Term 4 registrations are now due
Registration forms are here.
- Aurora Network: Friday 23rd October 1pm - 3.30pm
- Phase C Day 2: Wednesday 4th November 9am - 3pm Online
This event is tailored for Phase C schools but anyone is welcome to register and join us.
- Attention, motivation, memory and student achievement
- Three approaches to the 'Pulling it all Together' hour
- The science of reading in seven arguments
- Celebrating progress and recommitting to the Flare Framework
- Phase A Day 2: Friday 4th December 9am - 3pm Online
This event is tailored for Phase A schools but anyone is welcome to register and join us.
- Flare Framework - our commitment
- Reviewing the Principles and Elements of Structured Literacy
- Explicit Instruction - an introduction
- The 'Building Blocks' hour
- Planning Literacy
- Goal setting
Arrangements for the Term 4 Lighthouse Network will be made via email.
Adult knowledge and confidence surveys
A friendly reminder to our Phase B and Phase C schools that, as part of our ongoing partnership with La Trobe University, we need to ensure that all adult knowledge and confidence surveys are completed before the end of the year.
Thank you for supporting this important part of our work. These surveys help us build a clearer picture of the knowledge and confidence developed through Flare professional learning.
Who?
Any staff member who has participated in Flare professional learning during 2026, including whole-school PL days and online learning modules.
When?
Before the end of Term 4.
How?
To ensure the data we collect is meaningful and reliable, surveys need to be completed under test conditions, supervised by a literacy leader or Principal, in a meeting setting such as a staff meeting or PLT.
We ask that staff complete the surveys together in this supervised setting, rather than individually, and without referring to Google or previous Flare professional learning materials for answers. This helps us capture an authentic picture of staff knowledge and confidence.
The surveys generally take around 20 minutes to complete, so please allow time for this in an upcoming meeting. Survey links and instructions have been sent to literacy leaders. If you need your link sent again, please contact Emma Rutherford or Belinda Chiswell.
Thank you for your support and for helping us make this an important and valuable part of our ongoing improvement work.
Sold a Story - Season 2
Many of us were captivated by Emily Hanford’s Sold a Story, the podcast series that challenged long-held assumptions about how children learn to read and brought the evidence for effective reading instruction into sharp focus.
Now, in Season 2, Hanford turns her investigative lens to teaching itself. Sold a Story explores Direct Instruction: a teaching approach with a remarkable track record of success that nevertheless failed to gain widespread acceptance. Why? And what happens when deeply held beliefs about education take precedence over evidence?
Season 2 is now available on podcast platforms. If the first season challenged how you think about reading, the second invites us to question something even more fundamental: what makes teaching effective, and why don’t we always follow the evidence?
Be Digitally Wise Week (ongoing event)
Schools are encouraged to take part in Be Digitally Wise Week, a Catholic Network Australia (CNA) initiative offering free learning opportunities to support students to navigate the online world safely, confidently and responsibly. The program includes live and on-demand sessions for students from Foundation to Year 12. This event has already commenced last Monday, 19 October and still encouring schools to participate on this online event.
Sessions explore digital wellbeing, cyber safety and responsible technology use, providing a practical starting point for classroom learning and conversations across school communities.
Primary school sessions
- Foundation–Year 2: Ollie Online — live on 22 October.
- Years 3–4: Adventures Online — live on 22 October.
- Years 5–6: Tech Trailblazers — on demand.
Secondary school sessions — all on demand
- Year 7: Thriving Online
- Year 8: My Place in a Digital World
- Years 9–12: Your Digital Future
On-demand sessions are available during Be Digitally Wise Week, allowing schools to choose a time that suits their classes.
To explore the opportunities available, please click on the link Explore the program and register through the CNA website.
Upcoming DOBCEL AI Webinars – Practical AI for Schools
Join us for two timely and practical webinars exploring how AI can support teaching, learning, assessment and planning. Both sessions are aligned with the DOBCEL AI Guidance and Position, focusing on safe, ethical and purposeful AI use in schools.
Webinar 1: Assessment and Reporting with AI
Explore how AI can support assessment design, feedback and report writing, while rethinking how we capture authentic student learning. Discover practical strategies that save time while keeping teacher judgement and student privacy central.
Webinar details
- Date: Thursday, 5 November 2026
- Time: 3:45 pm – 4:30 pm
- Location: Online via Microsoft Teams
- Registration: Register here
Webinar 2: Planning for 2027
Discover practical ways to use AI for curriculum planning, differentiation, lesson design and resource creation. Walk away with useful prompts and strategies to support your planning for 2027.
Webinar details
- Date: Wednesday 2nd December 2026
- Time: 3:45 pm – 4:30 pm
- Location: Online via Microsoft Teams
- Registration: Register here
Both webinars will provide practical strategies, examples and ideas that educators can take directly into their classrooms and schools.
Join as an individual or as a school using your school assisted email address. Both sessions will be recorded if you are unable to attend live, please register to receive the recording after each session.
DOBCEL Early Career Teacher sessions Term 4
1st Year Early Career Teachers
📆 Date: Wednesday, 11 November 2026
⏰ Time: 2:15pm – 3:15pm
💰FREE
📍Online (link will be provided once registered)
Click here to register.
2nd/3rd Year Early Career Teachers
📆 Date: Monday, 26 November 2026
⏰ Time: 2:15pm - 3:15pm
💰FREE
📍Online (link will be provided once registered)
Click here to register.
The purpose of the Term 4 sessions for both the first year and second / third year cohorts is to provide an opportunity to reflect on and celebrate the year, while strengthening connections with fellow early career teachers through networking and collaboration.
We will also continue our focus on educator wellbeing through sessions delivered in partnership with Be You, the national mental health and wellbeing initiative led by Beyond Blue.
Please contact Julie Cooper or James Murphy for more information.
Expression of interest – Sounds-Write training
Siena Catholic Primary School is offering a 4-day training program in Sounds-Write, a highly effective Structured Synthetic Phonics program. This training will equip educators with the skills and knowledge to implement a research-based approach to teaching reading and spelling. There will be both a focus on F-2 training.
Sounds-Write facilitator: Jacinda Vaughan
Training dates: 8, 9, (10- real time teaching day across the school observation) 11 and 12 February 2027. Wednesday is a training free day - no payment required. The reason being is so that we can provide staff with a brain break in what is an intensive training schedule.
Location: Siena Catholic Primary School, 150 Eleanor Dr, Lucas
Cost: $1,089 for the program plus catering $80, across the four days of training.
We invite expressions of interest from all who are keen to attend by registering via the link and adding names/ contact details to the Registration Document. To express your interest or have any questions answered, please contact principal@slucas.catholic.edu.au.
Amplify 2027 subscription arrangements
Primary schools will soon receive communication from DOBCEL and Joel Westly regarding Amplify subscriptions for 2027. Amplify is a curriculum-aligned performing arts platform supporting the delivery of music, dance and drama through high-quality, ready-to-teach resources.
For schools currently participating, subscriptions will automatically renew for 2027 unless schools choose to opt out. Principals wishing to discontinue their subscription are asked to notify DOBCEL by Friday 13 November 2026.
Schools not currently using Amplify are encouraged to review the information provided and consider joining the diocesan purchasing arrangement, which provides access to negotiated pricing and a growing network of participating schools.
This partnership supports the aspirations of DOBCEL Strategy 2035 by strengthening learning opportunities and helping schools create the conditions for every student to flourish.
For further information, please contact Joe Ewing, Leader: Learning and Teaching: jewing@dobcel.catholic.edu.au
2026 Outstanding VCE Vocational Major Student Awards
Nominations are now open for the Outstanding VCE VM Student Awards category within the VCE Premier’s VCE Awards. These awards recognise the achievement of high-performing young people who complete the VCE VM in 2026.
Up to 8 Outstanding VCE VM Student Awards will be awarded at the 2026 Premier’s VCE Awards.
Suitable candidates for awards in this category will complete the VCE VM in 2026, having:
- demonstrated excellence in their VCE VM programs
- shown growth in their demonstration of employability skills
- meaningfully explored and pursued their pathway options
- made a positive impact within their community.
Nominations close Tuesday 1 December. For further information and to nominate a VCE VM Student please go to VCE Premier's Awards
Content submitted by Carmel Clarke, Education Officer: Applied & Vocational Learning
Email cclarke@dobcel.catholic.edu.au