All Staff Edition, Week 3, Term 1, 2025

17th Anniversary of the National Apology to Australia's Stolen Generations

On 13 February 2008, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd offered a formal apology to Australia’s Stolen Generations, those Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who had been removed as children from their families and their culture.

On this date each year we remember the apology that was made to all those whose lives continue to be impacted and deeply traumatised by past government policies of forced child removal and assimilation. Although the apology could not take away the pain of the past, many felt it was a necessary first step in the healing process.

Many Elders did not believe this apology would ever happen in their lifetime and so for those who witnessed this historical event it was a moment of truth telling—official acknowledgement of what had happened to them and their stories of pain and suffering that have continued to be passed down from generation to generation. It was the recognition of what had happened to them and their families as part of the history of Australia.

‘We apologise for the laws and policies of successive Parliaments and governments that have inflicted profound grief, suffering and loss on these our fellow Australians. We apologise especially for the removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families, their communities and their country.’
— Prime Minister Kevin Rudd 2008

The journey to a national apology to the Stolen Generations began in 1995, with an inquiry into the forced separation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families by past governments. The inquiry’s final report was released in 1997, it was called Bringing Them Home. It included 54 recommendations. Two of the recommendations called on all Australian governments, police forces, churches, and non-government agencies to make an apology to members of the Stolen Generations.

Dr Tom Calma, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner at the time, spoke for many when he said:

"Through one direct act, the parliament has acknowledged the existence and the impacts of past policies and practices of forcibly removing Indigenous children from their families, and by doing so has paid respect to the Stolen Generations for their suffering and their loss, and for their resilience, and ultimately, for their dignity."

As stated in the 2023-2024 Social Justice Statement, Listen, Learn, Love: The way we in the Church and society address these painful matters must change if there is to be an end to centuries of injustice. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples need to be welcomed from the margins into the centre so that they can lead the discussions about change and implementation of actions to bring about healing and justice.

We are all invited to join in walking with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people on this journey of healing. Let us as the people of God, Bishops and people together, listen with humility and love to what they have to say to us.

“The story of the Stolen Generations cannot be told without recognising the strength and resilience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals, families and communities.”
— Bringing Them Home report

As 2025 has been declared a Year of Jubilee by Pope Francis, with the theme, “Pilgrims of Hope”, let us all join in walking alongside our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Sisters and Brothers with HOPE in our hearts. We pray for healing and reconciliation for all Australians as we journey together as pilgrims of Hope.

As Pope Francis reminds us:

“Everyone knows what it is to hope. In the heart of each person, hope dwells as the desire and expectation of good things to come, despite our not knowing what the future may bring."

Resources:

Bringing Them Home – Stories of the Stolen Generations

National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council (ATSICC) Website

Healing Foundation – National Apology Anniversary

We’re proud to invest in the future of education, awarding $340,000 in scholarships to seventeen exceptional 2024 HSC graduates from Catholic schools across the Illawarra and Macarthur regions. 

Recipients of the Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong (CEDoW) Step into Teaching scholarship will each receive $20,000 towards their Education degree, part-time employment as a school support officer while studying, and a guaranteed permanent teaching position upon graduation. This initiative, now in its fifth year, demonstrates our strong commitment to attracting and retaining top-tier educators.

Ryder Stuart, scholarship recipient and graduate of Holy Spirit College, Bellambi, shared his gratitude: “The Step into Teaching scholarship means so much to me as I work towards becoming a secondary mathematics teacher. It’s not just about financial help; it’s also a huge boost to my confidence and motivation. With this support, I can focus on building my skills and making a real difference for my future students.”

Since its inception in 2020, the CEDoW Step into Teaching program has supported 91 students, with five graduates from the inaugural cohort commencing their full-time teaching roles this year.

Primary

St John’s Catholic Parish Primary School, Dapto
School Support Officer – Library (36 hours per fortnight)
Creative Arts Teacher – Music (F.T.E. 0.6)
Classroom Teacher 

Secondary

Magdalene Catholic College, Narellan
PD/H/PE and Religious Education Teacher

Corpus Christi Catholic College, Oak Flats
School Support Officer – TAS (26 hours per fortnight)

St Benedict’s Catholic College, Oran Park
HSIE/Religious Education Teacher 

You are welcome to join us for our annual Education Mass 2025 as we celebrate the Jubilee Year – Pilgrims of Hope.

Tuesday 25 February 2025
Mass at 6 pm, followed by light refreshments

St John Vianney Co-Cathedral
1 Cabbage Tree Lane, Fairy Meadow NSW 2519

No RSVP is required; however, we recommend arriving early.
(Principals will be asked to confirm the attendance numbers from their school closer to the event.)

Education Mass – Expression of Interest for Choir, Musicians, and Percussionists

Due: Friday 14 February 2025

Calling all spirit-filled vocalists, musicians and percussionists!

Expressions of interest to support the music ministry at this year's Education Mass are now open.

Newcomers are welcome and participation is simple. Music is supplied in advance to assist with preparation and a short rehearsal prior to the Mass will tie everything together.

• Date: Tuesday 25 February 2025
• Time: 6 pm - 7.30 pm
• Venue: St John Vianney Co-Cathedral, 1 Cabbage Tree Lane Fairy Meadow

Please complete this form by Friday 14 February if you are interested in sharing your talents for this Spirit-filled event.

Liturgy Help

Liturgy Help is a unique online subscription service fully authorised by the Catholic Church to publish official liturgical texts.

It provides parishes, schools, and other Catholic communities with easy access to the Church’s rich liturgical texts, streamlining the preparation of materials for liturgy and prayer.

All school staff members can access this resource, however, first time users will need to set up an account using this link.

If you experience difficulty accessing the site, please refer to the Liturgy Help Cheat Sheet.

DOW Lenten Program - 50% discount available for CEDoW schools

The Diocese of Wollongong’s 2025 Lenten Program book and CD named METANOIA is now for sale via the DOW website.

As in previous years, the book and CDs are available at 50% off for DOW parishes, schools and religious communities.

In order to take advantage of the special price on the website, select the purchase option Australian Catholic Religious Group, enter ABN, and then apply the coupon code: dowspecial during checkout.

Any questions please email orders@dow.org.au or call (02) 4222 2411.

The resource is also available via Sora. Please see the link here.

Computer Virus Protection: “Sophos” to “SentinalOne”

We're excited to announce that, commencing on 19 February, CEDoW will be transitioning our Endpoint Protection Software (antivirus), which is currently installed on every staff member's managed computing device (Apple Mac/PC Laptops and workstations), from ‘Sophos’ to ‘SentinelOne’.

This change will happen seamlessly in the background, with no action required from end users. Rest assured, all systems will be updated automatically, and your device protection will continue without disruption. 

As always, if you have any questions or experience any issues during the transition, please don't hesitate to reach out to the service desk 1800 DOW HELP | help@dow.catholic.edu.au. 

Attendance Policy and Procedure

Audience: Principals and school leaders, SSSOs

The updated Attendance Policy and Procedure are in effect as of 31 January 2025. As part of the system support provided to schools, several fact sheets and an attendance flowchart have been produced as resources for use in your school communities. These resources will also be linked via Quicklinks in Gateway for schools to access when required. Please see the links below for resources you may want to access now:

Flowchart

Fact sheets

School Road Safety and Education – Teacher Relief: Funding Opportunity

As part of the ongoing commitment to road safety education, the Centre for Road Safety (Transport for NSW), through Catholic Schools New South Wales (CSNSW), has provided funding to help schools keep road safety a key focus.

As part of this commitment, CEDoW is offering funding opportunities for each school in 2025.

1. 2025 Road Safety Network and School Delegate

To support effective implementation of Road Safety education and road safety plans within schools, a Road Safety Network will continue in 2025. Each school is requested to provide a school based delegate to be the point of contact for road safety education and planning support.

Schools have been requested to provide a contact for the CEDoW Road Safety Network. In the event schools have not provided a delegate/contact the school principal will remain the CEDoW road safety contact.

Please indicate your 2025 school based road safety delegate in the following document: CEDoW 2025 Primary and Secondary Road Safety Delegate/Contact List

2. Road Safety Network Meeting 2025

• Monday 24 March 2025 (Semester 1) for primary and secondary road safety delegates.

3. Road Safety Funding 2025

Please review the following information on how schools can utilise the Transport for NSW Road Safety Education funding in their school context: Road Safety Funding School Use Overview (10 February 2025).

4. Bus Safety Week – 17-23 February

As students return to school, it is an important time to revisit bus safety with staff, students, and families. During Bus Safety Week, revisit the key messages regarding safety on buses.

Bus Safety Week runs from Monday 17 to Sunday 23 February 2025.

The Be Bus Aware campaign will be in the market from Monday 17 February for approximately four weeks.

Please take the opportunity to utilise and share these key messages with your school community through explicit education and publication with parents and carers: Bus Safety Week - School Resources for Education and Promotion.

Safety Alert – Wasps

Over the past few weeks, there have been several reported wasp stings across schools.

Wasps tend to be more active during late summer and early autumn, and with an increase in outdoor play and activities, there is a greater risk of wasp-related incidents.

As a result, we ask everyone to take extra care and be aware of the following safety measures:

• Remain Calm and Move Slowly: If you spot a wasp, encourage students to stay calm. Sudden movements can provoke the wasp.
• Avoid Wasps Nests: Do not approach or disturb any visible nests. Wasps are more defensive at this time of year.
• Ensure Food and Drinks Are Covered: Wasps are attracted to sugary substances, so encourage students to keep food and drinks covered during outdoor breaks and avoid leaving them unattended.
• Protective Clothing: Wear light-colored clothing, as wasps are more attracted to dark colours, and avoid bright, floral patterns.
• Playground Awareness: Supervising staff should be extra watchful around areas where wasps may congregate, such as near bins or areas with fruit trees.
• Regular Grounds Checks: Conduct regular checks of the school grounds, including playgrounds and surrounding areas, to identify any new wasp nests. If a nest is found, take immediate action to have it removed.

What to Do If Stung:

If a staff member or a student is stung, it is important to act quickly:

• Clean the Area: Wash the sting site with soap and water.
• Cold Compress: Apply a cold compress or ice pack to reduce swelling and pain.
• Monitor for Allergic Reactions: In rare cases, wasp stings can cause allergic reactions. If the staff member/student experiences difficulty breathing, dizziness, or swelling beyond the sting area, seek immediate medical attention.
• Report and Record: Staff should report any wasp sting to their principal/supervisor and complete the Staff Injury Notification Form. Student injuries should be recorded in Compass on the appropriate Sick Bay or Student Injury Notification Form template depending on the severity of the injury.

If you have any questions regarding this alert, please contact Workplace Safety and Wellbeing at whs@dow.catholic.edu.au.

For CEDoW’s full range of workplace, safety and wellbeing resources please visit the Workplace Safety and Wellbeing Hub on Gateway.

Staff Injury Notification

If you are involved in an incident at work that results in an injury/illness you must report it to your principal/supervisor as soon as it occurs.

Any reported injury or illness must also be recorded via the CEDoW Staff Injury Notification Form. This form is located on the Workplace Safety and Wellbeing Hub on Gateway, under Notification Forms.

The completed notification form will automatically be sent to the Workplace Safety and Wellbeing team and our Worker’s Compensation Insurer - Trinity Insurance, for assessment.

Most importantly a member of the Workplace Safety and Wellbeing team will make contact with you and where required support you in your recovery at work because we know:

• Good return-to-work outcomes are more likely for individuals post-injury/illness when they understand the health benefits of work and are empowered to take responsibility for their situation.
• Work is generally good for health and well-being and an effective means of inclusivity and community.
• Staying active after injury reduces pain symptoms and helps you return to your usual activities at home and work sooner.

What is Expected of All Staff?

1. Reporting:
   
   • All work-related injuries/illnesses are required to be reported immediately. This includes minor injuries/illnesses that may not seem significant at first. It is important to advise the principal (their delegate) or supervisor of any injury/illness that occurs to ensure timely action.
     
     
2. Recording:
   
   • Under the Workplace Injury Management and Workplace Compensation Act 1998 (NSW) section 44(2), schools must report workplace injuries/illnesses to the insurer within 48 hours of becoming aware of them. Given this timeline is critical, record your injury/illness on CEDoW's Staff Notification Form as soon as you report it.
   • If you cannot report the injury/illness due to its severity, an appropriate person at the school will complete the injury notification form on your behalf. It is crucial to submit the form within the 48-hour window, even if all details are not yet available. Additional information can be provided later. 

By staying proactive and adhering to these steps, we can all ensure workplace safety and legal compliance.

If you have any questions regarding injuries at work or Worker's Compensation Insurance contact Workplace Safety and Wellbeing at whs@dow.catholic.edu.au. 

For CEDoW’s full range of workplace, safety, and wellbeing resources visit the Workplace Safety and Wellbeing Hub on Gateway.

NAPLAN 2025 Key dates and deadlines

Friday 21 February: Disability adjustment applications

Submit NESA approved disability adjustment applications (colour contrast modification, assistive technology, scribe and double extra time) through Schools Online by Friday 21 February. Alternative format applications closed in December 2024. Contact the NAPLAN team immediately if an application has not been submitted. Further information is available on the NESA website.

From now: Register for NAPLAN training

It is strongly recommended that all staff involved with NAPLAN engage with training. Staff can register now for live online training taking place from Tuesday 4 February to Friday 7 March. Read about the training options and access registration links on the NESA website.

Student NAPLAN NAP App video tutorial

Looking to help your iPad students learn how to use the NAP App in time for NAPLAN? Use this video tutorial with your class to familiarise your students on the features of the NAP App, and how to navigate seamlessly in the App when using an iPad, so they can succeed in NAPLAN.

NAPLAN Narrative and Persuasive Writing Marking Guide Podcasts

Looking to get the best out of your students in the Narrative and Persuasive writing sections of the Naplan test? In this folder, listen to succinct and detailed podcasts, which discuss the marking guides for both, to ensure your students know what it is the Naplan markers are looking for in their writing. Listen to it in the car, at the gym or while you’re on a walk!

Also in this folder are the marking guide full documents that include annotated student examples.

NESA also have self paced online learning courses for the narrative and persuasive writing marking guides. Log in to the NESA Learning Hub with your NESA details to access these courses.

ACEN eBook of the Week

This week’s theme is Library Lovers Day.

See the link here to explore the eBook titles for primary, secondary, and staff through the Australian Catholic Education Network (ACEN). Click on each image or use the QR code to access further information.

To sign in to Sora, select "ACEN" as your school. If you have any questions, contact Jim Gallagher at gallagherj01@dow.catholic.edu.au.  

Catholic Business Connections – March Luncheon

We’re excited to share information about the upcoming Catholic Business Connections (CBC) luncheon.

Date: Wednesday 26 March 2025

Please feel free to share this in your school newsletters and communications, inviting parents and carers to consider joining CBC.

CBC offers an opportunity for professional and business women and men in our diocese (both active and retired) who share common values, to network and engage with each other and leaders representing the diocese. CBC gathers three times a year for lunch and to listen to guest speakers chosen to inspire with their unique stories and share how they relate their work and spiritual life experience to the context of living in a modern world.

Catholicity STUFF (Spending Time Unpacking Faith Foundations)

K-6 Professional Learning Opportunity

Targeting K-6 early career and beginning teachers, this course aims to build foundational knowledge and skills in the area of Catholicity for application in the K-6 Classroom and across the Primary School.

• Tuesday 11 March 2025
• Emmaus Conference Centre, Campbelltown

Funding available as follows (1 stream school = 1 place, 2 stream school = 2 places, 3 stream school = 3 places, 4 stream school = 4 places).

Please discuss this with your principal and REC if you are interested in attending. For more information and registration details please click here.

For any questions, please contact Beth Riolo at riolob01@dow.catholic.edu.au.

Free Progressive Achievement Tests (PAT) Webinars in Term 1

Please see information about free PAT webinars offered by the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) in Term 1.

Click here to view a single document containing all the webinars, workshops, and competitions ACER is hosting this term.

Webinars include:

• The PAT Teaching Resources Centre – Supporting teachers with the next steps after assessment
• PAT Administration – Account setup, tips, and tricks
• PAT Interviews – Exploring the context of PAT in a school setting
• Understanding PAT Workshop.

For your consideration, to share with your parent/carer communities.

Free Online Respect Workshop for Parents and Carers

Do you know what’s influencing your kids? With young people spending so much time online, what they see and do can impact their behaviours and beliefs. Online disrespect is one of the ways violence-supportive attitudes can start to develop. 

Stop it at the Start has partnered with Tomorrow Man and Tomorrow Woman to help parents, carers, and other significant adults of young people aged 10-17 understand how the online world influences views on respect and gender. The workshop also shares practical ways to build relationships and start important conversations.

Join facilitators Ryder Jack and Kasey Miles for a free, interactive, evidence-based 90-minute session focused on connecting with young people, fostering healthier masculinity, and providing families with practical tools for everyday use.

Click here to register.

Free SchoolSpeak 101 Webinar: Learning the Lingo of School

Do you ever wonder what some of the words teachers use mean? Things like syllabus, curriculum, KLA, summative assessment?

Let Catholic Schools NSW, in conjunction with The Council of Catholic School Parents NSW/ACT, give you a quick ‘lesson’ in ‘schoolspeak’! Learning the ‘lingo’ of school will help you talk to your child and teachers so you can best support your child’s learning. 

Presented by Mary Ryan, Head of Professional Learning at Catholic Schools NSW, find out about scope and sequence, how curriculum develops, what NESA does, NAPLAN, what’s different about the new K–12 curriculum and how you can work with the school to improve your child’s achievements and wellbeing.

Register now for a day or evening session:

• Tuesday 25 February 2025, 12.30 pm – 1 pm
• Wednesday 26 February 2025, 7.30 pm – 8 pm

Click here to register.

Free Dream Big Webinar

The Council of Catholic School Parents are delighted to invite all parents and carers to the first in a series of free online webinars on helping children find their passions, pathways and careers. This is in collaboration with BEYOND, who offer a free, highly personalised careers that helps students discover their interests and pathway.

The first session will kick off with DREAM BIG, a webinar for primary school parents and carers that will help you nurture your child's interests and imagination.

Don't miss this chance to empower your child's future! Grab a sandwich and a cup of tea and sit down to listen and get some great tips at this lunchtime session:

• Wednesday 5 March 2025 | 12.30 pm - 1 pm

Click here to register, or use the QR code below:

K-6 Curriculum Support

The K-6 Curriculum Support page contains:

• Important links to external and internal sites
• Professional learning
• Planning and programming support
• Assessment and reporting
• Professional reading

For enquiries please contact learningk-12support@dow.catholic.edu.au. 

New: NESA Teaching Resources to Support K-10 Curriculum Implementation

NESA has released new resources to support learning of capabilities and priorities across the curriculum. Capabilities and priorities are developed through the relevant subject-specific content. They emerge authentically from the content of the new syllabuses and are not an additional layer on the curriculum.

The new resources provide guidance on the significance of capabilities and priorities within the curriculum, outline where they are embedded within the K-10 syllabuses, and offer additional materials to enhance teaching and learning.

The newly released resources include:

• Civics and citizenship in the NSW K-10 curriculum
• Financial literacy in the NSW K-10 curriculum
• Creating written texts in the NSW K-10 curriculum
• Respectful relationships and consent: PDHPE

NESA will continue to develop and release further resources to support educators. These materials can be accessed here.