QCEC Executive Director Dr Lee-Anne Perry is currently on annual leave, returning on Monday 16 March 2020.

Yvonne Ries is the Acting Executive Director and during her secondment Liam Garvey will be Acting Director- Education.

Last week the Commission held its first meeting for 2020 with a focus on setting up the Commission’s work for the year.

The Commission considered its schedule of strategic issues to be considered for the rest of the year and also reviewed the operational plan for 2020.

Commission members also received a presentation on the 2019 outcomes for Year 12 students in Queensland Catholic schools.

A number of resources have been provided to assist schools to stay up to date with any current matters associated with coronavirus.

We expect to be in a position to provide further information to relevant Catholic School Authorities tomorrow regarding possible travel exemptions for Year 11 and 12 students who are enrolled in Catholic schools but who are still in China.

In the meantime, the Federal Department of Education, Skills and Employment has a range of fact sheets for schools. 

Queensland Health has an extensive series of FAQs on its website.

The first workshop for the Globally Engaged Middle Leaders’ Program was held in Brisbane last week.

The workshops equip Middle Leaders with the knowledge and leadership capabilities to foster school cultures responsive to the compelling realities of a globalised world.

This program is the result of a collaborative partnership between QCEC, the Global Learning Centre and the Queensland Education Leadership Institute.

A workshop for the second cohort of Middle Leaders undertaking the program starts in Brisbane tomorrow.

As we move into the Lenten season, Shrove Tuesday marked the launch of Project Compassion - Caritas Australia's annual Lenten fundraising and awareness-raising appeal.

The theme for 2020 is Go Further Together.

Millions of Australians come together in solidarity to help end poverty, promote justice and uphold dignity.

There are many resources for schools available on the website including stories, videos, teaching materials and activities.

Click here to visit the website and find out more.

Above photo: Students from St Clare’s School, Tully on Shrove Tuesday (pic source: Facebook)

Above photo: Students from St Joseph’s, The Strand (Pic source: Facebook)

NCCD training workshops, held by QCEC, are up and running across all dioceses.

To date, these sessions have been popular and very well attended.

The training assists school staff develop and promote a shared understanding of the Australian Government NCCD model and guidelines, including recent revisions and changes. 

Participants have the opportunity to deepen their knowledge about ways to meet their obligations under the NCCD.

The Highly Accomplished and Lead Teacher Certification information sessions are now underway throughout each diocese for all teachers interested in seeking certification in 2021.

There is still time to register for sessions in Toowoomba, Townsville, Cairns and Rockhampton.

Click here to find a session in your region.

QCEC is currently seeking Expressions of Interest for a part-time, six-month temporary position of ‘Project Officer, Student Protection’.

The purpose of the position is to assist with the completion of two current student protection projects funded under the Australian Government Non-Government Reform Support Fund (NGRSF).

Details about the role can be found on the QCEC website employment page.

Applications close on Friday 6 March 2020.

A further negotiation meeting is taking place today and an update will be provided for all staff as soon as possible.

EB Staff Updates can be found on the EB website along with minutes of the formal negotiation meetings.

These negotiations are important to ensure our school staff are adequately rewarded and that our Catholic schools remain sustainable in the future.

World Teachers’ Day will be celebrated in Queensland on Friday 30 October 2020.

A theme and school resources will again be made available to assist with marking the occasion closer to the date.

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

2020 Circulars

015         State Census 2020

016         AITSL Teaching Practice Reference Group

017         Release of 2020 Direct Measure of Income

018         Queensland School Sport Management Group

019         Family Assistance Legislation Amendment ABSTUDY Government Response

020         Expression of Interest Student Protection Project Officer

021         eSmart Schools

022         ACNC Extension of Financial Reporting Requirements

023         Student Background Data Collection Propose Change of Timeframe

024         eSafety Toolkit

025         Broadband Connections in Queensland Catholic Schools Data Collection

026         USI – AUSKey Decommissioning

027         NGRSF Annual Funding Progress Payment