Actions
Draft Student Anti-Bullying Procedure – Invitation to Provide Feedback
For: Principals and school leaders
Due: 30 April 2025
Contact: Kerryn Barnett, Head of Wellbeing and Student Support at barnettk01@dow.catholic.edu.au, Nicole Jones Clinical Psychologist, Wellbeing & Student Support Team at jonesn09@dow.catholic.edu.au, or Rebecca Wakeling, Senior Policy Advisor at policy@dow.catholic.edu.au.
First Notice
We’re seeking feedback from principals and school leaders on the draft Student Anti-Bullying Procedure and the proposed new Compass ‘Suspected Bullying: Review and Outcome template’. These revisions were driven by a need to make the procedure practically workable given internal changes to positions, and to reduce the administrative burden on staff. The revised procedure updates position titles and refines requirements and workflows. The two current Compass templates (Bullying Investigation template and Bullying Findings and Actions template) have been consolidated into a proposed single template and the content requirements have been refined.
The Commonwealth and state governments are working to develop a national standard to address student bullying behaviours. We anticipate further amendment to CEDoW’s existing policy position on student anti-bullying will follow the release of the national standard.
We value your input and want to listen to your thoughts, concerns and ideas about the draft procedure and the proposed template.
For action by 30 April 2025:
- Review the current policy and procedure for comparison purposes (see section 6 of the Student Pastoral Care and Wellbeing Policy)
- Review the new DRAFT Student Anti-Bullying Procedure flow chart.
- View a 12 minute clip that provides a walkthrough of the proposed new Compass 'Suspected Bullying: Review and Outcome template’.
Please provide your feedback on the draft procedure and proposed new template to policy@dow.catholic.edu.au. Feedback could range from a formal written response to a summary of general observations and suggestions. Alternatively, please reach out if you would prefer to arrange a discussion. You may wish to use this table if providing feedback on the ‘Suspected Bullying: Review and Outcome template’.
Training and support for schools will accompany any release of new materials.
If you have any questions about the Student Anti-Bullying Procedure or the revised Compass template, please contact Kerryn Barnett, Head of Wellbeing and Student Support at barnettk01@dow.catholic.edu.au, Nicole Jones, Clinical Psychologist, Wellbeing & Student Support Team at jonesn09@dow.catholic.edu.au, or Rebecca Wakeling, Senior Policy Advisor at policy@dow.catholic.edu.au.
The Pilgrims of Hope Jubilee Year Passports
For: Principals and RECs/Leaders of Mission
Due: Now
Contact: Jude Hennessy, Director for Renewal and Evangelisation at
jude.hennessy@dow.org.au
First Notice
Bishop Brian seeks your assistance in distributing and explaining a specially developed diocesan resource, The Pilgrims of Hope - Jubilee Year Passports. He will provide a copy of this resource to all Catholic school staff and students (Years 2–12), with delivery to CEDoW schools commencing this week. Please read Bishop Brian’s accompanying communication here.
Action: Bishop Brian asks that you consider how you, as key faith leaders in your school community, can speak and write about the Jubilee Year and these Passports before they are distributed, assisting your staff in doing the same.
Additionally, please include an explanation of the Jubilee Year and the Pilgrim Passports in your upcoming communication with parents/guardians.
In addition to this correspondence, you are encouraged to utilise the Diocesan Jubilee Webpage to assist in your communication with staff, students, and families about the importance of the Jubilee Year.
ONE LICENSE – Reporting Term 1, 2025
For: Primary and Secondary RECs/Leaders of Mission
Due: Thursday 10 April 2025
Contact: Helen Moon at moonh01@dow.catholic.edu.au
First Notice
Action: This is a reminder to report your school’s use of religious music and lyrics via the One License site, linked here. For further information, visit the CLEM website (under the heading "Liturgical Music"). If you need assistance with access, please contact Helen Moon.
Consultation Regarding the Potential Professional Learning and Event Facility at Wombarra
For: Principals, RECs/LOMs & SSSOs/Executive Assistants
Due: Friday 11 April 2025
Contact: Claire Cooney at cooneyc02@dow.catholic.edu.au
First Notice
A CEDoW working group is exploring the potential for CEDoW to utilise the former Our Lady of Lourdes Church at Wombarra.
Based on advice from the CEDoW Properties Team, upgrades would be required to make the building suitable for CEDoW use.
These include, but are not limited to, electrical rewiring, installing an IT system and air conditioning or fans, kitchen and toilet upgrades, and enhancements for accessibility and general safety.
It is estimated that the building could accommodate up to 60 people in a "round table" style setup and up to 100 people in a theatre-style arrangement.
You can view some recent photos of the building and site here.
The Catholic Life, Education & Mission (CLEM) Team has identified potential in the building for several of its regular events and PLs. Additionally, as mission formation, youth leadership, and creative ministry offerings expand for students and staff, the space's potential for growth will continue to unfold.
Other CEO service areas have also shown interest in the site, especially since the previously used PL space in the Marian Centre is no longer available.
We are now seeking feedback on whether schools would find this venue useful, particularly for staff and student formation days.
Here are some location and travel time estimates from Google Maps:
- Nowra to Wombarra: 97km, 1hr 33min
- Bowral to Wombarra: 81km, 1hr 16min
- Macarthur to Wombarra: 45km, 49min
- Wollongong to Wombarra: 20km, 33min
There is some on-street parking available near the building, though overflow parking may need to be across the highway, near the beach (5-10 minute walk). Student groups could be dropped by bus near the entrance. The site is a 4 minute walk from Wombarra train station.
Optional action: Please review your school's use of external facilities and consider whether an upgraded Wombarra site could serve as a valuable resource. If you wish to provide feedback, could the appropriate person(s) from your school please complete this Google form by Friday 11 April 2025.
For more information, contact Claire Cooney on 0413 338 633.
Finance Update – Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT)
For: Principals and SSSOs
Due: Now
Contact: FBT Team at fbt@dow.catholic.edu.au
First Notice
FBT Year Ending 31 March 2025
The Fringe Benefits Tax year ended on Monday 31 March 2025. This means that we require all schools to review their expenses between 1 April 2024 through to 31 March 2025.
From 2 April 2025 we will send you an extract of expenses which have occurred between 1 April 2024 and 31 March 2025 at your school in the form of the 2025 FBT School Workbook. The workbook will be populated for your benefit and completion. Please note that we have already removed what we deem non-FBT items to reduce your workload.
Action: We ask for you to review the data and advise of any omitted items.
Please refer to the 2025 FBT School Guidelines and Instructions document, which will assist in determining if expenses attract FBT. If you are unsure of any responses in the workbook, please note in the comments section, providing as much detail as possible for our assessment.
Credit Card Transactions
It is essential that all credit card transactions on Promaster be reconciled as soon as practical to enable us to complete the FBT return in a timely manner and to meet lodgement deadlines. We ask for your assistance to ensure that transactions up to and including 31 March 2025 are reconciled as soon as practical. The FBT data held in ExpenseMe will be included in your workbook this year.
Once completed/reviewed, please return the 'FBT School Workbook' to fbt@dow.catholic.edu.au by Tuesday 15 April 2025.
If you find FBT confusing, you are not alone—it is a complex area of tax law. If you need assistance, contact the FBT team at fbt@dow.catholic.edu.au or on 02 4250 9620.
2025 CEDoW Employee Engagement Survey – Coming in May
For: Principals
Due: Term 2
Contact: Susan Phillipson, Team Leader Workplace Safety and Wellbeing, or Rochelle Borg, Workplace Safety and Wellbeing Officer at whs@dow.catholic.edu.au
First Notice
Engaged employees are committed to their work, have a sense of belonging and being valued for the contributions they make in the workplace, and care about the organisation and strive to do their best work to achieve the organisation's goals.
People and Culture will launch the 2025 CEDoW Employee Engagement Survey for all staff in Term 2.
Developed in collaboration with X-Ref, a specialist in employee surveys, the 2025 CEDoW Employee Engagement Survey is research-based and evidence-driven.
The 2025 CEDoW Employee Engagement Survey will open on 5 May 2025 (Week 2, Term 2) and remain open for three weeks, closing on 23 May 2025. It will take approximately 20 minutes to complete.
Action: As leaders within CEDoW, we ask for your support in promoting the survey in the weeks leading up to its launch in May and then encourage your staff to complete the survey when able.
Additional information and promotional materials will be provided via Gateway News: School Leaders in the coming week to assist you in promoting the survey with your staff.
For further information, please contact Susan Phillipson, Team Leader Workplace Safety and Wellbeing, on 0438 528 360 or Rochelle Borg, Workplace Safety and Wellbeing Officer, on 0484 048 602, or email whs@dow.catholic.edu.au.