National safety survey finds limited awareness of eSafety Commissioner
The 2022 National Online Safety Survey has highlighted the need for greater collaboration to boost awareness of the eSafety Commissioner to keep children safe online.
The survey, released earlier this month by the Australian Government, reveals a lack of awareness of Australia’s eSafety Commissioner and its services, and the significant under-reporting of incidents online.
Unprompted, only two per cent of parents surveyed identified the eSafety Commissioner as an organisation they would turn to for help with online safety. This number increased when a list of support options, including the eSafety Commissioner, was provided.
Less than four per cent of parents and 12 per cent of children report harm they experienced online, such as abuse or being sent violent or sexual content, to the eSafety Commissioner.
While the survey found the majority of parents and carers have discussed online dangers and safe use of the internet, further information and awareness activities are still needed to inform parents of the support available through the eSafety Commissioner.
The report, based on data collected in April and May 2022, also found 45 per cent of children reported their main negative online experience was being called offensive names, and 14 per cent of children, aged 11 to 17, reported it was being threatened by someone who said they would send or post private photos or videos of them.
Read more here. Find the report here.
Winning student enterprise project now a viable commercial venture
For Year 9 student Lara, from Kildare College, Holden Hill, a simple enterprise idea in the 2022 Future Anything national finals could now become a viable commercial venture.
The Butterfly Foundation and the Women’s and Children's Hospital have both shown their support for a cutlery set she created for people recovering from an eating disorder, that have kind, supporting words and affirmations laser engraved on the handles.
30 percent of the profits are being donated to the Butterfly Foundation, the national charity supporting people living with an eating disorder or body image issues.
“People who have or who are recovering from an eating disorder can feel quite lonely,” said Lara.
“These words will let them know they’re not alone and provide subtle support through their journey.”
The Butterfly Foundation have shared Lara’s business content on their social media platforms, while the Women’s & Children's Hospital Foundation have funded the purchase of some cutlery sets to give to patients on discharge as a gift to take home.
“I would like to expand the business further, and source my own materials and equipment and scale up production,” said Lara.
She also hopes to offer customisable options in the future.
Focusing on sustainability, each set is made from reusable bamboo and comes with a card outlining the mission of the enterprise and other words as distractions for the user when they are struggling.
Lara was one of two winners of a ‘Shark Tank’ held in 2022 at Kildare College. Read more.
Remembering the Goulburn school strike
It was back to where it all began on the 60th anniversary of the Goulburn School Strike for NCEC executive director Sally Egan and Laura Avery. They visited the toilet block at St Brigid’s Catholic Primary School before Tuesday's official anniversary celebrations.
In July 1962 the Archdiocese of Canberra-Goulburn was financially unable to comply with government directions to improve the facilities in its schools including an additional toilet block at St Brigid’s to accommodate the large student population.
The school closed its doors to students in protest and on 13 July 1962 and the Auxiliary Bishop of Canberra-Goulburn John Cullinane authorised the closure of all local Catholic primary and secondary schools for six weeks until the conclusion of the term.
The 2,000 Goulburn Catholic school students were instructed to attend their local government schools for enrolment on 16 July, in protest over the lack of state government funding. The government schools were unable to accommodate the additional students and the strike generated national attention and debate.
The ‘Goulburn Strike’ only lasted one week, but it inspired a renewed campaign by Catholic families to advocate to the government for funding. The school strike was a turning point for the re-establishment of government funding to non-government schools in Australia.
The anniversary dinner was attended by the Archbishop of Canberra-Goulburn Christopher Prowse, leaders in Catholic education, three of the Catholic school students caught up in the 1962 strike, and current Catholic school students from the Goulburn area.
Planning for improved support for students with disability
NCEC staff and Catholic education representatives from across Australia attended the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data (NCCD) and finance managers combined meeting last week in New South Wales.
“It was a great opportunity for both the finance and NCCD groups to come together to have a shared understanding of how NCCD funding is being applied across dioceses and within schools,” NCEC acting deputy executive director Joanna Mackie said.
Topics covered included how NCCD funding is allocated in each jurisdiction, the current provision of personal care in schools, specialised transport, the Schools Assurance Framework and the National School Resourcing Board.
ACU mentor program supports student teachers
Australian Catholic University (ACU) research has shown that student teachers taking part in a comprehensive mentoring program have experienced a significant drop in anxiety and dramatically improved their Catholic and spiritual literacy.
A three-year review of the Spiritual and Pedagogical Accompaniment (SPA) program found the competency of pre-service teachers (PST) against the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (APSTs), as well as their sense of belonging in the school environment, also improved.
Additional country teaching incentive announced
In response to the growing need for teachers in regional and remote schools, Catholic Education South Australia has launched an additional country teaching incentive covering three schools: St Barbara’s School, Roxby Downs; Caritas College, Port Augusta; and Samaritan College, Whyalla.
Successful candidates will have access to a $20,000 incentive payment (pro-rata based on FTE engagement for two years) in addition to the current country incentives program. The additional country incentive will be available for all teaching vacancies in the eligible schools for 2023.
New book: Formation of Teachers for Catholic Schools
The book to be launched on Monday explores in a theoretical and practical sense the challenges and opportunities arising in the initial and ongoing formation processes for teachers in Catholic schools.
It is edited by Leonardo Franchi and Richard Remarz and showcases a range of international perspectives on how prospective teachers for Catholic schools are prepared both academically and pastorally for their professional role. Find out more here.
New course to improve cultural competency in a Catholic context
NATSICC has developed a foundational Online Cross Cultural Competency Course for all Catholic workers, volunteers, Clergy and Religious. It is the first ever Cross Cultural training with a Catholic Focus and will equip participants with the knowledge and skills to effectively engage with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. Read more here.
NCEC 2021 Annual Report
The National Catholic Education Commission's 2021 Annual Report highlights progress on the national strategic priorities and the areas of policy, advocacy and stakeholder engagement, the celebration of 200 years of Catholic education in Australia, as well as providing a national statistical snapshot and financial report. Read the report here.
Appointments
Catholic education has announced the appointment of Jack de Groot as the executive director of Catholic schools in the Diocese of Parramatta, following the retirement of Greg Whitby AM KSK. Meanwhile, The Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle has appointed Steven Lemos as Head of Catholic Schools. In the newly established role Steven will be responsible for educational outcomes while driving and unifying one systemic educational approach.
Around the Schools
New facilities at St Francis’ Primary School in Nathalia Vic were blessed and opened on Tuesday 22 November. The school will enjoy the four new general learning areas, meeting rooms, kitchen, undercover learning and gathering spaces in the years to come.
St Ursula's College Kingsgrove NSW is now an accredited International Baccalaureate World School. From 2023, senior students at the College can choose to undertake either the International Baccalaureate Diploma or the Higher School Certificate. Find out more here.
Five Teach For Australia ‘Associates’ will work at four NSW Catholic secondary schools across the Central West region next year, helping schools meet teaching workforce needs. In a new partnership, Teach For Australia (TFA) has worked with the Catholic Education Diocese of Bathurst to recruit and match the aspiring teachers to positions at secondary schools in Dubbo, Wellington, Orange and Lithgow. The initiative is also supported by Catholic Schools NSW.
Thirty awards were presented in Tasmania's Storytelling Showcase last week in three locations across the state. This year's theme was a 'Drabble' which is a story that is no more, and no less less than 100 words. Stories still followed the conventions of a story (a beginning, middle and an end), and were assessed on a number of different criteria by judges from CET.
Congratulations St Edward's Primary Tamworth NSW teacher Amanda Sheridan on winning a National Excellence Teaching Award! As Leader of Inclusion, Amanda’s passion for giving children with disability equal access to opportunities has been a major drive during her successful career. She believes it’s important to treat students fairly and give them what they need. Amanda’s award included a $5,000 professional develop grant. Read more.
St Joseph's students from the rural town of Murgon QLD are getting a real treat this week, with Year 4 students hosted by St Thomas More Sunshine Beach for an overnight camp that includes swimming, tennis, gymnastics, bushwalking & more, with all food provided by local businesses & surf lifesaving lessons donated by Noosa Heads Surf Life Saving Club.
This bush-to-beach experience was organised by St Thomas More teacher Michael Winmill with the support of Principal Carmel Schaumburg, as Michael makes the journey each term to St Joseph's to provide specialised sport lessons as an act of service. Read more about this act of kindness here.
Two WA Catholic schools have emerged as winners of 2022’s Write a Book in a Day competition, organised by The Kids’ Cancer Project which supports childhood cancer research. Ursula Frayne Catholic College Year 10 students gained first place with their composition of ‘Joy’ with St Munchin’s Catholic School Year 5 students runners-up. Read more.