THE WAY (Term 3 Week 5 - 14 August 2023)
-
100-day celebration in 100 minutes at St Patrick’s Primary, Macksville
-
FOR ACTION
-
Workforce Data Update - Your assistance is requested
-
2024 Scholarships NOW OPEN
-
Reminder: CSO Intranet Survey - Have your say
-
FOR INFORMATION
-
Announcements - Resignations
-
Announcements - Appointments
-
AI in Education
-
Closing Soon: Input into the Draft AI Framework for Schools
-
Prime Minister's Spelling Bee
-
2024 CSSA Trial HSC Examinations: Expressions of Interest for Convenor and Committee Members
-
MyLearning
-
Positions Vacant
Over 40 families attended a joy-filled celebration to mark 100 days of Kindergarten at St Patrick’s Primary School, Macksville.
A heartwarming community celebration of the 100 days of Kindergarten was held at St Patrick’s Primary School, Macksville. The day was filled with excitement as the community poured into the school to celebrate this amazing milestone.
The day began with a moving liturgy where students prepared the prayer space and shared a prayer of gratitude for their time at school so far.
Students and their families then engaged in a rotation of captivating and interactive activities that focused on key learning areas.
At the faith learning station, families learnt about the Catholic signs and symbols that students explored during Semester One and then enjoyed decorating a cross with 100 jewels to take home and use during family prayer time.
Writing a family story was the activity at the literacy learning station. Families were given the interesting task of writing a storybook that shared things they would love to have a 100 of, as well as all things they would hate to have a 100 of. Puppies and bunnies featured heavily in the items they would love a 100 of. However, parents may not have been quite as keen to have 100 bunnies or puppies at home!
A competition to build the tallest tower out of 100 cups saw parents and children engage in some amazing engineering feats, and some raucous competitions of Race to 100 rounded out the numeracy station.
The school counsellor led families in 100 quick activities to support wellbeing, including sharing ten things they were grateful for, ten high fives and ten deep breaths. Families eagerly participated in the ten sit-ups challenge.
In the sunshine, families enjoyed a shared lunch provided by the school’s canteen operator and funded by the Parent Assembly.
‘The kindergarten children were bursting with pride and excitement as they entered the room wearing their 100-day celebration crowns. Their love and joy of learning were evident as they guided us through their learning spaces, engaging us in activities of storytelling, numeracy, wellbeing and faith; We appreciated our inclusion in the celebration and thoroughly enjoyed sharing the delicious lunch provided. Thank you to the dedicated staff who showcased student growth and love of learning,’ said grandparents Nicole and Micheal.
We congratulate all Kindergarten students across the Diocese on reaching this milestone.
Given the current teacher workforce challenges, it is now more important than ever that we have an accurate understanding of our workforce demographics. We are requesting your support in gaining a more accurate picture of our workforce demographics.
We are requesting teachers, in particular, update their User Profile to confirm their NESA-approved Key Learning Area, years of teaching and education provider details.
This can be done quickly and easily via the following link.
These instructions outline the steps, should you require assistance.
Scholarships for 2024 are now open for application.
Scholarships include:
- Bachelor of Education, undergraduate study support (including paid employment and bonus payments to the value of $20,000)
- Graduate Placement Program - Mathematics
- Postgraduate & Specialisation Support in the fields of:
- Information Technology
- Mathematics Education
- National Industry Qualification
- Studies in Religious Education / Theology.
Limited positions for 2024 IT Scholarships are still available with a commencement date of 28 August 2023. Please contact charlotte.kelly@lism.catholic.edu.au if you are interested in this opportunity.
See attached flyers for further information and links.
Help us to improve the CSO Intranet. Complete this short survey and provide feedback on how you have used and navigated the intranet to support your work over the years. This will help us to improve your experience in the future. It should take less than 5 minutes of your time to complete.
Follow the link here to complete the survey.
Rick Sanderson has announced his intention to retire from his position as Manager, Client Services, effective 31 August 2023. Rick has been a part of the Catholic Schools Office community since 2008 and has provided exceptional support to staff and students. We wish Rick every success in his future endeavours.
We wish to acknowledge and thank Rick for his contribution to Catholic Education in the Diocese.
CATHOLIC SCHOOLS OFFICE
Elise Taylor has been appointed to the position of Communications Officer in the People & Safety portfolio commencing 4 September 2023. Elise has over ten years of experience working in marketing, communications, and engagement roles and joins us from Lismore City Council, where she is employed as a Community Engagement Coordinator.
James Laverick has been appointed to the position of Technology Assistant (Richmond) in the Finance & Corporate Services portfolio commencing 28 August 2023. James joins us from Officeworks, where he is employed in the technology department.
SCHOOLS
Alanna Peterson has been appointed to the position of Assistant Principal - Learning & Teaching at St James’ Primary, Yamba, commencing 27 January 2024. Alanna has been a part of the St James’ Primary School, Yamba, community for the past eight years as both a teacher and leader.
Carmel Zuino has been appointed to the position of Assistant Principal - Learning & Teaching at Xavier Catholic College, Ballina, commencing 27 January 2024. Carmel has been a part of Xavier Catholic College, Ballina, community for the past 21 years as both a teacher and leader, more recently as the Acting Assistant Principal - Learning and Teaching.
Christine Harmer has been appointed to the temporary position of Acting Principal at MacKillop Catholic College, Port Macquarie, commencing 5 February 2024. Christine is a highly experienced leader, having been a Leader of Learning, Leader of Pedagogy, and most recently, the Acting Assistant Principal - Learning and Teaching at the College.
We welcome and congratulate Elise, James, Alanna, Carmel, and Christine and wish them the best in their roles.
The first Empowering Learning with AI and the Latest Tech event was held at Xavier Catholic College, Ballina, on 26 July. The event saw 25 teachers and leaders come together to listen to fellow educator Brett Slakas from HP/Intel talk about Generative AI and explore how they can use it within their work. All who attended were inspired and excited about looking into the tools explored.
The final two events will take place between 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm in Week 5:
- 16 August - St Augustine’s Primary School, Coffs Harbour
- 17 August - St Joseph’s Primary School, Port Macquarie.
Australia’s Education Ministers have released a consultation draft of a national framework that will support the safe and effective use of AI in schools. Outcomes from the consultation will inform the development of the final Australian Framework for Generative Artificial Intelligence in Schools. Feedback on the draft framework is open until 16 August 2023.
System leaders and school leaders are welcome to peruse the draft national framework and respond to the seven-question survey prepared by the NSW Government.
Junior spellers around the country are facing off in a national word battle for the third annual Prime Minister’s Spelling Bee, with competition now live and the school round running until 5 pm AEST on Friday, 18 August. For more details, see the attached information sheet.
The CSSA provides teachers and students in schools throughout New South Wales, ACT and internationally with premium Trial HSC Examinations that will provide a sound basis for their preparation for the HSC examinations later in the year. The CSSA Trial HSC Examinations are prepared by committees of practising teachers, university lecturers and education consultants in a variety of HSC courses.
The Head of CSSA Exams is seeking expressions of interest for the following positions:
A Convenor for the following 2024 CSSA Trial HSC Examinations:
- Mathematics Extension 1 and Mathematics Extension 2 (combined). The letter regarding the Expression of Interest requirements for the Convenor role with the CSSA and the application process is found here.
Committee Members for each of the following 2024 CSSA Trial HSC Examinations:
- Biology
- Investigating Science
The letter regarding the Expression of Interest requirements for the Committee Member roles with the CSSA and the application process is found here.
Interested applicants are asked to send a Cover Letter and current Curriculum Vitae to Monica O’Brien, Head CSSA Exams, at cssa.exams@csnsw.catholic.edu.au by 9 am Friday, 11 August 2023.
7-12 KLA Collaborative Network - PDHPE - F23LS-712KCN
Content In this course, participants will engage with facilitators and peers to develop a deeper understanding of content and strategies to improve learning and teaching practice. The course is designed to support Leaders in keeping abreast of syllabus developments and contemporary pedagogical and assessment practices. Depending on the requirements of the KLA, this course may be delivered over one or two days.
Follow the link here to register.
Dates: 5 & 6 September 2023 - Clarence Regional Office, Coffs Harbour.
7-12 Numeracy Coordinators Collaborative Network - F23LS-712CNW
In this workshop, participants will engage with facilitators and peers to develop a deeper understanding of how data analysis can be used to promote learning growth in the areas of numeracy.
Follow the link here to register.
Date: 12 September 2023 - Clarence Regional Office, Coffs Harbour.
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
- Acting Regional Service Leader (Tweed)
SCHOOLS
- Acting Principal - St Ambrose Primary School, Pottsville
- Acting Assistant Principal - St Ambrose Primary School, Pottsville
- Principal - Mount St Patrick College, Murwillumbah
- Coordinator of Gifted / High Potential Learning + teaching load - St John Paul College, Coffs Harbour
- Assistant Principal: Mission - St Francis Xavier Primary School, Woolgoolga
- Assistant Principal: Learning & Teaching - St Patrick’s Primary School, Macksville
- Assistant Principal: Learning & Teaching - St Joseph’s College, Banora Point