THE WAY (Term 1 Week 11 - 8 April 2024)
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St Mary’s Catholic College, Casino, Unveils State-of-the-art Learning Facility
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FOR ACTION
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NSW Premier's Teacher Scholarship 2024
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FOR INFORMATION
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Proclaim Lismore LEAD - Senior Student Youth Ministry Leadership Training
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Well@Work : Understanding our Mental Health Landscape
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Opportunity for staff to join the Workplace Gender Equality Committee (WGEC)
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Accreditation at Proficient
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National Awards for Intercultural Excellence - NOMINATIONS NOW OPEN
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Stages 4 and 5 History and Geography Network Date Change
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HSC Showcase 2023
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New Syllabus Newsletters - Secondary
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Free eSmart learning program to help kids stay safe online
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2024 HSC Disability Provisions: Term 2 Workshops
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MyLearning
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Reminders
St Mary's Catholic College, Casino, inaugurated its groundbreaking STEM and General Learning facility, proudly christened as the Mercy Centre. (2 April 2024)
A momentous celebration unfolded at St Mary’s Catholic College, Casino, marking the inauguration of its groundbreaking $8 million STEM and General Learning Facility, proudly christened the Mercy Centre. This transformative project involved a comprehensive overhaul of the existing science labs built in the 1960s.
The state-of-the-art facility boasts numerous general learning classrooms, four advanced STEM science labs, expansive open learning spaces, study pods, a modern canteen, a fully-equipped gymnasium, and auditorium-style seating.
Crafted with flexibility in mind, this contemporary facility caters to diverse teaching methodologies and classroom arrangements, fostering an environment that nurtures various learning styles and maximises student potential.
‘Today, we rejoice as we gather to celebrate the Official Opening of The Mercy Centre. The Mercy Centre embodies excellence in education, fostering faith, learning, and well-being. Equipped with cutting-edge technology, it provides an environment for creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration, preparing students for the 21st century steeped in our Catholic Values. The Mercy Centre reflects our College's ethos, placing students at the centre of our mission,’ said Principal Micahel Campbell.
The building was officially opened by Senator the Hon Jenny McAllister, Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy, and blessed by Bishop Gregory Homeming, OCD, Bishop of Lismore.
The Mercy Centre marks a significant milestone in St Mary’s Catholic College's journey. This state-of-the-art facility symbolises innovation and modern education and embodies the college's unwavering commitment to nurturing every student's potential.
The NESA News recently provided information on the application process for the 2024 NSW Premier’s Teacher Scholarships.
I encourage you to look closely at these scholarships and put forward yourself or any other teachers you feel are deserving of a nomination.
The recipient in each category receives a $15,000 scholarship. The details and categories of the scholarships are outlined in the PDF, and the application process is outlined in the link below.
NSW Premier's Teacher Scholarships.
Categories include Economics, History, Mathematics, Vocational Education, Aboriginal Education, Creativity, STEM and Youth Depression Awareness.
The annual Student Discipleship event, LEAD, occurred at McAuley Catholic College in Grafton from 21 - 22 March, drawing approximately 165 senior students from across the Lismore Diocese.
This year's LEAD gathering embodied a vibrant community of young Christian leaders committed to making a positive impact in their school and parish communities. They return to their school communities with renewed enthusiasm and practical resources to animate Senior Ministry Teams, including the opportunity to be leaders at SHINE, a gathering of 600 Youth Ministry students in August.
Please take a look at some of the highlights of LEAD in this report and this Wrap video.
Diocese of Lismore Catholic Schools is rolling out a new program called Well@Work : Understanding our Mental Health Landscape. In light of this, we will be launching a comprehensive Well@Work Survey in Term 2, 2024. You are strongly encouraged to complete the survey. Further information will be provided in due course.
Diocese of Lismore Catholic Schools (DLCS) recognises that both men and women have diverse family responsibilities, including caring for children, family members, and people with disabilities. Accordingly, the DLCS has a range of programs and resources to support all employees in balancing their work and personal responsibilities.
The Workplace Gender Equality Committee has been established to address equity issues across schools in the Diocese. This Committee is responsible for raising awareness and assisting in implementing programs relating to gender equality in the workplace, as well as ensuring compliance with the Workplace Gender Equality Act 2012 and mandatory compliance duties.
The Committee meets once a term. Generally, this meeting will be held on Tuesday of week five or six of each term. Where this date clashes with other events on the DLCS calendar, an alternate date will be proposed. Committee meetings will be held via Zoom or at the Catholic Schools Office, Coffs Harbour Office, from 10.00 am to 2.00 pm. Release will be provided for staff to attend these meetings.
Staff interested in joining the committee are invited to complete the attached Expression of Interest. Approval of your nomination by your Principal will be required.
Congratulations to the following teachers on becoming accredited as Proficient teachers.
- Samuel Judd (St Anthony's Primary School, Kingscliff)
- Steven Spurlock (St Anthony's Primary School, Kingscliff)
- Daniel Friel (St Joseph's Primary School, Tweed Heads)
- Andrew Abood (St Joseph's College, Banora Point)
- Priscilla Fauvette (St Joseph's College, Banora Point)
- Robert Stanley (St John's College, Lismore)
- Keeley Maguire (St Mary's Catholic College, Casino)
- Hayley Chessher (St Francis Xavier Primary School, Woolgoolga)
- Lexie-Taylah Hennesy (St Francis Xavier Primary School, Woolgoolga)
- Carly McLennan (St Joseph's Primary School, Maclean)
- Taylah Van Leeuwen (St Joseph's Primary School, Kempsey)
- David Lynch (St Joseph's Primary School, Port Macquarie)
- Gabriella Domin (MacKillop College, Port Macquarie)
- Mitchell Robins (St Paul's College, Kempsey).
We acknowledge their great work that of their Mentors, and the broader support of their school community in this process.
Is your school doing great work fostering belonging, understanding and inclusion?
Nominate your school now for our first-ever National Awards for Intercultural Excellence. Students, teachers, schools and teams who have championed intercultural understanding are all eligible to apply.
If you feel inspired over the holiday break to apply, keep reading or visit our website for more information, including how to apply.
Please share widely with colleagues and schools that may be interested in this opportunity.
The release date for Stages 4 and 5, History and Geography, is likely to be towards the end of Term 2. The Network days are scheduled before this on the 7 and 8 May. Consequently, it has been decided that it would be more prudent to shift these days to the 19 and 20 November, when teachers will be assured of having a new syllabus to work with. Implementation for these subjects is in 2027.
Stage 6 Geography, scheduled for Tuesday, 7 May, is staying the same and going ahead as planned.
The Lismore Diocese HSC Showcase celebrates and captures the talents of our 2023 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. We are excited to launch the third year of our HSC Showcase, highlighting the outstanding work of our HSC students.
Spotlight On …
St John Paul College, Coffs Harbour (Textiles)
Student Name: Jayda Kachel
Title: Children's Sunflower Dress
Statement: A 1970s vintage-inspired, hand-embroidered children's garment with flutter sleeves and reversible. The garment has been constructed using white linen and dainty floral printed cotton. Hand-dyed lace features on the pockets and under the flutter sleeves. The back of the dress is finished with timber buttons and straps that can be secured in a cross-over fashion.
The latest edition of the Secondary Curriculum Implementation Newsletter can be found on the Intranet under New Curriculum. Newsletter #4 includes information for leaders and teachers about:
- The Enact Phase
- PDHPE Collaborative Network Meeting
- CSSA - Writing Across the Curriculum
- Mathematics Podcast to support new 7-10 Syllabus
- Reminder: Reporting Guidelines for New Syllabus.
All schools nationwide are encouraged to sign up to access free eSmart learning and teaching tools, which will boost the digital skills of young Australians.
Developed by the Alannah & Madeleine Foundation, the curriculum-aligned Digital Licence+ program supports students aged between 10 and 14 years to build digital skills and intelligence.
All schools can access the program for free as a result of Government funding, which helps students learn how to stay safe online, including how to identify digital scams and report cyberbullying.
Digital Licence+ also teaches students how to balance the use of technology to avoid negative impacts on relationships, physical health, and mental wellbeing.
The Media Literacy Lab—which helps 12 to 16–year–olds develop critical thinking about online content—is also freely available to every school through the government’s commitment.
Teachers and school leaders interested in registering for the Digital Licence+ program – or those who want access to the Media Literacy Lab – can contact the Alannah & Madeline Foundation.
For more information, visit: www.esmart.org.au
Online disability provision workshops hosted by NESA are available to book now for teachers, executives and learning support personnel.
The Term 2 workshops cover how to:
- better understand the HSC Disability Provisions program
- evaluate application submissions
- ensure applications have appropriate supporting documentation.
Book your workshop session by following the links below:
7-12 KLA Collaborative Network Meetings - F23LS-712KCN
This is for one subject specialist teacher per school. Schools may self-fund to send additional participants - please note release and accommodation would be covered by the school for any additional participants.
- Tuesday 7 May 2024 - HSIE: Geography (Stage 6)
- Tuesday 14 May 2024 -Technology: Computing Technology (7-10), Enterprise Computing & Software Engineering (Stage 6)
- Wednesday 15 May - Creative Arts: Visual Arts
The focus of the Stage 6 Geography and Technology days will be on the new syllabus.
The 7-12 KLA Collaborative Network Meetings will be held at the Clarence Regional Office (Orlando St, Coffs Harbour).
Participants can register on My Learning using this link. Registration closes one week before the learning day.
Closing Soon: The Last NESA 'Have Your Say' Period for Term 1, 2024
Please refer to The NESA ‘Have Your Say’ article published in The Way Term 1 Week 8.
Clarified Assessment Certification Examination (ACE) Rules
Please refer to the Clarified Assessment Certification Examination (ACE) Rules Published in The Way Term 1 Week 10.
Term 2 Learning and Teaching Collaboration Day
Assistant Principals - Learning and Teaching and Leaders of Pedagogy are reminded to register for the Term 2 Learning and Teaching Collaboration Day on MyLearning here.
The agenda for the day is as follows:
- Session 1: Current research and reports on the national stage.
- Session 2: High Yield Strategies
- Session 3: Curriculum Implementation
- Session 4: Professional Learning Communities