This week we were delighted to welcome our talented and committed group of new Principals to the DOBCEL office as they prepare to take up their roles bringing the ‘fullness of life’ to students and school communities across the diocese. Image below. Pictured with Executive Director Tom Sexton (from left) are Jaci Commons (Our Lady Help of Christians School, Wendouree), Melissa Sutherland (St Paul’s Primary School, Mildura), Lisa McDonald (Interim Principal St Joseph’s Primary School, Penshurst), Julie Leonard (St Mary’s School Warracknabeal) and Danny Franc (Interim Principal St Joseph’s Primary School, Coleraine).

Congratulations to Mitchell Anderson from St Mary MacKillop College, Swan Hill who has been awarded the Fr James Wall Bursary for the Diocese of Ballarat by the Catholic Development Fund. The bursary recognises Mitchell’s outstanding academic achievements, his dedication to his community, and his insatiable curiosity about the world around him. For over 20 years, the Fr James Wall Bursary has empowered young leaders like Mitchell as they move from Yr 10 into senior secondary schooling, encouraging them to continue their journey of personal growth and community involvement. We thank the Catholic Development Fund (CDF) for supporting and honouring Mitchell in this way. Pictured are: Mitchell Anderson with Michelle Haeusler…

Yr 2’s joined Yr 4 buddies to plan and celebrate an end of year Mass at St Joseph’s, Warrnambool last Friday. The buddies travelled together on buses and prior to Mass spoke about their Religious Education topics for the term and shared some of their gifts and talents of Forgiveness, Creativity, Perseverance, Resilience, Teamwork, Positivity to collectively build a nativity scene. While at Mass students joined in with the songs, responses, prayers and offertory procession. After walking back to school, students enjoyed an icy pole before a play time together with their buddies. It was a very special way to celebrate and give thanks for a great year of learning !

A huge congratulations to St James Parish School, Sebastopol community for winning the prestigious Kevin Heinze Perpetual Award at the 47th Victorian Schools Garden Award Presentation Ceremony. Check out the amazing award winning garden – “Our Common Home – Koling Wada Ngal (Let’s walk together)”. The new space will be formally opened and blessed on Friday 13 December. Find out more about the Victorian Schools Garden Awards here: https://www.vsgp.org.au/shining-success-at-the-47th-victorian-schools-garden-award-presentation-ceremony/

The DOBCEL Board is now inviting people interested in helping shape the direction and development of Catholic education in the diocese to nominate for a position on one of six consultative committees commencing in 2025. Further information is available in the flyer – Seeking Applications DOBCEL Consultative Committees. Applications close 19 January 2025.

Today, Sarah Hanley (Talent Acquisition Partner) and Fiona Murphy (Organisational Development Manager) attended the VIT ‘Welcome to the Profession’ Conference in Melbourne. This event is a great way for employers to share information about the opportunities available and connect with beginning teachers across Victoria. Well done Sarah and Fiona and we hope the attendees loved receiving our brand new DOBCEL merchandise and display materials! Ignite your career and explore the exciting opportunities available across our community of schools in the Diocese of Ballarat. Click on the link here to find out more and watch our video!

Best wishes to the five Diocesan schools – Damascus College, Ballarat, St Joseph’s College, Mildura, St Joseph’s Primary School, Red Cliffs, St Augustine’s Primary School, Maryborough, and St Patrick’s Primary School, St Arnaud participating in the Energy Breakthrough event in Maryborough from November 20-24. 👏 The Energy Breakthrough is a dynamic collaboration between the Country Education Partnership (CEP) and the Central Goldfields Shire Council (CGSC), designed to inspire and empower students. This initiative encourages participants to engage with cutting-edge technology while considering its environmental impact and how it affects both local and global communities. A collaborative, cross-curricular approach is essential for success.  

Take a look at the latest edition of Our Diocesan Community for November. This issue also features stories about DOBCEL’s 2024 Ireland Spiritual Heritage Pilgrimage, the Our Lady Help of Christians Soup Bus food drive, and the recent leadership learning visit to Canada as part of the DOBCEL 2035 strategy development. Please click here to view the November edition.

The care, safety and wellbeing of children and young people is a central and fundamental responsibility of Catholic Education. As we prepare to roll-out a training program specifically for Learning Support Officers (LSOs) working in DOBCEL schools in December, our Child Safe Manager, Jacinta Cook talks about the importance of ongoing training in implementing Victoria’s Child Safe Standards. Read more about our Child Safe policies and guidelines here:  https://dobcel.catholic.edu.au/child-safe/

Today, DOBCEL facilitated an English Curriculum Project Planning Day providing an opportunity for English subject teams to review and recreate their curriculum with a focus on mapping a developmental sequence of skills and knowledge for Years 7-10. With the new English Victorian Curriculum 2.0 also presenting an opportunity for review, the teams participated in a series of workshops with the goal to build practices and curriculum for their own school settings. The day was led by expert in the field, Kirstin Bourne, and built on professional learning opportunities over the past 18 months to enhance teachers’ knowledge of the pedagogy, curriculum and assessment required to improve student outcomes in years…