THE WAY (Term 4 Week 9 - 4 December 2023)
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Sporting Success Recognised at NSWCPS Maroon Awards
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FOR INFORMATION
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Announcements
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The Season of Advent - Being Prepared
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2023 World Youth Day Pilgrimage - Lisbon, Portugal
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Not Planning to Teach in 2024?
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SAVE THE DATE – 2024 Combined Disability and Behaviour Network Symposium
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Teachers and General Employees Enterprise Agreement Ballot
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REMINDER: An Introduction to RAP and the Standards for Teachers
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Positions Vacant
Two students from the Diocese of Lismore were recognised as the top in their sport in the inaugural NSWCPS Sport Maroon Awards. (13 November 2023)
Congratulations to St Carthage’s Primary School, Lismore, Year 6 student Jimmi Mathews and St Mary’s Primary School, Casino, Year 5 student Thomas McCormack for receiving the inaugural New South Wales Catholic Primary Sport (NSWCPS) Maroon Award in their respective sport.
Established this year, the Maroon Awards acknowledges the outstanding achievements of Catholic primary students in each sport across representative competitions (Polding, MacKillop, State and National).
Jimmi has demonstrated exceptional skills in football, showcasing his prowess on the field throughout 2023, representing both the Polding and NSWPSSA teams proudly.
He was a valuable contributor to the Polding team, which secured a commendable 6th place at the NSWPSSA Championship in Nelson Bay and in the NSWPSSA Football Team, which achieved a remarkable 2nd place at the School Sport Australia National Championships in Thornbury, Victoria.
Jimmi was recognised for his leadership qualities and his respectful and inclusive participation in school sports.
‘I was very proud to receive a Maroon award. It was a good experience to fly down to Sydney and see all of the other athletes from NSW that were being acknowledged for their achievements,’ said Jimmi.
Thomas has been an integral part of the Polding Swim Team for the past two years. In 2023, Thomas earned a spot in the NSWPSSA Swim team, competing at the School Sport Australia Swimming Championships in Sydney. There, he secured a gold and bronze medal, complementing the gold and bronze medals he won at the NSWPSSA Championships.
Thomas has been noted by his coaches as an inspiring young man, embodying Catholic values daily and consistently striving to be the best version of himself. His politeness and helpful demeanour make him an invaluable member of his school community, where he has been an asset for many years.
‘I feel very honoured to have received this award; it makes all the early morning training sessions worth it,’ said Thomas.
Congratulations on an outstanding achievement, Thomas and Jimmi.
SCHOOLS
Matthew Bailey has been appointed to the position of Assistant Principal - Learning & Teaching at St John’s College, Lismore, commencing 29 January 2024. Matthew has previously held the Leader of Learning - HSIE and Leader of Curriculum roles at the College.
CATHOLIC SCHOOLS OFFICE
Kimberley Mathewson has accepted the position of Education Officer - Primary (Tweed) in the Learning Services portfolio, commencing 11 March 2024. Kimberley is currently the Acting Assistant Principal - Learning & Teaching at St Ambrose Catholic Primary School, Pottsville. Kimberley has also held the role of Leader of Pedagogy from 2021 - 2023 and is an EMU Specialist Teacher, having taught across all stages in primary.
Matthew Cato has been appointed to the position of Applications Officer in the Learning Services portfolio, commencing 22 January 2024. Matt is currently the Leader of Pedagogy at St Joseph's Regional College, Port Macquarie. Prior to this role, he was the Leader of Learning Technologies at St Joseph's Regional College and St Paul's College, Kempsey. Matt is highly capable in many software applications and processes and has worked for the Diocese in many roles since joining the system 19 years ago.
Sharon de Dassel has been appointed to the position of Education Officer - Primary (Clarence) in the Learning Services portfolio, commencing 27 January 2024. This position is a seconded role for 12 months and will cover most of the Clarence primary schools. Sharon is currently the Assistant Principal - Learning & Teaching at St Francis Xavier Primary School, Woolgoolga. Sharon is highly capable in all areas of primary education, is deeply committed to the Learning Collaborative work for School Improvement and is invested in the best educational outcomes for all students.
Julie Millar has been appointed to the position of Pastoral Care Officer (Tweed), commencing 22 January 2024. Julie has previously worked at the Melbourne Archdiocese of Catholic Schools (MACS) as a New Arrival/Refugee/EAL/D consultant. Julie has extensive experience across primary and secondary school settings in inclusion and wellbeing roles.
We congratulate Matthew, Kimberley, Matthew, Sharon and Julie on their appointments and look forward to their continued contribution to Catholic Education in the Diocese of Lismore.
The season of Advent calls us to prepare for the birth of our Lord, the One that conquered death and saved us. Let us ponder this reflection this week and make all attempts to support our Parish in this prayerful season starting this Sunday (courtesy GPBS eNews).
Like Leaves in the Wind
Jesus said to his disciples: 'Be watchful! Be alert!' (Mark 13: 33)
I’ve known several people in the last three years who were told by their doctors they were terminally ill. In each case, these folks immediately made decisions about their lives that they’d been delaying until now. People who know they’re dying can’t afford to save anything until later. There may not be a 'later.' There is only one now.
The rest of us are kidding ourselves if we think we’re not dying: not now, not any time soon, maybe never. When Jesus says, 'Be watchful!' we think he means the other guy. We put our faith squarely in 'later.' Some of us belong to the Church of Later, in which we fully intend to be good, spiritual, faithful people – at a future time to be announced. Some of us may live to a satisfying old age and wear out with a smile. Some of us will get a deadline from our doctors and have some lead time to prepare. Many of us are left in the dark as to when we’ll die or how. This can make us lazy about the way we live, even arrogant about it. Not taking death seriously is a mistake in spiritual life. The church’s wisdom is to remind us, right from the start of the church year, that mortality is just what it says it is: a short-term proposition. Prepare the way!
Pray
God, oil the hinges of our hearts’ doors that they may swing gently and easily to welcome your coming. Amen.
Ponder
Resolve to live this Advent season with preparation, watchfulness and attention. May we miss no opportunity to be kind, generous, and forgiving. Resist spiritual laziness with its shrug toward 'later.' Be a saint in the making right now.
During Term 3 this year, 35 pilgrims from the Lismore Diocese embarked on a pilgrimage to Lisbon, Portugal, for World Youth Day. The three-week itinerary led pilgrims through holy villages and sacred sites in Spain before arriving in Portugal, where young pilgrims from across the globe came together for a week of prayer, fellowship and celebration. As a commitment to their pilgrimage, each participant shared their unique experiences by writing a short report, and the attached document is the compilation of these reports, providing insights into their spiritual journey.
If you are taking a break from teaching for more than six months, you should apply for a leave of absence to put your accreditation on hold. If you apply for your leave of absence by 27 January 2024, you will have your 2024 accreditation fee waived. Follow the instructions here.
Catholic Schools NSW is pleased to confirm the date for the 2024 Combined Disability and Behaviour Symposium as Friday 10 May 2024.
Further details about guest speakers for the symposium will be shared soon. But please save the date so that you don’t miss out on this opportunity.
Registrations will open in February 2024.
As reported in last week's The Way, staff voted in favour of the proposed NSW Teachers and General Employees Catholic Systemic Schools Enterprise Agreement.
The breakdown of the Ballot results has been provided to each Diocese, with 99.5% of staff who voted in the Lismore Diocese voting in favour of the proposed Agreement.
An Introduction to RAP and the Standards for Teachers is a specifically designed course to meet the needs of teachers new to the RAP or those desiring a refresher. Please refer to The Way Term 4, Week 7, for detailed 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
- Construction Supervisor (North & South)
- Executive Assistant
- Regional Executive Coordinator (Tweed)
- HR Assistant (Corporate)
- Regional Ministry Assistant (Tweed)
SCHOOLS
- Assistant Principal: Mission - St Mary’s Primary School, Grafton
- Acting Assistant Principal: Learning & Teaching - St Francis Xavier Primary School, Woolgoolga.