The Commission held its October meeting yesterday and we were able to welcome three of the four new independent members to their first meeting.

The Commission considered a number of issues including future advocacy around early childhood education.

Commission members were updated on the recent Queensland Human Rights Commission recommendations for changes to the Anti-Discrimination Act which would potentially impact Catholic schools.

The Commission also endorsed the continuation of Communities of Faith, Hope and Love as the theme for Catholic Education Week for 2023 and 2024. 

The Student Protection Network meeting was held on Friday 14 October and brought together staff from the QCEC Student Protection Reference Group and staff working in student protection in Queensland Catholic School Authorities.

Guests from the Department of Children, Youth Justice and Multicultural Affairs provided a presentation on the latest developments in child safety reporting, case management and information sharing.

The meeting also provided a valuable opportunity for attendees to share information, ideas and practices for improving and strengthening student protection in Catholic schools. The focus of the meeting was on practical and proactive matters, and everyday issues being dealt with in schools. 

Congratulations to six teachers from Queensland Catholic schools who have recently been certified by the Queensland College of Teachers as Highly Accomplished or Lead Teachers.

Olivia Horn (St John Vianney, Manly), Shannon Grantley (St Thomas, Mareeba) , Angela Harris (St Joseph’s College, Toowoomba), Amrita Moss (Mt St Michael’s College, Ashgrove) and Caroline McLean (Mt Alvernia College, Kedron) have all been certified as Highly Accomplished Teachers, while Karyn Chapman (Mary MacKillop College, Nundah) has been certified as a Lead Teacher.

Certification at this level formally recognises the abilities, experience, knowledge and skills of teachers and recognises and promotes quality teaching. It is designed to benefit all of those involved in the process, including teacher, school leaders, education systems and, most importantly, students. 

Senior Education Officer, Liam Garvey, has been appointed as the QCEC representative on the eSafety Commissioner’s newly established National Online Safety Education Coordination Council. 

The Council was formed to prevent and reduce online harm and promote best practice approaches to online safety education across Australian schools.

Liam will join other representatives from the Catholic, State and independent education sectors on the Council. 

Image: Liam Garvey – QCEC Senior Education Officer, Information and Communication Technologies

With NAPLAN taking place earlier from 2023, the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA) is now recruiting registered teachers and other eligible applicants to mark the writing tasks.

Marking gives participants, the opportunity to broaden and build on their expertise and skills as a teacher and assessor, while earning extra income that is not limited to school hours.

The 2023 marking operation starts on Monday 21 March and runs for about four weeks (including the Easter school holiday period). No marking is required over the Easter long weekend.

For more information and to apply, visit the QCAA website here.

Nominations are now open for the myQCE Student Reference Group. 

The Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority is recruiting new student members for the myQCE Student Reference Group in 2023.  

Queensland students who will be in Year 10 in 2023 are eligible to apply.

The group gives students in Years 10-12 the chance to have their say about the QCE system processes and senior schooling.

The group meets four times per year and membership is ongoing until students graduate from Year 12. Nominations close on Friday 4 November. For more information visit the myQCE website here.

Catholic Education Northern Territory 
I would like to congratulate Paul Greaves who will begin his new appointment as Director of Catholic Education Northern Territory on 9 January 2023. I would also like to thank current director Greg O’Mullane for his service to the Catholic education sector and wish him all the very best in his retirement.

Brisbane Catholic Education 
Congratulations to Kellie Jacobsen who has been appointed Principal of St Francis Xavier Primary School, Goodna, commencing January 2023.

Friday 28 October marks World Teachers' Day in Queensland — a day to celebrate and thank teachers for the vital role they play within all schools and the wider community.

World Teachers’ Day (WTD) provides a wonderful opportunity to recognise these contributions and commend more than 12,000 Queensland Catholic school teachers who support more than 158,000 students in our schools.  

You can read more about some of the Catholic school teachers highlighted in this year’s campaign here: 

Barbara Dewis, St Therese’s School, Bentley Park 

Thea Cowdroy-Ling, St Agatha’s Catholic Primary School, Clayfield 

Brooke Stevenson, Columba Catholic College, Charters Towers 

Clare Gilliland, St Peter Claver College, Ipswich 

Cameron Love, St Saviour’s College, Toowoomba 

The theme for this year’s event is Teaching through every moment, which highlights the varied roles of teachers. Visit the WTD website to find out more here.  

Don’t forget to wear your WTD staff ribbon, tag QCEC and use the hashtag #WTD2022 in your social media stories.

Applications for the Non State Schools Transport Assistance Scheme (NSSTAS) will close on 31 October.

The NSSTAS provides financial assistance for families transporting students to non-state schools in Queensland.  

To find out more about the initiative and eligibility requirements click here.

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

2022 Circulars 
 
116     Teacher Suspensions and Cancellations 
117     Queensland Representative School Sport – Sport Executive 2023 membership 
118     Release of Respectful Relationship Education (RRE) Resources 
119     AITSL Consultation - Highly Accomplished and Lead Teacher Certification 
120     2022 Schools Planning Forums 
121     Principal Resources for Respectful Relationships Education (RRE)