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…

Around 30 beginning teachers from around the Diocese gathered today for the first of our early career teacher program days – a three-year integrated program designed to support early career teacher induction into the diocese and the teaching profession, within the context of Catholic education. In welcoming the early career teachers, Executive Director, Tom Sexton reminded them of their vital role and responsibility in the lives of their students. ‘You will have already experienced the joy of seeing children learning and growing in your classes but be assured your influence and impact will be lifelong and may not be realised until many years down the track.’ The early career teacher’s…

The Spirit of Catholic Education Award is aimed at continuing to recognise the outstanding service and leadership within Catholic education throughout our Diocesan school communities, and Catholic Education Office. It is with great pleasure that the nominees for the 2024 Spirit of Catholic Education Award are shared with our communities. Congratulations to the following nominees: Christina Sofis (Loreto College) – Fostering Inspiring Leadership Sharon Dwyer (OLHC Warrnambool) – Empowering all to Flourish Kevin Brodie (DOBCEL Ballarat Office) – Empowering all to Flourish Finance and Compliance Team (St Brigid’s College) – Enhancing Family Engagement, Governance and Stewardship Cynthia Maiden (St Joseph’s, Hopetoun) – Enhancing Family Engagement, Governance and Stewardship Olga Lyons (St Patrick’s, Port Fairy) – Fostering Inspiring Leadership…

Catholic schools in the Diocese of Ballarat are committed to delivering best practice approaches to supporting students with diverse requirements to fully flourish across their learning and wellbeing. Key among these commitments is having a dedicated leader responsible for learning diversity and inclusion in every school. These school leaders and DOBCEL Education Officers – Learning Diversity, come together in regional networks each term. The networks support collaboration and sharing of best practices and insights, through discussion of inclusive teaching strategies and resources, as well as empower leaders to enhance learning environments and address diverse requirements in schools effectively. The networks have now commenced their meetings across the diocese for 2024.…

NAPLAN tests start next week on 13 March and run until 25 March. An information guide for parents, families and carers of students participating in NAPLAN is now available and includes frequently asked questions. The guide, prepared by ACARA (Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority) is available here – https://bit.ly/3wpdI8w. NAPLAN assesses the literacy and numeracy skills that students are learning through the school curriculum. It is important to remember the main purpose of NAPLAN is to provide additional information for teachers, schools, and parents about how students are progressing, and to help identify areas for improvement.

It’s not often that children have the opportunity to develop their reading and writing skills with guidance from a published children’s author. But at Our Lady Help of Christians (OLHC) Primary School in Wendouree, this is a daily treat. OLHC Years 2,3,4 teacher, Jodi Toering, has recently published her second children’s book ‘Night Watch’, the story of a pair of tawny frogmouths as they soar through the skies and through the night keeping watch over the Australian countryside and fauna. ‘Growing up I had two dreams – to be a teacher and to write picture books for children,’ Jodi says. ‘I love bringing stories to life for the children, not…

One of the highlights of Catholic Education Week (29 April – 3 May) in the diocese is the presentation of the Spirit of Catholic Education Awards. These awards aim to recognise outstanding service and leadership within our Diocesan education community. All Catholic education communities are encouraged to nominate an individual or team who consistently performs in an exemplary way across any of the five categories: Building inclusive Catholic learning communities. Empowering all to flourish. Fostering inspiring leadership. Achieving best practice. Enhancing family engagement, governance, and stewardship. School communities are reminded that nominations will close on 1 March 2024. For more information, visit https://dobcel.catholic.edu.au/catholic-education-week/2024-spirit-of-catholic-education-leadership-awards/

Diocese of Ballarat Catholic Education Ltd (DOBCEL) has confirmed the purchase of a 7.3 ha parcel of land at 720 Deakin Avenue, Mildura, adjacent to the Mildura South Sporting Complex. Executive Director, Tom Sexton, says there are no imminent plans to make application to develop a school on the site. ‘This acquisition is part of our medium to long term planning to ensure we are well-placed to support the education needs of the Mildura community into the future. ‘The site presents as an ideal size and location for future school development, including main road access from both Deakin Avenue and San Mateo Avenue. ‘Catholic education is committed to providing opportunities…

Globally recognised Finnish educator Professor Pasi Sahlberg and Director of Future Schools Australia Dave Runge will work with Catholic Education Ballarat to advise and guide development of a strategic plan to shape directions for the next five years. Professor Sahlberg, currently based at the University of Melbourne, is a former school teacher and Director-General of the high-performing Finland education system. He has advised schools and education system leaders around the world and been professor at UNSW Sydney and a visiting Professor of Practice at Harvard University. As Director of Future Schools, Dave Runge has brought a passion for reimagining education to his work with educational organisations across Australia and internationally…

All 58 Catholic Education Ballarat (CEB) primary and secondary schools now have access to a leading online mental health and wellbeing platform designed to proactively support families and students and strengthen parent-school partnerships. SchoolTV is a highly regarded, evidence-based suite of resources, endorsed and informed by eminent child and adolescent psychologist, Dr Michael Carr-Gregg. CEB Leader of Wellbeing, Tony Perkins says effective responses to student wellbeing require a proactive and whole-of-community approach where schools and families are on the same page. ‘SchoolTV provides regular communication and support materials for parents with the common goal of better wellbeing outcomes for all students,’ he said. ‘This is a high-quality suite of resources…