THE WAY (Term 1 Week 9 - 27 March 2023)
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Community Spirit at Mount St Patrick College, Murwillumbah
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FOR ACTION
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Accendere Staff Professional Learning
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Mission Conference One Heart, Many Voices EOI (Reminder)
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Solution Focused Brief Therapy
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2023 State of the Sector Survey
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FOR INFORMATION
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Announcement
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2023 Year 6 Incitare
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Shared Future Program Update
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Free Mental Health Education Programs - headspace
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An Artificial Intelligence (AI) Conversation
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2023 Schools Reconciliation Challenge
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Digital Technology Newsletter
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HSC Showcase 2022
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Catholic Schools NSW - CSSA, Disability & Behaviour Network Symposium
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Positions Vacant
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My Learning
Students and staff from Mount St Patrick College, Murwillumbah, were given the honour of being among the first people to experience the opening of the Tweed section of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail. (1 March 2023)
Excited staff and students from Mount St Patrick College were front and centre on the school bikes for the opening of the much anticipated Tweed section of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail. The Trail was officially opened during a ceremony at the heritage-listed Murwillumbah Railway Station.
The trail currently extends 24km past 18 historic railway bridges, through 2 tunnels and ends at the quaint village of Crabbes Creek. It is the first completed stage of the Trail, which will eventually stretch 132km to Casino.
‘It was fantastic to be on the trail seeing what a marvellous job the Tweed Council have done in creating this asset for the community. I know that our College students will see the benefit of it for many years to come,’ said Principal Paul Reidy.
The college was the only school present at the opening, and their involvement was due to the vision and commitment of Mount St Patrick College Sports Coordinator Tim Whitney.
Tim saw the development of this unique community resource as an opportunity to include cycling as part of the school's integrated sports program.
‘The ride through the 500m long tunnel at Burringbar was a thrilling experience, illuminated by only the teacher's phone torches, it was extreme darkness, but there were glow worms as well, an experience that we will never forget and one I will definitely be doing over and over again in my spare time and with my family,’ said Tim Whitney.
Students in Years 9 to 11 will be able to experience their community's beautiful scenery and historic sites using the 30 locally purchased bikes and helmets. During Terms 2 and 3, all students across these year groups will be able to ride the Northern Rivers Rail Trail twice.
Congratulations to the Mount St Patrick College staff for adding this healthy and fun activity to their school sports program.
The Year 4 Retreat Accendere is the start of the Student Discipleship Continuum. For consistency of delivery of the program, staff formation is offered for all Year 4 teachers who are new to the grade (or who haven’t attended this in the past). In addition any other leaders (AP Mission, LOSE etc) who will be delivering the program at your school are invited to attend a Professional Learning day in either the north or the south of the diocese.
The program and resources to run Accendere have been prepared by the CSO. Schools are asked to ensure a date for the retreat is scheduled in their school calendar.
Goals:
- To prepare Year 4 Teachers (and AP Mission/LOSE) for their role as retreat facilitators.
- Understand basic principles in planning and delivering student discipleship retreats.
- Examination of the structure, set up and organisation of the Accendere Year 4 Retreat.
- Time for school-based planning of the Year 4 Accendere Retreat.
Dates:
- Thursday 11 May, 2023 - Catholic Schools Office - Clarence, Coffs Harbour (South)
- Friday 12 May, 2023 - Invercauld House, Goonellabah (North)
The days will run from 9:00am – 3:00pm. The relief code is C1GH. Please ensure your school’s participants register via My Learning.
For further enquiries please contact Kate Nestor (0407 068 230).
The Catholic Schools Office is sponsoring a limited number of places at the 2023 conference, covering transport, accommodation, registration and release funding. Applications to be part of this exciting opportunity can be made by completing the expression of interest (EOI) attached.
For further details, please contact Katrina Mills. Closing date for the EOI is Friday 31 March 2023.
This course is by invitation only counsellors. It provides training in the research behind, and implementation of, the Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) model.
This is a two day training providing background and practice in SFBT. It provides background research, case examples, role plays and practical experience. Participants will gain insight into the benefits of using the client’s own language, beliefs and preferences to create highly meaningful and specific goals. These goals are then used to guide ‘experiments’ and ‘suggestions’ to create agency and ownership in clients.
Dates:
- North - 15-16 June
- South - 22-23 June
Please register on MyLearning.
Now in its fourth year, the 2023 State of the Sector research initiative will build on the work undertaken in previous years, giving voice to education leaders and educators to explore the workforce issues that pose the greatest opportunities and the greatest challenges to Australian schools.
The 2023 PeopleBench State of the Sector survey is open now and Principals, school leaders—including HR and business managers—and teachers across Australia have the opportunity to participate.
Complete the State of the Sector survey here.
The survey is designed to capture school staff and system staff thoughts about the challenges and priorities you're working on now and those you anticipate to emerge in the future. Participation is confidential (data will be analysed by aggregate only and no individuals or schools will be identified in the reporting). The survey should take 15–20 minutes for most participants.
Any questions about the survey, should be directed to the PeopleBench research team via data@peoplebench.com.au.
Mr Nathan Trezise, currently Principal at Mount St John Primary School Dorrigo, has been appointed to the position of Lead, School Improvement and Performance with the Improvement and Performance Portfolio in the Catholic Schools Office.
Nathan brings to the position a wealth of knowledge, skills and qualifications that will position him to perform the role successfully including experience in the roles of Principal, Assistant Principal and Assistant Principal Curriculum. Nathan is a faith leader and lead learner and has deep knowledge of the current NSW Curriculum and associated pedagogy to support student learning.
Nathan will commence in the role at the commencement of Term 2, 2023.
Advertising for the substantive position of Principal, Mount St John Primary School Dorrigo will commence as soon as possible in 2023.
In order to provide the school with leadership support until the successful applicant is able to commence in the position, Mr Peter Watts, Principal St Augustine’s Primary School, Coffs Harbour has accepted the role of Acting Principal at Mount St John Primary School Dorrigo.
Mrs Naomi Loader, will assume the position of Acting Principal at St Augustine’s Primary School Coffs Harbour while Mr Watts is acting in Dorrigo. Naomi is currently Assistant Principal Mission at St Augustine’s.
We would like to thank Mr Watts and Mrs Loader for generously accepting these acting positions and express our best wishes to them.
Thank you also to Father Paul Winter and Father Joe Dsouza for their support of our system schools.
Please join us in congratulating Mr Trezise on his appointment as Lead, School Improvement and Performance and we look forward to his continued contribution to Catholic education in the Diocese of Lismore.
Over the last two weeks, approximately 340 Year 6 students from across the diocese gathered at five venues to participate in the Year 6 Incitare retreat. Joining with students from nearby schools in a safe, supportive environment, participants engaged in large and small group activities that focused on:
- Values in life.
- Courage and ways to be a disciple.
- How to make a difference in the world.
Youth Ministry students from local Catholic Secondary Schools assisted the Retreat Convenor to facilitate the day by running lively games, activities and small group sessions. The theme of the day was taken from the Letter to the Hebrews and was brought to life through the energetic community that gathered (Hebrews 10:24 - “And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, but encouraging one another.”)
The collaboration between RE Teachers, Youth Ministry classes, Primary and Secondary Schools and Mission Services has ensured the ongoing success of these Student Discipleship Continuum Retreats. Congratulations and thanks to all involved.
The Shared Future Program is out with its most recent update. You can find what's been happening this term in the attached pdf. For more information, visit the Shared Future Program page on the intranet.
This program delivers free mental health education workshops to secondary school communities across Australia. The workshops have been developed to increase awareness, knowledge and skills in mental health literacy, accessing support and improving wellbeing in secondary students.
Primary schools may be interested in the Transitions: Primary to Secondary Workshops.
See Mental Health Education Program flyer for more information (attached)
With the recent articles and conversation happening around ChatGPT and what it means for education, we would like to invite all staff in the diocese to join us for a conversation around AI. This opportunity will enable all staff to discuss questions and thoughts around AI and ways that we can work together to understand how best it fits within our different contexts.
If you are interested please complete the form below and we will send out an invitation closer to the dates.
The 2023 Schools Reconciliation Challenge was launched on Thursday 16 March. This year’s theme is: What Stories Will You Dream?
Schools can register now to take part in the challenge, with entries closing Friday, 1 September (Term 3, Week 7). There are many links to lessons and activities online to support teachers and schools in participating in the challenge. By registering for the challenge, schools are also eligible to access free and exclusive Schools Reconciliation Challenge webinars.
Over the term the Digital Technologies Team produces a Digital Learning Newsletter to support educators and leaders in our diocese to stay informed around topics and updates related to Digital Technologies and STEM.
Showcasing examples from educators in our diocese and globally, the newsletter aims to inspire you with ideas and provide insights into how to implement Digital Technologies and STEM into your learning and teaching. The newsletter also documents professional learning opportunities in these areas.
SUBSCRIBE HERE: https://mailchi.mp/lism/subscribe
The Lismore Diocese HSC Showcase celebrates and captures the talents of our 2022 HSC students, reflecting their creativity, innovation, technical skills and conceptual development. These projects represent the culmination of months of diligence and commitment by students, planning and designing, developing their skills and applying them to the task of creating inspirational and engaging works.
Spotlight On …
School: Xavier Catholic College Ballina (Dance)
Student: Siobhan Thompson
Title: Core Performance - I'm Tired
Statement: The Dance was choreographed as an outgrowth of class work.
Please see the attached sheet for further information.
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
- Human Resources Officer - Tweed (replacement for Lauren Forrest)
- Administration Assistant, Classifications (new position)
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 is 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.
Library Network - F23LS-LN
School Library staff are invited to attend the upcoming network meetings to support them in their school roles. It is highly encouraged for all Library staff to attend.
- North: 9 May - St John’s College, Lismore
- South: 11 May - MacKillop College, Port Macquarie
Planning for Students with EAL/D - F23LS-SES
This course is designed specifically for staff who are currently teaching students with an English as an Additional Language or Dialect (EAL/D) profile. Helen West (External EAL/D Consultant) will provide practical guidance and support for teachers to plot students on the EAL/D Learning Progressions, understand this information and strategies for learning, teaching and assessment.