School Leaders Edition, Week 10, Term 1, 2025

Draft Student Anti-Bullying Procedure – Invitation to Provide Feedback

For: Principals and school leaders
Due: 30 April 2025
Contact: Kerryn Barnett, Head of Wellbeing and Student Support at barnettk01@dow.catholic.edu.au, Nicole Jones Clinical Psychologist, Wellbeing & Student Support Team at jonesn09@dow.catholic.edu.au, or Rebecca Wakeling, Senior Policy Advisor at policy@dow.catholic.edu.au.
First Notice

We’re seeking feedback from principals and school leaders on the draft Student Anti-Bullying Procedure and the proposed new Compass ‘Suspected Bullying: Review and Outcome template’. These revisions were driven by a need to make the procedure practically workable given internal changes to positions, and to reduce the administrative burden on staff. The revised procedure updates position titles and refines requirements and workflows. The two current Compass templates (Bullying Investigation template and Bullying Findings and Actions template) have been consolidated into a proposed single template and the content requirements have been refined.

The Commonwealth and state governments are working to develop a national standard to address student bullying behaviours. We anticipate further amendment to CEDoW’s existing policy position on student anti-bullying will follow the release of the national standard. 

We value your input and want to listen to your thoughts, concerns and ideas about the draft procedure and the proposed template.

For action by 30 April 2025: 

1. Review the current policy and procedure for comparison purposes (see section 6 of the Student Pastoral Care and Wellbeing Policy)
2. Review the new DRAFT Student Anti-Bullying Procedure flow chart.
3. View a 12 minute clip that provides a walkthrough of the proposed new Compass 'Suspected Bullying: Review and Outcome template’. 

Please provide your feedback on the draft procedure and proposed new template to policy@dow.catholic.edu.au. Feedback could range from a formal written response to a summary of general observations and suggestions. Alternatively, please reach out if you would prefer to arrange a discussion. You may wish to use this table if providing feedback on the ‘Suspected Bullying: Review and Outcome template’.

Training and support for schools will accompany any release of new materials. 

If you have any questions about the Student Anti-Bullying Procedure or the revised Compass template, please contact Kerryn Barnett, Head of Wellbeing and Student Support at barnettk01@dow.catholic.edu.au, Nicole Jones, Clinical Psychologist, Wellbeing & Student Support Team at jonesn09@dow.catholic.edu.au, or Rebecca Wakeling, Senior Policy Advisor at policy@dow.catholic.edu.au.

The Pilgrims of Hope Jubilee Year Passports

For: Principals and RECs/Leaders of Mission
Due: Now
Contact: Jude Hennessy, Director for Renewal and Evangelisation at
jude.hennessy@dow.org.au   
First Notice

Bishop Brian seeks your assistance in distributing and explaining a specially developed diocesan resource, The Pilgrims of Hope - Jubilee Year Passports. He will provide a copy of this resource to all Catholic school staff and students (Years 2–12), with delivery to CEDoW schools commencing this week. Please read Bishop Brian’s accompanying communication here.

Action: Bishop Brian asks that you consider how you, as key faith leaders in your school community, can speak and write about the Jubilee Year and these Passports before they are distributed, assisting your staff in doing the same.

Additionally, please include an explanation of the Jubilee Year and the Pilgrim Passports in your upcoming communication with parents/guardians.

In addition to this correspondence, you are encouraged to utilise the Diocesan Jubilee Webpage to assist in your communication with staff, students, and families about the importance of the Jubilee Year.

ONE LICENSE – Reporting Term 1, 2025

For: Primary and Secondary RECs/Leaders of Mission
Due: Thursday 10 April 2025
Contact: Helen Moon at moonh01@dow.catholic.edu.au 
First Notice

Action: This is a reminder to report your school’s use of religious music and lyrics via the One License site, linked here. For further information, visit the CLEM website (under the heading "Liturgical Music"). If you need assistance with access, please contact Helen Moon.

Consultation Regarding the Potential Professional Learning and Event Facility at Wombarra

For: Principals, RECs/LOMs & SSSOs/Executive Assistants
Due: Friday 11 April 2025
Contact: Claire Cooney at cooneyc02@dow.catholic.edu.au
First Notice

A CEDoW working group is exploring the potential for CEDoW to utilise the former Our Lady of Lourdes Church at Wombarra.

Based on advice from the CEDoW Properties Team, upgrades would be required to make the building suitable for CEDoW use.

These include, but are not limited to, electrical rewiring, installing an IT system and air conditioning or fans, kitchen and toilet upgrades, and enhancements for accessibility and general safety.

It is estimated that the building could accommodate up to 60 people in a "round table" style setup and up to 100 people in a theatre-style arrangement.

You can view some recent photos of the building and site here.

The Catholic Life, Education & Mission (CLEM) Team has identified potential in the building for several of its regular events and PLs. Additionally, as mission formation, youth leadership, and creative ministry offerings expand for students and staff, the space's potential for growth will continue to unfold.

Other CEO service areas have also shown interest in the site, especially since the previously used PL space in the Marian Centre is no longer available.

We are now seeking feedback on whether schools would find this venue useful, particularly for staff and student formation days.

Here are some location and travel time estimates from Google Maps:

• Nowra to Wombarra: 97km, 1hr 33min
• Bowral to Wombarra: 81km, 1hr 16min
• Macarthur to Wombarra: 45km, 49min
• Wollongong to Wombarra: 20km, 33min

There is some on-street parking available near the building, though overflow parking may need to be across the highway, near the beach (5-10 minute walk). Student groups could be dropped by bus near the entrance. The site is a 4 minute walk from Wombarra train station.

Optional action: Please review your school's use of external facilities and consider whether an upgraded Wombarra site could serve as a valuable resource. If you wish to provide feedback, could the appropriate person(s) from your school please complete this Google form by Friday 11 April 2025.

For more information, contact Claire Cooney on 0413 338 633.

Finance Update – Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT)

For: Principals and SSSOs
Due: Now
Contact: FBT Team at fbt@dow.catholic.edu.au
First Notice

FBT Year Ending 31 March 2025

The Fringe Benefits Tax year ended on Monday 31 March 2025. This means that we require all schools to review their expenses between 1 April 2024 through to 31 March 2025.

From 2 April 2025 we will send you an extract of expenses which have occurred between 1 April 2024 and 31 March 2025 at your school in the form of the 2025 FBT School Workbook. The workbook will be populated for your benefit and completion. Please note that we have already removed what we deem non-FBT items to reduce your workload.

Action: We ask for you to review the data and advise of any omitted items.

Please refer to the 2025 FBT School Guidelines and Instructions document, which will assist in determining if expenses attract FBT. If you are unsure of any responses in the workbook, please note in the comments section, providing as much detail as possible for our assessment.

Credit Card Transactions

It is essential that all credit card transactions on Promaster be reconciled as soon as practical to enable us to complete the FBT return in a timely manner and to meet lodgement deadlines. We ask for your assistance to ensure that transactions up to and including 31 March 2025 are reconciled as soon as practical. The FBT data held in ExpenseMe will be included in your workbook this year.

Once completed/reviewed, please return the 'FBT School Workbook' to fbt@dow.catholic.edu.au by Tuesday 15 April 2025.

If you find FBT confusing, you are not alone—it is a complex area of tax law. If you need assistance, contact the FBT team at fbt@dow.catholic.edu.au or on 02 4250 9620.

2025 CEDoW Employee Engagement Survey – Coming in May

For: Principals 
Due: Term 2
Contact: Susan Phillipson, Team Leader Workplace Safety and Wellbeing, or Rochelle Borg, Workplace Safety and Wellbeing Officer at whs@dow.catholic.edu.au
First Notice

Engaged employees are committed to their work, have a sense of belonging and being valued for the contributions they make in the workplace, and care about the organisation and strive to do their best work to achieve the organisation's goals.

People and Culture will launch the 2025 CEDoW Employee Engagement Survey for all staff in Term 2.

Developed in collaboration with X-Ref, a specialist in employee surveys, the 2025 CEDoW Employee Engagement Survey is research-based and evidence-driven.

The 2025 CEDoW Employee Engagement Survey will open on 5 May 2025 (Week 2, Term 2) and remain open for three weeks, closing on 23 May 2025. It will take approximately 20 minutes to complete.

Action: As leaders within CEDoW, we ask for your support in promoting the survey in the weeks leading up to its launch in May and then encourage your staff to complete the survey when able.

Additional information and promotional materials will be provided via Gateway News: School Leaders in the coming week to assist you in promoting the survey with your staff.

For further information, please contact Susan Phillipson, Team Leader Workplace Safety and Wellbeing, on 0438 528 360 or Rochelle Borg, Workplace Safety and Wellbeing Officer, on 0484 048 602, or email whs@dow.catholic.edu.au.

Annual Evacuation and Lockdown Drill

For: Principals and SSSOs
Due: 11 April 2025
Contact: Paula Vera at governance@dow.catholic.edu.au 
Second notice

Action: Principals are reminded to provide email confirmation via governance@dow.catholic.edu.au that their school has conducted their Annual Evacuation and Annual Lockdown drills for 2025 by Friday 11 April 2025.

Thank you to principals/SSSOs who have already provided this information.

2025 Mission: One Heart Many Voices Conference

Attention: Principals, RECs/Leaders of Mission

The seventh biennial Mission: One Heart Many Voices (MOHMV) conference will be held from Monday 19 May to Wednesday 21 May 2025 in Sydney.

This conference supports the learning and expression of mission in many different contexts and vocations, including education. It reminds us that the challenges we face in this area are not isolated to education and places us in the bigger context of our broad Church and society.

Please click the link here to view details of this year’s conference program and registration process.

For further information, please contact Matt Turner at turnerm12@dow.catholic.edu.au.

Studies in Catholic Thought – The Common Good Professional Learning

Attention: Secondary RECs/Leaders of Mission
Due: Friday 9 May 2025
Contact: John Coppola at coppolag01@dow.catholic.edu.au

Please share with your relevant teaching staff.

Secondary Religious Education teachers have the opportunity to participate in professional learning designed to deepen their understanding of the Year 12 Studies in Catholic Thought course content. This session will also explore teaching and learning experiences, assessment strategies, pedagogy, and resources tailored for the Stage 6 classroom.

For more information, please see the LMS registration link below.

When: Friday 23 May 2025
Where: Emmaus Centre Boardroom – 4 Hyde Parade, Campbelltown
Registration: LMS by Friday 9 May 2025.

Tickets Now on Sale – CSNSW Behaviour Symposium – 22/23 May 2025

Tickets Now on Sale – CSNSW Behaviour Symposium – 22/23 May 2025

The Catholic Schools NSW 2025 Behaviour Symposium will be held on Thursday 22 May and Friday 23 May 2025. The symposium will feature Tom Bennett OBE, a leading expert in behaviour management at both the classroom and whole-school levels. Additional speakers include Andrew Fuller, Dr Jacqueline Amos, representatives from the Australian Education Research Organisation (AERO), and Alex Kohn.

Classroom and School Behaviour Management – 22 May:
Designed for Early Career Teachers and those looking to enhance their professional practice, this day focuses on practical classroom behaviour management strategies. There will also be a Masterclass on school behaviour management with Tom Bennett, tailored for Assistant Principals. A keynote and workshop stream on respectful relationships education will also be featured.

System Approaches for Behaviour Management – 23 May:
System, school, and wellbeing leaders will participate in discussions on policies and procedures to foster positive, safe, and respectful learning environments. This day includes breakout sessions on respectful relationships, school safety, and mental health.

To purchase tickets, click here.

Save the Date: CSNSW Law Symposium – 14 July 2025

For: Principals
Contact: Paula Vera at governance@dow.catholic.edu.au

The CSNSW 2025 Education Law Symposium is being held at the Hilton Hotel in Sydney on Monday 14 July 2025. The theme of the conference is: Governing for Mission.

As a Responsible Person you are mandated to complete twelve units of Professional Development in each three year block of service. Attendance to this Law Symposium will give you six credit hours (which can be carried over to the next learning period if required).

The Symposium program includes topics related to the statutory obligations of persons responsible for managing and operating Catholic schools and systems. Panel sessions and keynote presentations will explore aspects of risk management, compliance with funding and finance, school registration requirements, duty of care and Catholic school and system governance structures and processes.

You will be updated through Gateway News: School Leaders when registration is available.

Blended Online Learning for Semester 1, 2025

Please see the linked flyer for upcoming Blended Online Learning (BOL) courses.

• Understanding Autism
• Understanding and Supporting Behaviour
• Dyslexia and Significant Difficulties in Reading
• Understanding Hearing Loss
• Supporting Student Wellbeing and Mental Health
• Attachment Trauma and Theory
• Speech, Language and Communication Needs

For any questions, please contact wssadmin@dow.catholic.edu.au.

Election Statement 2025: Called to Bring Hope in the Year of Jubilee

Linked is a PDF of the Election Statement 2025: Called to Bring Hope in the Year of Jubilee, released by the Bishops Commission for Life, Family and Public Engagement.

2024 HSC Provisions Data for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Students

Attention: Principals and SSSOs

Catholic Schools NSW (CSNSW) are asking for feedback around Disability Provisions for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander HSC students for 2024. Please complete the linked Google form to advise us of the 2024 HSC Provisions for your school.

Contact: Danielle Grados at gradosd01@dow.catholic.edu.au. 

CSSA – Catholic Trial Examinations

The CSSA, a division of Catholic Schools NSW, creates premium CSSA Trial HSC Examinations developed by education experts. Our writers and assessors have expertise in the syllabus and extensive teaching experience to design these examinations. In 2025, the CSSA will offer three online Trial HSC Examinations.

Technological Assistance for Principals/Main CSSA Contacts:

If a principal / main CSSA contact requires technological assistance with signing into their registered school account on the CSSA website, please email service@csnsw.catholic.edu.au.

A CSNSW verification process is 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 via the CSSA website under Account Settings.

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

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

2025 ACARA Key Curriculum Opt-In Online Assessments Available – Term 2

2025 ACARA Key Curriculum Opt-In Online Assessments Available: Monday 5 May – Friday 30 May 2025.

Australian schools can enrol Year 6 and Year 10 students to participate in NAP Opt-in assessments in key curriculum areas. Schools are not required to enrol full cohorts of Year 6 or Year 10 students.

These assessments are part of the National Assessment Program (NAP) NAP website and are entirely optional for schools. The assessments are being phased in over three years, starting with science literacy in 2024. Civics and citizenship will be added in 2025, and ICT (Information and Communication Technology) literacy will be introduced in 2026.

In May 2024, the first optional assessment in Science Literacy was successfully completed. The feedback collected from participating schools was positive and informative, helping to improve the second rollout of the NAP Opt-in assessments in 2025.

In 2025, the two domains available for school participation are:

• Science literacy
• Civics and Citizenship

Registration Opens: 25 March 2025
Registration Closes: 29 April 2025
There is no fee for schools registering to participate in the assessments.

Key Dates:

• School Registration and Enrolment Window: Tuesday 25 March 2025 – Tuesday 29 April 2025
• Test Window: Monday 5 May – Friday 30 May 2025
• Results Window: July 2025 – August 2025

ACARA Will:

• Mark the assessments and analyse the assessment data for schools
• Provide principals with school-level reports accessible from the platform

Registration:

Principals can register their school here by clicking on the ‘NAP Opt-in’ tile on the home page. Each school should only register once via the principal (preferably using the same principal email address as used for NAPLAN 2025, if applicable).

Student Enrolment Destination Unknown

The Department of Education (DoE) has set up an automatic reply to any emails sent to attendance@det.nsw.edu.au that states that they only support DoE schools. This reply is misleading as there has been no change to the process.

Please continue to follow the processes on the Compass template and send all Enrolment Destination Unknown Forms to this address, ignoring the automatic reply. DoE will still receive and process the forms as usual.

Student Attendance (CEDoW) are automatically notified through the notification chain of the Student Enrolment Destination Unknown template on Compass.

Exciting Update to the Parent Experience: Streamlined Notification of Extended Absence form

What's New?

We're thrilled to announce the launch of our new online Notification of Extended Absence form. This user-friendly form simplifies the process for parents, eliminating the need for printing or downloading documents. Now, parents can conveniently complete the application entirely online.

Parents can also notify multiple schools simultaneously with a single upload of supporting documents. Parents are also required to notify your school if their student has siblings attending other CEDoW schools.

How This Benefits Parents

Accessing the application form is now easier than ever with the form working on both mobile and desktop platforms. Parents can complete the application electronically and can also send the application for multiple students across CEDoW schools.

How This Benefits Schools

Your school's information email (info@) from student.attendance@dow.catholic.edu.au will now receive the completed extended absence application, along with all supporting documentation, as a PDF attachment.

Notification of Extended Absence Submitted by Parent Name

Please find attached a Notification of Extended Absence form as completed by Parent Name for Student(s) between 2025-03-04 and 2025-03-03.

Any supporting evidence will also be attached to this email.

Please append all attachments to the Principal Consideration Template in Compass for Extended Absences.

This streamlined delivery ensures you have all the necessary information in a single email. Simply download the PDFs and upload them to the "Principal Consideration - Acknowledgement of Extended Absence" template to process the application.

Access to the New Form

If parents attempt to enter an absence note exceeding five days in your school's Compass portal, they will be directed to the parent attendance information document that has a link to the online form.

Alternatively, if you send the communication from Compass they may access it through the link provided in the "Communication - Notification of Extended Absence" template.

Your school may also provide a direct URL for parent access to the form via your website, newsletter, or other communication channels. The URL for the new online form is https://forms.dow.catholic.edu.au/to/yVv9DA.

Marketing Opportunity

Hop Into Community: Inviting Local Pre-Schools to Your Easter Hat Parade

Attention: Primary School Principals and SSSOs 

Easter is a time for joy, creativity, and community spirit! It's also the perfect opportunity to extend that spirit beyond your school gates by inviting local pre-schools to participate or view your annual Easter Hat Parade.

Why Invite Pre-Schools?

• Building Community Connections: Fostering strong relationships with local pre-schools creates a seamless transition for children into primary school, while also cultivating valuable, collaborative relationships between CEDoW school staff and your local pre-school staff. 
• Opportunity to showcase your school: An Easter Hat Parade is a vibrant and fun event that highlights your school's welcoming atmosphere and engaging activities.
• Early exposure to school life: Pre-schoolers get a glimpse of what primary school is like, helping them feel more comfortable and excited about their future education.
• Creating Memorable Experiences: Children love parades and creative activities. By sharing this joyful experience, you’re creating positive memories and building an emotional connection that will resonate with them for years to come. 

So hop to it. Reach out to your local pre-schools today and extend an invitation to your Easter Hat Parade - The more, the merrier!

Have an Ethical Easter in 2025

“Every person ought to have the awareness that purchasing is always a moral – and not simply an economic – act.” – Pope Francis

A significant portion of chocolate available in Australia is produced using cocoa beans harvested by child labourers, many of whom endure enslavement and exploitative working conditions.

Indulge responsibly, select ethically sourced chocolate, and support companies working towards eliminating slavery from their supply chain this Easter and beyond.

Click on the links for tips and further information.

Slavery Free Easter Chocolate – Catholic Earthcare

Indulge Responsibly Easter Poster

Also, consider not buying something that is overly packaged. Lots of Easter eggs come encased in several layers of foil, cardboard and plastic - each of which come with an environmental and often human cost of their own. Remember to recycle your foil…

“The knowledge about what we buy is the first act in not being complicit. Look at where those products come from.” – Pope Francis

If you have feedback on the Gateway News: School Leaders Edition to improve its usefulness, we want to know. 

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