The CI&M team offer one hour online professional learning sessions for those who work across DOBCEL. They are intended to give short, but in depth, dips into various topics of interest across Catholic Identity. All who work in our schools are welcome to attend. Those who need to maintain accreditation to teach or lead RE will be able to apply for one hour towards this via TAP.
Next week we are joined again for our RSE and RRRR session by a special guest from Jesuit Social Services. All RE teachers as well as any other teachers involved in the teaching or administration of RSE and RRRR are encouraged to attend. Further information may be found in the newsletter. Thursday, 3 September 2026 (3:45pm-4:45pm). The meeting link is in the PDF below.
Our final session for the term is on Thursday, 10 September 2026 and the focus is on Sacramentality in Poetry. The first session of this kind was fantastic and we are looking forward to the second session, focusing this time on the poetry of Gerard Manley Hopkins. The meeting link is in the PDF below.
Building Capacity: Contextualising RRRR teaching and learning material to implement in Catholic schools
The VCEA is offering the opportunity for key staff involved in leading Respectful Relationships to attend a professional learning workshop to confidently implement Respectful Relationships curriculum so that it is aligned with Catholic teachings and identity.
The day will be facilitated by the Catholic relationships and sexuality education consultant Caitlin Humphrys. The details are:
Date: 8 September 2026
Venue: Red Lion
Registration: Via Trybooking: https://www.trybooking.com/DHQZS
Cost: Covered by VCEA
This will only be offered face-to-face.
Adolescent Man Box workshops for Terms 3 & 4
The Adolescent Man Box is an Australian study by Jesuit Social Services. The research examines issues including mental health, relationships, gender attitudes, and wellbeing. This professional learning opportunity aims to support schools in delivering the mandated respectful relationships curriculum. (Source: https://jss.org.au/programs/the-adolescent-man-box/)
The first two online sessions have been really well supported by the schools in this Diocese. This introductory session set the groundwork for what will be a wonderful four sessions over this term and Term 4.
The online workshops are facilitated by team members from the Jesuit Social Services and will be:
- Unpacking the Man Box by building awareness through conversations and self-reflection
- Exploring the Adolescent Man Box pressures and age-appropriate insights
- Promoting healthier alternatives
- Bystander and responding to individuals
- Implementing strategies to manage resistance and backlash
- Whole school approach to healthy masculinities within Respectful Relationships
- Discuss the work of Respectful Relationships the connection between Catholic social teachings
Each session will begin at 3:30pm with prayer with the PD beginning at 3.45pm.
The remaining three sessions are:
- Term 3, Week 8 – Thursday 3 September, 3:30pm–4:30pm
- Term 4, Week 1 – Thursday 8 October, 3:30pm–4:30pm
- Term 4, Week 3 – Thursday 22 October, 3:30pm–4:30pm
Each session will be allocated a TAP number for accreditation purposes. Attendance will be recorded at each session if you wish to claim the accreditation hours.
Season of Creation Mass 2026: Living Waters
On Friday 21 August 2026, St Joseph’s Primary School, Red Cliffs, joined parishioners from St Joseph the Worker Church and Sunraysia Parish to celebrate the Ballarat Diocesan Social Justice Commission’s Season of Creation Mass. Presided by Bishop Mark Freeman and Father Bill Lowry, the beautiful liturgy focused on the gift of life-giving, nourishing, and living water.
The global Season of Creation runs from 1 September 2026, which marks the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, through to 4 October 2026, the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, uniting Christians in prayer and action to protect our common home. This early Diocesan mass offered an inspiring launch for local celebrations.
In his homily, Bishop Mark reminded us that water is a sacred gift from God, providing nourishment, habitat, enjoyment, and life across our diocese—stretching "from the Murray to the sea!" He encouraged everyone to honour this divine blessing by using water wisely and mindfully in daily life, recognizing that our well-being is permanently interwoven with the health of the earth.
The gathering also marked a major milestone as the school community celebrated the retirement of beloved leader Janice Divola. Janice concluded an incredible 40-year tenure at St Joseph’s, serving with great distinction as both Religious Education Leader, Learning Diversity Leader and Wellbeing Leader. The deep community affection was evident in heartfelt speeches from the youngest students to past staff. While she will be missed immensely, we wish Janice every happiness in her well-deserved retirement.
The Ballarat Diocesan Social Justice Commission extends its heartfelt thanks to the Red Cliffs and Sunraysia communities for their exceptionally warm hospitality. In particular, we thank Naomi Kennedy, principal of St Joseph’s Primary School, and her wonderful team of staff and students who brought this momentous celebration to life.
Watch online & looking ahead
- Watch the replay: If you missed the live broadcast, the recording is available via the Diocesan website here.
- Save the date for 2027: Next year's mass will be held centrally in the Ballarat area. Central zone schools and parishes are encouraged to note this in their Term 3 calendars, as we hope to have many student and staff representatives join us in person for mass and a picnic to follow. Official dates will be shared soon.
- Share your stories: Please share your own school community's Season of Creation celebrations and events throughout the coming weeks!
[Photos sourced from the Facebook post of St Joseph's Primary School, Red Cliffs]
Invitation to webinar: Living the Gospel in Times of Social Division
The Ballarat Diocesan Social Justice Commission warmly invites members of the diocesan community to join a reflection evening on the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference's Social Justice Statement, Living the Gospel in Times of Social Division, on Thursday, 12 November 2026, from 6.30pm to 8pm.
This reflection evening will explore the themes of the second Social Justice Statement released this year and provide an opportunity to reflect on how the Gospel calls us to respond with compassion, understanding, and hope in an increasingly divided world.
The event is open to everyone across the Diocese of Ballarat. Teachers in Catholic schools may also receive TAP accreditation for attending.
For further information and registration details, visit: https://socialjustice.catholic.org.au/
