Catholic Schools Office eBulletin

Diocesan News

Clarity Learning Week - Week 1, Term 2

We welcome Dr Lyn Sharratt back to the Diocese at the beginning of Term 2. The focus for the week will be on “Unpacking Waterfall Chart” and include learning walks and talks in schools. (See agenda here).

Schools are to choose the venue and dates that best suit their needs. The dates and venues for this Professional Learning has been arranged as follows:

  • 29th & 30th April  
    Venue:  St Xavier’s Primary School Gunnedah                                                                     Time:  Monday - 9am to 3:30pm & Tuesday - 9am to 2pm

This registration has closed due to the large number of staff attending. If you have not registered but your school has for Gunnedah, please contact Gemma Creagan (gcreagan@arm.catholic.edu.au)

OR

  • 1st and 2nd May 
    Venue:  St Mary’s Primary School Armidale
    Time:  Wednesday - 9am to 3:30pm & Thursday - 9am to 2pm
    Registration link here

Registration will close this Friday 22nd March.

Armidale Diocesan Primary Winter Trials

On Friday 8th March we held the Primary Winter Trials for Rugby League, Netball, Football and Hockey in Tamworth. 

Students from all of our Primary Schools trialled and displayed an enormous talent in their chosen sport. 

We are lucky enough to have many skilled and helpful adults, who are also superstars on the sporting field, to put their hand up for Team Manager, Convenor and Selector roles. 

It proved difficult across all sports to select only one team. 

Netball - Girls Team 

Rugby League - 11’s & 12’s Team

Hockey - Boys & Girls Team 

Football - Boys & Girls Team

These selected teams will represent Armidale Diocese at the Polding Winter Trials on 3rd May 2024. This year we are very lucky as a Diocese to host the Polding Trials and put on display not only our amazing staff and their convening capabilities but also the impressive sporting venues Tamworth has to offer. 

Be sure to check out our Armidale Diocesan Primary Sports Council Facebook page for many photos from throughout the day. 

Australian Early Development Census - AEDC

School Leader Packs will be arriving at schools from the 13th March. Emails have been directly sent to principals. 

If you are experiencing difficulty with these communications, please contact Briony Martin - bmartin1@arm.catholic.edu.au

Best Start Kindergarten and Transition to Year 7 Assessments

2024 Best Start Kindergarten assessment data for Literacy and Numeracy is now available in the Primary Ecosystem. The data is included on the Student Panel pages and the trend data is visible in the System pages.

 

Transition to Year 7 data for 2024 is available through in the Secondary Ecosystem. The data is included on the Student Panel pages and the trend data is visible in the System pages. 

 

If you have questions about these data sets, please contact Briony Martin - bmartin1@arm.catholic.edu.au

Aspiring Middle Leaders Course (Nesa Registered)

The Aspiring Middle Leaders Program is for teachers wishing to explore the future career pathways of middle leadership. Leaders wanting to brush up on their interview/application skills are invited to participate as well.

In participating in this program, you will develop a deepened understanding of the transition from classroom teacher to a ‘leader of teachers’. This program will support successful navigation of the recruitment process.

This program includes:

  • 3 x online workshop sessions from 3:15pm - 5:15pm.  

Cohort 2: August 1, 8, 15 

Registration: HERE

Information day for Administration Staff on Compass

An information day for administration staff on Compass (with the focus being on attendance) will be held at following venues;

  • Tuesday  7 May Angela Merici  Room - Armidale  Catholic Schools Office
  • Wednesday 8 May St Nicholas School - Tamworth
  • Thursday 9 May St Francis Xavier School - Narrabri

Registration is due by Friday 5 April 2024. It is expected that at least one person from the school's administration will be present on this day. It is recommended that it be the main person who uses Compass particularly in the area of attendance. ACSO will fund a replacement for the day. Schools may send more administration staff if they wish but any replacement costs will need to be met by the school

Catholic Learning Online

The Catholic Learning Online group have an upcoming professional learning event focused on the new dashboard for ClickView for Primary. Registration is free and there are lots of new features to explore. Click here for the registration form.

Teacher Accreditation Fees

NESA has commenced a review of all actively accredited teachers in NSW who are yet to pay their 2024 teacher accreditation fees. 

 

CSO Armidale has been informed by NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) on 16 February 2024 that a number of teachers are still yet to pay their NESA fees.  

 

NESA is preparing for the suspension process, which will commence at the end of Term 1, 2024. To avoid suspension of accreditation, teachers are required to pay all outstanding fees before the end of Term 1, 2024.

 

Teachers whose accreditation is suspended cannot be employed as a teacher in a NSW school or service and will require Principals to act accordingly, which may include unpaid suspension or termination. 

 

Teachers can find further information at: Annual fee | NSW Education Standards

Working with Children Check (WWCC) renewals go digital

There are 2 ways to renew your Working with Children Check (WWCC), depending on how you choose to have your identification verified:

  • Online using face verification – instead of going into a Service NSW Centre to present your identity documents, you renew online and use your device to scan your face. The scan is matched with the photo used on your NSW Driver Licence or NSW Photo Card.
  • At a Service NSW Centre – you need to complete the Office of the Children's Guardian (OCG) renewal application form, then visit a service centre within 28 days to present the original version of your identity documents and pay your fee if required.

2024 Students as Authors Writing Competition

The 2024 Students As Authors Writing Competition is now open. Regina Menz will judge the competition this year, and the theme is Future Worlds. Schools can download a PDF copy of the promotional poster here, to print and circulate with school communities digitally. 

 

The competition is designed to give students an authentic purpose and audience for their writing and provide an opportunity to showcase the writing talents of our students through publication to SORA, the digital library. Please support students to enter their work via the QR code embedded in the promo poster. 

 

The competition will close June 14th.