Term 4 Week 3 / 16 - 20 October (SeB 250)

From the Executive’s Desk

Tomorrow will be an historic day for Australia as a nation - a day that will no doubt redefine us as a nation.

I have been steadfast in my support of the Uluru Statement from the Heart and the hopes, dreams and aspirations that it holds for the First Nations People of Australia.

Above all else, it is my hope that after tomorrow's historic vote, we continue to be a nation that respects the First Nations People of this land and that we continue to come to a deep understanding of our past, the ugly past and the joyful past.

To quote Bishop Vincent Long, Bishop of Parramatta: 
"we must continue the work of justice, healing, reconciliation and recognition of First Nations People. We need to walk with them, day by day, and work with them to bring about change for the better – for their people and for all of us. "

And I also offer this prayer that was composed by Bishop Vincent Long:  

May we all approach tomorrow with a heartfelt joy that desires the best outcome for all.

Bill Dixon
Executive Director

CATHOLIC ED. ANNOUNCEMENTS ALL SCHOOL/CES STAFF

Cairns to hosts Australian Catholic Education Conference 2025

In exciting news for Catholic Education in the Far North, the National Catholic Education Commission (NCEC) has announced that Cairns will host the next Australian Catholic Education Conference at the Cairns Convention Centre from 20-22 August, 2025.  

NCEC Executive Director Jacinta Collins visited the diocese in the first week of Term 4 to announce that Catholic Education Diocese of Cairns will partner with the NCEC to deliver the conference, expected to cater for 1,500 delegates or more. It's the first time this conference has ever been held outside a capital city. 

“Cairns generously offered to co-host the conference in 2025 which will be held in the newly-refurbished Cairns Convention Centre. We are grateful for the support of the Cairns Diocese and the Queensland Government who have generously approved a tourism grant of up to $100,000 to support our event," Jacinta said 

“The conference will focus on the strategic vision and mission of Catholic education in Australia with a broad range of speakers, presentations and workshops in Catholic identity and mission, learning and teaching, leadership and governance, parent engagement and more."  

The theme of the conference will be ‘hope, anchored in faith’, which is connected to the Church's 2025 Jubilee Year theme, ‘Pilgrims of Hope.’ The conference branding features the artwork of local First Nations artist Susan Reys.

This is a great opportunity to welcome educational leaders from across the nation and to also showcase the great work that is being done in our schools by our dedicated teachers and the ever-growing numbers of students who families entrust us with their children's education.

While she was in Cairns, Jacinta also joined me in visiting Newman Catholic College at Smithfield and Holy Cross Primary School at Trinity Park, where she enjoyed spending time with our students and discussions with our school leaders. 

Read more about the Conference and other topics in the latest NCEC News

Bill Dixon 
Executive Director  

CES Library - Term 4 Opening Hours

Alison Hansen - Consultant  
Digital Learning and Library Services

Date Reminder - Leaders & Teachers Diversity PLC

Based on feedback, there will be a PLC day for Leaders and Teachers Diversity (LTD) to facilitate the sharing of practice. 
Date: Tuesday 14 November 2023 
Time: 8:30 -11:30 am OR 12:00 -3:00 pm 
Topic: Sharing practice & feedback on PLP processes
Location: Training Room, 138 Spence Street, Parramatta Park  
Register via iCat: CNS04571
 
Further details will be sent out closer to the date.  If you have any further queries, please contact me.

Jaedene Glasby
Manager Diversity 

Date Reminder: Multilingual Learners (EAL/D) Network

All teachers who are the key contact for supporting multilingual learners (EAL/D) are invited to join us for an afternoon of information and networking. 

Date:  Tuesday 24 October 2023 
Time:  12:00 -3:00pm 
Topic: Assessment, Reporting and Preparation for Census 
Location: Training Room, 138 Spence St, Parramatta Park 
Register via iCat: CNS04155

An agenda will be sent out closer to the date. If you have any further queries, please contact. Joe Clark – Consultant Multilingual Learners (EAL/D)

Jaedene Glasby
Manager Diversity

NAPLAN Feedback Invited

As you know, NAPLAN moved from May to March this year, and changes were made to reporting in order to provide simpler, clearer, and more meaningful results.

The Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) is keen to receive feedback on the changes from principals, teachers, parents and carers. This feedback will be captured via a survey from 9 October to the end of Term 4.     

Please use this link to access the survey.   

John Phelan 
Manager Communications and Engagement  

Notice of Intention to apply for HAT/LEAD Certification 2024

Please see the QCEC timeline for information regarding applying for HAT or LEAD certification in 2024. 

For candidates working towards a June 2024 submission the NOI to apply to QCEC is between 16  – 30  October.   

A reminder of the upcoming HALT Network session as per below, register via iLearn. 
Date: Thursday 26 October 
Time: 12noon - 3:00pm 
Loation: CES Resource Centre, Lake Street

Facilitated by current assessors and certified HATs/LEADs in the Diocese. 
(light lunch will be provided – register for catering purposes) 
Register via iCat: CNS04469   

Please let me know if you are intending to apply in 2024 or if you have any questions around this.

Silvia Dimarco
Leader Workforce Capability   

Strengthening ECT Induction through Quality Teaching Rounds

Strengthening Induction through Quality Teaching Rounds is a new project aimed at supporting early career teachers and their experienced colleagues – led by the University of Newcastle. This project is supported by the Australian Government as part of the National Teacher Action Plan.

If you’re in your first three years of teaching or have early career teachers at your school, you can sign up to participate in a free QTR workshop and access ongoing support.

Eligibility:

• Open to all Australian Schools
• PLC of four teachers (schools can have multiple PLCs throughout the life of the project)
• Any number of teachers from your school can participate, 50% must be early career teachers.
• If you have only two teachers interested (one ECT and one experienced teacher) you can partner with another local school.

By participating in the Strengthening Induction project, you will:

• Gain free access to a two-day QTR workshop (valued at $880),
• Build confidence and efficacy in yourself and your colleagues,
• Foster collaboration and promote powerful conversations throughout your school, and
• Participate in a research-backed approach to improving teacher and student outcomes.

Find out more and register your interest here

Silvia Dimarco & Bec Burns
Workforce Capability 

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 or click the icon on the side panel of the ebulletin.

Catholic News

CathNews 
6 October   9 October    10 October  11 October         

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.

Term 4 Mentor Training Day

This year Catherine Jackson from Leopard Tree Consulting will be facilitating our mentor training day. 

This is open to all staff who are involved or seek to be involved in mentoring – mentoring for early career teachers or for any staff mentoring, e.g., mentoring new staff to the school, staff induction. 

Mentor Training Day: “Mentor mindset: guide, explorer, truth-teller" 

Date: Friday 10 November  
Time: 8.30am - 3.15pm (8.00am  - Registration & tea/coffee available)
Location: Rydges Esplanade Resort, Cairns
Register via iCat: CNS04102 

Agenda for the day is below

Bec Burns & Silvia Dimarco  
Workforce Capability