Actions
Attendance Policy and Procedure
For: Principals and school leadership
Due: 31 January 2025
Contact: Kerryn Barnett, Head of Wellbeing and Student Support at barnettk01@dow.catholic.edu.au, Samantha McGarrity, Education Officer - Student Wellbeing and Diverse Learning Needs at samantha.mcgarrity@dow.catholic.edu.au or Anthony Kenna, Professional Officer - Wellbeing and Student Support at kennaa01@dow.catholic.edu.au.
First notice
A reminder that the revised Attendance Policy and Attendance Procedure will come into effect on 31 January 2025.
The Attendance macro team and broader Wellbeing Student and Support team have been working with schools to build awareness of the new requirements. Ongoing support will be provided during this implementation phase.
A summary of the key changes is set out in ‘Attendance Policy and Procedure: What’s changed?’.
Action: Please implement the revised policy and procedure from 31 January 2025.
To request support or to ask a question, contact Kerryn Barnett, Head of Wellbeing and Student Support at barnettk01@dow.catholic.edu.au, Samantha McGarrity, Education Officer - Student Wellbeing and Diverse Learning Needs at samantha.mcgarrity@dow.catholic.edu.au or Anthony Kenna, Professional Officer - Wellbeing and Student Support at kennaa01@dow.catholic.edu.au.
Diocesan Launch of Project Compassion 2025
For: Principals and SSSOs
Due: 24 February 2025
Contact: Helen Moon at moonh01@dow.catholic.edu.au
First notice
The Diocesan Launch of Project Compassion will take place on Tuesday 4 March 2025 at St Francis of Assisi Catholic Parish Primary School, 95 Flagstaff Road, Warrawong.Action: Please read the invitation linked below and RSVP by Monday 24 February 2025.
View the invitation including a link to RSVP here.
The RSVP form can also be directly accessed here.
*Please limit to two students per school.
February 2025 Census
For: Principals and SSSOs
Due: 14 February 2025
Contact: CEDoW Census Officers Nikki Sartor or Nadia Panto, or email census@dow.catholic.edu.au
First notice
The date for the upcoming 2025 Census for the collection of student and staff data is Friday 14 February 2025.
This Census is critical for the State Per Capita funding to be released through Catholic Schools NSW (CSNSW). The Census data is also used as the basis for the per-student Operating Cost Allowance which is allocated to each school.
Action: All Census information should be checked for accuracy prior to Census day. Any changes to staff data are to be emailed through to Payroll at payrolladmin@dow.catholic.edu.au. Please ensure you include CENSUS in the subject line so that Payroll can action the request as a matter of priority.
On Census day, all data is to be checked to ensure that it is correct and the final reports are to be generated and emailed through to the Census team at census@dow.catholic.edu.au by 12 noon.
The Census Guidelines and Checklist can be viewed by following the link below:
If you have any queries regarding the Census, please do not hesitate to contact the CEDoW Census Officers, Nikki Sartor (02) 4250 9625 or Nadia Panto (02) 4250 9626 or by emailing your enquiry to census@dow.catholic.edu.au.
We thank you in advance for your cooperation in completing the Census this year.
Update for WEN Contact 2025
For: Principals and SSSOs
Due: Friday 7 February 2025
Contact: Beth Riolo at riolob01@dow.catholic.edu.au
First notice
As we begin a new year, across our schools we continue our ecological conversion journey of caring for our common home. In each of our schools, we have a nominated WEN Teacher Contact who coordinates the environmental education and action initiatives at their school and participates in Diocesan WEN meetings and Diocesan Environmental Education professional learning and development.Below is a link to the list of Teacher Contacts for the Wollongong Environment Network (WEN):
Action: Please check that your school's contact information for 2025 has been updated and indicate that this has been done on the WEN Contact List by Friday 7 February 2025.
Changes to the Administration of Medication Recording Process in Compass
For: Principals and SSSOs
From: 3 February 2025
Contact: Workplace Safety and Wellbeing at whs@dow.catholic.edu.au.
First notice
Workplace Safety and Wellbeing (WSaW) have collaborated with Information, Communication, Learning and Technology (ICLT) to develop two new Chronicle Templates in Compass as part of our ongoing efforts to improve the safety and accuracy of medication management in schools.
We are introducing two new Chronicle Templates under the Sick Bay category:
- Administration of Medication Template This should be used to accurately record the administration of medication to a student on each occasion as soon as possible after it is given.
- Disposal of Medication Template This should be used to accurately record the disposal of expired, unused, or no longer required medication kept at school.
Starting 3 February 2025, all administration and disposal of medications should be recorded on the appropriate Chronicle Template, replacing any other processes of recording you have in place.
By improving the way we document medication administration and disposal, we aim to:
- Reduce errors and ensure all medication is given correctly and on time
- Enhance the safety and wellbeing of our students
- Provide more accurate and timely records for reporting and review
- Meet assurance testing requirements for medication administration in schools.
Action:
- Familiarise yourself with the new templates in Compass
- Review the Administration of Medication in Schools Procedure located on the WSaW Gateway page
- Take this opportunity to review your school's current Administration of Medication and Disposal of Medication procedures
- Communicate these changes to all staff at your school through your local communication channels.
If you have any questions regarding this change, please contact Workplace Safety and Wellbeing at whs@dow.catholic.edu.au.
For CEDoW’s full range of workplace, safety and wellbeing resources, please visit the Workplace Safety and Wellbeing Hub on Gateway.
Emergency Planning and Preparedness, Learning Management System E-Learning All Staff Training
For: Principals and SSSOs
From: Start of Term 1, 2025
Contact: Workplace Safety and Wellbeing at whs@dow.catholic.edu.au.
First notice
The safety of students, staff, and the school communities is a priority for all CEDoW staff. The WSaW team has been working closely with schools since a review of Emergency Management in 2023, to support schools in creating clear and comprehensive emergency plans, to respond to potential incidents effectively.
This short course takes approximately 30 minutes to complete. Training of staff Fire Safety is a legislative requirement and supports a safety culture in school and office sites.
Action: It is expected that this self-directed training will be completed by all staff no later than the end of Term 1, 2025.
As a reminder the resources below have been developed and reviewed in line with the requirements under the NSW Work Health and Safety Act (2011), the NSW Work Health and Safety Regulations (2017), and the Australian Standard - Planning for Emergencies in Facilities (AS 3745-2010).
Action: You are encouraged to review, update, and familiarise your Emergency Planning documentation with returning and new staff as early as possible into the term and before completion of the school’s scheduled evacuation exercises, which are to be undertaken before the end of Term 1, 2025.
- Emergency Management Plan (EMP) Manual
- Emergency Management Plan - Template
- Emergency Management Plan Audit Checklist
- Supporting Material
If you have any questions regarding the resources or require onsite support, please contact your relative Workplace Safety and Wellbeing Officer at whs@dow.catholic.edu.au.
For CEDoW’s full range of workplace, safety and wellbeing resources, please visit the Workplace Safety and Wellbeing Hub on Gateway.
What to Do If You Get Injured at Work – SIRA Approved Poster
For: Principals and SSSOs
From: Now
Contact: Workplace Safety and Wellbeing at whs@dow.catholic.edu.au.
First notice
We have recently been notified by our workers’ compensation insurer, Trinity Insurance, of a change to our claims manager contact.
Our new claims manager contact is:
Allegra Serra
Phone: 02 8251 9302
Email at allegra@trinityinsurance.au
The Workplace Safety and Wellbeing Team has adjusted the SIRA-approved ‘What to Do If You Get Injured at Work’ poster with the new claims manager's contact details.
Action: Please remove any ‘What To Do If You Get Injured at Work’ posters that have been placed around your site and replace them with the most current poster accessible here.
If you have any questions regarding the resources, please contact Workplace Safety and Wellbeing at whs@dow.catholic.edu.au.
For CEDoW’s full range of workplace, safety and wellbeing resources, please visit the Workplace Safety and Wellbeing Hub on Gateway.