Laudate Deum tells us we are not doing enough
In the follow up to Laudato Si’ Pope Francis doesn’t pull any punches, simply stating that we are not reacting enough and we are close to breaking point. ‘Praise God is the title of this letter. For when human beings claim to take God’s place, they become their own worst enemies,’ writes Pope Francis at the conclusion of his new apostolic exhortation.
In six chapters and 73 paragraphs, Francis tries to clarify and bring to completion that previous text on integral ecology, while at the same time sounding an alarm, and a call for co-responsibility, in the face of the climate emergency. In particular, the Exhortation looks ahead to COP28, which will be held in Dubai between the end of November and beginning of December. You can find out more from Vatican News or find Laudate Deum in full here.
Experts call for a national plan to address teacher shortage
Victoria is funding scholarships for students who enrol in Victorian teaching degrees and NSW has announced an historic pay rise for teachers but experts say it’s not enough. Professor Jeffrey Brooks, from Curtin University’s School of Education, said Australia needed a federal solution.
‘Draining talent from one state or territory to service another is a short-sighted solution that will make what should be a coordinated approach into a cobbled together patchwork of non-sustainable solutions. Rural and regional schools and communities are likely to suffer most from this.
‘There are issues that need to be addressed across the career cycle: recruitment into the profession, support for initial teacher education programs, professional experience and learning, induction into the school environment, salary, wellbeing, etc. but without an allied approach that integrates systemic federal support and guidance with local knowledge and contextual expertise, people and systems who should be cooperating are instead in competition,’ Prof Brooks said.
Voice to text may help seniors deal with exam stress
Exam season can be incredibly daunting for Year 12 students as it represents a critical juncture where their potential future paths hinge on their performance.
Former chief examiner, English for the NSW Higher School Certificate Dr Janet Dutton says getting started is often the hardest part of exam revision.
‘Writing practice essays and exam responses can be challenging even for the most enthusiastic student,’ she said. ‘Because we all learn to talk before we write (the mode continuum) it's usually easier to answer questions verbally rather than in written form – especially if we are not totally confident with the topic.
‘By using voice to text technology HSC students can quickly record information and then edit the transcript to polish their response and add quotations, facts, figures as required. Some easy methods include using speech to text in a Word document, using a voice recording app when out for a walk or holding a Zoom meeting and downloading the transcript.’
New resources tackle disability standards for educationThe Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL) has developed a range of resources to help teachers and school leaders better understand and meet their obligations under the Disability Standards for Education (DSE). You can find the AITSL resources
here.
What’s on
Next Australia Catholics Q&A session – Music jam session: Find out where to get good music and how best to use it in the classroom, formation activities and liturgies at school. Bring along your own tips and resources for a swap fest at the end of the session.
Guests: Musician and theologist, associate Professor Sr Maeve Heaney VDMF and coordinator of liturgy, faith and mission at St Monica’s College in Melbourne Fiona Dyball.
Date: Tuesday, 10 October 2023
Time: 4.30-5.30pm (AEDT)
Book your spot here.
Building Leadership in Aboriginal Education across Catholic Schools (NSW/ACT): Participants can expect to learn ways to facilitate greater learning outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, and leave with an increased awareness of ways in which they can create culturally safe learning environments for their students. The symposium will be held from 8.30am-3.30pm on 2 November at the Raddison Blu Plaza Hotel Sydney. Register here.
Prayer For the Referendum – Moments for healing this country: pray for healing within families, friendships, and communities and for all that is to follow post referendum. We will give thanks to all those who have given so much of themselves and shared their stories.
Date: Friday, 13 October 2023
Time: 8.30-9.30am (AEDT)
Book now.
Australian Catholic Education Symposium: online symposium with special guest speaker Prof Anne Graham followed by a panel discussion.
Topic: Are we listening? How can Catholic schools respond to student views for wellbeing, faith formation and learning.
Wednesday, 25 October 2023; 3.30-4.50pm (AEDT), 3pm (ACDT), 2.30pm (AEST), 12.30pm (AWST)
Register.