THE WAY (Term 2 Week 1 - 24 April 2023)
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The Future of Teaching Looks Bright
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FOR ACTION
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Look After Yourself
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NSW Youth Week - 20 to 30 April 2023
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Reminder: Secondary Registration and Accreditation Dates
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FOR INFORMATION
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Announcements
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The First Preparation - World Youth Day Formation
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School Sucks Webinar
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Schools Reconciliation Challenge
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Together for Humanity’s Intercultural Understanding Partnership (ICUP) Grants
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Response to Intervention within Component A of the K-2 English Syllabus - Draft
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Sydney Educational Measurement and Assessment Symposium 2023
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Inclusion Leaders Collaborative Network
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Positions Vacant
Beginning teachers from across the Diocese came together at Lismore and Coffs Harbour for two days of faith development and professional learning. (23 - 24 March 2023)
The Diocese of Lismore is strongly committed to supporting early-career teachers as they begin their teaching careers in our Catholic schools. The Graduate Formation Program is facilitated over two years and has a focus on developing Proficient practice through expert mentoring, coaching and professional learning.
The Catholic Schools Office was pleased to have over one hundred beginning teachers who are provisionally or conditionally accredited, attend the Graduate Formation Program systems days at the end of the last term. Over the two days, early career teachers were able to engage in Formation for Mission through the Signum Fidei and Cresente Fidei retreats, targeted professional learning and networking opportunities.
‘The Graduate Formation Systems days complement the excellent work done in schools by School Mentors (Accreditation Supervisors) and other colleagues on a daily basis to collectively provide a thorough orientation and induction for the beginning teacher. Over the two days, there was great energy, enthusiasm and collegiality displayed by participants who clearly bring these qualities to the classroom and school to benefit the school community,’ said Leisa Fisher, Lead, Teacher Accreditation.
We welcome all of these wonderful teachers to the Diocese of Lismore and thank them for the gifts they bring to the vocation of teaching. They will continue to be supported through a school-based, practice-focused Induction Program as they become effective and confident educators.
All staff are asked to remember that the cornerstone of safety at work is the ethos that all staff are responsible for their own safety and that of everyone else.
Keeping that in mind and focusing on your own safety, please remember to consider your own psychological health and safety. All industries in NSW in the last year have seen an increase in psychological injuries of 53%. Diocese of Lismore schools are experiencing similar increases.
If you are struggling psychologically in any area of your life, please get in touch with our free, confidential counselling service on 1800 818 728, 24/7.
NSW Youth Week will take place from 20 to 30 April 2023. Youth Week is a time for young people between 12 to 24 years of age to celebrate and participate in a variety of activities, opportunities and events across NSW and in their local area.
To ensure as many young people as possible across NSW take part in Youth Week this year, click here to access the media kit. The media kit includes social media posts, an A4 poster, newsletter text and images to share with your networks.
Find out what is happening this year via the following link.
The Secondary Registration and Accreditation Dates have been finalised and are available in MyLearning for registrations. Please refer to THE WAY (TERM 1 WEEK 8 - 20 March 2023) for more details.
SCHOOLS
Dominique Montford has been appointed to the temporary position of Acting Assistant Principal - Mission at St Augustine’s Primary School, Coffs Harbour, commencing 24 April 2023. Dominique has been with the Diocese since 2017 and joins us from St Augustine’s, where she holds the position of Leader of Catechesis.
CATHOLIC SCHOOLS OFFICE
Alice Lantry has been appointed to the temporary position of Payroll Officer in the Finance & Corporate Services portfolio and commenced with us on 5 April 2023. Alice joined us from Shearwater, the Mullumbimby Steiner School, where she held the position of Payroll Accountant.
Hogan Rogers has been appointed to the position of Youth Ministry Development Officer in the Mission Services portfolio and commenced with us on 17 April 2023. Hogan joins us from Unleashing Personal Potential, where he worked as a casual consultant and prior to this, held the position of Youth Team Leader with the Archdiocese of Brisbane.
Charlotte Kelly has been appointed to the position of Professional Practice Adviser in the People & Safety portfolio commencing on 24 April 2023. Charlotte joins us from Southern Cross University where she held the position of Professional Experience Team Leader.
We congratulate Dominique, Alice, Hogan and Charlotte on their appointments and welcome their commitment and expertise to the positions.
A reflection by Zackary Bennett - Teacher at MacKillop College, Port Macquarie
On Saturday, 1 April 2023, 35 pilgrims from the Diocese of Lismore attended the first in-person formation session at The Link in Sawtell Parish to prepare for the upcoming World Youth Day pilgrimage to Spain and Portugal later this year. Throughout the day, we had opportunities to get to know each other and engage with catechesis led by our Chaplain Fr Felix Ekeh, in addition to running through the logistics and any outstanding questions in preparation for our departure on 23 July 2023.
We began our preparation by engaging with the question: “What is a pilgrimage?”. The general consensus was that it is a meaningful journey and an act of religious devotion, with opportunities for deep prayer, reflection and connection (and not just a holiday to a foreign place). Additionally, we learned about the three stages of a pilgrimage: The Longing, The Quest, and The Homecoming. Preparation and Formation is key in order to fully experience the journey that we will go through. Our engagement in these in-person formation days, as well as online sessions run by Bishop Greg Homeming, allow us to understand the strengths and struggles associated with our journey. The video link below provides a glimpse into the 2016 Diocese of Lismore WYD Pilgrimage, leaving the 2023 pilgrims more eager to attend!
WYD 2016: What we bring back home
In the second session, Fr Felix led a catechesis on The Miracles of Fàtima, as Mary and the Saints of Fatima are some of the saints that we will engage with on our spiritual journey. Fr Felix’s input involved the singing of a traditional song in his native language on the Story of Our Lady of Fàtima. It was a pleasure to listen and learn from Fr Felix throughout this session, whilst gaining understanding and insight into Our Lady of Fàtima.
The last session was focused on gaining insight on Àvila, one of the numerous destinations we will be travelling to. Some of the key destinations in Àvila that we learned about and will have the opportunity to visit include the Catedral de Àvila, the Church and Convent of St Teresa of Àvila, the Monastery of La Encarnacion and the Castle Walls that encircle the town. We also reviewed some of the logistics including flight details, ways to get involved with the journey and an overview of WYD Week in Lisbon.
The World Youth Day 2023 theme is focused on Luke 1:39, where Mary meets her cousin Elizabeth upon the news of her pregnancy with John the Baptist - “Mary arose and went with haste.” We as a collective are excited for the spiritual journey that we are about to pursue, the opportunities to engage with God deeply and the chance to reflect on how we change throughout the pilgrimage. Your prayers would be greatly appreciated in anticipation of our pilgrimage.
Wednesday 3 May 2023 at 10:00am. School non-attendance is an increasing concern across all education sectors in Australia. Evidence suggests that the causes of non-attendance can be divided into three subcategories: students who dislike coming to school; those with psychosocial issues and those experiencing difficulties at home.
School leaders of Pastoral Care, AP Mission, School Counsellors, Student Support Workers are invited to join Dr Justin Coulson on 3 May at 10.00am for the School Sucks! webinar.
Justin will discuss some of the psychosocial issues around non-attendance and practical strategies staff can use to recognise, respond and support vulnerable students.
This webinar is funded by CSNSW.
Click on the following link to register:
The 2023 Schools Reconciliation Challenge has now been launched.
The theme for this year is: What Stories Will You Dream?
Stories are how we understand the world around us. They inform what we know and shape how we act. The Australia we live in today is built upon the stories of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Throughout the long history of what is now known as Australia, the world’s oldest living cultures have told and shared stories of culture and Dreaming; stories of hurt and devastation; stories of strength and resilience; stories of change; and stories still unwritten.
In an Australia where racism still exists, and health and educational outcomes are significantly poorer for First Nations peoples, this year’s theme asks teachers and students to consider how we can advance the work of those who came before us in creating a fair and equitable society.
What story will you dream for reconciliation?
How will you contribute to making it a reality?
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.
Together for Humanity, an inclusive educational organisation that seeks to foster intercultural understanding, has just launched a new call for expressions of interest an Intercultural Understanding Partnerships with schools. It is a funding opportunity that allows schools that are successful in receiving up to $10,000 to address an intercultural and/or interfaith challenge in the school community.
ICUP schools can work closely with an experienced, highly skilled facilitator using a collaborative approach to implement and review initiatives that directly address the identified issues.
Projects can address a range of issues, including:
- increased incidents of racism,
- challenges in schools with a high number of refugee enrolments,
- providing regional students with an understanding of and connection to people from different cultures,
- facilitating greater belonging for Indigenous students and more.
To apply, complete the Online Expression of Interest (EOI) or download the EOI pdf and email it to ICUP@togetherforhumanity.org.au.
Applications close on 30 April 2023. Applicants may be contacted for further information. Shortlisted applicants will be contacted for a follow-up interview. Unsuccessful applicants will be notified by email.
If you have any questions prior to submitting your EOI, please contact Andrea Hogg at ICUP@togetherforhumanity.org.au or 0493 024 228.
This document provides draft guidance on Response to Intervention within Component A of the K-2 English Syllabus: InitiaLit and SoundsWrite lessons.
Please find the document linked attached.
The Centre for Educational Measurement and Assessment (CEMA) is hosting a one-day symposium on Thursday, 1 June, in the Abercrombie Building at the University of Sydney. Face to face and online attendance options are available.
This research event is designed to gather several different communities to share ideas and interact across boundaries – measurement and assessment – but also settings such as schools, universities, government departments and agencies, commercial entities, and NGOs.
Topics for the day include school improvement, teaching quality, large-scale assessments, validity, measuring 21st century skills, feedback, formative assessment, automated assessment and AI, authentic assessment, collaborative/group assessment, learning analytics and assessment, equity in assessment, policy, leadership, teacher data literacy…
Highlights of the programme include:
- a keynote from Professor Dragan Gašević from Monash University on Assessment and learning analytics;
- an expert panel discussion on Using large-scale assessment data with Jennifer English from the NSW Dept of Education, Professor Andrew Martin from UNSW, and Michael Saxon from Liverpool Boys High School;
- a range of presentations and roundtable discussion sessions contributed by colleagues.
For more information and to register, click here.
Inclusion Leaders and one Additional Leader/Teacher are invited to the Inclusion Leaders Collaborative Network on 8 May 2023. Up to 2 release days are allocated per school.
The day provides 2 hours of NESA Accredited PD and 3 hours of NESA Elective PD.
The agenda is as follows:
- Sharing Practice
- Guidelines for health professionals visiting the school
- Collaboration and Consultation
- Imputing Disability
- Substantial adjustments
- Intervention framework
- Effective Strategies to Differentiate Reading Based Tasks.
Please register for either North or South by following this link.
North - Ballina RSL Club
South - Kempsey RSL Club
Information on employment opportunities within the Diocese of Lismore is available via Positions Vacant - internal.
Existing staff should apply through the Internal Positions Vacant page on the intranet; select People & Safety > Recruitment > Positions vacant – internal site.
CATHOLIC SCHOOLS OFFICE
- Payroll Officer.