Principals benefit from wellbeing and mentoring program
A new accompaniment program helped Catholic school principals gain confidence in their leadership decisions and enriched their faith, new research shows.
Brisbane Catholic Education’s Mamre program participants attended a two-day formation experience for professional learning and met regularly with a companion, typically a more experienced principal.
An evaluation by academics from ACU’s La Salle Academy found Mamre positively improved the vitality of Catholic school principals by placing spiritual wellbeing and professional reflection first.
Professor Br David Hall said there were many different forms of support available to the principal but companion-leader relationships was a mutual transformation of people sharing a discernment of the spirit.
‘Mamre identifies that spiritual wellbeing is not something separate to everything else we do.’
Providing safe and inclusive learning environments to prevent bullying
Next Friday is the annual National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence, Australia’s key school bullying prevention initiative.
This year’s theme, Growing Connections, promotes the importance of student connectedness and sense of belonging, helping students feel accepted, respected, included and supported.
Find
resources here.
To coincide, eSafety is holding a virtual classroom for students in Years 3 to 6. The session is called ‘
Be an eSafe kid: Take action against online bullying’. It will help students to identify cyberbullying and know what to do if they’re bullied online.
Two videos send important message to young people
The Jesuit Conference of Asia Pacific (JCAP) has produced an animated video set to classical music detailing the experiences of Fr Pedro Arrupe SJ in Japan during the Hiroshima bombing in 1945.
This 11-minute short video, titled ‘Arrupe in Japan’, is a glimpse into Fr Arrupe’s early years in Japan as a missionary, until the bombing of Hiroshima.
Meanwhile, the Redemptorists have launched a new mediation resource called ‘1 Silent Minute’. It invites individuals around the world to participate in the transformative 1 Silent Minute Challenge.
The video is inspired by the iconic American children’s television host Fred Rogers and is narrated by Dr Elissa Roper. It takes viewers on a journey that encourages introspection, reflection, and the cultivation of a deeper sense of calm and empathy. Watch here.
In brief
National Centre for Vocational Education Research data shows that the number of students undertaking vocational education and training (VET) as part of secondary education has decreased in the past year. Read more.
Internationally respected Catholic educator and Marist brother Professor Br David Hall FMS has been awarded the prestigious Dr Paul Brock Memorial Medal by the NSW Australian Council for Educational Leaders (ACEL), while Catholic Education, Diocese of Bathurst staff have been awarded the Australian Council for Education Leaders (ACEL) ‘Team Leadership Award for New South Wales 2023’ for their Diocesan Learning Hub. Find more winners here.
What’s On
BBI-TAITE National Religious Education Symposium: registrations are open for the event, which will be held in Dubbo on 12-13 October 2023. Read the flyer or register here.
National Child Protection Week 3-9 September: National Child Protection Week will continue to champion the message ’Every child in every community needs a fair go’. Find out more.
Hatchery’s Improving Outcomes for Children Experiencing Vulnerability & Risk Conference: 26-27 September in Sydney and Online. This conference will share approaches and responses to addressing intergenerational trauma, preserving and reunifying families and communities and improving long-term outcomes for children. Download the program.
NAPCAN workshops for people who work or volunteer with children and young people: online workshops are coming up for those in NSW and Qld. See NAPCAN’s Training Calendar or register your interest.
ACMF National Song Writing Competition: Entries close 30 September 2023. Open to all school-aged children and youth. Find out more.