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This Sunday is the 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time and the Gospel reading is Matthew 13:44-46.
Three Parables
The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which someone found and hid; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls; on finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.
Executive Director’s Reflections
Dear Friends and Colleagues
Over 200 employees from within Catholic Education Tasmania are currently actively involved in a two-year cycle of leadership training. We believe it to be fundamental in providing our staff with quality tools they need for leadership, so that they can learn, live and practise on a day-to-day basis within their own specific context. The opportunities that are provided to the leaders within our community form part of a broader Catholic leadership formation program that encompasses school and TCEO office positions state-wide.
The leadership program is based upon leading with virtue, which has powerful elements of self-development for our leaders along with the intention of helping all those we lead to grow in virtue. It is Catholic Education Tasmania’s vision for aspiring, emerging, or accomplished leaders to have an opportunity to learn and develop as an individual, and as a leader in our system. The concept of Virtuous Leadership was formed with the support of the TCEO Leadership team and with the expert assistance of our leadership consultant and presenter, Catherine Jackson. It is based on four central pillars of leadership:
- Prudence: Being an Astute Leader
- Temperance: Being a Mature Leader
- Courage: Being a Resolute Leader
- Justice: Being an Ethical Leader
These leadership days provide staff with a thought-provoking opportunity to step away from their ordinary duties and spend time reflecting on their own work to enhance their skills as a leader. Being able to present these concepts in person during the full suite of TCEO’s Leadership Development Days, along with Catherine over the past weeks, gave me the opportunity to interact with the emerging and aspiring leaders from all levels and locales within our organisation. It provided me the opportunity to share my own leadership experiences in the Catholic education sector and to help staff engage with the many linked concepts that make up the Virtuous Leadership Framework.
The virtuous leader seeks always to determine what is right in any situation and to do it with courage. We ask all leaders in Catholic education, whatever their experience and knowledge, to challenge their own leadership. We also encourage them to live and practise Virtuous Leadership. Integral to this is the call to examine the three core elements of decision-making - seeking to do what is right within any given situation.
Our aspiring leaders were provided with a basic moral scaffold that encourages them to consider the act, the intentions, and the circumstances that come into play in every decision. In the end, our leadership framework boils down to a simple idea. We become better leaders by practising personal virtue – until it becomes automatic.
Yours in Christ
Gerard Gaskin
Executive Director
Catholic Education
Invitation to Participate in a Research Project on Languages Teaching in Primary Schools
The Languages Team at UTAS invites you to participate in a survey to help them understand Languages teaching practices across Tasmania's primary school sector. Your valuable input is sought, regardless of whether you currently teach Languages. This invitation is extended to all primary teachers, including:
- classroom teachers
- specialists
- part-time educators
- full-time educators
The purpose of this research project is to inform effective teacher education in Languages. The Languages Team at UTAS aims to gain insights into the resources available to you, the training you have received, your level of interest, and the support you may require in intercultural and language teaching. Their goal is to support the provision of excellent Languages education for Tasmania's children, considering the unique needs of different schools. Your perspective, whether involved in language instruction or not, is highly valued.
The Languages Team kindly request approximately 20 minutes of your time to share your thoughts by completing the survey. Thank you sincerely for your invaluable time and commitment in assisting The Languages Team with this important research. Your participation will significantly contribute to the advancement of language education in Tasmania's primary schools.
Should you have any questions or require additional information, please do not hesitate to contact Nita Novianti.
Email: nita.novianti@utas.edu.au
Phone: 03 6220 2413
Knights of the Southern Cross - Prayer Crusade for Vocations
The Australian Catholic Church’s Vocations Awareness Week is a week in which the Church asks us all to reflect on how best we can respond to God’s call to us to love and serve. Tasmanian Catholics are once again invited to join the Knights of the Southern Cross and Catholics in the Australian Defence Force in the 17th Prayer Crusade to pray for an increase in the number of Catholics willing to serve the Church in the priesthood, diaconate, and religious life.
Those participating in Tasmania are asked to say the special prayer on each day of the week between Sunday 6 to Sunday 13 August.
THE PRAYER:
“Heavenly Father, you know the faith, courage, and generosity of your people throughout Australia including the men and women serving at home and overseas with the Australian Defence Force. Please provide your people in Australia with sufficient Priests, Deacons and Religious to meet their needs and be with them always as they endeavour to meet the challenges of their daily lives. We ask this through Jesus Christ, Your Son. Amen.”
Announcement of 2023 CECT Recognition Awards & 25 Years of Service Awards Recipients and Invitation to Award Presentations
CECT is excited to announce recipients for the Catholic Education Commission Tasmania 2023 Recognition and 25 Years of Service Awards. Awards are presented to those within our community who have made a significant contribution to Catholic Education Tasmania. CECT also celebrates those who have dedicated their careers to supporting students in Catholic education across Australia through the 25 Years of Service Awards.
Please do not hesitate to contact Mary Preston, Executive Secretary: Catholic Education Commission Tasmania, if you require any additional information.
Engage in Palms Global Mission
Since 1961 Palms has prepared, sent and supported qualified and experienced Australians sought by grass roots communities as mentors to assist sustainable solutions to poverty.
Palms is redoubling its efforts in response to overseas communities’ requests to assist
develop individual and organisational capacity through skill exchange. As restrictions on
international travel continue to ease, new skilled and committed applicants are being
thoroughly prepared for their intercultural mission in remote parishes, schools and
communities abroad.
Archbishop Julian Porteous encourages us to consider the opportunities Palms is promoting for individuals to engage in their Global Mission, and programs like Neighbours Without Borders.
2024 Study and Mentoring (SAM) Program
The Sisters of the Good Samaritan have launched the 2024 Study and Mentoring (SAM) Program which aims to promote women’s leadership within the Catholic Church.
It offers support to mature-aged (age 30+) Catholic women as they undertake undergraduate or postgraduate theological or spiritual study at a recognised theological institution.
Applications are now invited for 2024.
Spark Scholarship applications are now open!
The It Takes a Spark Grok Academy STEM Conference TAS 2023 is inviting schools considered low socio-economic to apply for a Spark Scholarship.
Due to the generosity of a number of sponsors, there is now a selection of scholarships to support the attendance of students and teachers.
The first round of scholarships will close Friday, 4 August 2023.
The 2023-24 Frank MacDonald Memorial Prize competition is now open!
The Frank MacDonald Memorial Prize (FMMP) aims to commemorate and preserve the meaning of the ANZAC spirit in the Tasmanian community. The competition is open to all Tasmanian Year 9 students.
Six Year 9 students are selected from around Tasmania to take part in the Frank MacDonald Memorial Prize each year and two teachers accompany and supervise the winning students during the course of the Prize.
Entries for both students and teachers close at 5.00pm on Friday 25 August 2023.
Australian Catholic Education News
The latest issue of the Australian Catholic Educations News from the National Catholic Education Commission is now available.
eSmart digital and media literacy education products for all Australian schools
The Australian Government is teaming up with the Alannah and Madeline Foundation to launch eSmart, a powerful set of tools promoting online safety. Students, parents, teachers, and principals can now access digital and media literacy resources to combat bullying, cyberbullying, and violence.
The Minister for Communications, Michelle Rowland is encouraging school leaders and educators to contact the Alannah and Madeline Foundation to ask about the Media Literacy Lab and the other eLearning tools the Government is funding.
Contact Peta Simpson to find out how you can protect and empower the next generation.
Email: eSmart@amf.org.au
NAPLAN individual student reports video for parents and carers
ACARA has released its NAPLAN individual student reports (ISR) video, which provides parents and carers with clear information on their child's achievement in NAPLAN tests.
Applications for the 2024 Young Carer Bursary Program are now Open!
The Young Carer Bursary Program supports young carers to continue with their education and reduce their need to undertake paid work at the same time as their study and caring duties.
The program offers 1,592 bursaries of $3,768 each year to assist with education needs and resources.
The young carer bursary can be used for school fees, technology, uniforms, tutoring, transport, accommodation, respite, emotional support, extracurricular activities, and anything that aids in the young carer's education.
Closing date: 12 September 2023
Winter Wellness as School Resumes
As schools return this week, help protect others by keeping your child home if they are unwell. Tasmania has seen increasing cases of respiratory illness, including flu and RSV. Case numbers are highest among young and school-aged children.
If your child is sick or has any cold or flu-like symptoms, please keep them at home while they are unwell and seek medical care if needed. Encourage your child to cover coughs and sneezes, wash hands regularly, and contact your usual GP or medical practitioner if you are concerned about your child.
COVID@homeplus is available for those with COVID-19 and those with flu or flu-like symptoms who are at higher risk of severe illness. Additionally, registered nurses at HealthDirect are available 24/7 and can provide advice, as well as arrange for a call back from a GP.
Make sure you and your family are vaccinated – it’s not too late. Everyone aged 6 months and older is recommended to get an annual flu vaccine.
It Takes a Spark Grok Academy STEM Conference
Excitement is building for Friday, 1 September with the upcoming It Takes a Spark Grok Academy STEM Conference in Tasmania!
New workshops to choose with ARC Centre of Excellence for Plant Success; Australian Council Educational Research; Hagley Farm School Agricultural Learning Centre; Illuminate Education Australia; and School of Architecture and Design, UTAS.
Teachers are using the day to develop their STEM practice whilst schools are using the event to inspire their Year 4 to 10 students' love of STEM.
Early bird registration closes 9 August 2023.
Speech pathology assistant professional learning
Start Smart Tasmania is delighted to announce the next L-SPAN workshop, a network designed for speech pathology assistants, education assistants and educators who support and implement speech pathology programs in schools, early childhood settings or private practice.
L-SPAN provides opportunities for those supporting speech pathology programs to come together for specific speech pathology assistant professional learning, resource and case sharing, and general networking. The focus will initially be on supporting students with articulation challenges but will broaden to include phonological awareness and receptive and expressive language.
Sessions will be facilitated by speech pathology staff from Start Smart Tasmania and will cover a variety of topics that will empower those in speech pathology support roles, as well as further develop skills in supporting students with more complex speech and language needs.
Next session: Monday 21 August 2023
Dyslexia workshop Start Smart Tasmania
It is estimated that between 5-20% of students have dyslexia or related literacy learning difficulties. But are we as effective as we could be in supporting these learners?
This one-day, hands-on, professional learning workshop unpacks the facts and figures on dyslexia, then examines the most important challenge to teachers of students with dyslexia – providing evidence-based instruction.
Start Smart Tasmania will discuss which strategies these learners need, why they work, and guide participants to the resources they need. Finally, they examine the important adjustments to the curriculum, including assistive technology options, that students require to be successful.
Seesaw Connect Virtual Conference
A free and dynamic virtual conference for educators to ignite inspiration, foster growth, and energize educators for the school year.
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Catholic Education Tasmania acknowledges and pays respect to the original and ongoing custodians of the land. We acknowledge the continuing connection to land, seas, air and waterways and commit ourselves to the ongoing journey of reconciliation. We honour Elders past and present.