Updates
2025 Education Mass – Expression of Interest for Choir, Musicians, and Percussionists
Due: Friday 14 February 2025
Calling all spirit-filled vocalists, musicians and percussionists!
Expressions of interest to support the music ministry at this year's Education Mass are now open.
Newcomers are welcome and participation is simple. Music is supplied in advance to assist with preparation and a short rehearsal prior to the Mass will tie everything together.
- Date: Tuesday 25 February 2025
- Time: 6 pm - 7.30 pm
- Venue: St John Vianney Co-Cathedral, 1 Cabbage Tree Lane Fairy Meadow
Please complete this Google form by Friday 14 February if you are interested in sharing your talents for this Spirit-filled event.
Feast Day of the Patron Saint of Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking, St Josephine Bakhita
Please see some general information on St Josephine Bakhita. You can also find a prayer card for use.
St Josephine Bakhita is the Patron Saint of Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking, and her feast day is celebrated on 8 February.
The resources have been provided by CEDoW's Modern Slavery compliance advisors and The Australian Catholic Anti-Slavery Network (ACAN).
ACAN recommends these resources be circulated to schools to support acknowledging St Josephine Bakhita.
Attendance Policy and Procedure
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 will continue to support schools during this implementation phase.
A summary of the key changes is set out in ‘Attendance Policy and Procedure: What’s changed?’.
Please implement the revised policy and procedure from 31 January 2025. For any general questions, contact student.attendance@dow.catholic.edu.au.
Minor amendments to New Arrival Student Identification and Assessment Procedure
Minor amendments have been made to the New Arrival Student Identification and Assessment Procedure to reflect updated processes regarding student Visa checks and the Whole School Profile of English Language Proficiency (WSPELP).
Please contact Crystal Ash at 0437 173 976 (Primary) or Sharon Gilbert at 0408 904 183 (Secondary) for further information.
Invitation to provide feedback – DRAFT Return to Work Program
The Workplace Safety and Wellbeing team has recently reviewed CEDoW’s Return To Work Program (RTW Program) and a period of consultation with all staff is now open.
Feedback is welcomed and can be provided up until 14 February 2025, via whs@dow.catholic.edu.au. All feedback should be addressed to Susan Phillipson, Team Leader - Workplace Safety and Wellbeing.
Access to the revised draft CEDoW RTW Program by clicking here.
The draft CEDoW Return to Work Program (RTW Program) outlines CEDoW’s injury management and return to work process and is relevant for all CEDoW staff who have sustained an injury or illness at work allowing them an entitlement to worker’s compensation benefits.
The purpose of this document is to set out the operational processes and actions that give effect to CEDoW’s commitment to achieving a prompt and durable return to and recovery at work for staff who experience a work-related injury or illness.
The overall aim of the RTW Program is to ensure the prompt and durable recovery and return to work of staff following an injury or illness. In line with evidence-based practice, CEDoW believes that returning to work early or staying at work is the most effective way to recover from a work-related injury/illness. CEDoW is committed to promoting a positive attitude toward staff recovering at work and the health benefits of meaningful work.
Key elements of the draft CEDoW RTW Program include:
- Early Intervention: Initiating the process as soon as possible after an injury/illness occurs.
- Injury Management Plan: Developing a plan that outlines the necessary steps for the injured/ill staff member’s recovery.
- Recover at Work Plan: A structured plan detailing suitable duties and the timeline for returning to pre-injury duties.
- Workplace Support: Providing modifications, adjustments, or assistance to facilitate the return to work.
- Consultation and Communication: Regularly involving the injured/ill staff member, their treating practitioner, treating providers, worker’s compensation insurer, and any other support providers in the process.
- Monitoring and Review: Continuously assessing progress and making adjustments as necessary.
- Compliance with Legal Requirements: Ensuring adherence to all relevant legislation and guidelines.
If you have any questions about the draft CEDoW RTW Program please contact Susan Phillipson, Team Leader - Workplace Safety and Wellbeing, People Culture (0438 528 360) or via 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
The safety of students, staff and school communities is a priority for all CEDoW staff. The Workplace Safety and Wellbeing (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 effectively respond to potential incidents.
To further support schools in Emergency Management Planning the following eLearning package has been added to CEDoWs Learning Management System:
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.
It is expected that this self-directed training will be completed by all staff no later than the end of Term 1, 2025.
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.
Access Employee Assistance Program (EAP) 2025 Updates
As we enter the new year, many of us are setting goals and thinking about the path ahead. This may be for personal growth, career development, or our overall health and well-being.
Do you know how you approach your goals can make a big difference in achieving them? Research shows that self-distanced journaling, where you write about your challenges in the third person, can help you gain perspective and reduce stress. It also found that stepping back to view a problem, situation, or plan from a distance gave clarity on providing a solution.
Why not view Access EAP’s Newsletter to set yourself up for success in 2025 or dive into Access EAP’s wealth of easily accessible information to help support you in achieving these aspirations.
If you have any questions regarding the resources, please contact Workplace Safety and Wellbeing on 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.
NSW Health School Vaccination Program
NSW Health works with schools to offer free vaccines to students. Local Public Health Units (PHUs) will contact schools to arrange dates for school vaccination clinics. They will also distribute printed student flyers and parent flyers for all students enrolled in Year 7 and Year 10. Printed consent forms will be distributed by the PHUs following discussions with individual schools.
For more details, visit the NSW Health Vaccination Program or download the Program Guide for Schools.
Enrolments Open for CatholicCare’s Parenting Courses
CatholicCare Wollongong offers parenting courses on topics such as:
- Understanding and supporting your child's needs by building a secure attachment
- Childhood brain development and understanding how to meet your child’s growing needs
- Childhood anxiety and stress and how you can support them
If you would like to learn more about our courses visit our website or call 4254 9395.
Student NAPLAN NAP App video tutorial
Looking to help your iPad students learn how to use the NAP App in time for NAPLAN? Use this video tutorial with your class to familiarise your students on the features of the NAP App, and how to navigate seamlessly in the App when using an iPad, so they can succeed in NAPLAN.
NAPLAN 2025 Information
Students in Years 3, 5, 7, and 9 will sit NAPLAN between 12 and 24 March 2025.
NAPLAN assesses literacy and numeracy skills that students are already learning at school. It is not a test that requires preparation, and students are not expected to study for it.
NAPLAN forms part of a school’s assessment and reporting process but does not replace ongoing teacher assessments of student performance. Individual results can be a helpful resource for students and parents to discuss progress with teachers.
For more information, visit the Parents and Carers page on the NAP website and download the NAPLAN Information Brochure for Parents and Carers. You can also visit the Public Demonstration Site page to explore the test format.
Why NAPLAN is now held in March
This is the third year NAPLAN will be conducted in March, having previously taken place in May. The change was introduced to provide schools with results earlier in the year, helping inform teaching and learning plans for the remainder of the school year.
Why NAPLAN is conducted online
Since transitioning from paper-based to online assessment between 2018 and 2022, NAPLAN has offered:
- More precise results through tailored (adaptive) testing, where questions match students' abilities, allowing them to better demonstrate their skills.
- Enhanced accessibility options, enabling students with disability to participate.
- A more engaging experience for students, based on their feedback.
For more information about online assessment, visit the Understanding Online Assessment page on the NAP website.
Schools can access the NAPLAN 2025 Information Resources Kit for further details.
Updated resources for Enterprise Computing and Software Engineering online HSC exams
An Official Notice from NESA released on Friday 31 January 2025, noted the HSC familiarisation questions and screen design tool video for Enterprise Computing and Software Engineering HSC courses have been updated to include new features. The screen design tool video has also been updated to show new ways that the drawing tool can be applied in online HSC exams.
Click the links below to access the updated HSC familiarisation questions:
Click the links below to watch the screen design tool video:
CEDoW 2025 Timeline: NCCD and Personalised Planning
Key dates and activities are noted in the linked CEDoW 2025 Timeline: NCCD and Personalised Planning document. School NCCD teams are invited to make a copy of the document and store it with their NCCD data to guide the 2025 NCCD process.
Changes may be made to the master copy throughout the year. CEDoW will inform schools of these changes via Gateway.
Please note two significant activities in Term 1:
- Schools should communicate the commencement of the 2025 NCCD to the broader school community. A National Fact Sheet is available in the NCCD portal should schools choose to direct parents to this resource and/or use some or part of the content in school newsletters.
- Staff should engage in professional learning related to the Disability Standards for Education (DSE). Every three years, staff should complete the 8 DSE lessons appropriate to their role, located in the Professional Learning section of the NCCD portal. (registration is required) Refresher training is available in LMS for years two and three of the three-year professional learning cycle under the following titles -
- Disability Standards for Education Refresher Module - Teaching Staff
- Disability Standards for Education Refresher Module - Non-teaching Staff
As School NCCD teams commence this year’s process they should also familiarise themselves with the 2025 NCCD Guidelines now available in the NCCD portal.
Now open: Nominations for the NSW Training Awards
The NSW Training Awards recognise outstanding achievement in the vocational education and training sector. 2025 marks the 70th year of the Awards, which honour and celebrate the achievements of students, trainers/teachers, registered training organisations, and employers
Awards Categories
Individual Awards:
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year
- Apprentice of the Year
- School-based Apprentice/Trainee of the Year
- Trainee of the Year
- VET Trainer/Teacher of the Year
- Vocational Student of the Year
- VET in Schools Student of the Year
Organisation Awards
- Large Training Provider of the Year
- Small Training Provider of the Year
- Industry Collaboration Award
- Large Employer of the Year
- Small Employer of the Year
Check your eligibility for the Awards here.
For further information follow the below link. Could you please share it with people within your organisation.
Contact: Christina Desmond at DesmondC01@dow.catholic.edu.au.
Safer Internet Day
Safer Internet Day is a great opportunity to start the year with some quality digital citizenship learning experiences.
Here’s how you can get your students involved in two simple steps:
- Download your toolkit on the hub – You’ll find toolkits for schools which include posters, social media tiles, and activities. Plus, explore resources for parents, carers, and organisations working with families to support safer online spaces in your community.
- Show your support on social media – In your toolkit you’ll find social media tiles, or you can record a quick video sharing how you’ll be contributing to a safer, more positive internet. Remember to tag #SID2025 and @eSafetyOffice.
Want some extra inspiration?
- Run an online safety virtual event at your workplace – use the ready-to-go presentation and new quiz to crown your online safety champion!
- Spread the word with posters in your workplace or community.
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Veterans Commemoration Service Friday
Register now for representatives from your school to attend the 2025 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Veterans Commemoration Service. The ceremony continues to gather momentum since its inception in 2007, uniting Australians to remember and honour the service and sacrifice of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander veterans. The exceptional guest speakers and their remarkable stories continue to inspire our youth, Indigenous and non-Indigenous alike.
Information:
- Date: Friday 30 May 2025
- Location: Anzac Memorial, Hyde Park
- Contact: RSL NSW events@rslnsw.org.au
- Recommended arrival time: by 10:20 AM
- Ceremony time: 10:40 am to 12:00 PM
- Dress: School uniform
Site plan: Click here to view the site plan which outlines seating areas, bathrooms and first aid locations.
School Resource Pack: this pack will be available closer to the event.
Wreath laying: During the service students will be invited to lay a wreath or floral tribute at the base of the Anzac Memorial steps, allowing schools to commemorate the sacrifices made by Australian servicemen and women.
This is optional and the supply/expense of a wreath or floral tribute is the responsibility of each individual school. We encourage schools to make a wreath or floral tribute, as opposed to purchasing them. The connection to your local flora and native plant life is an important element of the service, as they link to the country and this simple activity will help reinforce this message.
If your school is interested in attending, please also contact Karan Taylor at taylork01@dow.catholic.edu.au or Danielle Grados at gradosd01@dow.catholic.edu.au directly for additional support on the day.
ACEN eBook of the Week
This week’s first theme for 2025 is Welcome Back to School.
See the link here to explore the eBook titles for primary, secondary, and staff through the Australian Catholic Education Network (ACEN). Click on each image or use the QR code to access further information.
To sign in to Sora, select "ACEN" as your school. If you have any questions, contact Jim Gallagher at gallagherj01@dow.catholic.edu.au.
This week from the CEDoW Resource Centre
Please click here to view a range of resources to support the RE curriculum for units from Kindergarten to Year 6.
- K.1: Welcome
- 1.1 Baptism
- 2.1 Images of God
- 3.1 Created by God: A Gift to Share
- 4.1 Living the Law of Love
- 5.1 The Reign of God: Reaching Out in Justice
- 6e.1 The Reign of God: Breaking Down The Barriers
For further details, please contact Anne Russell, CEDoW Resource Centre Manager at russella01@dow.catholic.edu.au.