New Actions

New OCI + AIP tool for school leaders

For: Principals 
Due: Before Term 4
Contact: Matt Baxter - Director Strategy & Communications (baxterm04@dow.catholic.edu.au) 
First notice

In early Term 4, principals will be provided with a new resource to assist with Ongoing Cyclic Inquiry (OCI) and the development of Annual Improvement Plan (AIP) goals.

The LTW Contextual Target Tool links school-level improvement to the five strategic focus areas of Lighting The Way by helping school leaders understand our shared system-wide improvement aspirations, review your own school's results, and test local improvement targets for 2026.

LEARN MORE

A short How-To Guide describes the purpose of the tool and how it can be used, and includes FAQs and suggested school-level data to complement the 14 Lighting The Way improvement indicators.

• Purpose: To support, not replace, existing Continuous Catholic School Improvement processes like OCI, by providing a way to test specific, measurable, achievable, and relevant AIP goals.
• Development process: This tool was previewed at principal networks meetings in early Term 3, refined based on feedback from 36 principals and assistant principals, and tested with the Heads of CCSI, Head of Learning K-12, and a broad group of principals.
• Ongoing support: The tool is simple to use and the How-To Guide provides basic instructions. The Heads of CCSI will also support school leaders to incorporate the tool into AIP development.

Reminder: ONE LICENSE Reporting 

For: Primary and Secondary RECs/Leaders of Mission
Due: Thursday 25 September 2025
Contact: Helen Moon, Administrative Officer (moonh01@dow.catholic.edu.au)
First notice

Action: This is a reminder to report your school’s usage of religious music and lyrics via the One License site, linked here.

For further information, visit the Catholic Life, Education and Mission Gateway site under the heading “Liturgical Music.” If you require any assistance with access, please contact Helen Moon.

CEDoW Length of Service Awards

For: Principals and SSSOs 
Due: Friday 24 October 2025
Contact: Sharon Anderson, Administrative Officer (andersons04@dow.catholic.edu.au)
First notice

The collation of ‘Length of Service Awards’ for staff achieving 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, and 40 years of service with CEDoW is currently in progress. Staff will be advised of this in Thursday’s Week 9 edition of Gateway News.

A Google folder will be shared later this week with all principals and SSSOs to access their school’s information and to verify the length of service for staff achieving these milestones.

Action: Once the folder is shared, please check the information with the relevant staff member and confirm its accuracy.

If a staff member has a query about their years of service, particularly if they have previously worked in Catholic schools outside CEDoW, please contact Sharon Anderson.

CEDoW Year 8 Religious Literacy Assessment (RLA)

For: Secondary Religious Education Coordinators/Leaders of Mission  
Due: Before 11 November 2025
Contact: John Coppola (coppolag01@dow.catholic.edu.au)
First notice

Action: Please ensure that Year 8 RE teachers have the relevant information required for the RLA, which will be held from 11 to 13 November 2025. This assessment will be administered via a Google Form and will take 50 minutes, plus 5 minutes for administration and instructions.

RLA 2025

An administration guide for the RLA can be found here.

Step into Teaching Graduation Ceremony

For: Principals  
Due: On or before Wednesday 3 December 2025
Contact: Sherryn Moore, Talent Pathways Officer (sherryn.moore@dow.catholic.edu.au)
First notice

CEDoW is delighted to announce a Graduation Ceremony to celebrate a significant milestone for 33 students from our first three cohorts who have now completed the Step into Teaching Scholarship Program.

At this special event, graduates will be formally acknowledged and presented by Bishop Brian Mascord and Executive Director Peter Hill, marking their transition from scholarship recipients to valued members of our CEDoW teaching community.

Event details:
Date: Wednesday 3 December 2025
Time: 4:00–5:00 pm
Venue: Xavier Centre, 38 Harbour Street, Wollongong

Action: Scholarship graduates will be invited to attend this important celebration. Principals employing these teachers may receive requests for them to leave school slightly earlier on the day, and we sincerely appreciate your support in making their attendance possible.

Launched in 2020, the Step into Teaching Scholarship Program was established with a clear vision: to nurture, support, and inspire future Catholic educators, individuals who not only hold a passion for teaching but also embody a deep commitment to the mission and values of our Diocese.

We look forward to celebrating these young teachers at this important occasion.