New Actions
Day Two: 2025 System-Wide Strategic Professional Learning
For: Principals
Due: Now
Contact: Anna Jones (annalouise.jones@dow.catholic.edu.au)
First notice
Link: System-Wide Strategic Professional Learning site.
Action: Leaders are to ensure they have tested the validity of their Stage 2 causal hypotheses. This will ensure accuracy of progression when moving through stages 3-5 of Collaborative Complex Problem Solving, rather than working from an inferential perspective.
The second day of collaborative professional learning will be held on Monday 11 August 2025 at St Paul’s Catholic Parish Primary School, Albion Park.
The day will continue our focus on instructional leadership and complex collaborative problem solving, and will be led again by guest facilitator Dr Jacqui Patuawa. As Day 2 activities will build on skills developed during our first session with Dr Jacqui, we strongly encourage schools to bring the same team of staff as Day 1.
Day 2 Pre-reading:
- Chapters 9, 11, and 12 of Viviane Robinson's Virtuous Educational Leadership.
- Student Centred Leadership pre-reading for Stage 3
For more information, please visit the System-Wide Strategic Professional Learning site linked above.
For any inquiries, contact Anna Jones, Team Leader – Leadership and Professional Growth.
Invitation to the Feast of Saint Mary MacKillop Mass
For: Principals and RECs
Due: Friday 1 August 2025
Contact: Helen Moon (moonh01@dow.catholic.edu.au)
First notice
On behalf of Bishop Brian, I invite representatives from your school to attend the Mass celebrating Saint Mary MacKillop, to be held at St Francis Xavier Cathedral on Friday 8 August 2025, at 12:10 p.m.
Action: Please RSVP via this Google Form by Friday 1 August 2025.
Sr Monica Barlow RSJ
Liturgy Coordinator
Office of the Bishop
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Year 12 Student Mass and Lunch
For: Principals and SSSOs
Due: Friday 22 August 2025
Contact: Karan Taylor (taylork01@dow.catholic.edu.au) or Lyndal Murphy (murphyl11@dow.catholic.edu.au)
First notice
Principals and Aboriginal Education Assistants (AEAs) from secondary schools are invited to attend the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Year 12 Student Mass on Tuesday 2 September 2025, commencing at 10.30 am at St Francis Xavier’s Cathedral, Wollongong.
Action: Please see the official invitation here, which includes the RSVP link. Principals are asked to include the names of any attending AEAs in their response.
Invitations to students will be distributed by AEAs and your School Contact.
For further information, please contact Karan Taylor or Lyndal Murphy directly.
Dangers of Dry Ice: Lessons Learned, Knowledge Shared
For: Principals
Due: Now
Contact: Workplace Safety and Wellbeing (whs@dow.catholic.edu.au)
First notice
A recent safety incident at one of our schools has highlighted significant risks associated with the use of dry ice. In this case, dry ice was transported in staff members’ vehicles for a school event. As a result, several staff members experienced adverse health effects due to carbon dioxide exposure.
Action: Dry ice presents serious health and safety risks and must not be used for school events under any circumstances.
Key Dangers of Dry Ice:
- Suffocation: Dry ice releases carbon dioxide gas, which can displace oxygen in enclosed or poorly ventilated spaces, posing a risk of unconsciousness or respiratory distress.
- Frostbite and Burns: Direct contact with dry ice can cause severe cold burns. It must only be handled using proper personal protective equipment, such as insulated gloves or tongs.
- Explosion Risk: Storing dry ice in sealed containers can lead to a dangerous pressure buildup, resulting in container rupture and a risk of injury from flying debris.
- Eye Irritation: The gas and fog produced during sublimation can cause discomfort or damage to the eyes with prolonged exposure.
Dry ice may be used in controlled, curriculum-based science activities; however, its use must be supported by:
- A comprehensive Risk Assessment
- Strict Safety Protocols
- Relevant awareness of Emergency Response Procedures
- Supervision by appropriately trained and competent staff
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.
Strengthening Safety: The Critical Role of Risk Assessments in School Activities
For: Principals
Due: Now
Contact: Workplace Safety and Wellbeing (whs@dow.catholic.edu.au)
First notice
As part of our ongoing commitment to safe and compliant practices across school operations, the WSaW team is reinforcing the importance of undertaking structured and well-governed risk assessments before any school-based activities involving potential hazards.
Risk assessments are not just procedural; they are essential for identifying, managing, and mitigating harm to staff, students, and visitors.
Why Do Risk Assessments Matter?
Risk assessments help to:
- Identify foreseeable hazards in planned tasks or environments.
- Assess the likelihood and consequences of potential harm.
- Implement effective control measures to eliminate or minimise risks.
- Comply with legal duties under WHS legislation and Duty of Care principles.
CEDoW Governance, Assurance and Risk (GAR) oversees the Risk Management Framework to support schools with developing robust risk assessments.
It is important to note that any adjustments, additions, or alterations to the original risk assessment must be:
- Discussed with and approved by the person responsible, typically the principal or their nominated delegate.
- Documented on the original risk assessment, with an updated version shared.
Unauthorised changes can compromise the integrity of the assessment and place individuals at risk.
Action: We urge all school leaders to promote a culture where risk assessments are approached as proactive safety tools, where staff feel confident in raising concerns, seeking clarification, and reviewing risks collaboratively.
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.