants’ school.
‘In my first year at the convent, I was invited into the Kindergarten class of 45 eager young students. The sister Principal directed me with programming. The children were such a delight and responsive to my efforts. I have never lost this initial satisfaction of engagement with children,’ said Sr Margaret.
After completing her training, Sr Margaret started teaching at St Mary’s School, Grafton, and then at Mary Help of Christians School, Sawtell, creating many wonderful memories which she has carried with her.
‘In my early days as a classroom teacher, I have fond memories of the children gathering at the school gate to welcome me each morning and how they appeared to have loved me using scripture as a narrative tool. I would use children’s names as part of the story, engaging them in discussions about values and making Jesus real,’ recollected Sr Margaret.
‘I recall the generosity of parents, for example, coming on overnight excursions and finding we had more parents to assist than students to mind. In all of the communities, I cherish the authentic generosity of families. What is special is how our schools welcome everyone in all circumstances,’ said Sr Margaret.
Sr Margaret has held positions of Principal at St Joseph’s School, Maclean, and the founding Principal at St Francis Xavier School, Woolgoolga. After her Principalship, Sr Margaret gained her Bachelor of Psychology in 2007, commencing work in the Catholic Schools Office (CSO) Inclusion team and, in 2018, commenced in the new CSO Pastoral Care team.
Sr Margaret will hold dearly the kindness of the school, parish and wider community that offered support and strength in challenging times. Through first-hand experience, she recalled the care that makes her truly proud to be part of our Diocesan and Parish school community. As a Sister of Mercy, she does not doubt that unknown opportunities for service and relational encounters will invite her to continue the journey of vowed commitment that she commenced 50 years ago. The students, their families, the school and the office staff will always hold a special place in her prayers and heart.
'And using the words of our Foundress, Catherine McAuley, I pray her prayer for each of you:
May God preserve and bless you – and grant you all the graces and precious gifts reserved for this holy season.'
We thank Sr Margaret for her many years of service and wish her well in the future.
APPOINTMENTS
CATHOLIC SCHOOLS OFFICE
Grant Barratt has been appointed to the position of Project Manager in the Finance & Corporate Services portfolio commencing 17 January 2023. Grant has extensive experience as both a Project and Operations Manager, most recently at Quadracon Building in the position of Project Manager.
SCHOOLS
Ryan Campbell, current Assistant Principal of Learning & Teaching at St Joseph's College, Banora Point, has accepted the temporary position of Acting Principal at Xavier Catholic College, Ballina, for Term 1 2023 while Kevin Lewis is on leave.
Naomi O'Dwyer has been appointed to the position of Acting Assistant Principal at St John's Primary School, Mullumbimby, commencing 27 January 2023. Naomi has been employed within the Diocese for more than 30 years, more recently in both teaching and leading capacities at St John Primary School, Mullumbimby.
We congratulate Grant, Ryan and Naomi on their appointments and welcome their expertise and commitment to these positions.
RESIGNATIONS
Emma Sydes, the Executive Assistant in People and Safety & Finance and Corporate Services, has submitted her resignation to take on an opportunity with Southern Cross University as Executive Coordinator within the Academic Portfolio Office. Emma's last day of work will be Friday, 23 December 2022.
Rachael Kama, Youth Ministry Development Officer in Mission Services, has submitted her resignation to take up a position in Parramatta Diocese as a Facilitator within the Mission Enhancement Team (MET).
Rachael has been an integral part of the Mission Services team since 2018, supporting the Youth Ministry Officers, contributing to the Student Discipleship Continuum, assisting with staff formation and developing the highly successful Music Ministry - Proclaim Lismore Wildfire. Rachael's last day of work will be Friday, 3 February 2023.
We wish to acknowledge and thank Emma and Rachael for their contribution to Catholic Education in the Diocese.
Congratulations to the following teachers on becoming accredited as Proficient teachers.
Clarence:
- Jack O'Shea (St Mary's Primary School, Bellingen),
- Emma Nolan (St Augustine's Primary School, Coffs Harbour),
- Anneliese Mills (St John Paul College, Coffs Harbour),
- Jana Elling (St John Paul College, Coffs Harbour),
- Zoe Griffiths (Mount St John Primary School, Dorrigo),
- Katherine Davies (St Mary's Primary School, Grafton),
- Kane Radford (St Patrick's Primary School, Macksville),
- Lauren Ross (St Joseph's Primary School, Maclean),
- Kristy de Groot (Mary Help of Christian's Primary School, Sawtell),
- Lauren Condon (Mary Help of Christian's Primary School, Sawtell),
- Rebecca Goodenough (Mary Help of Christian's Primary School, Sawtell),
- Tom Madden (Mary Help of Christian's Primary School, Sawtell),
- Elyse Stuart (St Francis Xavier Primary School, Woolgoolga) and
- Natasha Hancock (St James' Primary School, Yamba).
Richmond:
- Andrew Fitness (St Mary's Catholic College, Casino),
- Bailey Veitch (St Mary's Catholic College, Casino),
- Jacob Ludwig (St Mary's Catholic College, Casino),
- Rachael Dawson (St Joseph's Primary School, Coraki),
- Sophie Sly (St Joseph's Primary School, Coraki),
- Bryn Base (St John's College, Lismore) and
- Tayla Tickle (St John's College, Lismore).
Hastings:
- Riitta Kytola (St Joseph's Primary School, Kempsey),
- Adam Preocanin (St Paul's College, Kempsey),
- Steven Cornell (Newman Senior Technical College, Port Macquarie),
- Toni Robinson (Newman Senior Technical College, Port Macquarie),
- Lauren Ussher (St Joseph's Primary School, Port Macquarie),
- Elizabeth Morgan (St Joseph's Regional College, Port Macquarie),
- Jacinta Kroon (St Joseph's Regional College, Port Macquarie),
- Jamie Hart (St Joseph's Regional College, Port Macquarie),
- Roxanne Montgomery (St Joseph's Regional College, Port Macquarie),
- Annette Fuller (St Peter's Primary School, Port Macquarie) and
- Georgie Cain (St Joseph's Primary School, Wauchope).
Tweed:
- Laura McEvoy (St John's Primary School, Mullumbimby),
- Kelly Pears (St Ambrose Catholic Primary School, Pottsville),
- Carolyn Heterick (St Joseph's Primary School, South Murwillumbah) and
- Molly Edmonds (St Joseph's Primary School, Tweed Heads).
The 2022 cohort of Youth Ministry Officers are coming to the end of their year of service in our secondary schools across the diocese. Last week they gathered for the annual YMO Debrief to review the year that was and help prepare them for the time ahead. We thank these young missionaries for contributing to serving the Mission this year.
The most recent edition of our newsletter for parishes is available on this link Diocese of Lismore Catholic Schools Newsletter.
The newsletter aims to provide insight into recent happenings in education in the diocese for priests and parishioners. This edition contains updates from the Board, the Director of Schools, the Catholic Schools Office and a selection of schools.
It was recently sent (pdf and online versions) to all parishes in the diocese.
The 2023 Marist Fathers Grant Applications are now open for families to apply. This Grant provides funding for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students attending a Catholic Secondary School within the geographical boundaries of the Diocese of Lismore.
The Grant will be made available for assistance in any of the following areas:
- school uniform and school footwear costs,
- textbook and stationery expenses,
- special subject levies and equipment,
- Retreats, School camps, VET course fees, distance education.
The Grant provides $250 per student for Years 8, 9 & 10 and $350 per student for Years 7, 11 & 12 for the 2023 school year.
Please direct any Indigenous families to apply via this link.
Attention, Secondary Assistant Principals Learning and Teaching, Leaders of Curriculum, Leaders of Learning and Literacy Coaches.
Please note the Secondary Network, Registration and Accreditation and meeting dates for you to add to your school calendar in the attached document.
Please refer to the attached memo to prepare for the 2023 NAPLAN process.
Congratulations to Bernie Maginnity from St John's College, Lismore, the recipient of the 2023 Premier's Vocational Education in Schools Scholarship.
Other categories included Mathematics, History, English, Geography, Quality Teacher, Health and well-being, Technology in Education, Early Childhood, Economics, Youth Depression Awareness and Aboriginal Education.
Bernie has presented this scholarship from the Hon Dominic Perrottet MP, Premier of NSW and the Hon Sarah Mitchell, MLC Minister for Education and Early Learning & Deputy Leader of the Government, at the Legislative Council in the Gallery Room, State Library of NSW. The $15,000 scholarship is for study to research current issues in vocational education that impact students in schools.
Bernie submitted a study tour itinerary and activities, which will be provided to the scholarship secretariat for final approval to undertake study tour activities within 2023. We look forward to the findings of this research.
Mathematics Assessment Interview: Improving Practice is available on MyLearning for schools to schedule. This is 1 hour of accredited PD for teachers to refresh their knowledge of conducting the MAI and using the data to determine student mathematical understanding and identify growth points and connections to syllabus content to plan for differentiated instruction in Mathematics. Schools may schedule the course for their staff or groups of teachers. The course material can be found at Mathematics Assessment Interview: Improving Practice Moodle.
The MAI Online Training site is also available on the intranet for those who would like a refresher and for new teachers to become familiar with the assessment before completing it live.
Videos explaining how to finish partially completed interviews, refresh after technical issues, and change an incorrect answer can be found on the Mathematics Assessment Interview (MAI) page.
The following poster provides tips for teachers when completing the MAI Assessment.
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 People & Safety > Recruitment > Positions Vacant – internal site.
CATHOLIC SCHOOLS OFFICE
- Pastoral Care Officer
- Education Officer, Religious Education (Primary) (replacing Catherine McAleer)
SCHOOL
- Leader of Numeracy - St Paul’s College, Kempsey
- Acting Leader of Evangelisation (plus SOR teaching) - St Joseph’s College, Banora Point
- PDHPE Coordinator 2 + teaching - St Mary’s Catholic College, Casino
Other Diocese
Religious Education Coordinator – St Joseph’s Primary School, Merriwa – offering $40,000 of incentives!
https://cdmn.elmotalent.com.au/careers/cso/job/view/1062