New Actions
Naming, Blessing and Opening of a CEDoW Facility Policy
For: Principals
Due: 11 March 2025
Contact: Matt Baxter (baxterm04@dow.catholic.edu.au), or Josephine Cooks (cooksj01@dow.catholic.edu.au)
First Notice
The Naming, Blessing and Opening of a CEDoW Facility Policy (NBO Policy) and supporting Naming Procedure are a revision of the previous Blessing and Opening of School Buildings Policy, last reviewed 11 March 2020. The approach to naming, blessing and opening CEDoW facilities has evolved since then, and this review was driven by a need to align our documents with current practice.
The purpose of the NBO Policy and Naming Procedure is to set out the principles and processes that apply when naming (or rescinding the name of) a CEDoW facility and when planning and conducting a blessing and opening ceremony in respect of a new or refurbished CEDoW facility.
As the revised policy is a codification of existing processes, there is no anticipated change to current practice. The Director’s Office, as well as the Strategy and Communications, Finance, Facilities and Planning, and Catholic Life, Education and Mission service areas will continue to support schools as they plan for namings, blessings and openings.
The policy has been approved by the Director of Schools, and will come into effect on 11 March 2025.
Action: For staff involved with namings, blessings and openings, please take the time to familiarise yourself with the updated policy and its supporting procedure.
If you have any questions about the NBO Policy or Naming Procedure, please contact Matt Baxter, Assistant Director - Strategy and Communications (baxterm04@dow.catholic.edu.au), or Josephine Cooks, Senior Strategy and Communications Officer (cooksj01@dow.catholic.edu.au).
Diocesan Leadership Professional Development Program 2025
For: Principals
Due: Now
Contact: Linden Conkey (conkeyl01@dow.catholic.edu.au)
First Notice
The Office of the Bishop, Office of Professional Standards and Safeguarding has released the Diocesan Leadership Professional Development Program for 2025.
Action: If you are required to complete this PD program, you will have already received an email from Linden Conkey on Friday 7 March 2025. Participants are required to select course/s they wish to undertake, register online and complete a minimum of 10 units (ie. 7 hours) of the Diocesan Leadership PD per calendar year. If unable to attend the provided course/s you may be able apply for recognition of prior learning for other relevant PD you have completed in the calendar year.
For further information please contact Linden Conkey at conkeyl01@dow.catholic.edu.au or 4250 9556.
CatholicCare School Student and Family Program (SSFP) – Updated Practice Manual (February 2025)
For: Principals
Due: Now
Contact: Rebecca Hill (hillr01@dow.catholic.edu.au)
First Notice
CatholicCare has released an updated version of the School Student and Family Program (SSFP) Practice Manual developed to support a consistent and effective approach to the delivery of school counselling services across schools.
This updated manual outlines key processes, service expectations, referral pathways, and best practices to ensure that our school counsellors can provide high-quality support to students, families, and school staff. It has been designed to enhance collaboration between schools and the counselling team while ensuring clarity around roles, responsibilities, and procedures.
The development of this updated manual is the result of a collaborative process between CatholicCare and the CEDoW Wellbeing & Student Support and Child Safety and Professional Services teams. The expertise and contributions of all have been instrumental in ensuring the manual aligns with both school and system-wide priorities.
The latest version has now been shared with all school counsellors, and school leadership are asked to familiarise themselves with it.
Action: To assist with this process, principals, assistant principals, pastoral care leaders, and any key staff members who interact with the program are invited to attend a Zoom briefing.
It is important that each school is represented, either by attending the live session or by requesting a recording to view at a more convenient time.
Following this briefing, principals will be required by CatholicCare to formally acknowledge their understanding of the 2025 Practice Manual.
Details
Date: Friday 21 March 2025
Time: 9:30 am – 10:30 am
Via Zoom: Zoom link
Please indicate your attendance online via the calendar invitation already sent. Please request a recording of the Zoom by contacting Rebecca Hill at hillr01@dow.catholic.edu.au.
CatholicCare School, Student and Family Program – School Counselling
For: Principals
Due: Optional
Contact: CatholicCare Wollongong – (02) 4227 1122
First Notice
The video below highlights the work of CatholicCare Wollongong's school counsellors in partnership with Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong. Find out more about the program here.
Action: You may wish to share this video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?