School Leaders Edition, Week 10, Term 2, 2025

Principal – St Thomas More Catholic Parish Primary School, Ruse

I am pleased to announce that following a recruitment and discernment process, Melissa Vella has been appointed to the substantive position of Principal at St Thomas More Catholic Parish Primary School, Ruse. As Melissa is currently performing the position of Acting Principal, she will commence in the role immediately.

Read the full announcement HERE (27 June 2025).

Principal – St John the Evangelist Catholic High School, Nowra

I am pleased to announce that following a recruitment and discernment process, James Eirth has been appointed to the substantive position of Principal at St John the Evangelist Catholic High School, Nowra. As James is currently performing the position of Acting Principal, he will commence in the role immediately.

Read the full announcement HERE (25 June 2025).

Peter Hill
Executive Director of Schools
Diocese of Wollongong

This week, the following leadership vacancies are available:

St Columbkille’s Catholic Parish Primary School, Corrimal
Religious Education Coordinator (Primary)

St Michael’s Catholic Parish Primary School, Nowra
Religious Education Coordinator (Primary)

St John the Evangelist Catholic High School, Nowra
Assistant Principal  

St Benedict's Catholic College, Oran Park
Assistant Principal 

Important Child Safety Updates

For: Principals 
Due: Now
Contact: childprotection@dow.catholic.edu.au 
First notice

Office of the Children’s Guardian – Child Safe Schools 

CEDoW is unwavering in our commitment to create and maintain Child Safe Cultures in our schools. In addition, CEDoW has legal and compliance obligations to NESA and the Office of the Children’s Guardian, to demonstrate how we proactively prevent children from being harmed in our context, and to respond robustly if we become aware that harm has occurred.

The Office of the Children’s Guardian has developed a free online tool - Child Safe Self-Assessment - to support organisations improve their child safe practice. The OCG also has a 3-minute video explaining how the self-assessment tool works. 

To ensure organisations, like schools, are complying with the Child Safe Scheme, legislated by the Children’s Guardian Act, 2019, the Office of the Children’s Guardian (OCG) have recently begun to conduct audits of organisations, in a similar manner to Safe Work.

Organisations who have completed the OCG Child Safe Self-Assessment will not be prioritised for audit.

Action: Principals should plan to undertake the OCG Child Safe Self-Assessment with members of the pastoral / leadership team and the allocated CEDoW Child Safety Advisor, before the end of 2025.

Student sexualised behaviours

CEDoW is currently revising the Student Sexualised Behaviour Procedure to ensure it reflects current practice, aligns to intersecting policy and procedure updates and is informed by the changing landscape of behaviours experienced in schools. The draft procedure will be distributed for consultation during Term 3, 2025.

A comprehensive Information Sheet will be published in tandem with the procedure to support schools to operationalise the procedure.

Immediate changes to CEDoW Child Safety

Since the introduction of CEDoW Responding to student sexualised behaviour framework, all Compass sexualised behaviour records have triggered a notification to the CEDoW Child Safety and Professional Services (CSaPS) team for review and responding advice. 

This was intended to provide specialist support to schools while they adjusted to the new way of working. In recognition of the maturity achieved in the past 5 years, moving forward, CSaPS will only review medium and high-level student sexualised behaviour records.

School leaders are responsible for ensuring that internal processes are in place to escalate sexualised behaviours for review and responses, especially Low behaviours, which continue to notify to CSaPS but are no longer reviewed by CSaPS.

All staff in every school can contact the Child Safety team for advice on specific matters if they are unsure of the level of concern. You can do this by directly contacting the child safety advisor allocated to your school or by contacting the team on childprotection@dow.catholic.edu.au or 02 4250 9555

Action: School leaders need to ensure their internal processes for escalating student sexualised behaviour concerns are robust and current.

CSaPS recommends the following:

• Low level student sexualised behaviours automatically notify to a middle leader or above, who will review the entry to ensure it has been correctly identified as low
• A ‘data rule’ be put on Low level sexualised behaviours, to automatically notify to a middle leader or above, who will review patterns of behaviour that may require an elevated response

For IT support to implement these, or other systems, please contact compass@dow.catholic.edu.au.

If your school requires additional training in recognising and recording student sexualised behaviours, please contact either your allocated Child Safety Advisor or Wellbeing and Student Support (WSS) pod leader to arrange for training.

National Child Protection Week 2025 – 7-13 September 2025

National Child Protection Week 2025 is just around the corner! This year’s theme, “Every Conversation Matters: Shifting Conversation to Action,” is about taking the next step beyond dialogue—turning meaningful conversations into real change at individual, community, and national levels.

Action: School leaders should start to think about how you can lead the shift from Child Safe conversations into actions.

Please see the following websites for ideas on activities and initiatives:

eSafety Commissioner

Think u know - child exploitation

National Office of Child Safety 

Daniel Morcombe Foundation - Australia's biggest child safety lesson

Emerging Mind PERCS conversation guide 

Guide to responding to image-based abuse involving AI deepfakes

2025 System-Wide Strategic Professional Learning

For: Principals and Leadership Teams
Due: Now
Contact: Anna Jones at annalouise.jones@dow.catholic.edu.au
First notice 

Continuing Your Professional Learning Journey

Action: Following the System-Wide Professional Learning Day 1 on 16 June 2025, all participants are encouraged to advance to the Collaborative Complex Problem Solving Stage 2: validity testing. This critical next step will enable you to test your problem cause hypotheses and refine your problem identification, ensuring you explore your school's current context with greater depth and maximise the benefits of the 5-stage methodology.

Your dedication to this process will significantly enhance the impact and value of System Day 2 on 11 August 2025 for both you and your team.

Coaching Support Opportunity

We're pleased to announce that coaching sessions with Dr Jacqui Patuawa have commenced this week for the following schools:

St Francis, Edmondson Park

St Benedict's, Oran Park

St Paul's, Albion Park

St Justin's, Oran Park

Our Lady Help of Christians, Rosemeadow

Support for All Schools

Every school in our system is able to receive support. For schools not participating in direct coaching sessions, we are currently reviewing your 'thinking tools' and will provide personalised feedback where required. For additional support or guidance, please reach out to your HCCSI or contact Anna Jones directly.

Australian Catholic Youth Festival (ACYF) Update

For: Secondary Principals, RECs and Leaders of Mission
Due: Now
Contact: Matt Turner at turnerm12@dow.catholic.edu.au, or Claire Cooney at cooneyc02@dow.catholic.edu.au
Reminder

Please find HERE new correspondence addressed to secondary principals from Jo Kenny, Director, Catholic Life, Education & Mission, regarding the ACYF.

Diocesan Year 4 Religious Literacy Assessment

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

Term 3 August 2025 Census

The date for the upcoming 2025 Census for the collection of student and staff data is Friday 1 August 2025.

Essential information for principals and SSSOs can be found at the following link: Census August 2025.

Revised Standards for RTOs, 2025 and Policy Updates

In response to the revised Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) 2025, CEDoW has reviewed and updated its policies and procedures to ensure continued compliance in the delivery of Vocational Education and Training (VET). The revised Standards come into effect on 1 July 2025.

The VET/RTO Policy and its supporting procedures have been amended to align with the new legislation. These changes largely concern CEDoW as an RTO. The need for structural changes has also been identified, resulting in the development of standalone procedures for School-Based Apprenticeships and Traineeships/Externally Delivered Vocational Education and Training (SBATs/EVET) and Workplace Learning (Work Experience). There is, however, no anticipated change to current practice.  

The updated documents will take effect from 1 July 2025, to align with the legislative changes, and can be accessed here:

• VET/RTO Policy
  
  • RTO Assessment Appeals Procedure
  • RTO Assessment Procedure
  • RTO Complaints Procedure
  • RTO Delivery Site Audit Procedure
  • RTO Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Procedure
  • RTO Structured Workplace Learning (Work Placement) Procedure
  • RTO Unique Student Identifier (USI) Procedure
  • RTO VET Course Information Procedure
  • RTO VET Trainer Industry Currency Procedure
    
    
• SBATs/EVET Procedure
• Workplace Learning (Work Experience) Procedure.

The VET team will continue to support schools to implement the amended VET/RTO Policy and SBATs/EVET Procedure. The amendments were previously communicated by the RTO Manager through the VET Notices and Secondary Leading Learning Network Meeting.

If you have any questions about the VET/RTO Policy or SBATs/EVET Procedure, please contact Jennifer Callaghan (VET Senior Administrator) at callaghanj01@dow.catholic.edu.au  or Christina Desmond (RTO Manager) at desmondc01@dow.catholic.edu.au.

If you have any questions about the Workplace Learning (Work Experience) Procedure, please contact Nicole Grubb (Education Officer - TaPS/VET) at grubbn01@dow.catholic.edu.au or 0497 927 235.

Rescission of People and Culture Policies

To ensure our operational documents are up-to-date and their content remains relevant, the Director, People and Culture has conducted a wide review of People and Culture’s policies and determined that the following policies will be rescinded, effective 3 July 2025:

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

Attention: Principals, RECs, AEAs and Aboriginal Contacts

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.

Staff Reminder – Sign-In Procedure When Visiting Schools

All staff are reminded that when visiting a school in your capacity as an employee of Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong (CEDoW), you are required to sign in as a CEDoW staff member, not as a visitor.

This applies to all staff, including those visiting from other schools or office-based roles within our system. Whether you are attending a meeting, supporting an event, or providing onsite assistance, it is essential that you sign in upon arrival.

Signing in as a staff member is a compliance requirement and forms part of our commitment to maintaining a safe, secure, and accountable environment for students, staff, and our wider school communities.

To sign in correctly, you will need to select the Staff option and fill in all mandatory fields. This includes your Employee ID, which is available on both ESS and your payslip. Please ensure you have this ready before your visit.

There are two options for signing in via the iPad at a school’s front office:

1. QR Code via App
   It is recommended that you install the Quick Sign In app on your phone if you haven’t already done so. This app enables a quicker and more efficient sign in process. Please ensure you fill in your name, phone number and  “CEDoW Employee Number”. Most schools will display a QR code which you can use to download the app if you don’t have it.
   
   
2. Manual Sign-In
   Enter your details directly on the screen.

Thank you for your cooperation and for playing your part in keeping our schools safe.

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 11 August 2025 - Week 6, Friday 29 August 2025, 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 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.

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: 8.45 am arrival for a 9.00 am start - 3.30 pm
Venue: Wests Illawarra - Hargreaves St, Unanderra NSW 2526
Guests: Marina Bailey and Dr Matt Capp

RSVP Link HERE.

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.