THE WAY (Term 2 Week 6 - 29 May 2023)
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Intergenerational Gardening Project at St Joseph’s Primary School, Wauchope
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FOR ACTION
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Reminder - Personal Equipment
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FOR INFORMATION
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Wildfire - Melting Hearts and Forming Disciples
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Free Laudato SI’ Resources - Emmaus Productions
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Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Education - Guidelines for Schools
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HSC Showcase 2022
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Now Open: Premier's Teacher Scholarships
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Reconciliation Week & National Sorry Day - Be a Voice for Generations
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My Learning
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Positions Vacant
A group of ten students from St Joseph’s Primary School, Wauchope, Garden Club, spent quality time helping the senior residents weeding and watering the garden at the local Senior Hub. (26 April 2023)
A group of green-thumbed students from St Joseph’s Primary School, Wauchope, Garden Club, enjoyed a lovely day of gardening with the local senior residents of Wauchope at the OMNICARE Seniors Hub.
The Garden Club has been a staple of St Joseph’s for several years, getting students involved during lunchtime weeding and watering plants as part of the school's sustainability and Waste Warriors projects. Produce from the garden is sold at the garden market stall by students during the Friday assembly and has been very well received and supported by the parents.
The Intergenerational Gardening project is a wonderful initiative created by the Mid-North Coast-based Aged Care provider OMNICARE. The project is focused on building patience and resilience so the students can learn how to grow in their understanding of the needs of the elderly in their community.
‘This was the best day ever!’ said Year 6 student Chase.
Soft chatter and laughter could be heard as students and senior residents gardened with big smiles, transforming a small part of the Cottage into a splendid garden filled with colourful flowers, orange trees, handmade insect hotels and a small water hole for frogs. OMNICAREs staff were very impressed with the student’s manners and the respect they displayed.
‘I was so impressed with the respect our kids displayed and the excitement and the enthusiasm they showed. They had a genuine interest in the garden, and they asked questions of the seniors and answered questions. It was an absolute pleasure being involved in this event,’ said Teacher Assistant Christine Ninness.
More visits from St Joseph’s Primary School are already being planned for the future.
Staff are discouraged from bringing their own electronic equipment (heaters, powerboards, etc) into the workplace. Please seek approval from school leadership before bringing anything on-site. This notwithstanding, any personal electrical equipment approved must be tagged and tested before use.
Staff should not bring or use at school any personal equipment that uses gas.
The Proclaim Lismore Wildfire Worship team continue to make an impact as they go about their schedule offering the Ten: Ten retreat days, Feast Day celebrations and Catch the Wave Retreats to Parish Schools across the Diocese.
Last week saw the team of musicians, accompanied by Mission Assistants from nearby secondary schools, run retreat days at St Mary's Primary schools in both Bellingen and Bowraville. At the culmination of the day's sessions, a whole school prayer service was held, and there were few dry eyes as the students sang The Blessing Song to their teachers. Assistant Principal Carmel Dagger shared with Wildfire leader Evronia Allan after the event, "One of our Year 5 students wrote a letter at recess today that she asked me to pass on to you. What an impact you have all had - what a beautiful letter!
So much positive feedback today.Thank you so much."
In other Wildfire news, a new album is imminent! Since the end of last year, Wildfire has been intentionally writing and creating something really special for your school and parish community. Watch this video to learn what this exciting new project is, and stay tuned for more details on the release date.
Emmaus Productions, a not-for-profit organisation under the direction of Monica Brown, has been serving Catholic schools for over 40 years. In celebration of Laudato Si’ Week (21-28 May) and World Environment Day (5 June), Emmaus is offering FREE resources, including songs and videos, to support Laudato Si’s goals and values to schools across Australia. To access these resources, click on the following link.
In light of the rapid advancements in the field of artificial intelligence (AI), a document has been crafted to provide essential information and guidelines for schools and staff. This initial document marks the beginning of an ongoing series as we recognise the constant evolution of AI's role in education, prompting regular updates to ensure relevance and accuracy. All current and future documents will be housed within the newly established CSO Intranet Digital Technologies - AI in Education.
Within this dedicated page, you will discover a wealth of valuable resources, including:
- In-depth literature on AI for further exploration
- A list of evaluated tools and applications that align with Australian Privacy Principles
- A comprehensive glossary of relevant terms and concepts.
Furthermore, the Digital Technologies team is providing insights and developments in AI through the Digital Technologies Newsletter. We invite you to subscribe to this publication by accessing the following link.
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 …
MacKillop College, Port Macquarie (Industrial Technology)
Student: Jack Strahorn
Title: Contemporary Writing Desk
Statement: My Contemporary Writing Desk was designed specifically to meet my needs. It was manufactured predominantly from Spotted Gum with contrasting borders of Black Walnut around both the tabletop and drawer fronts. The Computer Numerically Controlled Router and Laser Cutter were used extensively to produce the inlays, which add significantly to the aesthetics of the desk.
Applications for the 2024 NSW Premier’s Teacher Scholarships are now open. The NSW Premier’s Teacher Scholarships provide an excellent opportunity for school base educators to collaborate with other professionals in your chosen subject area and inspire positive outcomes for students in NSW schools. The scholarships are open to current temporary or permanent teachers in NSW government and non-government schools, TAFE NSW campuses, and early childhood centres.
Successful applicants will be eligible for a grant of $10,000 to $15,000 for a five-week study tour to be completed in Australia or internationally.
In 2024, there are eleven NSW Premier’s Teacher Scholarships available across a range of key learning areas:
- Premier’s Anika Foundation Youth Depression Awareness Scholarship
- Premier’s Creativity across the Curriculum Scholarship
- Premier’s Early Childhood Education Scholarship
- Premier’s Hicksons Lawyers STEM Scholarship
- Premier’s History Teachers’ Association History Scholarship
- Premier’s NESA Quality Teaching Scholarship
- Premier’s Reserve Bank of Australia Economics Scholarship
- Premier’s Teachers Mutual Bank Aboriginal Education Scholarship
- Premier’s University of NSW Rural and Remote Education Scholarship
- Premier’s University of Sydney Mathematics Scholarship
- Premier’s Vocational Education in Schools Scholarship
Applications close at 11:59 pm (AEST) Friday, 28 July 2023. For further information, please visit the NSW Premier’s Teacher Scholarships webpage or contact the program via their email or at (02) 7814 3820.
This year's theme encourages all Australians to be a voice for reconciliation in tangible ways in our everyday lives – where we live, work and socialise.
Please see the information sheet attached for access to information and resources regarding Reconciliation Week, 29 May - 3 June 2023.
Secondary Leaders of Curriculum Collaborative Network - ACSA Curriculum Conference
Participants will attend the 2023 National Curriculum Conference: Disrupt, Connect, Thrive in Brisbane.
Follow the link here to register.
Date: Thursday 22nd June, Friday 23rd June and Saturday 24th June - Hotel Grand Chancellor, Brisbane.
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 positions)
- Facilities Coordinator, Corporate Offices
- Regional Finance Business Partners (x4 positions)
- Education Officer - Mathematics K-12
- Finance Business Partner
SCHOOLS
- Principal - St Joseph’s College, Banora Point