Welcome back. I hope you all had a wonderful school holiday break and are feeling refreshed and excited to start Term 2. 

With Queensland restrictions coming to an end on 15 April, schools are now back to operating under the same conditions as were in place prior to the Greater Brisbane lockdown in the lead up to Easter. 

Despite the return to ‘COVID normal’, it is important for us all to remain vigilant and continue to plan for a range of different scenarios that could arise due to the ongoing pandemic.

Recent COVID-19 updates sent to Catholic School Authorities (CSAs) have provided links to a range of templates which may be useful in preparing for the inevitable challenges ahead. 

As always, QCEC will continue to consult with CSAs about ongoing management of the pandemic and its impact on schools. 

I recently attended the final meeting of the Ministerial Senior Assessment and Tertiary Entrance (SATE) Implementation Taskforce.

The SATE Taskforce meetings are chaired by the Minister for Education Grace Grace and have been an opportunity for review and oversight of the implementation of the new system.

The meetings include representatives from the schooling sectors, parents, teachers, principals, the tertiary sector, the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority and the Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre.

The Taskforce endorsed the proposed new Year 12 Outcome Report as recommended to the Minister by the QCAA Board. The Minister will now complete any required Government and Cabinet processes and we anticipate that an announcement regarding the Year 12 Outcome Report will be made very soon. As this was the final decision to be made with respect to the implementation phases of the new SATE processes, the Minister advised that this would be the final meeting of the Taskforce. She thanked all members for their participation and support throughout implementation phase.

Last week I participated in the National Catholic Education Commission April meeting.

The meeting provided an opportunity to hear updates from all states and territories on key issues affecting Catholic schools.

The Commission discussed a number of the key current national education policy issues including the new Review of Initial Teacher Education, review of the Australian Curriculum, and the ongoing work of the National School Resourcing Board in relation to funding.

The next Commission planning day and meeting will be held on Wednesday 16 and Thursday 17 June.

Last week Executive Director of Catholic School Parents Queensland Carmel Nash and I met with the LNP Shadow Minister for Education, Dr Christian Rowan MP.

Carmel led an update on current and planned parent engagement strategies to support student learning and there was also an opportunity to hear the Opposition’s position on provision of capital funding to support kindergarten construction in all new schools and in targeted existing schools.

Regular engagement with Government and Opposition MPs is an important part of QCEC’s role and ensures the voice of Catholic schools is heard when education policy is being formulated and debated.

Photo source: Dr Christian Rowan MP Facebook page

Just before the school holidays began, I participated in the Ministerial Skills Roundtable meeting chaired by the Minister for Employment and Small Business and the Minister for Training and Skills Development Di Farmer MP.

The discussion covered a broad range of issues including economic recovery and connecting employers with skilled workers to address skills gaps in regional areas.

The Roundtable meetings ensure the voice of industry and skills sector stakeholders is informing government policy. I look forward to ongoing participation in these Roundtables and working with the Minister in this critical skills area of our school programs.

We invite Catholic school staff to join the online Future Thrive VET in Schools Forum on Thursday, 20 May.

Designed for VET staff in schools, the skills and qualifications forum will feature a range of presentations outlining how students can gain an edge by building their skills and qualifications through VET and school-based apprenticeships and traineeships.

During the full day program, a variety of VET related topics will be covered including skills policy reform, school-based apprenticeships and traineeships, innovation and the future job market, high quality balanced career advice and career education, industry engagement, current research and school showcases.

The Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA) is convening a series of focus groups to review and provide feedback on the proposed changes to the F-10 Australian Curriculum.

These focus groups will help inform Queensland’s response to the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) as part of the Australian Curriculum Review public consultation process.

As current vacancies exist for the English 3-6 focus group and the Design and Technologies 7-10 focus group, Queensland Catholic School Authorities are invited to consider whether they can nominate a representative, with the appropriate expertise, to participate.

QCAA has requested these positions be filled by current classroom teachers, as Curriculum Leaders have already been secured.

The QCAA has advised that TRS will be provided to cover the participation of school representatives in the focus groups.

Please submit your nomination by close of business on Thursday, 22 April. You can access the online survey here.

The NAPLAN online May assessment will take place during Term 2 from 11-21 May.

Catholic School Authorities are encouraged to remind staff to notify their school community of their NAPLAN online test schedule prior to the assessment period so parents are aware of when testing will occur for their school.

QCEC’s Cross-School Moderation workshops will run during Term 2 in dioceses across Queensland.

The cross-school moderation workshops (online and face to face) are suitable for teachers who have participated in a within school NCCD moderation.

The Spirit of Catholic Education Awards, including the Aunty Joan Hendriks Spirit of Catholic Education Reconciliation Award are currently open for nominations until 9 May.

Catholic school communities and Catholic school authorities in Queensland are invited to nominate individuals or teams in the community (staff members, parents/carers or volunteers) who are making an outstanding contribution to the life of the community.

The awards are presented annually as part of the Queensland Catholic Education Week (CEW) celebrations from 25-31 July.

The awards are supported by the Australian Catholic Superannuation and Retirement Fund (ACSRF) and the Australian Catholic University (ACU), the sponsors of CEW.

As we approach Anzac Day, it is important to take time to reflect, pray and pay tribute to those who lost their lives and served in the battles and conflicts encompassed by World War 1 and those that followed.

Many schools are this week holding Anzac commemorations to both honour those who served and instil in students an understanding of the history and meaning of Anzac Day.

It is another sign of our school communities returning to normal after the disruption to last year’s commemorations which, nevertheless, resulted in some unique and innovative tributes.

Image source: Iona College Facebook

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

2021 Circulars

035     Student Attendance (STATS) collection 2021 – Data Technical Specification and Key Dates
036     Review of the Australian Curriculum – EOI to participate in ACARA’s F-6 Intensive Engagement Australian Curriculum
037     Review of Consent Education and Reporting
038     Teacher Suspensions and Cancellations
039     Reporting Timetable 2^nd Quarter Update
040     Capital Assistance Assessment Committee appointment of new member
041     Consultative Committee for Work Related Fatalities and Serious Incidents -Safety Switch Campaign
042     NCEC – Research and Evidence Consolidation
043     QCEC 2020 Annual Report
044     QCEC Australian Curriculum Review Focus Groups