Updates
CEDoW Guidebook for the Celebration for the Year of Jubilee
Audience: Principals, RECs and Leaders of Mission
In the 2025 Jubilee Year, the Church celebrates the theme Pilgrims of Hope, encouraging us all to live with hope in God and to share that hope with others.
Pilgrimage is not a new concept nor is the expectation of being pilgrims of hope. As pilgrims of hope our commitment is to look outward and go out into the world to be good news, as people of hope who encourage hope in others. Hope is grounded in love and so we are called to walk through this world with the eyes of love, recognising and appreciating the sacred in all of God’s creation. This is our job as pilgrims of hope.
Jubilee years are like moments of profound grace - calling for growth, reflection and conversion. This process leads us towards making a positive difference as we consider how we can be agents of hope and renewal in the world.
The CEDoW Guidebook for the Celebration for the Year of Jubilee is now available to assist school communities in their celebration of the Jubilee Year. You can access the guidebook via this link. Please note that, due to the document size, you will need to download it to view, or open it with Adobe Acrobat.
Since it will be updated throughout the year, we encourage you to check for the latest version and think about the environment before printing or downloading.
More information about the Year of Jubilee can be found on the CLEM Gateway site.
Jubilee Year – Soul of Ireland and Italy Pilgrimage
Audience: Principals and CEDoW Leadership
As advised late last year, Bishop Brian Mascord will be leading a group of CEDoW personnel on a special Jubilee Year Soul of Ireland and Italy Pilgrimage.
This will be a 23 day pilgrimage held from Friday 26 September to Sunday 19 October 2025.
Please see the pilgrimage flyer here.
Expressions of Interest from CEDoW staff will be called for in this week's All Staff Gateway News and repeated over the following 2 weeks.
Please note the following funding arrangements:
The cost per pilgrim is $13,390.
Individual pilgrims will be asked to contribute $5,800 towards this cost and schools will be asked to contribute $2,680 towards the cost of each staff member/pilgrim.
The costs above are based on twin share accommodation. Limited single rooms will be available at an extra cost to individual pilgrims.
As the pilgrimage largely takes place over the Pupil Vacation Period, 5 school days will be impacted. If casual release is required on these days, schools will be required to fund 3 days and the system will cover the remaining 2.
CEO staff will be required to take 10 days annual or long service leave.
All school based applicants will require the support of principals and Catholic Education Office applicants will require the support of the relevant CEDoW Leadership Team member.
Principals and CEDoW Leadership are asked to contact Jo Kenny at kennyj02@dow.catholic.edu.au with any questions regarding these pilgrimage arrangements.
CR+SSFIT | A Spiritual Bootcamp | LENT 2025
Audience: Principals, RECs and Leaders of Mission
Contact: David Gearin - gearind01@dow.catholic.edu.au
Targeting Student Leaders and Early Career Teachers (Primary)
CR+SSFIT | A Lenten Spiritual Bootcamp | Lent 2025 is being offered to all schools in 2025. The 7 week program to a ‘fitter’ spiritual self weaves our Catholic Social Teachings into the Lenten program sessions which include multiple elements relating to faith and wellbeing.
The method used for the bootcamp is Faith in Action and Lectio/Visio Divina.
The faith elements include scripture readings, artwork, reflections and brief periods of meditation while the deep breathing practices, body awareness exercises and weekly social gathering address our general wellbeing in busy school and office communities.
The program is designed to be delivered by the student leaders and early career teachers in our communities as a means of developing their Catholic Leadership capacities.
The CLEM team is available to deliver 30 minute workshops during weeks 4 - 7 in our Primary and Secondary Schools.
- Primary Schools - target group is Yr 6 students or Early Career Teachers
- Secondary Schools - target group is School Captains/Vice Captains/SRC OR YMLs
The CR+SSFIT | A Spiritual Bootcamp | LENT 2025 program here.
For any further information contact David Gearin gearind01@dow.catholic.edu.au.
Called to Serve – Liturgical Ministries Training Day
For: Secondary RECs/Leaders of Mission
Due: Friday 14 March
Contact: John Coppola – 0477 446 431 | coppolag01@dow.catholic.edu.au
This Training Program, a joint collaboration between the Diocesan Liturgical Commission and the Catholic Life, Education & Mission (CLEM) team, is offered to students in Years 10 and 11 in Catholic Secondary Schools in the Diocese of Wollongong.
It is an opportunity for students to learn more about what it means to gather as a Eucharistic community at Mass and develop an understanding of some of the ministries of service that they can be engaged in.
The program will focus on the following three ministries:
- Proclaimer of the Word
- Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion
- Music Ministry: Cantor
Six students from each school are to be nominated by their REC/ Leader of Mission, with two students then being nominated for each of the three ministries.
When: Tuesday 25 March 2025
Where: Xavier Centre and St Francis Xavier's Cathedral, 38 Harbour St, Wollongong
Register using this form.
Please read here for further information.
School Open Day Registration and Social Media Posts
School Open Days are just around the corner, and we've seen some fantastic social
media promotion already! To help everyone make the most of these important events, we've put together a few tips.
Open Day Registration:
We recommend using Funnel, our online enrolment platform, to manage your Open Day events.
It's a great way to:
- Allow parents to easily register online
- Track attendees
- Send automated emails
- Generate leads in the system
For help to set up your Open Day event in Funnel, please click here for assistance.
To streamline registration on the day, please also download and print a QR code for guests to sign in. This will also help you follow up with prospective parents who registered but couldn't attend.
Open Day Social Media Graphic:
To create an Open Day social media graphic we recommend using Canva (everyone with a CEDoW email address can access this platform for free). As the Open Day graphic will appear on your school social media page, please keep information to a minimum. Please refer to image above as an example.
Remember to include:
- School Image (Please click here to access your school’s most recent CEDoW images for your use)
- School Logo
- Title - School Open Day, or Open Day
- Date and time
Social Media Posts:
When promoting your Open Day on social media, please include the registration link in your post caption, NOT the QR code. Links are much easier for parents to use on their phones.
Here's how to copy the registration link from Funnel:
- Click the three dots on the right side of your event
- Select "Registration Form Option"
- Click "copy link" under "Public Link"
If you require further assistance please don't hesitate to contact Josephine Cooks at cooksj01@dow.catholic.edu.au or Jade Mariani at marianij02@dow.catholic.edu.au.
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Attendance Policy and Procedure
Audience: Principals, school leaders, and SSSOs
The updated Attendance Policy and Procedure are in effect as of 31 January 2025. As part of the system support provided to schools, several fact sheets and an attendance flowchart have been produced as resources for use in your school communities. These resources will also be linked via Quicklinks in Gateway for schools to access when required. Please see the links below for resources you may want to access now:
NAPLAN 2025 Key dates and deadlines
Friday 21 February: Disability adjustment applications
Submit NESA approved disability adjustment applications (colour contrast modification, assistive technology, scribe and double extra time) through Schools Online by Friday 21 February. Alternative format applications closed in December 2024. Contact the NAPLAN team immediately if an application has not been submitted. Further information is available on the NESA website.
From now: Register for NAPLAN training
It is strongly recommended that all staff involved with NAPLAN engage with training. Staff can register now for live online training taking place from Tuesday 4 February to Friday 7 March. Read about the training options and access registration links on the NESA website.
NAPLAN 2025
The NAPLAN 2025 test window is Wednesday 12 March to Monday 24 March 2025.
Preparation activities and training for the delivery of NAPLAN 2025 are now available for schools.
Schools must ensure that no school camps, excursions, sports carnivals or similar activities are booked during the NAPLAN test window. Information on protocols for test scheduling can be found on the ACARA website.
NAPLAN should be undertaken by all eligible students who are present at school on the day each test is scheduled. Schools can organise for students who are absent on the day of a scheduled test to complete a catch-up test during the testing window.
Registration is now open for NAPLAN 2025 live online training sessions. Sessions run from Tuesday 4 February to Friday 7 March 2025 and are delivered via Microsoft Teams. View all options for training and preparation activities here.
As part of NAPLAN preparation, NESA recommends that schools train additional staff to provide back-up alternatives to help with test administration and support in case of staff illness or absence.
If a school has concerns about their ability to complete NAPLAN in the scheduled test window, they should email the NAPLAN team for advice.
2025 CSSA Trial HSC Examinations
The CSSA, a division of Catholic Schools NSW (CSNSW), creates premium CSSA Trial HSC Examinations by education experts. Our writers and assessors have syllabus expertise and extensive teaching experience to create the CSSA Trial HSC Examinations. In support of the 2025 school year, the CSSA has posted a Letter to the Principal containing essential information regarding the 2025 CSSA Trial HSC Examinations.
Key dates to assist schools:
- The 2025 CSSA Trial HSC Examinations Timetable is from Monday 4 August to Monday 18 August with a security period up to and including 8 am, Thursday 21 August 2025.
- The 2025 CSSA Trial HSC Examinations Principal Information Package will be emailed to principals on Monday 10 February 2025.
- 2025 CSSA Trial HSC Examinations online ordering is available as of 9 am, Monday 10 February, and until 5 pm, Thursday 10 April 2025.
- Schools must contact the CSSA regarding CSSA Trial HSC Examinations Disability Provisions by 9 am, Friday 4 April 2025.
- The 2025 Draft CSSA Trial HSC Examination Timetable will be provided in the Principal Information Package and then made available on the CSSA website.
- The 2025 Final CSSA Trial HSC Examination Timetable will be emailed to principals in Week 1, Term 2, and then made available on the CSSA website.
Technological Assistance:
If a principal requires technological assistance with sign-in to their registered school account in the CSSA website, please email service@csnsw.catholic.edu.au. There is a CSNSW verification process in place to maintain the privacy and confidentiality of each principal and their registered school account with the CSSA.
CSSA Website and Individual School Accounts:
School data in individual School Accounts with the CSSA must be kept up to date by individual schools via the CSSA website Account Settings.
Relevant personnel in CSSA registered schools should ensure that school data available and fields of information on the CSSA website is checked, updated and completed as necessary. This will ensure that your school’s address, phone number, email address and contact details are correct – this information is critical for communication with schools and the secure delivery of CSSA Trial HSC Examinations. Finally, remember to click on the “SAVE” button at the end of the process.
For your convenience, the link to the CSSA website is here.