This week I have been participating in the National Catholic Education Commission’s (NCEC) strategic planning days in Sydney together with other NCEC members.

Over two days we have been examining the priorities for NCEC and the Catholic education sector over the next three years.

During this time, we have also been examining how we interact with our various stakeholders as well as considering the place of Catholic education in the life of the Church in Australia.

The major focus of the formal NCEC meeting held on day three was the allocative mechanism for the Federal Government’s Choice and Affordability Fund (the Part 3 funding). Details of the recommended mechanism will be discussed with the Queensland Commission at its meeting next Tuesday.

The Bishops Commission for Catholic Education has announced that retiring Victorian Senator Jacinta Collins will be the new Executive Director of the National Catholic Education Commission.

Jacinta has been a strong advocate for quality education across all sectors during her time in the Senate.

I congratulate Jacinta on her appointment and look forward to working with her in the future.

Read the statement from the Bishops Commission for Catholic Education here.

This week an announcement was made that the Queensland College of Teachers (QCT) will be the certifying authority for Queensland Catholic school teachers seeking highly accomplished and lead teacher (HALT) certification.

Interim arrangements have been put in place by the Queensland Government to enable the QCT to act as the certifying authority for HALT applicants from your schools for the 2019 certification round. This upholds the preference of employing authorities for the QCT to certify teachers in their schools.

QCEC has worked closely with the QCT and Queensland Department of Education to ensure that the certification process for teachers in Catholic schools remains closely aligned to the existing QCEC process. There will be some minor modifications regarding processes for payment of fees and submission of portfolios with the QCT undertaking some elements rather than QCEC. No substantive changes are required. Assessors trained through the QCEC process and accredited by AITSL will be used to assess applications.

Importantly, the 2019 certification timeline remains unchanged, the 28 June 2019 submission deadline for Stage 1 portfolios stands, and the assessment fee remains the same.

The upcoming HALT information workshops will outline the revised certification process.

A reminder that information sessions for teachers from all Catholic School Authorities considering applying for certification as a Highly Accomplished Teacher or Lead Teacher will be held in coming weeks in all dioceses (for both Diocesan and RI/PJP schools). Dates are listed below:

The sessions will also be of interest to principals and school leaders. Each session provides an overview of the certification process.

Details of the sessions can be found on the QCEC website news and events page and click on the events tab. 

It was with great pleasure that I announced this week the appointment of Mr Ray Kelly to the position of Manager – Workplace Relations, at QCEC effective 12 March 2019.

Ray has most recently held the role of Manager, Industrial Relations at the Mater Hospital, Brisbane. Prior to commencing that senior role, Ray worked as Senior Advisor (Employee Relations), Independent Schools Queensland and Senior Industrial Relations Consultant, Catholic Education Office of Melbourne. He has also held roles in workplace relations in the Department of Education (Queensland) and other parts of the Queensland public service.

Ray’s experience and expertise will enrich the significant work already undertaken by QCEC in the Workplace Relations area, particularly as we approach EB9.

I extend my congratulations to Mr David de Carvalho who has been announced as the new Chief Executive Officer for ACARA.

David has significant experience in the state and Catholic education sector, including previously leading the National Catholic Education Commission and I look forward to working with David in supporting ACARA’s mission of improving the learning outcomes for students when he commences next month.

Congratulations also to Ms Deanne Fishburn who has been named as the new Director of the Queensland College of Teachers (QCT).

Deanne is already well known to the Queensland education community in her current role as QCT’s Executive Manager (Professional Standards).  In this role she has led the implementation of the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers in Queensland.

Deanne will take up her new role in May and I look forward to working closely with her and the QCT.

The second annual Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) Catholic Education Network Gathering was held over two days at the Rockhampton Catholic Education Office last week. 

Representatives from all dioceses and QCEC attended and discussions focused on ensuring that there is a clear Indigenous voice in Queensland Catholic schooling supported by relevant legislation and policy directed at enhancing Indigenous student outcomes. 

The agenda explored issues including away from home study (boarding), mental health and wellbeing in our schools, STEM – Indigenous Knowledges and the 2019 NAIDOC Week Theme – Voice, Treaty. Truth. Let’s work together for a shared future.

The NAPLAN Online Refresher Training sessions began this week for staff in Catholic schools transitioning to NAPLAN Online this year. Principals, NAPLAN coordinators and teachers will review the protocols for online assessment, test administration procedures, scheduling processes and how to apply changes to the assessment platform during February and March.

The Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA) is hosting full-day training sessions from Charleville to Cairns and is supported by sector representatives providing specific input for schools in their jurisdiction. QCEC is planning to have 167 Catholic schools undertake NAPLAN Online in May 2019.

Celebrating NAIDOC Week 2019 – 7-14 July 2019

Missed a Circular? Below is a list of Circulars that have been issued recently. Use your login to access them.

009         Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on Students with Disability (NCCD)

010         Teacher Suspensions

011         NAPLAN Reporting Review

012         2019 Student Residential Address and Other Information Collection Update

013         2019 VET Forum: Skills and Capabilities: The Future of VET

014         HALT – Certifying Authority Update

015         Appointment of New Manager Workplace Relations