Term 4 is well and truly underway, with a buzz of activity on all fronts. Yesterday and today the Board met at St Mary’s in Ararat, welcoming Laura Avery as our most newly appointed director to her first meeting. Principal Roxanne Leed and senior students led us in prayer, spoke with pride about their great school and took us on a tour of the school including all their new and upgraded facilities. 

The Board reviewed updates to key policies and the School Advisory Council terms of reference and discussed Board induction and succession planning. We talked over the new Winter Valley school and dedicated significant time to future planning, notably regarding funding sources and the EBA negotiations. Bruce Phillips from the VCEA provided a briefing on the future of Catholic school funding in light of the possibility of the Labor party, if re-elected, making changes to Victorian legislation that currently provides for recurrent per-student funding equal to 25% of the per-student funding for state schools. The Liberal and National parties have committed to retain the current funding level but we are yet to achieve a retraction of Labor’s proposal to reduce this funding. I wrote to the Labor candidates and representatives for our electorates last week, requesting their support in altering their party’s position. If necessary, we will be seeking your support in the coming days and weeks in campaigning for a commitment to retain the 25% matched state funding and will share more shortly. We will not stand by passively as children in our schools are denied the financial support for their education that has previously been agreed to by Labor, Liberal and the National parties and in place since 2015. 

Learning more about local issues and discussing plans to tackle the financial headwinds we are facing for 2027 were a focus of my discussions with school leadership during my visits last Friday to three of our primary schools: St Augustine’s in Maryborough, St Michael’s in Daylesford and St Augustine’s in Creswick. I also had the pleasure of seeing the new and most recent learning spaces at all three of these schools and of meeting two grade 6 boys in Creswick who will very soon overtake me in stature!

Wishing you a productive week ahead as we share our faith through actions and prayer in this Mission-focused month. Thank you for your ongoing commitment to our schools and support.

With best wishes,
Tom Sexton
Executive Director

October is Mission Month
World Mission Sunday- 18 October 2026

This year’s theme "One in Christ, united in mission," has been chosen to reflect global unity and shared responsibility.

Established by Pope Pius XI in 1926, World Mission Sunday created an annual moment for the whole Church to unite in support of its missionary work.

As the Pope’s international mission agency, “The Mission” of Catholic Mission Australia is:

“ To respond to the call to love God and to love our neighbour by forming individuals and communities as missionary disciples of Jesus who share their faith in action and through prayer. We share in God’s mission to reach out, give life by sharing our personal and financial resources to: - proclaim the Gospel, - serve people in need, - act for peace, justice and creation; In partnership with local churches, so that all may have life in Christ.”

Catholic Mission Australia is an international organisation that partners with communities, helping them to flourish by supporting grassroots projects, including healthcare, education, and spiritual care. It has a network of religious and lay missionaries operating in Africa, Asia, Europe, Oceania, the Americas. Catholic Mission’s work supports children, communities, and future Church leaders across education, healthcare, and spiritual care.

The Catholic school and parish communities of the Diocese of Ballarat have long been very generous and supportive in assisting the work of Catholic Mission Australia. This support and generosity brings to life our Christian obligation to help make God’s dream for the world a lived reality.

We are reminded at this time too that "The Preferential Option for the Poor" is a core principle of Catholic Social Teaching (CST) that requires society, individuals, and institutions to put the needs, well-being, and active participation of the poor, vulnerable, and marginalized first.

Catholic schools and parish communities participate in World Mission Month throughout October, culminating in World Mission Sunday (marked globally on October 18, 2026, which marks the 100-year centenary of the event).

These celebrations combine education, prayer, creative fundraising, and community outreach centred around global solidarity and the year's national campaign theme: "One in Christ, united in mission."

Prayer service to put two feet of love in action
(Catholic Mission)

Leader: Father, Son, and Spirit, we pray that you will help us to reflect today on how we can put love into action in our lives and in our communities.

Be with us as we listen and reflect on words from Scripture and Tradition on how we are called to put love in action.

Reader 1: "Then the righteous will answer him and say, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?' And the king will say to them in reply, 'Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.'" (Matthew 25:37-40)

All: Loving God, help us to put love into action.

Reader 2: "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord." (Luke 4:18-19)

All: Loving God, help us to put love into action.

Reader 3: "The Eucharist commits us to the poor. To receive in truth the Body and Blood of Christ given up for us, we must recognize Christ in the poorest, his brothers and sisters." (Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 1397)

All: Loving God, help us to put love into action.

Reader 4: "A prayer that does not lead you to practical action for your brother or sister — the poor, the sick, those in need of help, a brother in difficulty — is a sterile and incomplete prayer. But, in the same way . . . When time is not set aside for dialogue with God in prayer, we risk serving ourselves and not God present in our needy brother and sister. (Pope Francis, Angelus Address, 7/21/13)

All: Loving God, help us to put love into action.

Reader 5: "A way has to be found to enable everyone to benefit from the fruits of the earth, and not simply to close the gap between the affluent and those who must be satisfied with the crumbs falling from the table, but above all to satisfy the demands of justice, fairness and respect for every human being." (Pope Francis, Address to the Food and Agricultural Organization, 6/20/13)

All: Loving God, help us to put love into action.

Reader 6: "Not to enable the poor to share in our goods is to steal from them and deprive them of life. The goods we possess are not ours, but theirs. The demands of justice must be satisfied first of all; that which is already due in justice is not to be offered as a gift of charity." (St. John Chrysostom, quoted in Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 2446)

All: Loving God, help us to put love into action.

Reader 7: "When God sends the prophet Jeremiah, God gives him the power to "pluck up and to break down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant" (1:10). It is the same for you. Bringing the Gospel is bringing God's power to pluck up and break down evil and violence, to destroy and overthrow the barriers of selfishness, intolerance and hatred, so as to build a new world." (Pope Francis, Homily on the Occasion of XXVIII World Youth Day, 7/28/13)

All: Loving God, help us to put love into action.

Leader: Loving God, guide us as we reflect today on how we are called to put love into action.

All: Amen.

Source: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

The Feast Day St Teresa of Avila

On the 15 October, we will be celebrating the Feast Day of St. Teresa of Ávila (1515–1582) who remains one of the most compelling figures in Christian history.

What makes Teresa’s life so resonant is her striking humanness. Before becoming a renowned mystic, reformer, and Doctor of the Church, she was a lively, warm, and deeply relatable person who openly admitted to her own struggles with prayer, self-doubt, and worldly distraction

When her spiritual awakening fully took root, it blossomed into extraordinary action. Teresa viewed prayer not as a escape from reality, but as an intimate friendship with God that must bear fruit in love and service. 

Ultimately, a reflection on St. Teresa of Ávila is a reminder that spiritual depth and real-world action are not opposites. Her life shows that profound faith does not require retreating from reality, but rather entering it more fully with courage, grit, and love.

Source: Blessed Among Us, Liturgical Press 2026.

Christ Has No Body but Yours

Christ has no body but yours, no hands, no feet on earth but yours.
Yours are the eyes with which he looks compassionately on this world.
Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good.
Yours are the hands, with which he blesses all the world.
Yours are the hands.
Yours are the feet.
Yours are the eyes.
You are his body.
Christ has no body now but yours, no hands, no feet on earth but yours.
Yours are the eyes with which he looks compassionately on this world.
Christ has no body now on earth but yours.
Amen.

-St Teresa of Avila

Source: The image is from a stained-glass window located at the Convento de Santa Teresa (or the Convent/Basilica of Saint Teresa) built over her birthplace in Ávila, Spain.

Prayer for Pope Leo

The Catholic education community of the Diocese of Ballarat, unite with Catholics around the world, wishing our Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV a speedy recovery. We pray for Pope Leo XIV following the news of his cancer diagnosis and subsequent surgery.

Loving and Merciful God,

We pray for Pope Leo XIV as he faces treatment for lung cancer and continues his recovery after surgery, pour out your healing grace upon him. 

Guide the hands and minds of the doctors and medical staff who care for him, granting them wisdom, skill, and compassion.  

We pray that he may be restored to full health and continue to serve your people with wisdom and devotion.

Amen

Priority Courses for 2027 – sponsorship applications now open

DOBCEL has identified the priority professional learning courses for 2026, with links to courses or flyers now available online or through DOBCEL Website > Menu>Professional Learning> Sponsorship. These courses support teachers and leaders in meeting the VCEA Accreditation Policy requirements, particularly Level 2 Accreditation for those teaching Religion or holding leadership positions (a must if adjunct ‘principal’ within a title).

Each course provides valuable opportunities for theological reflection, formation, and deeper engagement with the Catholic tradition. Sponsorship is available for secondary teachers seeking a GCRE and for primary teachers, those seeking a priority course as named in the Guidelines addressing Higher Education: Studies in Religious Education, Theology and Catholic Educational Leadership. A GCRE is for further sponsorship support. Enquiries and applications to be directed to sponsorship@dobcel.catholic.edu.au

Applications close on Friday 23rd October.

Note:
Graduate Certificate in Teaching Religious Education through CTC/YTU: link does not yet provide dates for 2027 so please see below in advance of website update:

Year 1 (Those commencing in 2027)

Semester 1

BS8610Z: Introduction to the Bible for Teachers: Bro Paul Creevey
Dates: Saturdays, March 6, March 20, May 1, May 15. 

Semester 2

CT8620Z: Introduction to Theology for Teachers: Bro Paul Creevey
Dates: Saturdays: August 7, August 21, September 4, October 9.

Year 2 (Those continuing in 2027)

Semester 1

DT8630Z: Introduction to Moral Theology for Teachers: Bernard Teo
Dates: Saturdays: February 27, March 13, May 1, May 15. 

Semester 2

DR8640Z: Introduction to Religious Education for Teachers: John Meneely
Dates: Saturdays: July 31, August 14, September 4, October

Regarding ACU’s GCRE, please see suggested subjects appropriate for our Diocese. When filling in your subject options to support application process, it is always possible to change your choice or discuss options to support your choice. Each diocese nominates preferable subjects with VCEA enabling recognition of GCRE on the TAP platform. Please contact Kate Lawry for further explanation.

Biannual Art Show at St Mary's Hamilton 

At the end of Term 3, the St Mary’s Primary School community in Hamilton celebrated our Biannual Art Show.

The theme for this year’s art show was ‘Weird, Wild and Wonderful’. All the students have been working very hard all year, under the amazing guidance of our art teacher, Hannah Black, to produce art pieces that fit the theme. We had wild animals, weird clay monsters and wonderful art made of recycled materials, just to name a few!

Our Learning Street was transformed into an art gallery and over two nights, our community was wowed by the amazing artistic talents of our students. It truly was a ‘Weird, Wild and Wonderful’ Art Show!

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

St Joseph's students discover the secrets of creek health

This week, Years 3–6 students of St Joseph's Primary School in Penshurst henjoyed a hands-on learning experience exploring the rich aquatic life of the local Penshurst waterways. Guided by macroinvertebrate specialist Kylie Waller and Josh Griffiths from EnviroDNA, students discovered how scientists investigate the health of creeks and waterways using a range of scientific methods.

Students collected water samples to learn about environmental DNA (eDNA), a powerful tool that helps scientists identify animals such as fish, frogs and platypuses from traces of DNA found in the water. They also examined macroinvertebrates, including aquatic insects, larvae and snails, gaining an understanding of how these tiny creatures can indicate water quality and ecosystem health.

The school extends its sincere thanks to Mary from Friends of Yatmerone and Lucy, Landcare Facilitator, for making this valuable learning opportunity possible. Appreciation is also extended to Victorian Landcare, the Victorian Government, Glenelg Hopkins CMA, Southern Grampians Shire Council, and Friends of Yatmerone Wildlife Reserve for their funding and support.

New Find a School webpage helps families find their local Catholic school

Families exploring education options can now easily discover their local school through the new Find a School page on the DOBCEL website. The page features an interactive map and provides a valuable resource to promote our schools to families seeking high-quality, affordable education that upholds Catholic values.

Innovation through collaborative inquiry

Collaborative Innovation Research Prototypes (CIRPs) continue to grow as a powerful example of networked local innovation. Through CIRPs, we are seeing schools use collaborative inquiry as a deliberate approach to improvement, drawing on trust, professional judgement and local expertise. 

Having completed our application processes, we are pleased to announce our new group of 2026 CIRPs, who are exploring diverse priorities across learning, wellbeing, sustainability, leadership and inclusion. Several 2025 prototypes have also received renewal funding. 

We acknowledge and celebrate the great work of our CIRP teams this year, whose willingness to inquire, collaborate and innovate is helping to bring the DOBCEL Strategy 2035 to life across our schools. We look forward to continuing to learn from their experiences and sharing the insights that emerge across our DOBCEL community.   

2025 CIRP Renewals:   

• Star of The Sea Parish Sacramental Re-imagining Prototype  
• Improving Mathematical Outcomes for all students  
• Implementing effective pedagogy, engagement and assessment in Mathematics  
• Using coaching and collaboration to strengthen Japanese language programs  
• DOBCEL STEM Making a Difference (MAD)   

2026 CIRPs:   

• Central Zone Grade 4 Junior MasterChef Challenge   
• Growing Together: Schools, Sustainability, Earth and Belonging   
• Proactive Interventions, Positive Schools   
• Building Business Literacy – co-design   
• Delivering Best Practice Auslan Programs   
• DOBCEL Staff Wellbeing: From guide to practice – co-design   
• Confident Maths Teachers, Fluent Learners   
• Improving Collective Teacher Efficacy, Improving Student Outcomes – co-design   
• Launch of the “Western Cross”   

Catholic Identity & Mission online professional learning for Term 4

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. 

This week, on Thursday, 15 October, our session will give practical suggestions for the application of the Ten Characteristics of Prayer in classrooms. ‘How to Lead Classroom Prayer’ will begin at 3:45pm-4:45pm and best suit primary and lower secondary teachers of RE. 

Next week, Thursday, 22 October,  it is the final session of the Man Box series run by Dino Martiniella from Jesuit Social Services. All RE teachers as well as any other teachers involved in the teaching of RSE and RRRR would benefit from this session. Further details about the session are provided in the newsletter. 

The links for both sessions are included in the PDF below. 

Register today to Term 4 Flare events

Term 4 Registrations now due - find registration forms here. 

• Phase C Leaders' Network: Friday, 16 October | 9.45am - 3pm 
  (following La Trobe Focus Group at 9am) 
• Aurora Network: Friday, 23 October | 1pm - 3.30pm 
   
• Phase C Day 2: Wednesday, 5 November | 9am - 3pm Online 

This event is tailored for Phase C schools but anyone is welcome to register and join us. 

• A Simple Model of Teaching 
• Three approaches to the 'Pulling it all Together' hour 
• TLAC – Ways of Reading 

• Celebrating progress and recommitting to the Flare Framework 

   

• Phase A Day 2: Friday, 4 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. 

Primary Leaders of Learning – register now for Session 4!

📅 Term 4 PLoL: 
Wednesday, 28th October 
🕜 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM 
💻 Delivered via VC (link to be shared via email)
🔗 Register for Term 4 

Term 4 PLoL agenda: 
Our final session together will be an opportunity for participants to share their leadership journey and reflect on their growth across this year. We are looking forward to a shared celebration, recognition of progress, and a collective vision for continued leadership impact across schools.

Primary Leaders of Learning (PLoL) play a key role in shaping high-quality learning and teaching across our diocese. The network will deepen impact through practical strategies, evidence-informed dialogue, and opportunities for ongoing coaching. 

With a strong Learning and Teaching focus, participants build capabilities in leading learning, strengthening collaboration, and developing tools that can be applied to guide colleagues, drive improvement, and enhance classroom practice.

We look forward to leaders joining us and working together to strengthen leadership and learning in our primary schools.

Introducing the Primary Mathematics Leaders Network for 2027 

We are excited to announce the return of a dedicated Primary Mathematics Leaders Network across our diocese in 2027! Driven by a passionate group of school-based mathematics leaders alongside the Education team, this network is being reinstated to build a collaborative, supportive space for leaders to connect, share expertise, and drive meaningful outcomes in primary mathematics education. Whether you are seeking to strengthen instructional leadership, explore evidence-based strategies, or collaborate on curriculum implementation, this network is designed to support you and your school's vision.

Here is a ▶️ short video from Samantha Meerbach, inviting all Maths Leaders to join the event next year.

As we prepare for a year of learning and connection, we invite all primary maths leaders to keep an eye out for upcoming session dates (on the DOBCEL PL Calendar) and lock them into your 2027 planning and calendars. Together, we look forward to building a thriving community of practice that inspires curiosity, fosters professional growth, and elevates mathematics learning across our schools. 

Watch this ▶️ short video from Brianna McGennisken from Lumen Christi in Delacombe, telling why she is excited to join next year.

Stay tuned for further details and registration information coming soon!

For inquiries about this exciting event, please contact Samantha Meerbach, Senior Education Officer: Learning and Teaching. 

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
• DS2035 In Practice - Collaborative Cultures

Catholic Identity & Mission

• Fully Funded Priority Courses for Accreditation 2027 

Learning & Teaching

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

People & Development

• Term 4 Professional Learning offers
• Professional Learning Guide 2026
• Staff Wellbeing Guide & Resources
• Leadership Competency Framework
• DOBCEL Professional Learning and Events Guide 2027
• New Learning Management System 2027 resource