Updates

Minor amendments to the Corporate Travel Procedure and Information Sheet: Responsible Stewardship of Educational Funds and Resources

Minor amendments have been made to the Corporate Travel Procedure and Information Sheet: Responsible Stewardship of Educational Funds and Resources. The documents were updated in line with ATO Taxation Determination 2025/4 and concern reasonable travel and overtime meal allowance expense amounts (Corporate Travel Procedure) and catering standards (Information Sheet: Responsible Stewardship of Educational Funds and Resources).

These amendments have been applied to Appendix A of the Corporate Travel Procedure and the ‘Provision of Gifts, Benefits, Gratuities and Hospitality Tables’ in the Information Sheet: Responsible Stewardship of Educational Funds and Resources.

The updated documents will come into effect on 26 August 2025.

Enrolment data entry – 2025 update

Audience: Principals
Contact: Lisa Burton

Update on Enrolment Data Entry Support

We are pleased to confirm that the transition from Funnel to Compass for enrolment data entry has now been successfully implemented across all schools. The additional funding for SSSOs provided in 2024 supported this important implementation phase while Funnel processes were established. As this transition is now complete, the additional funding will not continue in 2025.

With these systems now embedded in school operations, enrolment data entry is now a streamlined part of standard procedures—a significant step in modernising our administration.

We encourage continued collaboration, prioritisation, and refinement of workflows where needed. SSSOs showed great professionalism during this transition, and we are confident in their ability to maintain accurate and compliant enrolment records.

Gotcha4Life Mentally Fit Primary School Program

Audience: Primary School Leadership

Gotcha4Life is offering limited fully funded places for eligible primary schools in their 2026 Mentally Fit Primary Schools Program.

What is Mental Fitness?

Mental fitness is our capacity to navigate life’s ups and downs, foster a sense of connection and belonging, and seek help when needed. Like physical fitness, it’s something we can build over time with regular practice, and the earlier we start, the better prepared we are for whatever life throws our way.

Gotcha4Life’s approach is built on strengthening three evidence-based mental health protective factors: emotional adaptability, social connectedness, and help-seeking behaviour.

The Program adopts a prevention-first, whole-of-school approach to enhance mental fitness and wellbeing. It aims to empower staff, students, parents, and caregivers to proactively build their mental fitness both in and out of the classroom. They partner with the school to create a lasting, mentally fit school climate.

It is grounded in an evidence-based Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) framework and developed with input from educators, psychologists, and wellbeing experts. It provides the tools, language, and supports the school to take practical, whole-community action. It offers:

• A three-year partnership with a dedicated Educator providing coaching, support, and guidance tailored to your school.
  
  
• Personalised Mental Fitness Action Plan aligned to your school’s needs, complementing existing wellbeing programs.
  
  
• Workshops, presentations, and training for staff, students, and families to build shared language, knowledge, and skills.
  
  
• Curriculum-aligned resources and evidence-based practical tools for classrooms and at-home use.

What’s the time commitment for staff?

The program is designed to integrate seamlessly into school life - not add to the workload, with professional learning and classroom resources that support everyday practice. Staff sessions are delivered during existing professional learning time, and student activities align with your calendar. Each year looks different and includes a mix of workshops, planning sessions, and optional extras, such as webinars and Mental Health First Aid, depending on your school’s goals.

The program aligns with the 2023 Australian Curriculum Content Connections for Mental Health and Wellbeing. It is suitable for inclusion in NESA professional development logs, contributing to teacher maintenance of professional development hours.

How can you get started?

To explore your school's eligibility for one of the fully funded places in the 2026 program, please apply before the end of Term 3 by clicking the 'Apply for 2026' link below. The team at Gotcha4Life will then set up a meeting to discuss your school's specific needs, review the program details, your school’s suitability to participate in the program, and outline next steps.

This program is a joint initiative from the Workplace Safety and Wellbeing
(WSaW) and Wellbeing and Student Support (WSS) teams. For more information about the program, please visit Gotcha4Life Mentally Fit Schools, view Gotcha4Life Mentally Fit Schools Program FAQ’s, or contact Joanne Matuschka (WSaW) on 0447 481 213 or Katie Carroll (WSS) on 0418 620 219.

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

Leading Life to the Full: A Student Round Table

National Catholic Education Commission Sacred Scripture Resources

The National Catholic Education Commission (NCEC) provides Sacred Scripture resources for the teaching of the bible in Catholic schools.

These resources provide an overview of the basics of Scriptural Theology, containing foundational information on the Catholic interpretation of the Bible, commentaries on the Synoptic Gospels, and definitions of key concepts and words spoken.

Designed for teachers, this is a resource that aims to assist teachers in their understanding and interpretation of Sacred Scripture by providing context and questions. Using this resource can help teachers to better plan out lessons and how they convey the essential teachings of Sacred Scripture to students.

To find out more and to access the free resources, visit Scripture Resources - NCEC.

Fundraising for Catholic Mission Month

Audience: Principals, Religious Education Coordinators, and Leaders of Mission

This year, during the Mission Month of October, schools and parishes are asked to raise money to support families in rural Zambia who are grappling with malnutrition and food insecurity. 

Please read more about Catholic Mission’s Socktober fundraising initiative for schools here.

World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation and Season of Creation 2025

Audience: Religious Education Coordinators

Resources are available to assist schools in celebrating the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation (1 September 2025) and the Season of Creation (1 September–4 October 2025).

This year’s theme is Peace With Creation.

Liturgy World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation 2025

Season of Creation Resources 2025

Pope Leo XIV’s Message

For K-2 teachers, there is also the Creation Corner episode WDOP for the Care of Creation from Pray School that can be utilised with students.