THE WAY (Term 1 Week 4 - 20 February 2023)
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St Paul’s College, Kempsey, shines at Green Innovation Awards
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FOR ACTION
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The Season of Lent - Bishop’s Talks
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Registration Now Open for Mission: one heart many voices conference 2023
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FOR INFORMATION
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Announcement
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Catholic Schools Week
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2023 Innovation Grants
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Aboriginal Education Advisory Committee (AEAC) - 2023 Nominations
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2023 Arts Partnership Grants
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ESafety advice for parents - ThinkUKnow program
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Understanding Dyslexia and Significant Reading Disabilities
A group of ambitious Year 10 students from St Paul’s College, Kempsey, were awarded first place in the 2022 Green Innovation Awards for Secondary Schools.
Congratulations to St Paul’s College, Kempsey, for coming first in the 2022 Green Innovation Awards for secondary schools.
The Green Innovation Awards is a wonderful science and environmental competition available for primary and high schools from the Gold Coast to Port Macquarie.
Year 10 Geography students demonstrated their innovative ideas in waste management, water management, building and packaging materials, agriculture, biofuels and renewable energy.
Their creative project ‘Bottles and Baskets’ encourages students to decrease the number of 10c refundable bottles entering landfill by making the recycling process engaging, enjoyable and competitive by encouraging students to shoot their waste through a hoop into the recycling bin.
‘These students nailed the brief of diverting potential recycling in a fun and innovative way. They researched the impact this project would have and engineered a simple and effective design. Our students should be proud of the effort and academic excellence they displayed in this extracurricular activity,’ said St Paul’s Geography Teacher, Tess Meehan.
Students then travelled to Southern Cross University Lismore on the 9 November to give a 10-minute presentation followed by a Q&A with Environmental Scientists, Business Leaders and Traditional Elders. Students were judged on originality, degree of research, practicality, impact potential, student knowledge and presentation.
St Paul’s excelled in this sphere, presenting their research and concept design as a parody of a morning breakfast show, entertaining judges whilst clearly defining the problem and solution. St Paul’s took the trophy home ahead of McAuley Catholic College, Grafton’s, recapturing wastewater project and Kingscliff High School’s floating house to mitigate flooding.
The Green Innovation team from St Ambrose Catholic Primary School, Pottsville, also made it through to the finals and confidently presented their community's ‘Coffee Cup Recycling’ program.
Lent begins next week with Ash Wednesday. It is the season of reflection and preparation before Easter, and its observance culminates in the solemn celebrations of Holy Thursday, Good Friday and the Easter Vigil which lie at the heart of the Catholic year. In Catholic tradition Lent is marked by fasting, reflection, giving to others and deepening our sacramental living, especially in Reconciliation. For parishes it is also a time of preparation of catechumens within the RCIA program. In schools, children are reminded to 'give up something' or 'think of others' in building an understanding of the inner life needed by a maturing Christian.
Like Jesus in the desolation of the desert, those who work in Catholic schools are required to reflect on our own inner lives, fasting and praying, so as we can walk with students, witnessing Good News and clearing away our own temptation toward attachments. Diocese of Lismore Catholic Schools Ltd (DLCSL) staff are asked to participate within their parish setting regarding Ash Wednesday services (please consult your parish bulletin/website). Please use this special time of Lent to pray for others and our own forgiveness and reconciliation with God and neighbour.
In the Lenten reflection we are reminded that we have in the Church great opportunities for spiritual growth and understanding. In this, Bishop Greg Homeming each year gives a series of Lenten talks. This year the Bishop will focus the talks on The Spirituality of St Teresa of Avila and take place in St Carthage's Cathedral Lismore on Thursday 23 February, Thursday 2 March and Thursday 16 March. All Catholic school staff are welcome.
In addition the Catholic Schools Office Family Partnership team will provide a family prayer resource next week.
Friends In Mission, as an update and reminder, we invite you to remember that from 3–5 May, 2023 we will once again come together for the Mission: one heart many voices conference. This is an excellent opportunity for personal and professional development especially focused on Mission, Catholic Identity and Synodality.
For a glimpse of what to expect … Save The Date
After much discernment the conference will be face to face from 3-5 May, 2023 in Sydney. The online experience of the conference will take place in the months following May.
Confirmed speakers include Mr Dean Parkin, HE Chiara Porro, Dr Elissa Roper, Bishop Shane Mackinlay, and Bishop Tim Norton.
CATHOLIC SCHOOLS OFFICE
Shan Purnell has been appointed to the position of Payroll Officer in the Finance and Corporate Services portfolio commencing 27 February 2023. Shan has extensive experience as a Payroll Officer, most recently as Payroll Officer at the Momentum Collective.
We congratulate Shan on her appointment, and welcome her commitment and expertise to this position.
Catholic Schools Week is scheduled for Week 1, Term 2, 24 April to 28 April 2023. This year's theme is 'Living our Mission'.
Catholic Schools Week will be supported by Mission Services (liturgy and prayer resources). These resources will be distributed in The Leader (Week 7, Term 1) and will also be located on the intranet.
The Media and Communications team will support schools with a Facebook marketing campaign. The Media and Communications team will liaise with schools media and communications point of contact prior to Week 7, Term 1 regarding the advertising campaign.
Congratulations to the 2023 recipients of the Learning and Teaching Grant. Attached are the successful schools and a short summary of their projects for the year. As an insight into some of the work from last year, please enjoy reading the great work from the team at St Joseph’s Regional College who engaged in the project last year to further stimulate learning.
- Clarence Region
- Richmond Region
- Parent Representative
- Secondary Teacher
Members of the Catholic Aboriginal Education Advisory Committee are concerned about the needs of Aboriginal students throughout the Lismore Diocese. The committee supports the initiatives of Parish schools and provides advice to the Catholic Schools Office on matters related to Aboriginal Education.
The AEAC requests that current staff members who have demonstrated a commitment to Aboriginal education discuss their interest with their Principal before completing the attached nomination form.
Nomination forms need to be forwarded to Doreen Flanders, Aboriginal Education Officer.
If you have any question please contact Doreen directly on 0419 986 940.
Applications close Week 5 at 4.00pm 2 March 2023.
Congratulations to the following schools who have been successful in securing an Arts Partnership Grant for 2023:
- St Mary’s Primary School, Bowraville
- St Mary’s Primary School, Casino
- St Paul’s College, Kempsey
- McAuley Catholic College, Grafton
- St Joseph’s Regional College, Port Macquarie
Projects across the five schools are diverse and we look forward to the creativity and learning that will come from the projects. For further information about the projects and to celebrate the achievements of the previous Arts Partnership Grants explore the Creative Arts Site on the Intranet.
For further information contact: Samantha Lynch, Education Officer (Primary).
The AFP-led ThinkUKnow program – Australia’s first and only nationally delivered, law enforcement-led online safety program – has produced guides for parents and carers.
- Gaming devices and what you need to know
- Parent and carer social media starter kit
For more information, visit this website.
Registration closes Wedneday, 15 March. Please register here.