All Staff Edition, Week 4, Term 1, 2025

World Day of Social Justice

The General Assembly of the United Nations declared 20 February as the World Day of Social Justice in 2007. This day highlights the need to address global challenges including unemployment, gender inequality, social exclusion and poverty. The theme for 2025 is: Empowering Inclusion: Bridging Gaps for Social Justice.

As we reflect on our Catholic Social Teachings, we recognise that upholding the dignity of each person is crucial. We see the face of Christ in every individual; therefore, all people should have the opportunity to live “life to the full” (John 10:10). How easy it is to observe and comment on the many examples of injustice in our world while remaining comfortably ignorant of the injustices within our own communities, neighbourhoods, workplaces, society, and relationships. How can we actively uphold the dignity of our neighbours in our daily lives?

The images below sourced from the Caritas website depict the various ways people can be ranked. It is so easy to get caught up focusing on the variables such as skill or knowledge and ranking people accordingly. How do we challenge ourselves and each other to always see the person in front of us with their innate dignity and worth?

We are so blessed to know God’s love. As the hands and feet of Jesus here on earth we need to make this love known to all people. By treating each person we meet with kindness, respect, love and compassion we can be the face of Christ to them.

The themes highlighted in the Readings this week - the 6th Sunday of Ordinary Time are trust and hope. We find our hope in the Resurrection and we place our trust in God.

Where do you place your trust?

Do you feel alone and rely on your own strength? Or do you rely on God?

We can find true happiness when we place our trust in God. Let’s share this message with those we meet.

On behalf of the Director of Schools, I wish to announce the following:

Following a recruitment process, Olivia Gallagher is the successful applicant for the temporary position of Legal Assistant within the Catholic Education Office commencing 3 March 2025.

Olivia is in her final year of a combined Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws at the University of Wollongong and was a Dean's Merit List recipient in 2022. Olivia has undertaken an internship with Marsdens Law Group, providing her with valuable legal experience.

Olivia embodies the Catholic values and as a past graduate of Magdalene Catholic College is well placed to understand the culture and workings of our schools.

Following a recruitment process, Ellen Vera is the successful applicant for the temporary position of Policy Assistant (0.5 FTE) in the Governance, Assurance and Risk service area commencing on 14 February 2025. Ellen has worked as an Administrative Officer in the Governance, Assurance and Risk, and Catholic Life, Education and Mission service areas, as well as in the Child Safety and Professional Services and Reception Services teams.

Ellen is currently completing a Bachelor of Arts - Bachelor of International Studies at the University of Wollongong. Her studies have included an international exchange to Japan.

I take this opportunity to congratulate Ellen and Olivia and wish them every success and fulfilment in these appointments.

Natasha O’Donoghue
Assistant Director - People and Culture

Primary

St Paul’s Catholic Parish Primary School, Camden
School Support Office – Administration (65 hr per fortnight)

St Justin’s Catholic Parish Primary School, Oran Park
Classroom Teacher (Stage 2)

Secondary

John Therry Catholic College, Rosemeadow
English Teacher

K-12

St Francis Catholic College, Edmondson Park
Middle Leader 2 - VET (Temporary Full Time - Secondment Opportunity)
TAS/VET Teacher Food Technology/Hospitality (Years 7-12) (Re-Advertised)
TAS/VET Teacher – Industrial Technology/VET Construction (Years 7-12) (Re-Advertised)

Catholic Education Office

Professional Officer: Talent Pathways Officer (People & Culture)
Temporary Full Time, Secondment Opportunity

Soul of Ireland and Italy Jubilee Year Pilgrimage - Expressions of Interest

Attention: All CEDoW staff

Due: Thursday 13 March 2025
Contact: Claire Cooney at cooneyc02@dow.catholic.edu.au
For: Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong (CEDoW) staff

26 September - 19 October 2025

In the 2025 Jubilee Year, the Church celebrates the theme Pilgrims of Hope, encouraging us all to live with hope in God and to share that hope with others.

To celebrate and mark this significant event for our international Catholic community, CEDoW invites staff to participate in a special Jubilee Year Pilgrimage to Ireland and Italy, led by Bishop Brian Mascord.

For more information regarding the pilgrimage, including how to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI), please refer to the link here.

EOIs close on Thursday 13 March 2025.

Primary Student WEN Day 2025

For: WEN Contacts
Due: Thursday 13 March 2025
Contact: Beth Riolo at riolob01@dow.catholic.edu.au 

Four Stage 3 students, accompanied by the WEN Teacher Contact from each primary school, are invited to attend a day of eco formation, inspiration and action, Caring for Our Common Home - A Call to Action! Primary Student WEN Day.

Thursday 20 March 2025 at St Brigid’s Catholic Primary School, Gwynneville

Please click on the link for further information and to register for the Primary Student WEN Day 2025.

Attendance Policy and Procedure

Audience: Principals, school leaders, and SSSOs

The updated Attendance Policy and Procedure took effect on 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

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 2025. 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 2025. Read about the training options and access registration links on the NESA website.

NAPLAN 2025

The NAPLAN 2025 test window is Wednesday 12 March to Monday 24 March 2025.

Preparation activities and training for the delivery of NAPLAN 2025 are now available for schools.

Schools must ensure no school camps, excursions, sports carnivals, or similar activities are booked during the NAPLAN test window. Information on protocols for test scheduling can be found on the ACARA website.

NAPLAN should be undertaken by all eligible students who are present at school on the day each test is scheduled. Schools can organise for students who are absent on the day of a scheduled test to complete a catch-up test during the testing window.

Registration is now open for NAPLAN 2025 live online training sessions. Sessions run from Tuesday 4 February to Friday 7 March 2025 and are delivered via Microsoft Teams. View all options for training and preparation activities here.

As part of NAPLAN preparation, NESA recommends that schools train additional staff to provide backup alternatives for test administration and support in case of staff illness or absence

If a school has concerns about their ability to complete NAPLAN in the scheduled test window, they should email the NAPLAN team for advice.

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 Non-Fiction books.

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. 

Return to Work Program Professional Learning Module

The Workplace Safety and Wellbeing team has introduced a new Learning Management System (LMS) module, ‘Return to Work Program Module’, e-learning training, aimed at educating and creating awareness around CEDoW's Return to Work (RTW) Program.

This new LMS module provides education and training on the key aspects of the RTW Program and takes approximately 45 minutes to complete.

This includes:

1. Early Intervention
2. Injury Management Plan
3. Recover at Work Plan
4. Workplace Support
5. Consultation and Communication
6. Monitoring and Review
7. Compliance with Legal Requirements

You should have received an email notification with a new mandatory learning activity, added to your development plan, the week beginning 10 February 2025. 

 If you have any questions regarding the resources, please contact Workplace Safety and Wellbeing on 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.

EAL/D Professional Learning 2025

We are pleased to share that an EAL/D professional learning opportunity will once again be available in 2025. Enrolments are now open via LMS.

The EAL/D Induction Day – Building an Understanding of the EAL/D Learner will take place in Term 1 on Wednesday 26 March 2025, at the Marian Centre, Wollongong. This event is designed for teachers from Early Stage 1 to Stage 3. It offers a valuable opportunity to network with colleagues and deepen their understanding of CEDoW’s strategic priorities and practices for supporting EAL/D students.

Participants will engage in peer-to-peer discussions and explore practical, hands-on resources designed to enhance student engagement and improve learning outcomes for students with diverse linguistic and cultural needs.

Each school is invited to nominate one participant to attend, with funding provided by CEDoW (F04). If additional participants wish to attend, the school will need to cover the associated casual relief costs.

This is a valuable opportunity to enrich your understanding and enhance your skills to support EAL/D learners effectively.

Building An Understanding of the EAL/D Learner 2025

Wednesday 26 March 2025 9:00 am - 3:00 pm The Marian Centre, Wollongong 5 hours NESA Accredited PD

Please contact Crystal Ash (0437 173 976) or Kylie Phillips (0417 826 081) for any questions.

Year One SPOT

Year 1 SPOT is an optional professional learning course aimed at supporting Year 1 teachers to gain a deeper understanding of how to support students to reach their developmental milestones in communication, sensory and motor development.

Throughout the course, participants will collaborate to understand the importance of executive functioning skills and their implications on student learning. With this understanding, participants will consider and implement practical evidence-based strategies to support developing these skills within a tier-one classroom.  

This 2-day face-to-face professional learning course is facilitated by a speech pathologist and occupational therapist. Over both days the course will address evidence-based research and its application to classroom practice.

Name:
Year One SPOT

Audience:
New Year One teachers

Dates and Venues:

Day 1 - 13 March 2025 @ Emmaus Suite 3.01 Building B, Lvl 3 Hyde Parade, Campbelltown

Day 2 - 20 August 2024 @ Emmaus Suite 3.01 Building B, Lvl 3 Hyde Parade, Campbelltown

RSVP:
Day 1 Year One SPOT

Funding Code:
One Year 1 teacher per class (F02).

A Course for Aspiring Leaders

Expressions of Interest are sought from suitable applicants to enrol in A Course for Aspiring Leaders, a CEDoW professional development opportunity focused on developing and supporting future leaders within the CEDoW system of schools.

The course is for those teachers who do not currently hold a formal leadership role within their school but would like to aspire to a leadership role in the future.

A Course for Aspiring Leaders will be conducted over 12 months in 2025 during Terms 1-3 with an opt-in session in Term 4.

There will be two cohorts for this course. An Illawarra cohort and a Macarthur cohort. Please register interest on LMS.

View the course flyer here.

Online Workshop: Navigating HSC Disability Provisions: Key Insights and Practical Steps

Audience: School Leaders, Leaders of Diverse Learning

NESA Student Support is offering a workshop designed to deepen your understanding of the Disability Provisions Program, focusing on essential aspects that ensure equitable access and support for students with disabilities. The workshop features case studies and examples and will explore the functional evidence and supporting documentation required to submit applications.

Who should attend:

The workshop is recommended for secondary Learning Support / Diverse Learning Coordinators and members of the school executive.

It is available on the following dates:

• Tuesday 18 February, 12:45 - 3:00 pm
• Thursday 27 February, 9:45 - 12:00 pm
• Wednesday 5 March, 2:45 - 5 pm
• Monday 10 March, 12:45 - 3:00 pm
• Tuesday 25 March, 10:15 - 12:30 pm
• Monday 5 May, 2:45 - 5 pm
• Wednesday 21 May, 12:45 - 3:00 pm

The workshop contributes to 2 hours of Professional Learning.

Register here.

Catholicity STUFF (Spending Time Unpacking Faith Foundations)

K-6 Professional Learning opportunity
For: Primary Principals and RECs
Contact: Helen Moon (moonh01@dow.catholic.edu.au)

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 (9 am - 3 pm)

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

Casual Release code: C01.

Please consider who on your staff may benefit from this one day professional learning experience. For more information and registration details please click here.

Registrations close Friday 28 February 2025.

CrookED Science – K-12 Science Workshops 2025

An early bird rate of 10% off all live workshops is available if purchased by Friday 28 February 2025. Additionally, receive 15% OFF any bulk purchases of 4+ on-demand courses (contact Simon Crook to arrange). School subscriptions are also available; please contact Simon Crook directly at simon@crookedscience.com to arrange.

Here's a summary list of the courses on offer in 2025:

• K-6 – 6 options including a Staff Development Day and Zoom workshop for the new syllabus K-6
• 7-10 – 10+ options for the new syllabus: Staff Development Day + Zooms + on-demand modules for all of Y7 7-10
• Biology – 15 courses: exam prep + all 8 modules on-demand + 4 student revision Zooms Biology
• Chemistry – 12 courses: all 8 modules on-demand + exam prep  + student revision Chemistry
• EES – 12 courses: exam prep + all 8 modules twilights (2 & 7 Term 1) + student revision EES
• Investigating Science – 9+ courses: exam prep + student revision + all 4 HSC modules on-demand (Y11 coming soon) + Y11 Theory Zoom Investigating Science
• Physics – 15 options: exam prep + student revision + all 8 modules on-demand + Y11 & HSC Sims + School Partnership Physics
• Science Extension – 8 courses: exam prep + student revision + all 4 modules on-demand Science Extension

HSC Students – 9 twilight revision and exam preparation workshops: all HSC sciences HSC Students.

CEMA Sydney Educational Measurement & Assessment Symposium 2025 

The Sydney Educational Measurement & Assessment Symposium is back in 2025 on Friday 21 March.

The Symposium is a research event designed to gather several different communities to share ideas and interact across boundaries – measurement and assessment – but also settings such as schools, universities, government departments and agencies, commercial entities, and NGOs.

Hybrid event: The Symposium is a primarily in-person event, but online participation will be available. Please note that individual paper presentations will be possible by either in-person or online attendees, as we have Zoom capability in the teaching rooms we are using for the event. However, poster presentations and poster-based symposia will only be offered for those able to attend in-person in Sydney. Roundtable presentations will be in-person only; and you need to indicate this choice when submitting your proposal. 

Call for abstracts: CEMA are inviting educators to submit an abstract for the symposium.  They are interested in receiving proposals from those employed in the school sector, higher education sector, and VET sector. 

Measurement topics could include for example school improvement and effectiveness, program evaluation, large-scale assessments, test creation, race and educational measurement validity, psychometrics, measuring 21st century skills, evidence-informed teaching and learning, educational measurement at a national, state, or sector level. 

Assessment topics could include theory underlying assessment, feedback, formative assessment, automated assessment and AI, authentic assessment, collaborative/group assessment, learning analytics and assessment, equity in assessment, inclusive assessment, policy, assessment and curriculum reform, leading assessment, data literacy, assessment literacy, assessment technology. 

Contact the Centre for Educational Measurement and Assessment directly to submit an abstract kathleen.walker@sydney.edu.au.

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. 

Teachers Supporting Teachers

In the past week, two groups of educators from across CEDoW have come together to begin developing support material to assist all schools in the implementation of the PDHPE and Science and Technology syllabuses in 2026. The first day for each working group focused on exploring curriculum reform, unpacking the new syllabuses and their intent, and establishing a shared understanding of their implementation within the context of CEDoW schools.

In the days ahead, the teams will continue to engage deeply with the reformed syllabuses, explore evidence-based resources, and key CEDoW documents to guide the development of practical support materials for teachers and schools. A range of optional resources, including scope and sequences, units of work, and additional teaching resources, will be developed and made available in Semester 2 to support schools and teachers as they build their familiarity with the PDHPE and Science and Technology syllabuses, ready for implementation in 2026.

CEDoW Teaching Toolboxes

The CEDoW teaching toolboxes are valuable resources designed to support the core work of teachers. These toolboxes contain resources designed to assist teachers and leaders in implementing the reformed NSW Curriculum, strengthening the use of evidence-informed teaching practices, and embedding high-impact pedagogy and effective instruction in all classrooms across our diocese. 

Each Toolbox contains a range of syllabus-aligned information, strategies, curriculum support materials, including sample scope and sequences and units of work, and a variety of professional readings to support teaching K-6 English and Mathematics.

The K-6 Curriculum Support, Literacy Teaching Toolbox and Numeracy Teaching Toolbox are evolving resources that are regularly updated to reflect curriculum developments and best practice in the classroom. Be sure to bookmark these CEDoW Sites for easy access as you plan teaching, learning and assessment in 2025. 

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