Filter Content
This week we reconnect with one of the most fundamental truths of all in Catholic education. This is Part 1 in a series of how we, as Catholic educators, can move from “theory” into practice.
It is one thing to have the theory or the theology or intellectual understating of the Catholic education vocation and it’s important that we do have this however; without solid formation on what the Church actually teaches on education it is easy for any school or teacher to lose their sense of mission.
To learn more click here.
The Season of Lent - Bishop’s Talks
Lent begins next week with Ash Wednesday. It is the season of reflection and preparation before Easter, and its observance culminates in the solemn celebrations of Holy Thursday, Good Friday and the Easter Vigil which lie at the heart of the Catholic year. In Catholic tradition Lent is marked by fasting, reflection, giving to others and deepening our sacramental living, especially in Reconciliation. For parishes it is also a time of preparation of catechumens within the RCIA program. In schools, children are reminded to ‘give up something’ or ‘think of others’ in building an understanding of the inner life needed by a maturing Christian.
Like Jesus in the desolation of the desert, those who work in Catholic schools are required to reflect on our own inner lives, fasting and praying, so as we can walk with students, witnessing Good News and clearing away our own temptation toward attachments.
In our reflection we are reminded that we have in the Church great opportunities for spiritual growth and understanding. In this, Bishop Greg each year gives a series of Lenten talks. This year the Bishop will focus on ‘Holiness’. The talks take place in St Carthage’s Cathedral, Lismore at 6.00pm on each Tuesday - 3 March; 10 March; 17 March; and 24 March. All Catholic School staff are welcome.
Read LessGoogle Trainer Day Applications
Prerequisites include having Google Educator Level 1 Certified (Level 2 Certification encouraged) and experience training others in the use of Google for Education tools.
Further information can be found by following this LINK.
Email JJ Purton Jones directly to apply. Applications close 5pm Thursday, 5 March.The NORPA and Diocese of Lismore Catholic Schools partnership
NORPA has several Theatre for Schools productions and On-Demand Workshops that are available to both Primary and Secondary schools in 2020. As part of the continued partnership with NORPA, there is an opportunity for your school to express interest in attending a performance or have NORPA visit you on a workshop incursion.
Please visit ‘The Arts’ on our Intranet, or for further details visit: https://sites.google.com/lism.catholic.edu.au/norpa-cso?pli=1 and complete the Jotform to express your interest. Applications for The 91 Storey Treehouse close on Monday, 24 February and all other applications close on Monday, 9 March 2020.
K-10: Support material for new syllabuses
A range of useful resources, including sample scope and sequences, is now available for:
For further details please refer to the following link: https://www.educationstandards.nsw.edu.au/wps/portal/nesa/k-10/understanding-the-curriculum/syllabuses-a-z
K to 6: Assessment advice and support
Support to assess student learning is available, including advice for:
- effective feedback
- differentiated assessment
- adjustments for students with disability
- assessment strategies.
For further details please refer to the following link: https://educationstandards.nsw.edu.au/wps/portal/nesa/k-10/understanding-the-curriculum/syllabuses-a-z
NESA Random School Inspections, 2020
Details regarding the requirements for the 2020 Random inspection program were published in the Official Notice NESA 47/19 on 8 November 2019.
Queries regarding random inspections of schools should be directed to Stan Browne, Senior Inspector stan.browne@nesa.nsw.edu.au, or phone (02) 9367 8156.
Information concerning the NAPLAN Practice Test and NAPLAN Assessments for 2020 is provided to schools in the attached Memo.
REMINDER: Student Artwork Display
Attention: Principals and Art Coordinators
It’s On Again!
Seeking Student Art Across the Diocese Term 1 2020
How does your school recognise artistic flair?
Our Diocese wants to celebrate the creative talents in our children.
Have you given your students an opportunity to share their artistic creativity?
You can involve your school in the Catholic Schools Office (CSO) art display which is curated for the Catholic Schools Offices at Presentation House Lismore, CSO Annex Coffs Harbour and a proposed display for Invercauld House Goonellabah.
Would you like your student’s art shared nationally in the Student Art on Display catalogue?
This catalogue goes to all schools and Parishes in our Diocese and Australian Catholic Schools Offices.
We are especially requesting your involvement if you haven’t participated in this program. Please consider contributing.
Easy to do.
- Select 8 artworks either 2D or 3D
- Label-name, year level, title, materials used, inspiration
- Delivery-arrangements can be made by contacting jan.seymour@lism.catholic.edu.au
- Please complete this form 2020 Semester 1 CSO Student Art Display
Over the past few years, the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has announced an increasing number of reports of scammers contacting members of the public pretending to be from the ATO by SMS, email and phone and the scammers are becoming more and more sophisticated.
Scammers tend to use topics in the ‘news’ as their hook.
One of the latest scam exploits Australia's recent natural disasters in an SMS scam. They are asking people to click on a link and provide personal information in order to receive an 8% bonus on their tax return.
The image below is one example of the format this scam can take. The link will take you to a fake myGov website, designed to steal personal information. As always, do not click on any links and do not disclose the information requested.
Read LessStaff are reminded that individuals are required to register for all professional learning courses through the My Learning site. The site has the facility to recommend courses to others. This will be potentially 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.
Secondary Pastoral Care Leaders Network Term 1 2020 20DIR-SPCLNT1
Network meeting for leaders of Pastoral Care in Secondary Schools Example: Leaders of Pastoral Care, AP Pastoral Care / Wellbeing.
- 26 March, 2020 - Coffs Harbour CSO Annex
Secondary Year Coordinators Network Term 1 2020 20DIR-SYCNT12
This network meeting is for Year Coordinators/ House Leaders in secondary schools. This is an opportunity to come together to share best practice in supporting the wellbeing of secondary students. Year Coordinators contribute to the whole school approach to pastoral care that promotes belonging , positive relationships and a safe environment that contributes to improved learning and wellbeing.
- 24 March - North
- 25 March - South
Professional Learning Communities 2020 20LS-PEDAGOGY-PLC2
Attention: Principals and Assistant Principals
As a system of schools we set high standards of learning for all students, and recognise that a Professional Learning Community enables school communities to work collaboratively, learn and gain knowledge, skills and understanding from one another to strengthen faith, learning and wellbeing outcomes.
Principals and Assistant Principals are invited to a professional learning workshop where
the three big rocks of a PLC will be further explored in supporting and sustaining this work.
- 3 June: Principals & Assistant Principals Professional Learning (NORTH) - Invercauld House, Goonellabah
- 17 June: Principals & Assistant Principals Professional Learning (SOUTH) - Aanuka, Coffs Harbour
Learning and Teaching Collaborative Day (Secondary Focus) 2020 20LS-PEDAGOGY-LATCDSF
This course is designed to support Secondary Assistant Principals Learning and Teaching and Leaders of Pedagogy to develop quality practice and increase the professional capital within and between schools across the system. Attendees will have the opportunity to contribute to collegial discussion and gain constructive feedback from their peers with the goal to improve the professional knowledge and practices which generate school improvement.
- 19 March: McAuley Catholic College Grafton
TextHelp Digital Inclusion Introduction For Teacher Assistants TA
20LS-INCLUSION-TDIIFTA
One day workshop allowing the participants to explore the TextHelp toolkit.
- Port Macquarie Workshop - 7 April, 2020
- Coffs Workshop - 8 April, 2020
- Lismore Workshop - 9 April, 2020
This course aims to support teachers in making their classrooms more inclusive for all students by providing an understanding of the impact of speech, language and communication needs. It offers practical and achievable assessment ideas and intervention strategies to address a range of specific, identified needs. Participants need to be in a teaching position where they can implement the practical teaching components required to pass the course.
Read Less