Diocese of Ballarat Catholic Education Limited (DOBCEL’s) work in system-wide school improvement will be showcased on the international stage this month.
The organisation’s extensive work across the Diocese of Ballarat, which spans just under half the state, has been recognised as groundbreaking, with two papers submitted by DOBCEL accepted for presentation at the European Conference on Educational Research in Finland.
DOBCEL Executive Director Tom Sexton, Anne Pekin DOBCEL Board Director, Strategy Implementation Manager Julia Petrov, Emily Clarke, Principal of St Alipius Primary School, Ballarat East, and Ben Shields, Principal of St Patrick’s Primary School, Ballarat, will attend the conference in August as part of a broader international professional learning tour.
The European Conference on Educational Research attracts significant international interest, with around 4,800 papers submitted and approximately 200 accepted. DOBCEL submitted two papers, both of which were reviewed and accepted.
As part of the Finland learning tour the delegation has been invited to participate in the Leading the Future of Learning Together Summit in Turku from 16 to 17 August, before attending the European Conference on Educational Research at Tampere University from 18 to 21 August during which time they will leading a session on the Collaborative Innovation Research Prototypes for international educational colleagues. The summit brings together a small group of system education system leaders from across the globe.
As part of the conference and summit program, papers will be presented and discussed through a panel opportunity, enabling DOBCEL to share insights from Strategy 2035, test ideas with international colleagues and contribute to the development of an emerging global network focused on education system transformation.
The delegation will spend a number of days immersed in a variety of Finnish schools to better understand the Finnish educational system practices and professional programs.
DOBCEL Strategy 2035 sets a vision for Catholic schools across the Diocese to pursue fullness of life for all and work towards a high performing system of Catholic schools, with a focus on collaborative cultures, engagement and belonging, rich pedagogical practices for deeper learning and wellbeing and sustainable stewardship.
Mr Sexton said the acceptance of both papers was an important acknowledgement of the work being led across DOBCEL schools.
“Our Strategy 2035 work is shaping the future of learning in our own system and contributing to global conversations about how education can respond to a rapidly changing world,” Mr Sexton said.
He said the opportunity reflected the collective efforts of school and system leaders, staff, students and communities who helped shape Strategy 2035 and are now beginning the implementation work to bring it to life across the Diocese.
“These are shared challenges and opportunities for education systems around the world, and we are pleased to contribute what we are learning across the Diocese of Ballarat.”
Emily Clarke and Ben Shields were selected through an Expression of Interest process, ensuring the voice and experience of school leaders are represented in the international learning opportunity.
“Having Emily and Ben join the delegation ensures our learning is grounded in school experience and connected directly to the work taking place with students, staff and communities,” Mr Sexton said.
“This is about learning from others, sharing what we are learning and contributing to something bigger than ourselves,” Mr Sexton said.
DOBCEL Strategy 2035 was developed through an extensive co-design process involving teachers, school leaders, non-teaching staff, students, parents and Catholic Education Ballarat staff.