New Actions

Education Mass – Indication of Numbers Attending

Action: To support the preparation and logistics for the CEDoW Education Mass on Tuesday 25 February 2025, followed by catering, please provide an estimate of the number of staff attending from your school or CEO Service Area. This information should be submitted via this form no later than Tuesday 18 February.

As noted in the invitation (circulated in both editions of Gateway News last week), attendees are encouraged to arrive early.

We kindly ask that staff who arrive early refrain from reserving seats or pews for colleagues, allowing them to be filled naturally as attendees arrive.

Annual Evacuation and Lockdown Drills

For: Principals and SSSOs
Due: 11 April 2025
Contact: Shinto Sebastian, Paula Vera or John Barrington (governance@dow.catholic.edu.au) 
First notice

Action: CEDoW has mandated that all schools conduct their annual Evacuation and Lockdown Drills by the end of Term 1 each year. Principals are reminded to provide email confirmation via governance@dow.catholic.edu.au that their school has conducted their drills for 2025 by Friday 11 April 2025.

Draft for consultation – External Sports Competitions Procedure

For: Principals. Feedback from other staff (CEO and school) is also welcomed.
Due: Now
Contact: John Sparks (sparksj01@dow.catholic.edu.au), Kath Preece (preeceK01@dow.catholic.edu.au) or Rebecca Wakeling (policy@dow.catholic.edu.au) 
First notice

We’re seeking feedback from principals, sports coordinators and other interested staff on the draft External Sports Competitions Procedure.

The Diocesan Sport team is aware that increasingly, requests are made of schools to endorse student participation in sports competitions that operate outside the offerings of the Diocesan Sports Council, CSNSW or state and national level events (via the NSW Department of Education). Examples include Regional Mountain Biking (secondary) and Paul Kelly Cup (Primary).

The purpose of the draft document is to establish a procedure for schools to use when considering and responding to such requests. The intention is to provide consistency, whilst maintaining flexibility for schools to make decisions according to their local needs and context.  

We value your input and want to listen to your thoughts, concerns and ideas about the draft Procedure. You can indicate your interest in this consultation process by completing this form.

Upon submitting an expression of interest, you will be provided with a copy of the draft Procedure, for review and feedback by 4 March 2025.

Action: Please share this item with your Sports Coordinator and any other interested staff.

Questions? Contact John Sparks at sparksj01@dow.catholic.edu.au, Kath Preece at preeceK01@dow.catholic.edu.au or Rebecca Wakeling at policy@dow.catholic.edu.au.

Follow Up – Injury Notification Timeframe

For: Principals
Due: Now
Contact: Workplace Safety and Wellbeing Team (whs@dow.catholic.edu.au)
First notice

As a follow-up to communication in Week 3, Term 4 last year, Workplace Safety and Wellbeing would like to reinforce some important updates regarding workplace injury reporting. These updates are essential to maintain a safe and compliant environment for all staff.

Action:

Timely Reporting of Injuries

Under the Workplace Injury Management and Workplace Compensation Act 1998 (NSW), Section 44(2) Early notification - Any workplace injury must be reported to the insurer within 48 hours of becoming aware of the incident.

Note: The 48-hour timeframe begins from the moment the employer is made aware of the injury/illness—not when the injury/illness occurred.

What is Expected of Schools?

1. Communicate the Importance of Injury/Illness Reporting:
   • Remind all staff that work-related injuries/illnesses are required to be reported. This includes minor injuries/illnesses that may not seem significant at first.
   • Encourage staff to report injuries/illnesses immediately after they occur, to ensure timely action to aid with faster recovery.
     
     
2. Adhere to the 48-Hour reporting requirement:
   • Under the Workplace Injury Management and Workplace Compensation Act 1998 (NSW) section 44(2), schools must report workplace injuries/illnesses to the insurer within 48 hours of becoming aware of them. This timeline is critical, and failing to comply could result in penalties.
   • If the injured/ill staff member cannot report the injury due to its severity, a notification form should be completed on their behalf. It is crucial to submit the form within the 48-hour window, even if all details are not yet available. Additional information can be provided later.
     
     
3. Follow up:
   • Follow up on the completion and submission of the Staff Injury Notification Form where necessary to avoid delays.

It is not the SSSOs responsibility to complete the Staff Injury Notification Form. It is however important that they follow up with the injured/ill staff member to ensure the submission of the notification within 48 hours, to comply with legislation.  

If nearing 48 hours and the form has not been completed, then a notification must be submitted by an appropriate delegate of the school with as much detail as possible.

By staying proactive and adhering to these steps, schools can ensure workplace safety and legal compliance.

CEDoW’s Staff Injury Notification Form can be located via the My Workplace Safety and Wellbeing site, located on Gateway’s home page under notification forms.

If you have any questions regarding injuries at work or Worker's Compensation Insurance contact the Workplace Safety and Wellbeing Team at whs@dow.catholic.edu.au. 

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

2025 Wollongong ANZAC Day in Schools Program – Invitation to Participate

For: Principals
Due: 7 March 2025
Contact: Wayne Gregory, City of Wollongong RSL sub-Branch (wgregory@aussiebb.com.au)
First notice

Please see the letter here from John Sperring, President of the City of Wollongong RSL sub-Branch, inviting local primary and secondary schools to take part in this year’s Wollongong ANZAC Day in Schools Program.

The program offers two opportunities for schools to commemorate ANZAC with the support of the RSL sub-Branch:

• A Combined Schools’ Assembly at the Cenotaph in MacCabe Park, Wollongong, on Friday 2 May 2025
• A visit from an RSL sub-Branch member to your school’s ANZAC assembly (if your school is hosting one)

The letter provides further details and requests feedback on your school’s participation in all or part of the program.

Action (optional): Review the letter and confirm your school’s participation.