Term 1 Week 4 / 12 - 16 February (PeB 261)

From the Executive’s Desk

Colleagues

My introduction today may be a little disjointed as I am still reflecting on a Gospel from a couple of weeks ago. There were a couple of phrases from that Gospel that really caught my attention.

The Gospel was Mark1:21-28 and it started with:
Then they came to Capernaum,
and on the sabbath Jesus entered the synagogue and taught.
The people were astonished at his teaching,
for he taught them as one having authority. 

The first thing that caught my attention was that last year, I stood on the spot where the synagogue, referred to in the Gospel, was. That brought back thoughts of the area which overlooked the Sea of Galilee, and the privilege it was to walk where Jesus had walked. (Holiday pics below). 

As an educator however, the phrase that I continue to reflect on was ‘The people were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority.’  What does it mean for any of us in education whether in the office or schools; to teach with authority?  I have come across many speakers and teachers who have spoke eloquently but for me, without authority.  I have also come across those who have stumbled in their speech but for me, spoke with authority.

When we teach with authority is it that we know our subject matter, as Jesus knew the scriptures?  Is it that we speak with the heart? Not only do we know our subject matter, but we love it, and we believe it.  Is it that what we say is insistent with what we do?

As Jesus did with the people in the synagogue, when we speak or teach with authority, not positional authority, we capture the minds and imaginations of the listeners who imagine what might be.

It would be an interesting discussion with staff. I hope you have a great week ahead.

God Bless

Ian Davis 
Deputy Executive Director

ACTION

2024 NAPLAN - Weekly Update

Schools should have received their QCAA welcome pack, grid cards, and Year 3 test materials.

If you haven’t, please contact QCAA:
Phone: 1300 214 452 / Email: naplan@qcaa.qld.edu.au

Please review the Handbook for Principals and NAPLAN coordinators and assign roles accordingly. (See instructions)

Additional NAPLAN information:    
QCAA NAPLAN Website 
NAPLAN 2024 School checklist

For any queries, please reach out to Terri Cornish Allen, Consultant Learning Performance and Analytics.  

Tanya Albert
Manager Learning Performance & Analytics    

Brigance Networking Day

In Week 6, CES is holding a Brigance Networking Day.  

Principals, kindly motivate all school staff who are involved with Brigance and early intervention supports for prep students to participate in this session. For further details about the event, please visit iCat. 

Registrations close on 21 February.
A date reminder will be shared in the Week 5 Staff eBulletin. 

Tenille Bellamy
Manager Therapy Services   

Feedback: Requests for EW&L staff support

We are seeking feedback from Principals and Leaders of Diversity regarding the processes to request support from Engagement, Wellbeing & Learning (EW&L) staff (e.g. consultant student engagement, consultant inclusive education, psychologists, therapists) for student specific needs.

If you would like to provide feedback regarding how these processes could be improved, please complete the following short survey.

Hannah Chapman 
Executive Manager Engagement and Wellbeing 

Lace Up for Lent

Week 4 sees the start of the 40 days of Lent, beginning with Ash Wednesday on Wednesday 14 February. 

And this year, there's an exciting new way to support Project Compassion and make a real difference in the lives of people who need our help. 

It's Lace Up for Lent, a challenge which involves raising funds by covering 200km (walking, jogging, running, cycling or rolling) over the 40 days of Lent. That's an average of 5km a day, but you can complete the mileage in any pattern which suits you within the timeframe.

Participants may choose to get sponsors who will pay a certain amount per kilometre, or make or seek donations in any way you can. At the completion of Lent on Easter Sunday, you can then organise for the money to be submitted to Project Compassion, which is run by the Church's international welfare agency, Caritas. All donations over $2 are tax deductible. 

So register today and lace up! 
Each school that participates should create its own registration site. To do so, click here
CES office staff can register here  

John Phelan
Manager Communications and Engagement  

Ozanam Leadership Program -St Vincent de Paul Society

Students in Years 10 and 11 with a commitment to social justice are invited to consider the Ozanam Leadership Program.  

Successful applicants will have access to: a three-day outdoor retreat, leadership development sessions, advocacy event and Vinnies Youth volunteering opportunities over Term 2 and 3, culminating in a graduation ceremony.  

Key information for distribution to students is contained in the below flyer. The accompanying Application Pack 2024 has been forwarded to APREs and RECs in secondary colleges for further information.

Maureen Gaul 
Leader Formation  

QCT Research Grants for Teachers

Practising Queensland teachers are invited to apply for grants to assist with presenting their research at Australian education conferences.

The grants provide financial assistance to cover conference registration fees, travel and accommodation associated with attendance at suitable forums, such as those of the Australian Teacher Education Association (ATEA), the Australian Curriculum Studies Association (ACSA) and the Australian Association for Research in Education (AARE)

Applications for grants must be submitted by the last day of Term 1, 2024:
Teacher Research Grants - Annual Grant Deadline Qld | QCT

Silvia Dimarco
Leader Workforce Capability  

INFORMATION

eBulletins to move to Veritas

As part of moving our internal files and documents to Veritas, the weekly eBulletins are now available on the News and Events page of Veritas.  

You will still receive an email each week with the link to take you to the eBulletin and you will be able to access eBulletins at any time via the News and Events page. You are also able to access individual news items on that page. 

The format of the eBulletins will remain the same, but will now appear with our new CEDC branding in a crisp and easy-to-read style. 

The process of submitting items for the eBulletins will also remain the same. 

Until the end of this term, eBulletins will appear on both Veritas and the Schoolzine platform.

From the beginning of Term 2, Veritas will be the home for the eBulletins.  

John Phelan
Manager Communications and Engagement 

CATHOLIC ED. ANNOUNCEMENTS ALL SCHOOL/CES STAFF

Identity & Outreach Directorate Update - Term 1 Week 3

Please see the Identity and Outreach Directorate Update for Term 1 Week 3.

I&O Bulletin T1W3.pdf

Rachel McLean
Director Identity and Outreach

New Resources Page on iCat

Check out the new Resources Page on iCat, which offers a selection of curated resources to enhance the professional development of individuals and teams. The new page includes videos, podcasts, and articles of interest on popular topics including leadership, communication and wellbeing.

This month’s featured topic is ‘Emotional Intelligence’ with some excellent resources from Brene Brown, Adam Grant and others. 

If you have any favourites you would like to submit for inclusion, please send them to Tammy Angel.

Marissa Clark 
Director – Workforce Capability 

QCT Online Training - Supervising Pre-Service Teachers

Are you someone responsible for supervising preservice teachers during their professional experience period? If so, this free online workshop is designed to support you in this role. 

The QCT are facilitating their three-part program early this year using an online mode of delivery. There are no costs associated with this online workshop and attendance is required in all three sessions. Please refer to the attachment for full details.

Part 1: Wednesday 28 February (3:30pm - 5:00pm) 
Part 2: Wednesday 6 March (3:30pm - 5:00pm) 
Part 3: Wednesday 13 March (3:30pm  -5:00pm)

If you or your colleagues would be interested in participating, can you please email me the following information to secure your spot. 

Please note that if you have been teaching for 3 or more years this would be a good professional learning opportunity. Places are limited as each participant is sent a workshop pack.  

Registration closes: Friday 8 February

• First name/surname
• Email address
• Postal address

We had quite a few teachers participate last year and the feedback was very good, it is also useful for those seeking HAT/LEAD certification. If you have any questions about the workshop, please don’t hesitate to contact me.  

Silvia Dimarco
Leader Workforce Capability 

Salary Packing Australia Monthly Special February

Celebrate the spirit of Valentine's Day by falling in love with the S.P.A. monthly novated car lease specials. If you're considering purchasing a new or used car, S.P.A. can assist you in taking advantage of the tax-saving benefits offered through salary packaging.

To learn more about a novated car lease and how it can help you save on taxes, please book a 15-minute phone appointment. This phone appointment will cover all the basics and provide you with valuable information.

To schedule your preferred time and date, please scan the QR code of the flyer.  Please find attached a list of some car deals for this month.

Nicole Small 
Business Relationship Manager  - SPA  

Term 1 Library Networks

Alison Hansen
Consultant – Library Services    

STAFF ANNOUNCEMENTS

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Find your next career change with the Cairns Diocese. 

To explore opportunities in other Dioceses go to Catholic Education Announcements, on the Staff Portal.   

QCEC UPDATES

Click here for the latest QCEC Communiques, Circulars and Education Updates.

Catholic News

Click to access CathNews

PROFESSIONAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES!

CES offers professional learning workshops, retreats and networks along with tools and resources to support your growth and development as an educator.   

iCat is our online Professional Learning catalogue. It is available now for you to browse professional learning opportunities.

This short 3 minute ‘how to’ video will help you use iCat.

How to enrol in a course
1. Click on the copy icon beside the ilearn code
2. Click on the link to go to “ilearn” and log in
3. Paste the course code into the search box
4. Open course details then click on enrol

We welcome any feedback or observations as you engage with iCat, especially during this initial period to Tammy Angel tangel@cns.catholic.edu.au

So we can meet your dietary needs watch this short video to show you how to add them to ilearn.

ACU Encountering Scripture through Radical Dialogue

CES staff are invited to deepen their understanding of the power of reading scripture with a two-hour dialogue session with Dr Janine Luttick, ACU lecturer of the GCRE program.

Janine will take us through a specific type of encounter called havruta which invites participants to work with peers to unpack the meaning of scripture and how it could inform our ways of being.   

The piece of scripture we will unpack underpins the work we do with schools and system staff to create cultures of encounter and dialogue through the Encounter Catholic Identity Framework.   

The session is accredited for 2 hours of Teach Religion in a Catholic School. Afternoon tea will be provided, please enrol through iCat CNS04502 by 19 Feb 2024 to ensure we cater appropriately

Rachel McLean
Director Identity and Outreach 

NCCD Training – Basics and Refresher

NCCD training and support may happen at your school via your NCCD team.   
If you are looking for additional NCCD training/information, please enrol in the following sessions.

NCCD Basics
Date: Friday 16 February  
Time:  8:00 - 9:30am
Mode: Zoom
Registration: See iCat for further details and enrolment

NCCD Refresher
Option 1
Date: Tuesday 5 March  
Time: 3:00 - 4:30pm
Mode: Zoom
Registration: See iCat for further details and enrolment

Option 2
Date: Friday 8 March  
Time: 8:00 - 9:30am
Mode: Zoom
Registration: See iCat for further details and enrolment

For any queries, please contact me or phone 07 4050 9722.

Jaedene Glasby
Manager Diversity