School Leaders Edition, Week 4, Term 1, 2025

2025 Assurance Testing Program

For: Principals and SSSOs
Due: Various dates for individual schools
Contact: Shinto Sebastian (sebastians03@dow.catholic.edu.au)
First notice

The evaluation of the 2024 Assurance Testing Program confirmed high levels of compliance across all schools. It also recommended that the test schedule should be on a risk-based three year cycle (i.e. the assurance program will be held annually, however, each item will be tested once in three years).

The 2025 testing program will consist of three sections:

1. Year 1 (2025) Test Items
2. NESA Schools Selected for Short Notice Inspections Inventory
3. Non-compliant items identified in 2024 (for individual schools)

The Assurance framework provides the full list of compliance requirements as well as embedded links to relevant policies, procedures and resources.

Click the links below to access the testing details:

1. Assurance Testing Selected items for 3 years (2025, 2026, 2027)
   3 Years Testing Tool - Assurance testing selected items
   
   
2. 2025 Assurance Testing – selected items (Primary)
   2025 Assurance Testing Selected items - Primary
   
   
3. 2025 Assurance Testing – selected items (Secondary)
   2025 Assurance Testing Selected items - Secondary / K-12

Two weeks prior to your visit you will receive a reminder email.

Action: In preparation for the onsite testing visit, please familiarise yourself with the 2025 Assurance Testing.

If you have any concerns or require further information, please contact Shinto Sebastian on 0426 581 143.

Protecht – Risk Review

For: Principals
Due: 1 March 2025
Contact: John Barrington (barringtonj01@dow.catholic.edu.au)
First notice

During Term 4, 2024 John Barrington met with each principal and assisted them in identifying and recording their school based highest risks into Protecht, the CEDoW Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) database tool.

Principals subsequently confirmed the information by reviewing the data and ‘Submitting for Assessment’. The entry then becomes an ‘Active’ risk which is reviewed twice yearly (by 1 March and 1 September). Thank you to those who have already updated their risks this year.

Action: Principals are requested to complete the review by 1 March 2025. The Protecht system will also send an automated reminder on 21 February 2025.

Please review Controls prior to reviewing the Risks.

Please remember to change the date to 1/9/2025 as an indication that you have completed the review.

For controls – please change Next Test Date (located on the right side near the top of the page)

For risks – please change Review Due Date (located at the bottom of the page).

Finally, ensure that you SAVE your changes (located at the top right of the page).

Please be aware that Review Comments field (located below the Review Due Date) is the place to enter summative comments about the latest circumstances or changes about this risk.

NB In many cases there may not have been any changes to the information. If this is the case, simply update the Review Due Date and Save.

Urgent Safety Alert – Tractor Operations

For: Secondary and K–12 Principals
Due: Now
Contact: Workplace Safety and Wellbeing whs@dow.catholic.edu.au
First notice

Catholic Schools NSW (CSNSW) has been informed of a recent incident at a NSW Department of Education school involving a tractor-related injury. SafeWork NSW is currently investigating the safe systems of work and the use of tractors by individuals under 16 years of age.

Action: While the investigation is ongoing, SafeWork NSW has directed that secondary students under the age of 16 are not permitted to operate tractors. Schools and workplaces must immediately cease tractor use for all students under 16 until further notice.

This restriction applies to students engaged in:

• Agricultural activities at school
• Work placement within the Primary Industries Industry Curriculum Framework course
• Work experience on farms

CSNSW asks that this important safety alert be communicated to all relevant personnel today.

If you have any questions, please contact Mary-Clare Turnbull (CSNSW senior manager, Vocational Education and Training) at maryclare.turnbull@csnsw.catholic.edu.au or on 0419 979 831.

Alternatively, please contact Workplace Safety and Wellbeing 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.

Catholic Business Connections – March Luncheon

For: Principals 
Due: Now
Contact: Debbie Gates (debbie.gates@dow.org.au)
First notice

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

Date: Wednesday 26 March 2025

Optional Action: Please consider sharing this information in your school newsletters and communications, and invite 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.

Diocesan Launch of Project Compassion 2025

For: Principals and SSSOs 
Due: 24 February 2025
Contact: Helen Moon (moonh01@dow.catholic.edu.au)  
Last notice

Action: Please read the invitation below and RSVP by Monday 24 February 2025.

View the invitation including a link to RSVP here.

The RSVP form can also be accessed directly here.

CEDoW Guidebook for the Celebration for the Year of Jubilee

Audience: Principals, RECs and Leaders of Mission

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.

Pilgrimage is not a new concept nor is the expectation of being pilgrims of hope. As pilgrims of hope our commitment  is to look outward and go out into the world to be good news, as people of hope who encourage hope in others.  Hope is grounded in love and so we are called to walk through this world with the eyes of love, recognising and appreciating the sacred in all of God’s creation. This is  our job as pilgrims of hope.

Jubilee years are like moments of profound grace - calling for growth, reflection and conversion. This process leads us towards making a positive difference as we consider how we can be agents of hope and renewal in the world.

The CEDoW Guidebook for the Celebration for the Year of Jubilee is now available to assist school communities in their celebration of the Jubilee Year. You can access the guidebook via this link. Please note that, due to the document size, you will need to download it to view, or open it with Adobe Acrobat.

Since it will be updated throughout the year, we encourage you to check for the latest version and think about the environment before printing or downloading.

More information about the Year of Jubilee can be found on the CLEM Gateway site.

Jubilee Year – Soul of Ireland and Italy Pilgrimage

Audience: Principals and CEDoW Leadership

As advised late last year, Bishop Brian Mascord will be leading a group of CEDoW personnel on a special Jubilee Year Soul of Ireland and Italy Pilgrimage.

This will be a 23 day pilgrimage held from Friday 26 September to Sunday 19 October 2025.

Please see the pilgrimage flyer here.

Expressions of Interest from CEDoW staff will be called for in this week's All Staff Gateway News and repeated over the following 2 weeks.

Please note the following funding arrangements:

The cost per pilgrim is $13,390.

Individual pilgrims will be asked to contribute $5,800 towards this cost and schools will be asked to contribute $2,680 towards the cost of each staff member/pilgrim.

The costs above are based on twin share accommodation. Limited single rooms will be available at an extra cost to individual pilgrims.

As the pilgrimage largely takes place over the Pupil Vacation Period, 5 school days will be impacted. If casual release is required on these days, schools will be required to fund 3 days and the system will cover the remaining 2.

CEO staff will be required to take 10 days annual or long service leave.

All school based applicants will require the support of principals and Catholic Education Office applicants will require the support of the relevant CEDoW Leadership Team member.

Principals and CEDoW Leadership are asked to contact Jo Kenny at kennyj02@dow.catholic.edu.au with any questions regarding these pilgrimage arrangements.

CR+SSFIT | A Spiritual Bootcamp | LENT 2025

Audience: Principals, RECs and Leaders of Mission

Contact: David Gearin - gearind01@dow.catholic.edu.au

Targeting Student Leaders and Early Career Teachers (Primary)

CR+SSFIT | A Lenten Spiritual Bootcamp | Lent 2025 is being offered to all schools in 2025. The 7 week program to a ‘fitter’ spiritual self weaves our Catholic Social Teachings into the Lenten program sessions which include multiple elements relating to faith and wellbeing.

The method used for the bootcamp is Faith in Action and Lectio/Visio Divina.

The faith elements include scripture readings, artwork, reflections and brief periods of meditation while the deep breathing practices, body awareness exercises and weekly social gathering address our general wellbeing in busy school and office communities.

The program is designed to be delivered by the student leaders and early career teachers in our communities as a means of developing their Catholic Leadership capacities.

The CLEM team is available to deliver 30 minute workshops during weeks 4 - 7 in our Primary and Secondary Schools.

• Primary Schools - target group is Yr 6 students or Early Career Teachers
• Secondary Schools - target group is School Captains/Vice Captains/SRC OR YMLs

The CR+SSFIT | A Spiritual Bootcamp | LENT 2025 program here.

For any further information contact David Gearin gearind01@dow.catholic.edu.au.

Called to Serve – Liturgical Ministries Training Day

For: Secondary RECs/Leaders of Mission
Due: Friday 14 March
Contact: John Coppola – 0477 446 431 | coppolag01@dow.catholic.edu.au

This Training Program, a joint collaboration between the Diocesan Liturgical Commission and the Catholic Life, Education & Mission (CLEM) team, is offered to students in Years 10 and 11 in Catholic Secondary Schools in the Diocese of Wollongong.

It is an opportunity for students to learn more about what it means to gather as a Eucharistic community at Mass and develop an understanding of some of the ministries of service that they can be engaged in.

The program will focus on the following three ministries:

• Proclaimer of the Word
• Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion
• Music Ministry: Cantor

Six students from each school are to be nominated by their REC/ Leader of Mission, with two students then being nominated for each of the three ministries.

When: Tuesday 25 March 2025

Where: Xavier Centre and St Francis Xavier's Cathedral, 38 Harbour St, Wollongong

Register using this form.

Please read here for further information.

School Open Day Registration and Social Media Posts 

School Open Days are just around the corner, and we've seen some fantastic social
media promotion already! To help everyone make the most of these important events, we've put together a few tips.

Open Day Registration:

We recommend using Funnel, our online enrolment platform, to manage your Open Day events.

It's a great way to:

• Allow parents to easily register online
• Track attendees
• Send automated emails
• Generate leads in the system

For help to set up your Open Day event in Funnel, please click here for assistance. 

To streamline registration on the day, please also download and print a QR code for guests to sign in. This will also help you follow up with prospective parents who registered but couldn't attend.

Open Day Social Media Graphic:

To create an Open Day social media graphic we recommend using Canva (everyone with a CEDoW email address can access this platform for free). As the Open Day graphic will appear on your school social media page, please keep information to a minimum. Please refer to image above as an example.

Remember to include:

• School Image (Please click here to access your school’s most recent CEDoW images for your use)
• School Logo
• Title - School Open Day, or Open Day
• Date and time  

Social Media Posts:

When promoting your Open Day on social media, please include the registration link in your post caption, NOT the QR code. Links are much easier for parents to use on their phones.

Here's how to copy the registration link from Funnel:

1. Click the three dots on the right side of your event
2. Select "Registration Form Option"
3. Click "copy link" under "Public Link"

If you require further assistance please don't hesitate to contact Josephine Cooks at cooksj01@dow.catholic.edu.au or Jade Mariani at marianij02@dow.catholic.edu.au.

_____________________________________________________________________

Attendance Policy and Procedure

Audience: Principals, school leaders, and 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

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.

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 that 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 back-up alternatives to help with 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.

2025 CSSA Trial HSC Examinations 

The CSSA, a division of Catholic Schools NSW (CSNSW), creates premium CSSA Trial HSC Examinations by education experts. Our writers and assessors have syllabus expertise and extensive teaching experience to create the CSSA Trial HSC Examinations. In support of the 2025 school year, the CSSA has posted a Letter to the Principal containing essential information regarding the 2025 CSSA Trial HSC Examinations. 

Key dates to assist schools:

• The 2025 CSSA Trial HSC Examinations Timetable is from Monday 4 August to Monday 18 August with a security period up to and including 8 am, Thursday 21 August 2025.
• The 2025 CSSA Trial HSC Examinations Principal Information Package will be emailed to principals on Monday 10 February 2025.
• 2025 CSSA Trial HSC Examinations online ordering is available as of 9 am, Monday 10 February, and until 5 pm, Thursday 10 April 2025.
• Schools must contact the CSSA regarding CSSA Trial HSC Examinations Disability Provisions by 9 am, Friday 4 April 2025.
• The 2025 Draft CSSA Trial HSC Examination Timetable will be provided in the Principal Information Package and then made available on the CSSA website.
• The 2025 Final CSSA Trial HSC Examination Timetable will be emailed to principals in Week 1, Term 2, and then made available on the CSSA website.

Technological Assistance:

If a principal requires technological assistance with sign-in to their registered school account in the CSSA website, please email service@csnsw.catholic.edu.au. There is a CSNSW verification process in place to maintain the privacy and confidentiality of each principal and their registered school account with the CSSA. 

CSSA Website and Individual School Accounts:

School data in individual School Accounts with the CSSA must be kept up to date by individual schools via the CSSA website Account Settings. 

Relevant personnel in CSSA registered schools should ensure that school data available and fields of information on the CSSA website is checked, updated and completed as necessary. This will ensure that your school’s address, phone number, email address and contact details are correct – this information is critical for communication with schools and the secure delivery of CSSA Trial HSC Examinations. Finally, remember to click on the “SAVE” button at the end of the process. 

For your convenience, the link to the CSSA website is here. 

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

All staff are required to complete this new LMS module.  

An email notification was received by all staff stating that a mandatory learning activity has been added to their development plan for 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.

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.

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.