Updates
Changes to School Fee Management in primary schools
From the commencement of Term 1 2025, responsibility for the follow-up of outstanding school fees and approval of fee concessions will be the responsibility of the School Fees Liaison Office. Primary school staff will no longer be required to follow up outstanding school fee accounts.
The relationship between primary schools and their appointed School Fees Liaison Officer will continue with the school staff providing information to families and referral to this officer. There will be some reallocation of School Fees Liaison Officers amongst schools. Principals of primary schools will still approve fee concessions in critical pastoral circumstances.
An updated fee concession criteria document will be provided to school staff in the new year. The new criterion for approving fee concessions has been amended to provide families with a negotiated payment that they can afford for that school year with all other fees being written off under the fee concession. Fee concessions will still need to be submitted each year with the exception of Centrelink dependant families who will receive approval for two years with evidence of this dependence.
Further detailed information will be provided to Principals on all these matters in the new year.
Any questions can be directed to Sharon Henry at henrys01@dow.catholic.edu.au.
Review of Instructional Coaching
The Improvement, Learning and Wellbeing service area of Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong, has announced an evaluation of its current model of instructional coaching within its primary, secondary and K-12 schools.
The Diocese recognises the dedicated efforts of Instructional Coaches and remains committed to the methodology of contextualised peer-coaching in pedagogy. We will continue to support Instructional Coaches in all schools. It is envisaged that feedback resulting from our evaluation will provide further strength and purpose to the role of the Instructional Coach.
The review of the instructional coaching model will commence in the final weeks of Term 4, 2024 and conclude at the end of Term 1, 2025 to capture the feedback of past and present instructional coaches, including those newly appointed in 2025.
All stakeholders will have an opportunity to contribute to the evaluation process through a range of processes including surveys and focused consultative groups.
Pilot of Leader of Instructional Practice
At the same time as the evaluation is taking place, CEDoW will conduct a pilot of a possible model of instructional coaching at one secondary school in order to provide additional input into the future shaping of the position.
St John the Evangelist High School, Nowra has been selected to conduct a pilot workforce strategy designed to improve literacy and learning outcomes for students by building teacher and leader capacity through modelling and coaching methodologies.
The 2025 pilot of ‘Leader of Instructional Practice’ will be appointed from within the current staff of St John’s and will attract up to 0.2 teaching allocation and remuneration at the Middle Leader 3 level, supported by both the school and CEDoW.
We look forward to reviewing the feedback from our evaluation of instructional coaching and the pilot of 'Leader of Instructional Practice' to assist us in moving forward with the most effective strategy for improving learning in 2026.
Russell Newman
Head of Learning K-12
Improvement, Learning and Wellbeing
Caritas Advent 2024 resources for schools
Attention: Primary and Secondary RECs and Leaders of Mission
Please find below links to useful Caritas Advent resources for schools.
Mass of Thanksgiving for Sister Patricia and Sister Kerry (40 Years)
Bishop Brian Mascord will officiate a Mass of Thanksgiving for Sister Patricia and Sister Kerry on Saturday 14 December 2024, at 10:30 a.m.
Everyone is welcome. Morning tea will be provided.
Please see the invitation for further details.
School Based Apprentice and Traineeships (SBATs)
There has been a recent increase in the number of students undertaking, or looking to undertake a school based apprenticeship or traineeship. These can be a fantastic pathway into further study and employment but there are a number of formal procedures when establishing an SBAT for a student.
Please note: A new process has been implemented by NSW State Training Services in relation to the formal documentation that must be completed (a Training Plan Proposal - TPP).
All VET Coordinators and Transition and Pathways Specialists that manage SBAT’s have been advised of this change, they are also the best person to contact in relation to how this may affect a student's pattern of study and information on the requirements for a student managing their school work combined with employment responsibilities.
For further information contact your VET Coordinator or Transition and Pathways Specialist (TAPs) in the first instance. If you require further assistance you can contact the CEDoW RTO.
CatholicCare end of year update
This is a reminder, as we approach the end of the year, about Catholic Care’s case closure procedures for student counselling files in Term 4. This process ensures a smooth transition over the holiday period and supports students as they enter the new year.
What This Process Will Look Like
Throughout Term 4, school counsellors will begin communicating the case closure process to students, parents, and carers. School counsellors will also provide information on external support services available during the holiday period, if required.
Closure Letters: At the end of Term 4, school counsellors will send a Counselling Closure Letter to parents and carers.
Re-Referral Process: In Term 1 of the new year, students wishing to resume counselling services will need to complete and submit a new referral via the School, Student & Family Intake Form. This allows referrals to be prioritised based on current needs and urgency. Support During the Christmas/New Year Period: The following resources will be used to support students during the holiday break:
- Safety Plans: For students in crisis or experiencing heightened distress, please refer to their individual safety plans.
- External Referrals: Students requiring support beyond the scope of school counselling will receive referrals to appropriate services.
- Emergency Services: Students with urgent needs for counselling are advised to use emergency contact numbers as provided.
If you have any questions or concerns about these end-of-year procedures, please feel free to reach out to the Catholic Care Leadership team:
- Rita Maher – Acting Team Leader, Macarthur/Southern Highlands 0447 501 782
- Cherise Lomas – Acting Team Leader, Illawarra/Shellharbour/Shoalhaven 0491 333 032
- Tina Acevska – SSFP Program Manager 0419 462 621.
Thank you for your cooperation as we work to enhance our counselling services and support the wellbeing of all students.