THE WAY (Term 2 Week 3 - 8 May 2023)
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Giving Young People A Voice
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FOR ACTION
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Attendance Procedures Update
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School Refusal Professional Learning
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FOR INFORMATION
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Announcements
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Introducing the revised Child Safeguarding Commitment Statement
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Animal Research Authority for Schools
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Your Mob Courses - Indigenous Cultural Awareness
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Semester 2 2023 Extension Programs for High Potential and Gifted Learners
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Regional Mentor Coordinators
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New Curriculum Primary and Secondary Newsletters
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7-12 KLA PDHPE and HSIE Collaborative Network Meetings - Update
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Getting the Most out of Gaming webinar
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Release of 2023 CSSA Trial HSC Examinations - Final Timetable
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Positions Vacant
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My Learning
St Joseph’s Regional College, Port Macquarie, Year 12 student Madeline Hele was chosen to debate constitutional reform issues at the highest level at the National Schools Constitutional Convention. (21 - 23 March 2023)
Congratulations to St Joseph’s Regional College, Port Macquarie, Year 12 student Madeline Hele for being selected to attend the 28th National Schools Constitutional Convention (NSCC).
Madeline was among 116 Year 11 and 12 students selected from around Australia to attend the prestigious program, which was held at the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House, Canberra.
The program is funded by the Australian Government Department of Education (DOE), coordinated by National Curriculum Services (NCS) and supported by the Australian Curriculum Studies Association (ACSA) and Department of Education from all states and territories.
The topic for the 2023 NSCC was ‘Constitutional Reform - Is Section 128 still a necessary requirement to change such an important document as the Australian Constitution?’ The students experienced rich learning opportunities to guide them to be better informed about how Australia's Constitution provides a democratic framework and to encourage them to take an active interest in the operation of the Australian Government.
The NSCC was one of the best experiences of my life, as I got to discuss political issues with other like-minded people and meet some of the greatest friends from a variety of states. I have been able to expand my knowledge and further my interest in politics as a future career path,’ said Madeline.
Madeline’s incredible three-day trip to Canberra from Tuesday, 21 March to Thursday, 23 March, involved numerous excursions to other key political and constitutional locations, including Question Time in the Federal House of Representatives, Government House, the High Court of Australia, and the Museum of Australian Democracy.
This unique experience included lectures from keynote speakers, discussion groups, and soapbox sessions, where students were able to share their personal opinions and a mock referendum conducted by the Australian Electoral Commission.
The Student Attendance Standard Operating Procedures dated Feb 2021 has been updated and renamed the Student Attendance Procedures. The document has been significantly reduced in size, and the number of supporting forms has been reduced.
Content has largely remained the same, with the exception of the Exemption from Attendance and Enrolment section. This change identifies those previous approvals that required the Minister’s consent now only requiring the affirmation of the Director of Catholic Schools. This is in line with recent notifications from the Department of Education and CSNSW. Principals will issue Certificates in these circumstances after receiving the affirmation of the principal’s decision from the Director. Please process these requests for affirmation using the appropriate forms via the Audit and Compliance Adviser.
Also appropriate at this time is the need to clarify the term sometimes used incorrectly as Principal Approved Leave. This term is not a correct interpretation of the procedures. A principal is able to suspend a student but cannot direct them to take leave. Families may request leave in the student’s best educational interests after discussions with the principal or their delegate, and this may be approved by the principal.
Please ensure all staff tasked with attendance monitoring are alerted to the new procedures and, as always, access the latest forms that accompany it from the CSO Intranet>Directorate>Attendance site and not use previously downloaded forms.
For any additional information or assistance in interpreting the new procedures, please contact the Audit and Compliance Officer.
School refusal is on the rise: how can schools help?
Be You are offering a free live webinar on school refusal. Join them to hear the latest research around school refusal and strategies that can be employed to help manage this complex issue. They will discuss some of the challenges schools are facing regarding school refusal and identify ways to support our staff and students.
When: 25 May, 3:45-4:45 pm.
Register here.
For more information, contact Elise Taylor, Be You Team Lead.
0429 148 681
ETaylor@headspace.org.au
CATHOLIC SCHOOLS OFFICE
Corrine Prokopchuk has been appointed to the position of Administrative Assistant, Classifications in the People and Safety portfolio commencing on 15 May 2023. Corrine has a background in human resources and payroll administration and previously worked as HR Assistant at St Joseph’s Care Group, Canada.
Please see attached memo to communicate the launch of the revised 'Child Safeguarding Commitment Statement.'
6503_Introducing_the_revised_Child_Safeguarding_Commitment_Statement.pdf
The use of animals in schools for educational purposes is governed by the Animal Research Act (1985) NSW. Catholic Schools NSW meets a requirement of this Act by issuing an Animal Research Authority to each school annually.
Accompanying this advice is the annual Animal Research Authority for the Principal and teachers who use animals to complete and retain within the school. Both pages of the Authority need to be completed. The names of teachers approved by the Principal to handle animals should be listed on the second page of the Authority, along with each teacher’s signature.
The Animal Welfare Liaison Officer, appointed by the Principal, must also be identified. The Principal is the Animal Welfare Liaison Officer in Schools for Specific Purposes, primary and infant schools. In central and secondary schools, it is generally the teacher most qualified to supervise the use of animals for teaching and research purposes. A full description of the role of the Animal Welfare Liaison Officer can be accessed through the Animals in Schools webpage.
The information on page two of the Animal Research Authority must be updated when changes in personnel occur at the school. The Animal Research Authority must be retained at the school and made available to appropriately authorised people, including Catholic Schools NSW representatives, inspectors from the NSW Department of Primary Industries Animal Welfare Unit and officers involved with, and members of, the Schools Animal Care and Ethics Committee.
If you require further information about the Animal Research Authority or the Animal Research Establishment, please contact Mary-Clare Turnbull.
The Your Mob learning program courses are recommended to all staff.
These courses are designed to produce the following outcomes:
- give staff a deeper understanding of Indigenous culture and how it impacts their workplace, community, and your approach as an employee or organisation
- assist participants in gaining key skills and knowledge on how to engage Indigenous individuals in the workplace. How to communicate with Indigenous community members
- the ability to identify cultural gaps, and the knowledge on how to influence and contribute to Indigenous reconciliation in the workplace and the wider community.
The Diocese pays an ongoing subscription to enable schools access to the courses. Further details are also included in the ATSI PD Opportunities document (attached).
Staff wanting to access the courses should follow this link.
In response to system and school data, the Catholic Schools Office will continue to offer Extension Programs for identified High Potential and Gifted Learners in Stage 3 (Year 5) Mathematics and English in 2023. Semester Two programs will commence in Week 1, Term 3.
Further information and the Nomination forms are included in the documents attached.
Regional Mentor Coordinators are employed to support the School Mentor (Accreditation Supervisor) to give explicit feedback about practice against the Australian Professional Teacher Standards at Proficient to a beginning teacher. As a temporary measure to support all regions, the Regional Mentor will support each region one day per week.
Tweed/Clarence: Carmel Driscoll
Richmond/Hastings: Beth McMillan
Until further advised, Regional Mentors will communicate feedback to School Mentors via email, shared documents and Zoom meetings. Travel to schools (after May 12th) will only occur in extenuating circumstances.
Priority will be given to Early Career teachers who:
- are nearing the end of their NESA accreditation timeframe and risk suspension
- are in their second year of service.
Education/Inclusion Officers will distribute printed copies of the New Syllabus Primary or Secondary Newsletters when they work with schools to encourage staff to access key information and keep up to date. The New Syllabus newsletters can be accessed on the intranet under New Curriculum, along with other key resources and information.
The PDHPE Collaborative Network meeting scheduled for 24 and 25 May has been postponed in light of the new Stage 6 Syllabus not being released at this stage. Tentative dates for the PDHPE Collaborative Network are Tuesday, 5 September and Wednesday, 6 September. The Stage 4 & 5 History and Geography Network Meetings will also be postponed as we await the release of new syllabuses. The Stage 6 Geography Network Meeting will proceed as planned on Tuesday, 6 June.
The Council of Catholic School Parents NSW/ACT, in conjunction with the eSafety Commissioner, is holding a 45 minute webinar on Tuesday, 23 May, to provide families with strategies for supporting children and young people to have safe, positive experiences when playing games online. It is designed for parents and carers of children aged 7 to 14.
It will cover the following:
- when gaming can be beneficial;
- strategies to promote better in-game experiences;
- how to keep children safe online – using safety and privacy settings in games and platforms;
- strategies to promote more balanced gaming and how to create smoother transitions from game-play to other activities; and
- the key online risks and where to find help for things like bullying and harassment in games.
For more information and to register, click here.
The CSSA Trial HSC Examinations – Final Timetable has been emailed to schools that placed an order with the CSSA. The Final Timetable is also located on the CSSA website.
Refer to the 2023 CSSA Principal Information package for all details pertaining to the CSSA Trial HSC Examinations. This package was emailed to each Principal in early February, as registered on the CSSA website by each school.
Here are a few reminders to assist in school preparation:
- Please note the CSSA Trial HSC Examinations Terms and Conditions again.
- Examinations scheduled for ALL WEEKS must be taken at the time and date specified.
- Rescheduling examinations prior to the nominated times is not permitted.
- All examinations, including students’ scripts, MUST be collected at the conclusion of the examination and secured by 8:00 am, Thursday, 17 August 2023.
- It is the expectation of the CSSA that schools will NOT modify any examination. The one exception to this is where a topic on which a particular question is based has yet to be covered in class. In such circumstances, an alternative question should be set and presented to students on a coloured insert sheet.
- The duration of each examination is working time only. See individual examinations for reading time.
CSSA website and individual School Accounts:
School data in School Accounts with the CSSA must be kept up-to-date by individual schools via the CSSA website in Account Settings.
Relevant personnel in CSSA-registered schools should ensure that school data available and fields of information on the CSSA website are checked, updated, and completed as necessary. This will ensure that your School’s address, phone number, email address, and contact details are correct – this information is critical for communication with schools and the secure delivery of CSSA Trial HSC Examinations. Remember to click on the SAVE button at the end of the process.
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
- Facilities Coordinator, Schools x2
- Facilities Coordinator, Corporate Offices
- Regional Finance Business Partners x4
- Pastoral Care Officer
- Education Officer - Mathematics K-12.
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.
7-12 KLA Collaborative Network - HSIE: Stage 6 Geography - F23LS-712KCN
In this workshop, participants will engage with facilitators and peers to develop a deeper understanding of the new Stage 6 Geography syllabus. Participants can register on My Learning for this course. Registration closes on 30 May.
Dates: 6 June 2023 - Clarence Regional Office Coffs Harbour