School Leaders Edition, Week 5, Term 3, 2025

Bringing our mission to life

When leaders can lead, teachers can teach, and we work together, good things happen!

As well as our best NAPLAN and HSC results in three years, we’ve seen improvements in a range of key indicators.

• Attendance rate +3%
• Student belonging +3%
• Staff wellbeing +11%
• Teacher engagement +3%
• Enrolment growth +1.9%

Lighting The Way - 12-Month Progress Update

In this Jubilee Year, there is much to be hopeful about at Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong (CEDoW). Here's a quick look at what our amazing school leaders, teachers, support staff, and students have achieved in the last 12 months.

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Learn more:

Our Lighting The Way strategic plan

Our statement on the core work of teaching

Our Continuous Catholic School Improvement Framework

Our Faith, Learning and Wellbeing Framework

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

Following a recruitment and discernment process, I am pleased to announce that Jennifer Lowe has been appointed to the substantive position of Assistant Principal at St Benedict’s Catholic College, Oran Park. Jennifer will commence in the role at the beginning of the 2026 school year.

Jennifer brings extensive school leadership experience to the role, having led in schools with Sydney Catholic Schools and in the Diocese of Wollongong. Jennifer’s leadership experience includes a number of positions of note, including Assistant Principal - Teaching & Learning (K-12), and Assistant Principal - Pastoral Care (K-12) at St Francis Catholic College, Edmondson Park, Acting Assistant Principal at Mary Mackillop Catholic College, Wakeley, and Campus Director (Assistant Principal) at Trinity Catholic College, Auburn/Regents Park.

Jennifer’s qualifications include a Master of Educational Leadership (ACU), Certificate of Religious Education (Sydney Catholic Schools), a Bachelor of Human Movement and a Graduate Diploma of Education (UTS).

Please join me in congratulating Jennifer on her appointment to this position. 

A recruitment process for the substantive position of Assistant Principal - Pastoral Care (K-12) at St Francis Catholic College, Edmondson Park, will commence shortly. 

Natasha O’Donoghue
Director - People and Culture

Important compliance information for school P&Fs

For: Principals 
Due: Now
Contact: Mark Rix (pandf@dow.catholic.edu.au)
First notice

As advised in the June Gateway News message (Term 2, Week 9 – 24 June), a new item has been added to the CEDoW assurance testing program in 2026: Parent and Friends (P&F) financial accounts. Ensuring each P&F fund has had its annual accounts audited and submitted to the CEO will be one of the key areas covered as part of this testing.

Actions:

There are a number of other compliance requirements for school P&Fs that will be components of the 2026 assurance testing program. These requirements are:

• Each school P&F needs to have its own Australian Business Number (ABN).
  
  
• If it hasn't already done so, each school P&F is required to register with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC). Registering with the ACNC means that P&Fs will not need to self-assess for income tax exemption purposes, and ACNC-registered charities are automatically eligible for an authority to fundraise in NSW. Also, P&Fs that are registered with the ACNC do not have to report to NSW Fair Trading.

If your school’s P&F has not been registered with the ACNC, it can be done here. Once registered, the school P&F is required to lodge its most recent Annual Information Statement to the ACNC.

• The names and contact details for each school’s P&F office holders need to be provided. This can be done via this Google Form. The form includes a section to upload the school’s P&F Constitution.
  
  
• As mentioned in the June Gateway News message (Term 2, Week 9 – 24 June), at the end of each year, each school is required to share with the CEO its P&F audited accounts from that school year (e.g., the 2025 audited accounts are due in December 2025). Thank you to the schools who responded to the request for copies of their school’s P&F's financial audits. If your school’s P&F audited report has not yet been submitted, please send it to pandf@dow.catholic.edu.au, ‘Attention Mark Rix’. If your school’s P&F is finding it challenging to locate an auditor to undertake a financial audit, please email ‘Attention Mark Rix’ at pandf@dow.catholic.edu.au. 
  
  
• School P&Fs are required to keep accounting records relating to fundraising for at least seven years.

We understand that it can be difficult to stay up-to-date with the compliance obligations of P&Fs. To help, some opt-in Zoom Q&A sessions will be provided during Term 3 and Term 4 for any principals, SSSOs, or school P&F office holders who would like to learn more about P&F governance. Dates for these sessions will be advertised in upcoming Gateway News messages.

We are also building a ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ page which will be loaded in Gateway. In the meantime, this simple Compliance Checklist might be helpful.

These links might also be useful:

• ABN Look up
• Applying for a charity registration
• Changes to charitable fundraising laws
• ACNC website
• Video (and transcript): Helping P&Fs with ACNC requirements

Thanks so much for your support. If you need help, contact Mark Rix at pandf@dow.catholic.edu.au or mobile 0417 442 018.

AWE HUNTING 2025 - A Faith Encounter in Nature

For: Secondary Principals, Secondary RECs/Leaders of Mission, Year 10 Coordinators
Due: Now
Contact: David Gearin (gearind01@dow.catholic.edu.au)
First notice

CEDoW's Lighting The Way strategic plan identifies that our communities are to be places where every student finds meaning and purpose in faith, learning and wellbeing.

In October 2024, a pilot program was launched in response to recent research in NSW indicating that Year 10 boys in Catholic schools show higher rates of disaffiliation from Catholic identity and faith than any other student group.

Building on the success of last year’s program, a group of Year 10 boys from CEDoW secondary schools are invited to participate in a two-day immersion from Tuesday 14 October to Wednesday 15 October 2025 (Week 1, Term 4) at The Tops, Stanwell Park and The Royal National Park.

Each school will be given the opportunity to identify four Year 10 male students that meet the following criteria:

• Disaffiliation with their faith
• Not currently holding leadership roles
• Open to an outdoor, physically challenging experience in nature, where students will work as a team and engage in reflection, prayer, liturgy, and outreach activities.

More information will be provided in the coming weeks via Gateway News.

Action: In the meantime, schools are asked to give consideration to suitable student representatives.

Please contact David Gearin for further information.

Bishop Brian’s Mass and Lunch with 2025 Year 12 Captains and Vice Captains

For: Secondary Principals 
Due: Friday 29 August 2025
Contact: Claire Cooney (cooneyc02@dow.catholic.edu.au)  
Second notice

On Tuesday 9 September 2025, Bishop Brian Mascord will celebrate a special Mass at St Francis Xavier Cathedral, followed by lunch at the Xavier Centre for the 2025 Year 12 Captains and Vice Captains.

Bishop Brian’s dedication to, and support of, our student leaders has played a vital role in helping form them into exemplary Catholic leaders. With the mission of being Bearers of Christ’s Love, our student leaders are encouraged to influence, shape and serve their communities in meaningful ways.

This event serves as an opportunity to recognise and celebrate their commitment to these values over the past twelve months.

Date: Tuesday 9 September 2025 (Week 8, Term 3)
Time: 10 am to 2 pm
Location: St Francis Xavier Cathedral and Xavier Centre

School Captains, Vice Captains, principals and the staff member who has been most connected with the student leaders are invited to attend this celebration.

Action: Please provide details of all staff (a maximum of two per school) and students attending here by Friday 29 August 2025.

Students are required to be in full school uniform. Any questions regarding the mass and lunch should be directed to Claire Cooney.  

Social Justice Statement 2025–26: The SEE | JUDGE | ACT Workshop

For: Secondary Religious Education Coordinators and Leaders of Mission
Due: Wednesday 3 September 2025
Contact: David Gearin (gearind01@dow.catholic.edu.au)
Third notice

Action: Secondary Religious Education Coordinators and Leaders of Mission, please share with your Youth Ministry Coordinators

Each year, the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference releases a Social Justice Statement that addresses a significant social concern and explores our collective and personal response to it.

The Statement theme for 2025-26 is Signs of Hope on the Edge: Serving homeless people with mental ill-health.

Our Diocese has a rich tradition of celebrating the release of this document by gathering as a group of secondary students and teachers to unpack the Statement.

This will take place on Friday, 12 September 2025 at Holy Spirit College, 2 Bond Street, Bellambi.

Action: Youth Ministry Coordinators are required to RSVP by Wednesday 3 September 2025 here. Four students from each secondary school are invited to attend.

Please note: students are required to bring their own lunch. Morning tea will be provided.

Resources for the 2025-26 Statement are now available on the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference website.

Please contact David Gearin for further information.

Diocesan Launch of Catholic Mission Month 2025

For: Principals
Due: Monday 1 September 2025
Contact: Helen Moon (moonh01@dow.catholic.edu.au)
Third notice

Principals and representatives of their school community are invited to attend the 2025 Diocesan Launch of Catholic Mission Month.

Date: Thursday 11 September 2025
Time: 10 am to 12 pm
Location: Magdalene Catholic College, 101 Smeaton Grange Road, Narellan

Action: Please access the invitation here and RSVP via the link provided.

Please contact Helen Moon for further information. 

Minor amendments to the Corporate Travel Procedure and Information Sheet: Responsible Stewardship of Educational Funds and Resources

Minor amendments have been made to the Corporate Travel Procedure and Information Sheet: Responsible Stewardship of Educational Funds and Resources. The documents were updated in line with ATO Taxation Determination 2025/4 and concern reasonable travel and overtime meal allowance expense amounts (Corporate Travel Procedure) and catering standards (Information Sheet: Responsible Stewardship of Educational Funds and Resources).

These amendments have been applied to Appendix A of the Corporate Travel Procedure and the ‘Provision of Gifts, Benefits, Gratuities and Hospitality Tables’ in the Information Sheet: Responsible Stewardship of Educational Funds and Resources.

The updated documents will come into effect on 26 August 2025.

Enrolment data entry – 2025 update

Audience: Principals
Contact: Lisa Burton

Update on Enrolment Data Entry Support

We are pleased to confirm that the transition from Funnel to Compass for enrolment data entry has now been successfully implemented across all schools. The additional funding for SSSOs provided in 2024 supported this important implementation phase while Funnel processes were established. As this transition is now complete, the additional funding will not continue in 2025.

With these systems now embedded in school operations, enrolment data entry is now a streamlined part of standard procedures—a significant step in modernising our administration.

We encourage continued collaboration, prioritisation, and refinement of workflows where needed. SSSOs showed great professionalism during this transition, and we are confident in their ability to maintain accurate and compliant enrolment records.

Gotcha4Life Mentally Fit Primary School Program

Audience: Primary School Leadership

Gotcha4Life is offering limited fully funded places for eligible primary schools in their 2026 Mentally Fit Primary Schools Program.

What is Mental Fitness?

Mental fitness is our capacity to navigate life’s ups and downs, foster a sense of connection and belonging, and seek help when needed. Like physical fitness, it’s something we can build over time with regular practice, and the earlier we start, the better prepared we are for whatever life throws our way.

Gotcha4Life’s approach is built on strengthening three evidence-based mental health protective factors: emotional adaptability, social connectedness, and help-seeking behaviour.

The Program adopts a prevention-first, whole-of-school approach to enhance mental fitness and wellbeing. It aims to empower staff, students, parents, and caregivers to proactively build their mental fitness both in and out of the classroom. They partner with the school to create a lasting, mentally fit school climate.

It is grounded in an evidence-based Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) framework and developed with input from educators, psychologists, and wellbeing experts. It provides the tools, language, and supports the school to take practical, whole-community action. It offers:

• A three-year partnership with a dedicated Educator providing coaching, support, and guidance tailored to your school.
  
  
• Personalised Mental Fitness Action Plan aligned to your school’s needs, complementing existing wellbeing programs.
  
  
• Workshops, presentations, and training for staff, students, and families to build shared language, knowledge, and skills.
  
  
• Curriculum-aligned resources and evidence-based practical tools for classrooms and at-home use.

What’s the time commitment for staff?

The program is designed to integrate seamlessly into school life - not add to the workload, with professional learning and classroom resources that support everyday practice. Staff sessions are delivered during existing professional learning time, and student activities align with your calendar. Each year looks different and includes a mix of workshops, planning sessions, and optional extras, such as webinars and Mental Health First Aid, depending on your school’s goals.

The program aligns with the 2023 Australian Curriculum Content Connections for Mental Health and Wellbeing. It is suitable for inclusion in NESA professional development logs, contributing to teacher maintenance of professional development hours.

How can you get started?

To explore your school's eligibility for one of the fully funded places in the 2026 program, please apply before the end of Term 3 by clicking the 'Apply for 2026' link below. The team at Gotcha4Life will then set up a meeting to discuss your school's specific needs, review the program details, your school’s suitability to participate in the program, and outline next steps.

This program is a joint initiative from the Workplace Safety and Wellbeing
(WSaW) and Wellbeing and Student Support (WSS) teams. For more information about the program, please visit Gotcha4Life Mentally Fit Schools, view Gotcha4Life Mentally Fit Schools Program FAQ’s, or contact Joanne Matuschka (WSaW) on 0447 481 213 or Katie Carroll (WSS) on 0418 620 219.

For CEDoW’s full range of workplace, safety, and wellbeing resources, please visit the Workplace Safety and Wellbeing Hub on Gateway. 

Leading Life to the Full: A Student Round Table

National Catholic Education Commission Sacred Scripture Resources

The National Catholic Education Commission (NCEC) provides Sacred Scripture resources for the teaching of the bible in Catholic schools.

These resources provide an overview of the basics of Scriptural Theology, containing foundational information on the Catholic interpretation of the Bible, commentaries on the Synoptic Gospels, and definitions of key concepts and words spoken.

Designed for teachers, this is a resource that aims to assist teachers in their understanding and interpretation of Sacred Scripture by providing context and questions. Using this resource can help teachers to better plan out lessons and how they convey the essential teachings of Sacred Scripture to students.

To find out more and to access the free resources, visit Scripture Resources - NCEC.

Fundraising for Catholic Mission Month

Audience: Principals, Religious Education Coordinators, and Leaders of Mission

This year, during the Mission Month of October, schools and parishes are asked to raise money to support families in rural Zambia who are grappling with malnutrition and food insecurity. 

Please read more about Catholic Mission’s Socktober fundraising initiative for schools here.

World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation and Season of Creation 2025

Audience: Religious Education Coordinators

Resources are available to assist schools in celebrating the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation (1 September 2025) and the Season of Creation (1 September–4 October 2025).

This year’s theme is Peace With Creation.

Liturgy World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation 2025

Season of Creation Resources 2025

Pope Leo XIV’s Message

For K-2 teachers, there is also the Creation Corner episode WDOP for the Care of Creation from Pray School that can be utilised with students.

Last chance to register: Primary Curriculum Implementation Support: English K-6 English Professional Learning Day 3

Targeting Instructional Leaders supporting teachers in planning and programming (including Principals, Assistant Principals, Middle Leaders and/or Instructional Coaches).

Date: Week 5 Term 3 - Friday 22nd August, 2025
Time: 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Venue: Emmaus Centre, Campbelltown, Level 3: 4 Hyde Parade, Campbelltown NSW 2560.

Learning Intention: Analyse the essential knowledge, skills and understanding required for skilled writing and examine the implications that this has on instruction.

During this professional learning, participants will engage in a cross-school moderation task. As such, we ask that all participants bring a writing sample that meets the following criteria:

• One Tier 1 student writing sample to share (feel free to bring more than 1 sample for you to refer to during discussions)
• Writing sample photocopied onto A3 paper 
• Writing sample to be completed independently at some stage, during Term 3, Weeks 1-4 
• The writing sample must be a draft, not a published piece of work 
  details of the writing task - including the learning intention, success criteria, time allocated for writing and/or student instructions

Note: If you are a leader who is not on class, please bring a writing sample that meets the criteria, from a grade you are working with. 

*Additional participants to be funded by the school.

Click here to register your attendance.

Registrations close on Wednesday 21 August 2025.

Facilitators: Alexandra (Lexie) Hingston at hingstona01@dow.catholic.edu.au and Sharyn Stafford at staffords01@dow.catholic.edu.au.

Connect and Collaborate: Primary Programming Workshops for Teachers

Are you a primary teacher looking for an excellent opportunity to network and collaborate with colleagues from other CEDoW schools?

The Learning K–12 team is excited to offer a series of voluntary programming workshops designed specifically for you! Imagine working alongside fellow educators to plan and refine your English and Mathematics units, sharing your best ideas, practices, pedagogy, and quality resources from across the Diocese.

Workshop Options

We've designed flexible scheduling to suit your availability, with workshops held across various dates and venues during the second half of Term 3 and throughout the September pupil vacation period.

You can choose from:

• Afternoon Workshops: Four 1.5-hour, one-off sessions available in:
  • Macarthur
  • Southern Highlands
  • Wollongong
  • Far South Coast
    
    
• Full-Day Workshop Session: Two sessions, delivered over two separate weeks (one day per week) during the September pupil vacation period.

Don't miss this chance to connect, create, and experience the power of shared expertise! 

Complete the Google Form here to register your interest.

CSSA Symposium

Catholic Schools NSW invites School and System Leaders, Religious Education Coordinators, Classroom Teachers, Key Learning Area Coordinators, and Stage P-6 Year Coordinators in Catholic education to attend the 2025 CSSA Symposium – “Excellence in P-12 Religious Education in Catholic Schools” on Friday 5 September 2025, in Sydney.

It is noted that, as the symposium coincides with the CEDoW REC overnight retreat, RECs and Leaders of Mission will be unable to attend. However, schools may wish to send another staff member to participate and represent their community.

Read more here about the event, including the programme and how to register.

K–12 NCCD 2026 Resourcing Workshop via Zoom

Audience: Principals and Leaders of Diverse Learning and Pastoral Care K–12

Two sessions will be offered in Week 7, Term 3, to unpack the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data (NCCD) Resourcing Model for 2026.

Leaders are encouraged to prioritise attendance at one of these workshops to ensure a deep understanding of the model and how it can be used to effectively support students with diverse and wellbeing needs.

A calendar invitation will be sent for both sessions to provide flexibility for schools about schedules and needs.

Session Dates and Times

Option 1 – Thursday 4 September 2025 (9:30 am – 11:00 am)

Or

Option 2 – Friday 5 September 2025 (12:00 pm – 1:30 pm)

Any questions can be directed to Kerryn Barnett at BarnettK01@dow.catholic.edu.au or Katie Carroll at CarrollK02@dow.catholic.edu.au.

Blended Online Learning – Semester 2

Audience: All staff

How can Blended Online Learning be used as a response to Literacy Data?

If you are interested in a bespoke course, delivered on-site at a time that suits you, please email wssadmin@dow.catholic.edu.au. You might also consider partnering with neighbouring schools that have similar interests or needs.

All courses can be offered as bespoke courses with a minimum participant cohort of eight.

Upcoming courses in Term 3 – Flyer link here.

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

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

Who Am I? Scriptural Foundations for Our Search for Meaning and Purpose

For: Secondary RECs/Leaders of Mission
Date: 19 September 2025
Venue: The Emmaus Centre, 4 Hyde Parade, Campbelltown

Secondary Religious Education Coordinators and Leaders of Mission, please share this information with your relevant staff.

Are you a Secondary RE teacher, Pastoral Care, or Wellbeing leader seeking to deepen your understanding of meaning and purpose within a scriptural framework?

This professional learning day, Who Am I? Scriptural Foundations for Our Search for Meaning and Purpose is designed specifically for you.

We'll explore how foundational scriptures can empower you to:

• Enrich your Religious Education curriculum: Discover new ways to connect biblical narratives with students' personal journeys of self-discovery.
• Enhance pastoral care and wellbeing initiatives: Equip yourself with scripturally-grounded insights to guide students through life's big questions.
• Foster a deeper sense of identity and belonging in your students: Learn how to help students explore their unique purpose through the lens of faith.

Join us for a day of insightful discussion, practical strategies, and renewed inspiration as we collectively explore the profound question, "Who am I?" and its scriptural answers.

Please register here.

Reminder: Invitation to School Leadership Retreats

CEO and School Leadership Retreats will be held this term at The Hermitage, Mittagong (843 Old South Road, Mittagong).

This year’s retreats are titled "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.

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 at quinng01@dow.catholic.edu.au.