DOBCEL has now been awarded Safer Technologies 4 Schools (ST4S) certification recognising the high-level of safety and security standard of its SIMON platform. ‘The security of data across all 58 of our DOBCEL schools and offices is a very high priority particularly against the backdrop of the increasing number of data hacking and theft incidents occurring,’ Executive Director Tom Sexton said. ‘While we can never absolutely guarantee data security, this ST4S certification for our SIMON community is a rigorous process, and we are proud that it has met and exceeded the requirements.’ The ST4S program is a national initiative developed to enhance the security, privacy, interoperability, and online safety of…

February school census data has revealed more families in the Diocese of Ballarat are choosing a Catholic education with 2024 enrolments across 63 primary and secondary schools increasing by 273 students or 1.5%, representing more than 1 in 5 of all students in the region. The figures show increases of 110 primary students to 10,178, and 163 secondary students to 8,467, a total of 18,645, up from 18,372 in 2023. Executive Director of Catholic Education in the diocese, Tom Sexton, says with many Catholic schools in smaller communities where population and schooling demand can be variable, the overall increase in enrolments is pleasing. ‘Research shows families value the holistic approach…