School Leaders Edition, Week 9, Term 2, 2025

Principal – St Benedict’s Catholic College, Oran Park

I am pleased to announce that following a recruitment and discernment process, Michael Turner has been appointed to the substantive position of Principal at St Benedict’s Catholic College, Oran Park. As Michael is currently performing the position of Acting Principal, he will commence in the role immediately.

Read the full announcement HERE (18 June 2025).

Acting Principal – St Thomas Aquinas Catholic Parish Primary School, Bowral

I am pleased to announce that Joanne Robinson has been appointed to the position of Acting Principal at St Thomas Aquinas Catholic Parish Primary School, Bowral to lead the school community in this interim period. Joanne will commence in the role at the beginning of Term 3, 2025.

Read the full announcement HERE (24 June 2025).

Peter Hill
Executive Director of Schools
Diocese of Wollongong

This week, the following leadership vacancy is available:

St Thomas Aquinas Catholic Parish Primary School, Bowral
Acting Assistant Principal (Expressions of Interest)

Preparation for Year 6 Masses – Rehearsal Resources

For: Primary Principals and RECs
Due: Now, as appropriate 
Contact: Tim Hart at hartt02@dow.catholic.edu.au
Reminder

Action: Please share the following information with Year 6 teachers.

As we move closer to the Year 6 Masses in early Term 3, a reminder to continue engaging students with the available resources to support their preparation, particularly in singing, which is a key part of our shared celebration.

Our Bishop truly values hearing the voices of our students in song, and your support in encouraging enthusiastic participation makes a significant difference.

Please continue to make use of the following resources:

• Google Rehearsal Site – A simple, accessible space for students to learn and practise the songs
• Classroom Activity Task Cards – Ready-to-use ideas for integrating the songs into learning and prayer

These tools have been created to support consistent and meaningful engagement. Regular use over the coming weeks will help ensure students are confident and ready to fully participate.

A reminder also that only a few places remain for the Year 6 Vocal Warm-up Tour, a fun, energising opportunity for students to connect through singing before the Masses.

Visit the Tour Blog HERE located at the bottom of the rehearsal site to see how schools are getting involved.

To book a Year 6 Vocal Warm-up Tour session, please email Tim Hart at hartt02@dow.catholic.edu.au.

Thank you for all you do to prepare students for this special diocesan celebration!

Diocesan Year 4 Religious Literacy Assessment

For: Primary RECs
Due: 22 July – 24 July 2025
Contact: Kate Jennett at jennettk01@dow.catholic.edu.au or 0418 611 266
Reminder

Action: RECs are reminded to ensure Year 4 teachers have all relevant information required for both the Practice Assessment 22 July – 24 July 2025, as well as the Religious Literacy Assessment on 4 August 2025.

This assessment will be administered via a Google form.

The table below is a reminder regarding the key dates for RLA in 2025.

Key RLA dates for 2025

All relevant links to the Administration Guides for both the Practice Assessment (Tuesday 22 – Thursday 24 July) and the RLA (Monday 4 August, with a backup date of Tuesday 5 August 2025) are available on the Catholic Life, Education and Mission site on Gateway.

Action: It is an expectation that all Year 4 students have the opportunity to do the Practice Assessment Tuesday July 22 – Thursday 24 July 2025.

This year, new RECs will engage in a Data Analysis Day. This professional learning experience will assist RECs to effectively analyse data through the Yellowfin platform, to enable them to drive teaching and learning in Religious Education to improve student learning outcomes. It is expected that new primary RECs will be in attendance on this day. If there is an issue with the date, please contact your Education Officer.

For any further information on the Religious Literacy Assessment, please contact Kate Jennett on jennettk01@dow.catholic.edu.au or 0418 611 266.

ONE LICENSE – Term 2, 2025 Reporting

For: Primary and Secondary RECs/Leaders of Mission
Due: 3 July 2025
Contact: Helen Moon (moonh01@dow.catholic.edu.au)
Reminder

Action: This is a reminder to report your school’s usage of religious music and lyrics via the ONE LICENSE site.

For further information, please visit the CLEM Gateway site under the heading Liturgical Music.

If you require assistance with access, please contact Helen Moon, Administrative Officer, at moonh01@dow.catholic.edu.au. 

P&F Audit Reports

For: Principals
Due: By the end of Term 2
Contact: Mark Rix at rixm02@dow.catholic.edu.au
Reminder

This is a reminder that any outstanding P&F financial audits for the 2024 calendar year (and 2023, if one has not previously been submitted) are due by the end of Term 2. Thanks so much to the schools who have forwarded their P&F reports during Term 2.

Action: If you have yet to provide your school’s audit report, please send it to the email address pandf@dow.catholic.edu.au once it has been completed.

We are aware that some P&Fs are finding it challenging to locate an auditor to undertake a financial audit, and that the cost of an independent audit has increased significantly. There are a number of local auditors who have indicated that they are prepared to do this work, so if you require a contact, please email ‘Attention Mark Rix’ at pandf@dow.catholic.edu.au. Work is underway to explore ways to support school P&Fs with this task.

If you have any questions about this request, or if you need to check if your P&F has a report outstanding, please contact Mark Rix, Manager Improvement, Learning at rixm02@dow.catholic.edu.au or phone 0417 922 518.

Who We Are Resources

For: Principals and SSSOs
Due: Now
Contact: Debbie Gates (debbie.gates@dow.org.au)
Reminder

The Diocese of Wollongong has recently updated its Who We Are: Bearers of Christ’s Love statistics and mid-season report. These are now available as an A3 poster and a folded DL brochure. Printed materials will be delivered directly to schools shortly. Digital versions are also available for display on screens.

Action: Please share these resources in a way that best suits your school context.

If you require further information, please do not hesitate to contact Debbie Gates, Director of Development and Community Engagement, Office of the Bishop.

Sent Forth in Strength and Hope – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Sunday 

Attention: Principals and RECs

6 July 2025 marks Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Sunday and the beginning of NAIDOC Week.

This year’s theme, “Sent Forth in Strength and Hope,” resonates deeply with the Jubilee Year of Hope’s overarching theme, “Pilgrims of Hope.”

The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council (NATSICC) has prepared a range of liturgical and other resources to support the celebration, which can be accessed HERE.

The journey of hope is beautifully captured in the Dharawal Dreaming story of Wiritjiribin, the First Lyrebird. To learn more about Wiritjiribin and the spirit of hope, explore pages 6-7 in the CEDoW Guidebook for the Celebration of the Year of Jubilee.

Important Updates: Amended Student Anti-Bullying Procedure and new Compass template

Familiarisation of the amended Student Anti-Bullying Procedure and relevant section of the Student Pastoral Care and Wellbeing Policy will commence in Term 3, 2025.

The new Compass ‘Suspected Bullying: Review and Outcome template’ will be released for use from the commencement of Term 3, 2025.

Why the change?

The revisions were driven by a need to make the procedure practically workable whilst reflecting internal changes to positions. The changes also aim to enhance school processes for the review and response to suspected bullying.

The amended procedure includes:

• Revised position titles.
• Refined requirements and workflows.
• Consolidation of the two existing Compass templates (Bullying Investigation and Bullying Findings and Actions) into a single, streamlined template with refined content.

It's also important to note that the Commonwealth and state governments are working on a national standard for addressing student bullying. We anticipate further updates to CEDoW policy once this national standard is released.

What resources are available to help with the implementation?

1. Information session ~ CEDoW will host a 1hr online information session for school leaders and staff with the delegated responsibility for reviewing suspected bullying early next term.
   
   • The primary school information session will be held on Wednesday 23 July at 9.30am. The Zoom link is available HERE. Requests for the session recording can be made via the contacts below.
     
     
   • The secondary school Information session will be held on Thursday 24 July at 1pm. The Zoom link is available HERE. Requests for the session recording can be made via the contacts below.
     
     
2. Support materials ~ Draft support materials are available HERE to assist schools in the prevention and response to bullying.
   
   
3. Compass template training video ~ A (17 minute) training video is available HERE to guide school leaders in the effective use of the new Compass template.

For future reference, these resources are available on the WSS Gateway site.

Need further help?

The Wellbeing and Student Support team will continue to provide ongoing differentiated support as schools transition to the requirements of the new Procedure. It’s expected that schools will be ready to fully implement the new Procedure by the commencement of Term 4 (13 October 2025).

If you have any questions about the Student Anti-Bullying Procedure, please contact:

• Liam Nicholls - nichollsl02@dow.catholic.edu.au
• Jennifer Sharp - sharpj05@dow.catholic.edu.au

If you have any questions about the new Compass template, please contact:

• Compass Support - compass@dow.catholic.edu.au
• Nicole Jones - jonesn09@dow.catholic.edu.au 

End of Financial Year Payroll Update 

As the financial year draws to a close on 30 June 2025, it's an important time for all employees and our payroll team. This update provides essential information regarding upcoming superannuation changes and key ATO deadlines to ensure a smooth transition into the new financial year.

• Superannuation Increase: From 1 July 2025, the Superannuation Guarantee (SG) rate will increase from 11.5% to 12%. This means CEDoW will be contributing a higher percentage of your ordinary time earnings to your super fund each fortnight. Our payroll system will be updated to reflect this change for all salary and wages paid on or after 1 July 2025.
  
  
• Super on Government-Funded Paid Parental Leave (PPL): A significant new initiative, from 1 July 2025, superannuation will be paid on government-funded Paid Parental Leave (PPL) for eligible parents. This aims to reduce the impact of career breaks on superannuation balances. The ATO will make these super contributions as a lump sum, including interest, after the financial year in which the parental leave pay was received (with payments starting from 1 July 2026). At CEDoW we already pay superannuation on all CEDoW funded paid parental leave and we welcome this initiative from the government to match us.
  
  
• Contributions Cap: For the 2025-26 financial year, the concessional contributions cap will remain at $30,000. This means you may need to consider any superannuation salary packaging arrangements or additional contributions - we recommend speaking to your accountant or financial advisor.
  
  
• Finalisation of Income Statements (Single Touch Payroll - STP): For all CEDoW employees, your income statement (previously known as a payment summary or group certificate) will be finalised and available through myGov via Single Touch Payroll (STP). Employers have until 14 July 2025 to finalise their STP data for the 2024-25 financial year. It's crucial for us to meet this deadline so your pre-filled tax return information is accurate and readily available.

We encourage all employees to familiarise themselves with these changes and consider how they might impact their personal financial planning. If you need some advice and support you can contact UniSuper via unisuper.com.au/superbookings or call them on 1800 823 842. Appointments are fee-free and open to both members and non-members.

Should you have any questions regarding these updates or your individual payroll circumstances, please do not hesitate to contact Payroll via payrolladmin@dow.catholic.edu.au. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation as we navigate the End of Financial Year.

Pat Murray
Payroll Manager – People and Culture

Digital Forms – Private Vehicle Travel Claims Forms

From Monday 16 June 2025, the Private Vehicle Travel Claim form is now entirely digital, replacing any previous paper-based or Google Sheets forms. This means there will be some minor changes to how these forms are completed and approved.

The new version of the form is available to be accessed from the same location as the previous version via Staff Gateway Private Travel Claim form.

The form can be completed online and updated at any time throughout the month.

The new form uses a digital approval workflow. Once submitted, it will be automatically forwarded via email to your manager for approval. After your manager approves it, the form will be submitted to the Payroll team for review and processing in the next pay period.

See the instructions for approving a travel claim HERE.

If you have team members who travel in their private vehicles for work purposes, the Private Vehicle Travel Claim form will now be sent to you via email for approval. Follow the prompts in the email to approve or decline the request. Once approved, the form will be automatically forwarded to the Payroll team through the digital workflow.

If you have any queries, please contact help@dow.catholic.edu.au.

CEDoW Year 1 Phonics Screening Check Registration

The CEDoW Year 1 Phonics Check assesses essential phonic knowledge and word recognition skills that form the foundation of reading proficiency and long-term literacy success. This is a curriculum-aligned, Tier 1 screening assessment that purposefully gathers data to inform future teaching and learning, while also providing insight into the observable strategies and behaviours students use when decoding both real and pseudo-words.

The assessment takes 5-7 minutes and is carried out by classroom teachers with each student individually. All resources will be provided digitally to participating schools at the beginning of Term 3.

The assessment window for 2025 is from Week 4, Monday the 11th of August 2025 - Week 6, Friday the 29th of August, Term 3.

Participating schools will be able to access 0.5 day release per class to complete the check using Code F03.

Schools can register via the linked Google form. Registration closes: Friday 4 July 2025.

Please contact Jo Treffone or Lexie Hingston if you have any questions.

2025 NCCD Final Briefing

Audience: Principals, Assistant Principals and Leaders of Pastoral Care and Diverse Learning - K-12
Date: Monday 30 June 2025
Time: 9.30 am - 10.30 am (via Zoom)

The Wellbeing and Student Support team is holding an optional online briefing designed to help principals, assistant principals, Leaders of Diverse Learning and Leaders of Pastoral Care strategically interpret and utilise a series of Nationally Consistent Collection of Data (NCCD) reports.

If you have not received the calendar invitation and would like to attend, please email wssadmin@dow.catholic.edu.au. 

2025 NCCD Update: NCCD Lockdown is Coming

Audience: Principals and Leaders of Nationally Consistent Collection of Data (NCCD)

Have you clicked the NCCD button yet?

From 4 July 2025, the NCCD Section of the Online Tool will be locked down.

This section will appear as read only for all users from this date, except for Diocesan NCCD Moderators.

The PPSD section will remain open.

If any changes are required after lockdown, please contact one of the system moderators for support: Katie Carroll, Louise Brown, or Rebecca Gibbs.

NESA News – NAPLAN Results 

Final Student and School Summary Reports (SSSR) are now available.

Principals and NAPLAN Coordinators will receive an email with instructions on how to access the reports. For additional support, please contact the NAPLAN team.

Read more HERE about NAPLAN results and reports.

2024 HSC Data available now

2024 HSC Data is now available on NESA’s website. It provides clear information on student participation and performance in the HSC, and the programs designed to maintain the fairness and integrity of the HSC.

What’s new?

For the first time, we have also published additional data on:

• The most common combinations of HSC courses studied, as well as course completions for non-Board Developed Courses
• The number of Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualifications that HSC students enrolled in.

2025 HSC written timetable

HSC exams take place over 4 weeks:

• Week 1 (Thursday 16 October to Friday 17 October)
• Week 2 (Monday 20 October to Friday 24 October)
• Week 3 (Monday 27 October to Friday 31 October)
• Week 4 (Monday 3 November to Friday 7 November)

Students can view their personalised timetables on Students Online, while schools can access cohort timetables on Schools Online.

Find out more information about the 2025 HSC written exam timetable HERE.

Tweens and Teens: Free Parent Webinars – Council of Catholic School Parents

The Council of Catholic School Parents is hosting two free online parenting seminars by author and speaker Michelle Mitchell, held at 7.00 pm on 24 and 25 June. These seminars have been organised by the NSW Council of Catholic Schools Parents.

Michelle Mitchell is a much sought-after parenting specialist known for her compassionate and grounded advice on raising tweens and teens. She began her career as a classroom teacher but soon developed a special interest in wellbeing. The core of her work is helping parents become the trusted leadership presence their growing children need. 

The details of the two online webinars are below, including links to the flyers for each webinar and the registration link. Please share this information with your school community as appropriate.

Parenting Tweens: What Kids Need Now, Before the Teen Years
For parents and carers of primary school students aged 8+
See the flyer HERE.
Tuesday 24 June 2025
7.00 pm – 8.00 pm
Click HERE to register.

Parenting Teens: Staying Connected Through the Teen Years
For parents and carers of high school students aged 12+
See the flyer HERE.
Wednesday 25 June 2025
7.00 pm – 8.00 pm
Click HERE to register.

Reminder: Invitation to School Leadership Retreats

CEO and School Leadership Retreats will be held in Term 3 at The Hermitage, Mittagong (843 Old South Road, Mittagong). This year’s retreats are entitled “Pilgrims of Hope” and will be facilitated by the Spiritual Formation Team.

During the retreat, there will be opportunities to explore your understanding and experience of hope within our Catholic context, reflect on your life as a pilgrim through prayer and shared conversations, and consider how hope is given expression in your life.

CEO Leaders, Principals, Assistant Principals, Religious Education Coordinators, and Assistant Religious Education Coordinators, please read the flyer HERE and register through LMS as soon as possible. If you require further information, please contact Gary Quinn.

Transform Your Leadership Impact: Mentoring & Coaching Development Program

CEDoW Partnership Opportunity with University of Technology Sydney

Limited positions available - UTS is offering a select group of mid-career teachers and middle leaders (Assistant Principals encouraged to apply) the optional chance to join a groundbreaking research initiative that will elevate your professional capabilities and directly impact teacher retention across Australia.

Why This Opportunity is Game-Changing

This isn't just another professional learning session. You'll be joining a select cohort (10-20 max) working alongside leading UTS researchers Dr Keith Heggart, Amy Cotton, and Dr Andrea Stringer on "The Impact of Online Mentoring and Coaching Training on Retention of Early Career Teachers in Australian Schools" - research that will shape the future of education in Australia.

What Makes This Program Exceptional

• Evidence-Based Training: Receive contemporary coaching methodologies directly from university researchers - training typically reserved for executive leadership programs
  
  
• Real Impact: Your coaching will directly contribute to solving Australia's teacher retention crisis while transforming an early career teacher's professional journey
  
  
• Career Acceleration: Position yourself as a recognised coaching leader and university partnership recognition
  
  
• Networking: Connect with forward-thinking educators across multiple school systems - expanding your professional influence beyond your current environment
  
  
• Structured Commitment: Six-month coaching relationship with comprehensive support - a manageable timeframe with maximum impact

Selection Criteria - Are You Ready?

Click HERE for more information and how to express your interest.

Next Steps

If you're ready to elevate your leadership impact and contribute to groundbreaking educational research, we want to hear from you. Principals are encouraged to share this opportunity with relevant middle leaders. 

Contact Vanessa Taylor at vanessa.taylor@dow.catholic.edu.au for details on how to express interest or for more information. Expressions of interest close Term 2, Week 10 - Friday 4 July 2025.

Pathways to Flourishing – Diverse Learning K-12 Professional Learning

Meeting the Needs of Diverse Learners K–12

Flyer HERE

Audience: K-12 Diverse Learning, Support Class Teachers, Pastoral Care/Wellbeing Leaders (Optional), and Curriculum Leaders (Optional)
Mode: Face to Face
Date: 24 July 2025
Time: 9.00 am to 3.30 pm
Venue: To be advised.
Guests: Marina Bailey and Dr Matt Capp

RSVP Link HERE

Reminder: Catholic Social Teaching – Scriptural and Theological Foundations

Please register via the LMS link HERE by Friday 18 July 2025.

Date: Wednesday 30 July 2025
Time: 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Venue: Xavier Centre, 36 Harbour Street, Wollongong

Targeted Audience: K-12 Religious Education Coordinators, K-12 Classroom Teachers, Team Leaders (e.g., Stage Leaders, Subject Leaders), CEO Staff, School Leadership, Middle Leaders, Student Wellbeing/Pastoral Care.

Facilitator: Professor Gerard Moore, Broken Bay Institute.

Outline

This professional learning day explores the Christian call to cooperate with all people in promoting human flourishing, right relationships, and the common good—key themes that connect deeply with the study of God, religion, and life. Central to the day are the guiding questions: Who ought I be? and How must I respond?

Participants will gain a deeper understanding of the scriptural and theological foundations of Catholic Social Teaching. The day will also offer a solid introduction to the Life to the Full Framework, supporting those seeking to integrate it into curriculum design and pastoral care initiatives.

Additionally, this professional learning experience will enrich the teaching of Religious Education Strand E across Stages 4 and 5, while also providing valuable insights and practical support for those involved in social justice initiatives and youth ministry coordination.

Contact: John Coppola, Education Officer – Secondary at coppolag01@dow.catholic.edu.au.

Blended Online Learning – Semester 2

Upcoming courses in Term 3 – Flyer link HERE

• Understanding and Supporting Behaviour [Zoom]
• Speech, Language and Communication Needs [Zoom]
• Understanding Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder [Zoom]
• Supporting Student Wellbeing and Mental Health [F2F]
• Attachment and Trauma Theory [F2F]

Enrolment in only one course at a time. See the flyer above for registration links.

Attention: Semester 1 Course Participants

Reminder to participants who undertook Semester 1 courses: Understanding Autism, Understanding Behaviour, and Dyslexia & Significant Difficulties in Reading — the completion date is 3 July 2025.

K-6 Curriculum Support

K-6 Curriculum Support

This page includes:

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

For enquiries, please contact Learning K-12 support at learningk-12support@dow.catholic.edu.au. 

K-6 Science and Technology and PDHPE Working Parties

The Science and Technology and PDHPE Working Parties have been meeting regularly to build a deep understanding of the reformed syllabuses.

In line with our commitment to the core work of teachers, the working parties have begun developing resources and support materials for schools to draw upon for the implementation of the new K-6 Science and Technology and PDHPE syllabuses starting in 2026.

Watch the video below for more information.

Repeated: Preparing for 2026 Curriculum Implementation: PDHPE and Science and Technology

The NSW curriculum reform presents a valuable opportunity for school leaders to guide effective implementation of the reformed K–6 syllabuses. In 2025, schools entered the Familiarise and Prepare phases for the new PDHPE and Science and Technology syllabuses, which will be implemented from 2026.

Developing a Curriculum Implementation Plan is designed to support schools in developing a coherent and comprehensive plan for implementation of NSW curriculum based on the needs of their school staff that ensures consistent teaching and learning expectations and embeds evidence-based teaching, learning, and assessment practices.

To support this transition, CEDoW Learning K–12 (ILW) will provide differentiated targeted support throughout 2025 and 2026, including:

Introduction to the syllabus and support material (2-hour session) via face-to-face or Zoom.

School instructional leaders will have the opportunity to engage in professional learning which will provide an introduction to the syllabus, NESA support material and CEDoW support material.

Please complete this form HERE to register your interest in the PDHPE and Science and Technology introductions to the syllabus and support materials sessions by 27 August 2025 (Week 6, Term 3).

In situ support 

Schools can arrange in situ support (e.g., staff meetings, SDD, collaborative planning) for the preparation to implement the new PDHPE and Science and Technology syllabuses. 

To register your interest, please complete this form by 25 July 2025 (Week 1, Term 3).

For further information, please contact learningk-12support@dow.catholic.edu.au.

Repeated: Primary Curriculum Focus Days

As part of CEDoW’s commitment to meeting NESA registration and accountability requirements, Curriculum Focus Days will be held in Term 3, 2025.

These collaborative sessions involve school personnel working alongside one another to ensure all CEDoW schools meet the minimum requirements for NESA registration. Members of the Improvement, Learning and Wellbeing (ILW) team will also be available for additional support on each of the days.

Schools must send one representative and have the option for an additional staff member to attend. The Catholic Education Office will provide release (code: C30) for one representative per school.

Participation supports shared responsibility for curriculum compliance across the system and provides the opportunity for schools to engage in professional dialogue on quality planning and programming.

Option 1: Tuesday 5 August 2025 – Our Lady Help of Christians, Rosemeadow
Option 2: Wednesday 20 August 2025 – Nazareth, Shellharbour City
Option 3: Friday 19 September 2025 – Marian Centre, 280 Keira Street, Wollongong

Schools are required to nominate the preferred date and venue for the school representative(s) to participate in the Curriculum Focus Day using this form HERE.

Resources to support program supervision and Curriculum Focus Days can be found HERE.