The recent Finland study tour was a valuable opportunity to learn more about the Finnish education system and exchange ideas with international colleagues. Our touring party included principals Emily Clarke and Ben Shields, Board Director Anne Pekin, CEB Strategy Implementation Manager Julia Petrov and myself. At the Educating for the Future Summit in Turku, we participated in discussions and presentations with educators from Finland, Norway, Denmark and Canada.

At the European Conference on Educational Research in Tampere, I participated in an international panel on system improvement and presented with Dave Runge on aspects of the DOBCEL Strategy 2035. We also connected with educators from around the world, including William Doyle, co-author with Pasi Sahlberg of Let the Children Play.

The tour provided valuable affirmation of the direction of DOBCEL Strategy 2035. In particular, our three practical principles of Deeper Collaboration, Networked Local Innovation, and Collective Autonomy and Agency continue to provide a strong foundation as we work towards becoming a high-performing system of Catholic schools.

At tomorrow’s Week 8 Diocesan Leadership Gathering, held via videoconference from 10am to 12pm, I will share further reflections from the Finland study tour. Dr Jean Stiles will also lead a discussion on student agency, alongside updates on the EBA, 2027 budgets and other operational matters.

This week’s newsletter also highlights collaboration across our schools and teams. This includes our latest podcast exploring collaboration in practice, the FLARE Primary Literacy professional learning event involving more than 200 educators from eight Catholic primary schools, and recognition of the contribution of our Diocesan Speech Pathology team as part of Speech Pathology Week.

Finally, I thank Megan Ioannou for acting in the Executive Director role during my absence. Megan is now on long service leave until 9 October, and we wish her well for her travels.

With best wishes,
Tom Sexton
Executive Director

A Reflection for Father’s Day 2026

“There is a great line in the movie Gladiator, when Russell Crowe’s character Maximus is being given the keys to the gladiators’ cells by Proximo, the gladiator master. As Proximo hands them over Maximus says to him, ‘Are you in danger of becoming a good man?’

Is this not the question for our times?

We need good men and we know exactly what they look like and how they act. They are our brothers, fathers and husbands, sons and students, men from all walks of life who believe in service for others, in integrity and truth, in dignity and justice. They are the men who stand up and are counted; the men who are not afraid to show their emotions, men whose hearts can be soft and strong, men who love and respect the women in their lives.

There have been great men who have not been good men – those who have cared more for status and reputation and how these gild their way in the world. There have also been good men who have been great because they worked indefatigably for the common good, putting their talents into service for the betterment of others.

For too many years some young men have been subjected to a masculinity that is not so good. They have been taught from an early age to compete, not to show emotion, to compress themselves into a shape determined by cultural conditioning. They have battled each other to become the alpha male, the dominant leader, the one with influence and command. They have been told to harden up, and that part of surviving bullying is to become a bully. They have been aided and abetted by the misogynistic manosphere.

Fortunately, we are now seeing change. We know that boys need fathers or father figures or male teachers or uncles or coaches who will show them how to be a good man. They need role models, men who inspire them to an independence of personhood that blooms in its balanced and healthy masculinity.

We cannot go past Jesus of Nazareth if we are to look at a manhood that did not need power and bluster and big biceps. Jesus loved his mother Mary, was not afraid to pray or weep, spoke words of power gently, led with quiet authority, and moved comfortably among people from all walks of life. His preaching was about love and forgiveness and faithfulness to God. His message was one of inclusion, in which each person had an inalienable dignity. He spoke out over the rigidity and hypocrisy upsetting the religious hierarchy. He knew righteous anger in the Temple when he saw it desecrated as a marketplace. He wined and dined with his friends and healed men and women alike. He was not afraid to be vulnerable, and he knew the cost of fulfilling his destiny.

I look at the good men in my life; my husband, my son-in-law, my rock’n’rollin’ brother who is generous and welcoming, my quieter brother who is always on call to help, my old school friends who can still make me laugh at the silliest things, my newer friends who open my eyes to the world. And of course, my father, the first man in my life, with his deep anchor of faith and his love of jazz and liquorice.

And we have seen the best of men over these past months; the first responders at Bondi, the CFA volunteers, the friends and neighbours and strangers helping each other in flood and fire. I witness grace and gentleness when I see male carers at the local pool immersing wheelchair-bound youngsters into the water. Good men are not afraid to be kind.”

Robbie Williams sums things up in his song, ‘Better Man’: “As my soul heals the shame I will grow through this pain Lord, I'm doing all I can To be a better man.”

Ann Rennie: Australian Catholics Magazine July 2026

A Blessing Prayer for Father’s Day

God of kindness and compassion,
We give honour and thanks to those who reflect your example:
those who are dads and grandads;
stepdads, foster dads, godfathers and fathers-in-law;
those who are coaches, leaders and mentors;
and those who are elders and wisdom-men of our communities.
We look to these men for strength of body and strength of character.
We look to them to pass on skills and pass on stories.
We look to them to protect and provide.
We look to them for care and compassion.
We look to them to be co-creators and stewards of the world.
For all those who embrace their role as father, we give thanks.
For those who struggle with being fathers, give them strength.
For those who are distanced from their children, give them comfort.
For those who have passed from this world, give them peace.
Bless these men that we call father.
Bless them in their strength and in their weakness.
Bless them in their joy and in their sorrow.
Bless them in their work and in their play.
And bless them for being fathers.
We make this prayer through the one who taught us all how to love.
Your son, our friend, Jesus Christ.

Amen

Source: Liturgy Help.com

Today, we keep the people of Nepal and Tibet in our hearts and prayers. As members of a Catholic school community, we are called to show compassion and support for those facing hardship. 

Alongside our prayers, we invite families and school communities to consider supporting the work of Caritas Australia in helping vulnerable communities through the following link: www.caritas.org.au/nepal.  

May our prayers and actions bring hope to those most in need.

God of Compassion, we lift up the people of Nepal and Tibet to you 
during this time of tragedy and sorrow.
Comfort those who have lost their loved ones, their homes, and their sense of security. 
Grant eternal rest to those who have passed away, and give strength and 
healing to the injured, the grieving, and the missing.
God of Mercy, we pray for the emergency personnel, medical workers, 
and rescue volunteers working tirelessly in dangerous terrain. 
Give them courage, wisdom, and protection as they serve others.
Provide shelter for the displaced and hope to those who feel hopeless.
Remind all those affected that they are not alone in their suffering.
We place everyone affected into your loving and merciful hands.
Amen.

Podcast Season 3 Episode 5: STEM MAD - Collaboration in action

What happens when students are given the freedom to identify a problem, imagine a solution and create something that could genuinely make a difference?

At DOBCEL’s recent STEM MAD event at Damascus College, more than 300 students came together to share, collaborate and showcase their ideas – but what stood out wasn’t simply the quality of their innovation. It was the purpose behind it. Again and again, these young innovators demonstrated that they weren’t creating for the sake of creating; they were looking at the world around them and asking how they could make it better.

In this week’s podcast episode, Paula Doran sits down with Nathan Jeffrey of Emmaus Catholic Primary School and Melissa Wood of St Columba's Primary School, two of the driving forces behind the collaboration that brought STEM MAD to life. We unpack the journey from an idea to an event involving hundreds of students, and hear what they discovered along the way as they worked alongside their student innovators.

Listen to our latest episode here: dobcel.captivate.fm  

St Mary's Primary School Clarkes Hill welcomes the Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour

Staff, students, families and the wider school community at St Mary's Primary School Clarkes Hill were delighted to host a special visit from the 2026 Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour, featuring Australia's most famous sporting trophy and racing legend Damien Oliver.

The school was honoured to be selected as one of the tour destinations, providing students with a rare opportunity to see the iconic Lexus Melbourne Cup up close. Valued at approximately $1 million and crafted from 18-carat gold, the Melbourne Cup is one of Australia's most recognised sporting trophies and a symbol of excellence, determination and achievement.

The visitors were warmly welcomed by Principal Clare Scanlon, alongside staff, students, parents and community members. The event commenced with a series of videos showcasing the rich history of the Melbourne Cup and highlighting the remarkable career of Damien Oliver.

Widely regarded as one of Australia's greatest jockeys, Damien Oliver is a three-time Melbourne Cup-winning jockey, having claimed victories aboard Doriemus (1995), Media Puzzle (2002) and Fiorente (2013). He was inducted into the Australian Racing Hall of Fame and is celebrated for his outstanding contribution to Australian racing over a career spanning more than three decades.

Students were captivated by Damien's inspiring stories, which highlighted the importance of perseverance, dedication and following one's dreams. They were also given the opportunity to ask questions about his career, favourite racing memories and what it takes to succeed at the highest level of sport.

One of the highlights of the day was the chance for students and staff to hold the Melbourne Cup and have photographs taken with the prestigious trophy. The excitement continued when students challenged Damien to a friendly race around the school playground, creating plenty of laughter and memorable moments.

The Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour is a community engagement initiative of the Victoria Racing Club (VRC). Since its launch in 2003, the tour has taken the famous trophy to hundreds of communities across Australia and around the world, allowing people to experience the excitement and heritage of the Melbourne Cup firsthand. The program aims to connect communities, inspire young people, celebrate local stories and support charitable and community initiatives through various engagement activities.

The visit was a memorable experience for everyone at St Mary's Primary School Clarkes Hill and a wonderful opportunity to be part of a celebrated Australian tradition.

Building belonging through student-led lunchtime clubs

This year, as part of the 'DOBCEL Strategy 2035', four of our students have been taking part in an action research project as part of the Schools that Listen initiative.

After surveying the Years 3-6 students to find out what was important to them, the students settled on the question: 'If we had more clubs at lunchtimes in Term 3, would this build the Years 3-6 students’ sense of belonging?' The clubs that were introduced were Pokémon Club, Chess Club, Lego Club and Crochet/Knitting/Art club. These clubs have been running for most of the term and have averaged about 12 -15 students at each club. Our intrepid investigators asked the students for feedback this week about how they thought the clubs were going:

Are you enjoying the club?

• Art - yes, we like drawing and being with friends. 
• Knitting/Crochet - Yes, the school is providing the wool and it is calming to be inside with friends. 
• Pokémon - Yes! We have enjoyed the colouring sheets and looking at our Pokémon cards and books with friends. 
• Lego - Yes because we love to build stuff with Lego. Chess - Yes, it's good to be able to come inside and play chess with other people. 

When the students in all the clubs were asked if they would like to see the clubs continue, it was a resounding yes from all! Sounds like they have been a success. This week, the Years 1/2 students also joined in the fun, which they were very excited about.

Next term, our four students will attend a Showcase Day, along with many other primary schools in our Diocese, where they will share our project and how it has gone. We look forward to sharing more about this in Term 4. Below are some photos of the students enjoying the range of clubs on offer.

[Content and Photos shared by Tanya Stevens, Deputy Principal of St Mary's Primary School, Hamilton]

Building Strong Maths Skills Across Our Schools

At St Joseph’s in Charlton, the Foundation and Year 1 students have been recognising and adding Australian coins to investigate how much items cost, with a favourite purchase being ice cream! 

On the otherhand, students at Sacred Heart Mildura have been improving their fact fluency during their Explicit Maths Program (EMP) lessons.They’ve been working on answering addition and subtraction problems with increased speed and accuracy, with teachers noting an improvement in the number of correct answers in two minutes since the beginning of the year.

[Content and photos shared by Fiona Hudson, Education Officer of DOBCEL]

Book Week celebrations at St Mary's Primary School Warracknabeal and St James' Parish School Sebastopol

Students and staff had a fabulous Friday at St Mary’s Warracknabeal celebrating the 2026 Book Week with the theme "A Symphony of Stories." The entire school dressed in costumes representing a wide variety of stories with staff becoming the 'symphony' in music notes. All the students then gathered in the library area to listen to a short listed book of the year; Tiwi in Paris. by Glen Farmer Illortaminni. After the story, students were mixed into groups to make and decorate a felt suitcase. There was lovely energy throughout the day  as students and staff worked together, having some fun and celebrating Book Week.

[Content and photos shared by Julie Leonard, Principal at St Mary's Primary School Warracknabeal]

On the other hand, at St James’ Parish School, Book Week is all about the magic of books, stories and the joy of reading. Rather than a traditional dress-up day, we have intentionally created a more inclusive and accessible celebration that keeps the focus where it belongs, on discovering stories, meeting authors and sharing the pleasure of reading together.

Our wonderful Community Team has been busy creating a week full of engaging experiences for students. Across the school, students explored new authors, discovered different stories, and enjoyed reading together through special story time sessions with parents, grandparents, and special people, author studies, shared reading experiences, and a whole-school read. These experiences provided opportunities for students across all year levels to connect through a shared love of books.

Of course, that didn’t mean we couldn’t have a little fun with the Book Week spirit! You may have spotted our Principal embracing his inner caterpillar, much to the delight of the students. It was a playful reminder of the imagination and creativity that stories can spark.

A highlight of the week was our whole-school Book Swap, allowing students to share a much-loved book and discover something new to take home and enjoy.

A huge thank you to our Community Team for the thought, creativity and time that went into bringing Book Week to life. It was a wonderful week of stories, imagination, connection and a shared celebration of reading across our school community.

Watch some of the highlights of their Book Week activities on this link.

[Content and photos shared by Viv Mcloughlin, Deputy Principal at St James' Parish School]

❤️ Jump Rope for Heart – jumping for healthy hearts!

At St James Parish School Sebastopol, we are excited to once again participate in Jump Rope for Heart, a fantastic initiative that encourages our students to get active, have fun, and learn about the importance of keeping their hearts healthy.

Throughout the program, students will have opportunities to practise their skipping skills, challenge themselves to learn new tricks and enjoy being active alongside their friends. From first-time skippers to our skipping superstars, everyone can get involved!

Jump Rope for Heart is about much more than skipping. It helps students understand how regular physical activity supports a healthy heart, healthy body and healthy mind, while also raising awareness and funds for the important work of the Heart Foundation.

We look forward to seeing plenty of skipping, laughter and determination across the school as our students jump, move and work together for healthier hearts! ❤️

[Content and photos shared by Viv Mcloughlin, Deputy Principal at St James' Parish School]

St Patrick’s College in Ballarat strengthens commitment to wellbeing and community

St Patrick’s College continues to find meaningful ways to support student wellbeing and foster a strong sense of community. Recently, the school unveiled a Blue Tree in its front gardens as a lasting tribute to former student Rohan Cosgriff and as a powerful reminder that no one stands alone. The Blue Tree Project is a recognised mental health awareness initiative that encourages conversations about wellbeing and reminds young people that support is always available. The project was championed by student leaders and reflects the school's ongoing commitment to caring for the whole person.

The school is also looking ahead with excitement to the return of its popular Break the Cycle initiative in 2026, with plans for the event to be bigger and better than ever. The program continues to bring students and the wider community together in support of important causes, highlighting the spirit of service, connection and compassion that is central to life at St Patrick’s College. 

Together, these initiatives demonstrate how St Patrick’s College is building a culture where wellbeing, belonging and community engagement remain at the heart of the student experience.

Photos sourced from article links below: 
SPC unveils Blue Tree as reminder that no one stands alone
Break the Cycle bigger and better in 2026 | News | St Patrick's College

[Content shared by Jo McKee, Executive Assistant to the Principal of St Patrick's College, Ballarat]

St Patrick’s School Nhill teacher receives National AFL Award for Championing Inclusion

Congratulations is extended to Nhill's St Patrick's School teacher, Mrs Tracey Bell, who has received national recognition for her outstanding contribution to inclusion in community sport, having been named the AFL National Diversity Ambassador of the Year for 2026.

For more than a decade, Tracey has played an important role in building a strong and lasting connection between the Nhill Tigers and Nhill’s Karen (Myanmar) refugee community, whose first families began arriving in the town in 2012.

Tracey has helped dozens of junior players and families from culturally diverse backgrounds, become part of a thriving local sporting club.

Her support has extended well beyond the football field. Tracey has assisted families with PlayHQ registrations and helped ensure young players can attend away games, whether by driving them herself or coordinating transport with other club families.

Today, culturally diverse players make up close to half of some Nhill junior teams — a wonderful reflection of how sport can bring a community together. Tracey’s work has also made an important contribution to the sustainability of the Tigers’ junior program, particularly during periods when the club had lost junior grades and was facing discussions about potential mergers.

Tracey has supported many young players throughout their entire junior football journey, serving as team manager as they progressed from Under 12s through to Under 17s.  

The national honour is fitting recognition of Tracey’s many years of dedicated service to the Nhill Tigers, its players and families, and the wider Nhill community. 

As the 2026 national award recipient, Mrs Bell will receive a ticket to the Toyota AFL Grand Final, an invitation to the official welcome dinner, three nights’ accommodation in Melbourne, attendance at the AFL Grand Final Parade and a $250 prepaid EFTPOS voucher. 

Mrs Bell is also heavily involved in netball and basketball. Mrs Bell (centre, back row) is pictured here with some of the young footballers and netballers.

This announcement comes in the same month that fellow St Patrick's School staff member, Mary Dagleish, was recognised by School Sport Australia for her ten years of service to the SSA Australian Football Championships.  Mary is the National Umpires Coordinator.

[Content and photo shared by Kingsley Dalgleish, Principal at St Patrick's School Nhill]

Ben Van de Camp is an experienced and highly respected Catholic primary school leader who currently serves as Principal of St John’s Primary School, Dennington. Known for his steady leadership, relational approach and deep commitment to Ballarat Diocese Catholic education, Ben has made a significant contribution to strengthening principal voice and professional collaboration across Victoria. 

In 2026, Ben was appointed Deputy President of the Victorian Association of Catholic Primary School Principals (VACPSP).  His appointment reflects both his strong reputation among colleagues and the Association’s commitment to ensuring balanced representation from metropolitan and regional communities. Ben brings to the role a thoughtful, solutions‑focused mindset and a genuine dedication to supporting principal wellbeing, advocacy and system improvement. 

Throughout his career, Ben has demonstrated a consistent focus on building thriving school cultures, nurturing staff leadership, and ensuring high‑quality learning environments for students. His work in Dennington is widely recognised for its community engagement, stability and clarity of purpose. 

Ben’s leadership is characterised by integrity, calm professionalism and a deep respect for the vocation of Catholic school leadership. His contribution to VACPSP strengthens the Association’s capacity to serve principals across the state with wisdom, unity and a strong collective voice.

Watch the short video below from VACPSP:

Last week, Speech Pathology Week gave us an opportunity to recognise and celebrate the talented team of professionals supporting students, educators and school communities across the Diocese every day.

At DOBCEL, speech pathology has become an increasingly important part of supporting learning, wellbeing and inclusion. Our Diocesan Speech Pathology team works alongside teachers, school leaders, families and other specialists to support students across speech, oral language, literacy and social communication – helping young people participate more fully and confidently in their learning and school life.

Among the team is Senior Speech Pathologist Robyn Cranage, whose remarkable 28 years working within Catholic education in the Diocese provide a unique perspective on just how much the profession has evolved. What was once commonly understood primarily as support for speech and articulation now encompasses a much broader understanding of the relationship between communication, learning, relationships, wellbeing and belonging.

The importance of this work continues to grow. Speech Pathology Australia reports that one in four Australian children are not developmentally on track with their communication skills when they start school. Within an educational environment, communication difficulties can affect everything from literacy and classroom participation to friendships, confidence and a student's capacity to express what they know, need and feel.

Our team responds not only through direct support for students, but through collaboration and capability-building within our schools. By working alongside educators, speech pathologists help create classrooms and learning environments that recognise different communication needs and provide more students with the opportunity to participate and succeed.

As Speech Pathology Week concluded, we were reminded that communication is not an addition to learning – it is fundamental to learning, belonging and participation.

We thank Robyn and every member of our Diocesan Speech Pathology team for the expertise, commitment and care they bring to communities right across the Diocese. Their work helps our students communicate, connect and participate – and, importantly, ensures more young people have the opportunity to find their voice and be heard.

See our Speech Pathology Week celebration on DOBCEL's social media channels. 

Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram

The CI&M team is offering 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. 

• This week, Thursday 3 September 2026, 3:45pm-4:45pm, we are joined again for our RSE and RRRR session by a special guest from Jesuit Social Services. All are welcome, particularly those involved in the teaching or administration of RSE and RRRR. 
• 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.

Please refer to the attached document below for the meeting links.

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: Sovereign Park Motor Inn, Golden Point VIC
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.  

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/

Pre-Service teacher professional learning program for Secondary Sector

The PST Professional Learning program is now live.

Secondary Principals are asked to share details on the program with eligible ITE students, including PSTs completing placements in your school. These details include: Program Guidelines – application link.

VCEA - Accreditable professional learning for pre-service

Catholic Theological College invites you to attend EYF Online Presentation Series

This series features nine standalone online sessions presented by CTC academic staff, exploring a range of engaging themes and topics relevant to educators.

These sessions provide an excellent professional learning opportunity for school staff at all stages of their careers to discover the diverse study and formation pathways available through CTC.

For more information, please refer to the attached flyer or visit the CTC website.

Interested participants can register via Humanitix.

People and Development - professional learning opportunities - Term 3 and Term 4

The following people and development professional learning opportunities are available for staff to attend:

Professional Learning Opportunity 

Crucial Conversations- DOBCEL facilitated

For more information, please contact Emma Baldwin

R U OK? Day is Thursday 10 September 2026 and is the National Day of Action, providing an ideal opportunity to engage staff and the wider school community with the values of R U OK?

A conversation could change a life.

Learn more about the 4 steps of a RU OK ? conversation

Here are some resources you may like to access for R U OK Day:

Resources for Work
Primary School Resources
Secondary School Resources

Congratulations to Sarah Siakew on presenting at ResearchED Canberra 2026

CEB Learning & Teaching Education Officer, Sarah Siakew, recently presented her research entitled "Exploring what makes explicit instruction successful" at the ResearchED Canberra 2026, showcasing findings from her doctoral research at La Trobe University on the factors that support and hinder the successful implementation of explicit instruction.

Sarah's presentation explored the persistent gap between educational research and classroom practice through the lens of explicit instruction. Drawing on emerging findings, Sarah highlighted four key areas that influence implementation success: leadership and system conditions, organisational culture, teacher knowledge and professional learning, and beliefs about teaching and learning.

The session provided practical insights into what supports sustained high-quality implementation, the challenges that can hinder progress, and the implications for school and system leaders. The research reinforces the importance of creating the conditions that enable evidence-informed practices to be embedded consistently and effectively, ultimately improving outcomes for all learners.

Sarah's work contributes valuable thinking for schools and systems seeking to translate research into meaningful and lasting classroom practice.

Be Digitally Wise Week 2026

Catholic Network Australia is excited to launch Be Digitally Wise Week 2026, a national initiative designed to help students build the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to be safe, responsible and respectful digital citizens.

Running from Monday 19 October 2026 to Friday 23 October 2026 as part of Cyber Security Awareness Month, the week offers a range of free live virtual incursions and on-demand learning experiences for students from Foundation to Year 12. Each session is tailored to different age groups and focuses on key topics including online safety, digital wellbeing and responsible participation in the digital world.

This is a valuable opportunity for schools to strengthen digital literacy and cyber safety learning while engaging students in meaningful conversations about navigating the online environment safely and positively.

Schools are encouraged to explore the Be Digitally Wise Week Booklet, which includes program details, session information, year levels and registration links.

👉 Learn more, register, and access promotional resources for your school community.
 

Victorian Academy of Teaching and Leadership - Teaching Excellence Program – applications open 

Applications are open for the fully subsidised 2027 Teaching Excellence Program. This 12-month program connects skilled teachers with like-minded colleagues and experts to explore evidence-informed practice and enhance student outcomes. 

Teachers with at least three years’ experience are encouraged to learn more and apply. Principal endorsement is required. 

Want to know more? Please see the Teacher Excellence Program Webpage or contact Fiona Murphy 

Transition to Adaptive PAT Mathematics and Reading Assessments

ACER's advice regarding the use of PAT Mathematics and Reading assessments has evolved. While linear assessments were previously recommended for annual summative purposes, ACER now advises that adaptive testing provides sufficient precision and reliability to serve as the primary method for assessing student achievement in these learning areas. In response to this advice, and to strengthen consistency in assessment practices across DOBCEL schools, we will move towards a fully adaptive testing environment for PAT Mathematics and Reading.

Adaptive testing provides a more precise measure of student achievement and supports a more consistent assessment experience across the year. Schools should be aware that some variation in results may be evident during the transition period, particularly where comparisons are being made between adaptive and linear testing methodologies. These differences are expected to reflect improvements in measurement precision rather than changes in student learning and should be interpreted alongside other assessment evidence, teacher judgement, and curriculum-based measures.

Schools already familiar with adaptive testing are encouraged to extend its use into their Term 4 assessment cycle. Schools less familiar with adaptive testing are encouraged to engage with the learning opportunities, implementation guidance, and supporting resources that will be provided as part of the transition.

PAT Resources on he DOBCEL Schools Hub

As you and your teams prepare for the administration of PAT at the start of term 4 this is a reminder that in the DOBCEL Schools Hub you will find a series of previous webinars which will explain the available resources for administration, tools for recording the data and analysis of the data.

If you have any queries, please contact:
● Belinda Chiswell: bchiswell@dobcel.catholic.edu.au
● Teresa Hadden: thadden@dobcel.catholic.edu.au
● Melanie Saleta: msaleta@dobcel.catholic.edu.au

Terms 3 & 4 ACER’s PAT webinars

With term 4 quickly approaching please make note of the upcoming webinars being presented by ACER about the administration and analysis of PAT data:

Link to outline of upcoming webinars

• Generating and interpreting PAT reports using the ACER Data Explorer 
  Wednesday, 2 September, 4pm
• PAT Interview – conversations with schools using PAT – best-practice recommendations for effective administration 
  Wednesday, 16 September, 4pm
• Getting the most from PAT: Best practice, assessment advice and updates 
  Tuesday, 13 October, 4pm 
• PAT Interviews: Conversations with schools using PAT – what next?
  Wednesday, 28 October, 4pm

Maths Week Australia

Maths Week Australia will be happening on 10-14 May 2027. Teachers and school leaders can sign up to get the first free resources now at Maths Week Australia.

Designed to cater for all year levels, for all schools, to be the biggest celebration of maths Australia has seen - all completely free. With ambassadors such as Eddie Woo and Michaela Epstein, plus 9 maths associations and organisations supporting this event, it’s a fantastic opportunity to celebrate mathematics at your school.

Already, over 400 teachers and 26 schools have registered, with a range of free resources already being developed and tested in preparation.

[Content and photo shared by Fiona Hudson, Education Officer of DOBCEL]

Ballarat educators came together for Flare Literacy Professional Learning Day

More than 200 educators from eight Catholic primary schools gathered at St Thomas More Primary School, Ballarat, on 1 September 2026 as part of Flare Primary Literacy, DOBCEL's long-term literacy improvement strategy.

Teachers, principals and support staff participated in a day of professional learning focused on evidence-based practices that strengthen reading and writing outcomes for students. Sessions explored structured literacy, explicit instruction, assessment, data-informed teaching and strategies to support learners through a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS).

The event also showcased new literacy resources and DOBCEL's Literacy Data Tool, helping schools use student data more effectively to guide instruction.

The collaborative day supported schools in implementing Flare's literacy improvement approach and reinforced a shared commitment to ensuring every student becomes a confident reader, writer and learner.

Special thanks to the schools who participated yesterday:

• St Mary’s Primary School, Clarkes Hill
• Our Lady Help of Christians Primary School, Wendouree
• St Thomas More Primary School, Alfredton,
• Lumen Christi Primary School, Delacombe
• St Patrick’s Primary School, Ballarat
• St Aloysius Primary School, Redan
• St Alipius Parish School, Ballarat East
• St Patrick’s Primary School, Gordon

National Child Protection Week

National Child Protection Week 2026 will run on 6-12 September 2026, and is coordinated by the National Association for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (NAPCAN).

The week raises awareness of the community’s collective response to the care, safety and wellbeing of children and young people, now and into the future, and champions the message ‘protecting children is everyone’s business.’

This year’s theme – ‘Every conversation matters, shifting conversation to action’ – highlights that, while discussions are crucial, dialogue must translate to meaningful action to ensure that every child feels heard, and experiences real safety, care and protection.

The focus on action aligns with the Child Safe Standards, particularly:

• Standard 3: Children and young people are empowered about their rights, participate in decisions affecting them and are taken seriously.
• Standard 4: Families and communities are informed, and involved in promoting child safety and wellbeing.
• Standard 8: Staff and volunteers are equipped with the knowledge, skills and awareness to keep children and young people safe through ongoing education and training.

Child Safe Standard 1: Culturally Safe Environments - a practical session 

How do we move from compliance to meaningful practice when it comes to cultural safety? Join us for an interactive professional learning session focused on  Child Safe Standard 1: Culturally Safe Environments. 

This practical and applied session will explore real-world scenarios, helping schools translate the requirements of Child Safe Standard 1 into everyday actions that promote inclusion, respect and cultural safety for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people. Participants will also be introduced to practical resources, tools and supports to strengthen their school’s approach and implementation. 

Date: Thursday 10 September 2026
Time: 3.30pm – 4.30pm 
Meeting Link: Join here 

This session is designed for school leaders, child safety officers and staff committed to creating environments where every child feels culturally safe, respected and valued. 

Join us and build your confidence in implementing culturally safe practices across your school community. 

Out-of-Home Care (OoHC) Partnering Agreement: Key information for Catholic schools 

The Out-of-Home Care Education Commitment: A Partnering Agreement outlines the responsibilities of schools in supporting children and young people living in Out-of-Home Care (OoHC). The agreement is attached and all schools are encouraged to familiarise themselves with its requirements.

• Every Catholic school must have a trained designated teacher. This requirement applies even if the school does not currently have any students living in OoHC. Despite the title, the designated teacher does not need to be a registered teacher. The role is to act as the school's key contact and support implementation of the partnering agreement.  
• Every student in OoHC must have a Learning Mentor. Schools with students living in OoHC are required to identify a teacher or staff member, in consultation with the student, to act as their Learning Mentor and support their engagement, achievement and wellbeing at school.  

Please refer to the attached Partnering Agreement and see Appendix 1: School Responsibilities Checklist for a full summary of school obligations.  

 Student wellbeing health check 

Thinking about your wellbeing priorities for 2027 in your annual action plan  

We encourage your leadership team and staff to complete the student wellbeing health check. 

The health check is aligned with the Student Wellbeing Framework, which was developed for DOBCEL in 2023. It is linked to each element of student wellbeing and helps schools identify strengths, priorities, and areas for further development or enhancement. 

The wellbeing health check takes approximately 15 minutes for staff to complete. The information gathered provides valuable data to measure wellbeing priorities and support ongoing improvement planning. 

Watch the Wellbeing online health check guide on this link: https://www.dobcel.com/video-guide 

SWPBS Schools: Tiered Fidelity Inventory (TFI)

For schools implementing School-Wide Positive Behaviour Support (SWPBS), the Tiered Fidelity Inventory (TFI) process is now upon us. The TFI is an evaluation tool used to measure the impact and implementation fidelity of SWPBS practices, while also helping schools identify priorities and set targets for 2027. Please reach out to the SWPBS coach to co-facilitate and administer this tool.

If you require support in utilising either of these tools, please reach out to your Student Wellbeing leader for assistance.

Link: https://www.pbisapps.org/resource/tfi 

Reminder: Online Briefing Session – 9 September

We are hosting an online briefing session outlining what the commitment to School-wide Positive Behaviour Support (SWPBS) will look like for schools considering implementation in 2027. This session will provide an overview of the process, expectations and supports available.

If you’d like to find out more about this, please contact Anne Ruddell aruddell@dobcel.catholic.edu.au or join via the  SWPBS briefing Link

Please join SIMON as we host two roadshows in the Ballarat region this October. 

These roadshows will see us visit a number of regions to showcase key SIMON functionality - both existing features and exciting new developments. Most importantly, they will provide an opportunity for meaningful, face-to-face engagement with our schools.

The SIMON Roadshow is designed to teach you more about SIMON in a relaxed environment. Topics are relevant to both Primary and Secondary Schools.

The structure of the day is as follows (including breakout sessions).

Session 1               10am-12 noon
Lunch Break          12nn-12.30pm     
Session 2               12.30pm-2pm          

Topics Covered (but not limited to)

• Configuring student notes
• Overdue work letters
• Heartbeat/student digest
• Social behaviour and pastoral chains
• Rollover – End of Year
• New student enrolments (incoming) and communication centre
• SIMON administration system

Thank you to the following schools for hosting the SIMON roadshow.

To register for one of these exciting free events, choose the location that suits you best and click on the trybooking link.

9 October             St Joseph's College, Mildura                     https://www.trybooking.com/DOMCX
21 October           Trinity College, Colac                                https://www.trybooking.com/DOLVV

To view current vacancies and learn more about career opportunities with DOBCEL, please visit our Careers Page and Teachers on Net via the links below.

DS2035 – Stay connected to the Strategy

• Listen to the podcast - Towards 2035
• DOBCEL Strategy 2035 – Full Document (PDF)
• Strategy Portal – Resources, videos, and key messages
• CIRP Page – Details and application form
• Canvas for Student Agency - Resources and recordings from the Student Agency sessions
• Collaborative Cultures

Catholic Identity & Mission

• Fully Funded Priority Courses for Accreditation 2027 

Wellbeing

• Resources to support young people’s body positivity

Learning & Teaching

• EAL Professional Learning
• Primary Leaders of Learning Network – Register now for Term 4

People & Development

• Professional Learning Guide
• Staff Wellbeing Guide & Resources
• Leadership Competency Framework