Dear Colleagues,

FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT

The Fourth Sunday of Lent is traditionally called Laetare Sunday.

Laetare is a Latin word that means “rejoice.” The Gospel describes the reason for our joy: God's great love for us has been revealed in Jesus. Through His Passion, Death, and Resurrection, Christ has reconciled us with God and one another.

Curriculum Reform Day

On Wednesday, 26th March, a group of Classroom Teachers, PMs, APs, and Principals gathered at the VPS for the 1st Curriculum Reform Day of the year, focusing on Phase 1 of the PDHPE K-6 Syllabus. It was a highly collaborative day with attendees familiarising themselves with the new syllabus and beginning the critical collaborative work of developing a resource bank of programming resources aligned with scope and sequence and exemplar units - a resource bank we hope to have available for all schools by the end of Term 2. It was wonderful to be part of this collaborative and productive work, leveraging the expertise within our schools, so that together we can build curriculum reform support for every school.  

HSC Data Analysis Sessions

Our secondary schools have engaged in collaborative inquiry this term to review and analyse 2024 HSC data, and this week have begun the process of discussing their insights with CS Leadership and Education Officers. These discussions are growth-focused and aim to celebrate the collective efforts that lead to success in the HSC, identify areas for improvement, and unpack the targeted strategies that promote learning gains for all students. Putting faces to the data shows us that we have a lot to celebrate across the diocese. The work done by school executive teams, Leaders of Learning, teaching staff, and those supporting them from the Catholic Schools office is to be commended. I sincerely thank the Leadership Teams at St Clare’s High School, St Bede’s Catholic College, St Francis Xavier’s College, St Joseph’s College Lochinvar, and All Saints’ College, who have led these discussions and have engaged so thoughtfully in the process.

St John Vianney Morisset

The Comms team recently visited St John Vianney, Morisset, where new Principal Mark Konik discussed the school’s core values and what sets it apart, emphasising its strong sense of community, fostering both academic excellence and personal growth.

‘When you join St John Vianney, you don’t just become a part of a school, you become a part of a community’.

See the video here

Sports

Recently, the highly anticipated Open Boys and Girls Diocesan Football Gala Days were held at Speers Point. The competition was excellent, with schools competing fiercely for the opportunity to advance to the next stage of the 2025 NSWCCC Football Knockout Championship.

It was a great day with the Trinity Catholic College, Adamstown Open Girls team and All Saints College, Maitland, as they now progress to the next round, where they will face some of the best school teams from across the state.

Congratulations to all teams who competed, showcasing outstanding sportsmanship and talent.

All Saints Boys - Winners

Gateshead Boys – Runners Up

Trinity Girls – Winners

St. Bede’s Girls – Runners Up

Corpus Christi Primary School Waratah – School Visit

I sincerely thank Katie Kingsford, Michael Deed, and their staff for their commitment to our students and the Waratah school community. Your hard work, passion, and care shape not only the minds of our learners but also their character and future. Our visit highlighted your commitment to enliven the Dominican charism and work in partnership with your parents and recognised a shared vision and collaborative approach to achievement and ongoing improvement.

Thank you for the vital role you play in creating a nurturing and inspiring learning environment. As we continue this journey together, I encourage you to take pride in the impact you make every day.

With my best wishes,

Jacqui

FORMATION FILMS – 11am, Saturday 5 April

Please see flyer for further details.

WAY OF THE CROSS – 3pm, Sunday 6 April  just the link to this video and how to register

ENQUIRIES: mission@mn.catholic.org.au

REGISTER: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/the-way-of-the-cross-a-pilgrimage-of-hope-tickets-1250877762059?aff=oddtdtcreator

Moree 'Makaratta' Immersion - Expression of Interest is currently open for registration in nmpeople, please use this link:  Moree "Makaratta" Immersion

MOREE ‘MAKARATTA’ IMMERSION – Dates Monday 7 July – Thursday 10 July 2025
(4 DAYS, 3 NIGHTS) | 15 HOURS

Walking in truth, justice, love, and hope!

This immersion experience explores the historical context of the massacres that occurred to the Aboriginal people in Myall Creek and reflects on the spiritual significance of the site. 

During these days, participants will develop an appreciation of community engagement as a means of reconciliation, healing, and truth-telling.

Members of the Diocesan community are invited to create an artwork focusing on the theme
“Hope does not disappoint” (Rom 5:5).
Winning entries will travel across the Diocese in a travelling exhibition during the Jubilee Year.

Please see flyer for further details.

Australian schools can now enrol Year 6 and Year 10 students to participate in NAP Opt-in assessments in key curriculum areas. These new optional assessments are part of the National Assessment Program and are being phased in over 3 years. In May 2024, science literacy was delivered successfully. Civics and citizenship is being added for 2025, followed by ICT literacy in 2026. From 2026, NAP Opt-in assessments in all 3 domains will be available each year. Schools choosing to take part in NAP Opt-in assessments will be able to:

• Measure student performance against national standards in key curriculum areas beyond literacy and numeracy.
• Use the results (available only to the participating school) to review, plan and adapt teaching and learning programs.
• Run the assessments using the online platform at a time that suits them in the testing window, which in 2025 will run from Monday 5 May – Friday 30 May.

The assessments are run directly by the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) and its appointed contractor. There is no fee for schools registering to take part. Schools will already be familiar with the online platform and processes used as they are similar to NAPLAN. In 2024, for the first year of these optional assessments, ACARA received feedback from the participating schools which has been used to improve future Opt-in assessments.
Schools have the option to enrol both Years 6 and 10 students, or one year, or individual classes of students within either year. When schools enrol full-year cohorts, they benefit from more data for school-wide planning. Schools will self-administer the NAP Opt-in assessments in 2025 via the platform –www.assessform.edu.au.
The attached NAP Opt-in 2025 Information for Schools provides further details about the NAP Opt-in assessments and includes some Frequently Asked Questions. Registration for the assessment will open on 25 March 2025 and close on 29 April 2025. Schools can find more information by visiting www.nap.edu.au/opt-in
and by contacting ACARA's NAP Opt-in assessment team at: opt-inhelpline@acara.edu.au.

Please click on the following PDF and see answers to frequently asked questions.

Most PB4L professional learning will be delivered directly in schools during staff meetings or as Staff Development Days. Please get in touch with me if you would like to organise something,

There are, however, a few days open to all schools that I am facilitating in 2025.

The days (and the links to the course registration in MN people) are as follows:

20/5/25: PB4L - Tier 1 in the classroom - Effective classroom systems and practices

https://cdmn.elmotalent.com.au/learning/courses?courseview=329

This will be a PL day for any teacher who would like to spend time reviewing and renewing their approach to behaviour support practice in the classroom. The focus will be on proactive and evidence-based practices for classroom management. There will be time on the day to set realistic goals for the year ahead, and to develop a personal practice action plan to work on.

08/8/25: PB4L Primary Schools Information and Networking Day

https://cdmn.elmotalent.com.au/learning/courses?courseview=334

This will be an opportunity for members of primary school PB4L teams from different schools in our system to come together and exchange resources and ideas, to share their successes and extend their knowledge and PB4L practice.

13/8/25: PB4L Secondary Schools Information and Networking Day

https://cdmn.elmotalent.com.au/learning/courses?courseview=325

This will be an opportunity for members of secondary school PB4L teams in our system to come together and share the work they are doing in this space and develop ideas together for developing PB4L systems and practices in the secondary context.

If you would like me to meet with your leadership group or PB4L team to explore where things are up to in your school, please contact me.

Craig Moore

Education Access Officer – Positive Behaviour

0407723744

craig.moore@mn.catholic.edu.au

DIAL Team, Microsoft and Minecraft Education team would like to extend an invite to any interested teachers to attend an upcoming webinar to explore an exciting new technology resource in Minecraft Education, Peter Is Here: AI for Cultural Heritage.

St Peter’s Basilica, a historic and artistic marvel, is now the focus of a groundbreaking Minecraft Education experience developed by Microsoft and the Vatican, allowing students to explore and protect this iconic site. For a sneak peek, check out this video.                    

When: 3rd of April 2025

Time: 3.30 pm – 4.15 pm (AEST)

Event Highlights:

• World Showcase: Discover the unique features and landscapes of "Peter Is Here: AI for Cultural Heritage," inspired by real-world preservation efforts.
• 20-Minute Walkthrough: Take a guided tour through the world, highlighting key areas and interactive elements, including the history of St. Peter's Basilica.
• Resource Discussion: Learn about the various resources available to help teachers and students make the most of Minecraft in education, such as the educator guide, classroom PowerPoint, student workbook, and downloadable certificate of completion.

Click here to register

In 2025, there will be twelve Curriculum Focus Days (CFD) total, including seven across secondary and five for primary.

The Self-Evaluation Resource will be due:

• Primary: 2 weeks prior to Curriculum Focus Day for your region
• Secondary: Tuesday, 24th June (Term 2, Week 9) for all subjects*, unless an earlier date is specified by your school executive.

Secondary

Primary

• Creative Arts Stage 1
• Mathematics Stage 3

Curriculum Focus Days and Self-Evaluation Resource Learning

To support the upcoming Curriculum Focus Days and Self-Evaluation Resource, there will be a 45-minute Teams meeting to outline the processes and overview what to expect on the day. Schools are encouraged to join one of the sessions on offer. These sessions are not mandatory, they are open to any person interested in a refresher around CFD and SER.

Please join by clicking on the following links on the chosen day:

Term 1, Week 10

Monday 31^st March, 9.30am – 10.15am

Friday 4^th March, 10.15am – 11am

Term 1, Week 11

Tuesday 8^th April, 3.15pm – 4pm

Term 2, Week 1

Monday 28^th April, 11.15am – 12pm

Support materials, including a recording of the sessions above, will be available at the end of the term. Please contact Alicia Dibben if you have any questions.

2025 CogAT Administration

2025 CogAT Administration As we prepare for the 2025 administration of the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) to years 2, 4, and 7 across the diocese, scheduled testing dates have now been confirmed with schools. To ensure a smooth administration, a range of professional learning videos and resources are available via this link High Potential and Gifted Education - Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) which is also accessible via the MNConnect landing page Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) tile. These include:

Professional Learning Resources Available:

• Videos:

1. What is CogAT and Ability Data – Why Does it Matter?
2. Understanding the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT)
3. Planning for the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT)
4. Creating a Test Session for the Online CogAT in DataManager
5. Administering the Online Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT)

• Additional Resources:

• CogAT Administration PowerPoint Presentations
• CogAT Testing Checklist
• CogAT Newsletter Entry
• Student Online Test Sign-In Link
• DataManager Sign-In Link
• Practice Tests
• Directions for Online Administration

Support for Administration: For staff new to the GEM role, administering CogAT for the first time, or those who have requested support, an HPGE staff member will be available on at least the first day of your administration.

Access to Student Sign-In Codes & DataManager Setup:

• Student Unique Identification Sign-In Codes are now ready for printing and have been securely uploaded to your School Portal
• DataManager Setup: All students have now been added/updated on the Riverside DataManager platform. Principals, Assistant Principals, and GEMs will soon receive a request from Riverside Insights DataManager to complete the setup process and create a password.

No further action is required beyond this step until you review the instructional videos available on the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) tile on MNConnect or via the link above.

CogAT Online Administration Set-Up Meetings: For additional support, optional online meetings are available to Principals, Aps, and GEMs to assist with setup, answer questions, and provide guidance:

Monday, 7th April – 8:30 AM via the LINK
Tuesday, 8th April – 3:30 PM via the LINK
Friday, 11th April – 8:30 AM via the LINK

For further assistance, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We appreciate your support in this important initiative!

Academic Competition

Virtual Academy’s da Vinci Decathlon Team Selection

Congratulations to our Virtual Academy students selected for the Maitland-Newcastle Catholic Schools da Vinci Decathlon Team! This is an incredible achievement, and we are excited for students to engage with like-minded peers and to represent their school and our diocese in this prestigious academic competition.

Venue: Bishop Tyrrell Anglican College, 256 Minmi Road, Fletcher
Dates:

• Tuesday, 1st April – Years 7-8
• Wednesday, 2nd April – Years 9-10
• Thursday, 3rd April – Years 5-6

⏰ Time: 7:45 AM – 3:30 PM
Transport: Families are responsible for drop-off and pick-up arrangements.

On the Day:

• The High Potential and Gifted Education Team will supervise students throughout the event.

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out. We look forward to enabling our students to showcase their talent!

Upcoming Virtual Academy Events

Semester 1 Digital Tools Online Workshop Week

As part of the Virtual Academy, students are invited to participate in the Semester 1 Digital Tools Online Workshop Week, a unique variation to our program designed to develop thinking, research, communication, and self-management skills using technology.

Students will select their preferred workshop during their upcoming Video Conferences. This workshop will support their designs and creations for the end-of-semester Virtual Academy event. During scheduled Video Conferences and independent Virtual Academy learning time, students will learn how to access, manage, operate, and troubleshoot specific digital software to refine their innovative creations for sharing with their Virtual Academy Educator and peers.

Week 1, Term 2 – Online Digital Tools Workshop via Teams Video Conference at school

Innovate: Bridging Business, Technology, and Education

The Virtual Academy’s Enterprise Program, in collaboration with the University of Newcastle, presents Innovate – a unique opportunity for students to explore the intersection of emerging technologies and contemporary business practices.

Venue: Q Building, University of Newcastle, Honeysuckle Drive
Date: Thursday, 10^th April

Event Highlights:

• Enhancing technological literacy, entrepreneurial acumen, and strategic problem-solving skills
• Engaging with industry professionals, business mentors, university professors, and alumni
• Exploring real-world enterprises, innovative startups, and the impact of artificial intelligence on modern industries

This event provides Virtual Academy – Enterprise unit students with invaluable insights into the evolving global business landscape, helping them expand their professional networks and develop skills for future leadership.

Thank you for your ongoing commitment to supporting high potential and gifted education in our diocese. We look forward to working with you throughout 2025!

ASPIRE invites students and teachers to join us for the very first Dance Fest 2025. This exciting event will bring together dancers from across the diocese for a day filled with specialist workshops led by industry professionals. This will also give students the opportunity to meet peers who share their passion for dance.

Dance Fest will take place at Newcastle City Hall on Monday 26 May 2025 from 9.00 am – 2.30 pm.  There is not cost to attend this day.

Dance Fest will be a fast-paced day consisting of 3 different style workshops; Contemporary, Musical Theatre and Jazz. Dancers will partake in all three workshops that will be presented by leading industry professionals, therefore a dance skill set of intermediate/advanced is recommended for those attending (these are not beginner workshops).

This opportunity is open to students in Years 5-12 and teachers that wish to partake in the workshops (no casual release provided).

Dancers can register for the day by filling out an application form on the Aspire website or by following the QR code. 

Places are limited and will be given on a first come first served basis.

Please contact Anne Atkins for further information via anne.atkins@mn.catholic.edu.au or 02 4979 1331

The ASPIRE Song Competition is open to all students in our primary and secondary schools.

Aspire 2025 is set in a post-apocalyptic future where young people are not allowed to feel any emotions. When mysterious artworks start appearing around the city questioning this course of action a small group of rebels are inspired to challenge the decisions of their leaders.

The Song Competition will be broken into 4 categories- Primary School (individual), Primary (class), Year 7-9 and Years 10-12. Using the story for the production, the themes below will be the song writing focus for these allocated year groups.

Primary (class) category- Primary school teachers are encouraged to create a song with their classes or part of their class. This could be part of programming or a co-curricular project.

Primary School (individual and class categories): Emotions

What are emotions?

Select an emotion to be the focus of your song

Different ways of expressing emotions

Years 7, 8 or 9: Rebellion

Using 'rebellion’ as a theme for lyrics and/or music

Think about making a stand

What do people rebel against and how might they go about it

Years 10, 11 or 12: Artwork

Using 'artwork’ as a theme for lyrics and/or music

You may be inspired by a particular artist or artwork

What effect does art have on people

The attached flyer will give you more about the song competition which closes on Thursday 3 April 2025. Those selected as finalists will workshop their songs and then perform at the Song Writing Showcase on Thursday 22 May 2025.

ASPIRE is introducing a scriptwriting competition in 2025 for secondary students. Interested creative writers are encouraged to get writing and enter a script to go through a shortlisting process. There is no theme, and students can write about whatever they are interested in. Scripts must be PG rated and be between five and eight minutes in length, with a maximum of six performers.

Once entries close, shortlisted finalists will be sent feedback to consider from the judges and asked to submit a second draft of their script. The winner of each category will be decided at a live staged reading performance where a guest panel will judge the scripts. There are two categories: Years 7-9 and Years 10-12.

Entries close Friday 18 April 2025.

Dear Colleagues,

Starting from March 28^th, 2025, emails from social media platforms (such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.) will be blocked and not delivered to all student education email accounts (@mnstu.catholic.edu.au).  If students have signed up for a social media, gaming, instant messaging, or similar account using their student email address (@mnstu.catholic.edu.au). Once again, they are advised to change to a personal email address on each platform by March 28^th, 2025.

This will not impact staff email addresses.

Why are we making this change?

To help keep our students safe online, reduce the risk of cyber threats, and ensure student email accounts are used only for their intended educational purposes.

1. Security: Social media emails often contain links and attachments that can be potential security risks. By blocking these emails, we aim to protect student’s personal information and the school's network from phishing attacks and malware.
2. Focus on Academic Communication: Our primary goal is to ensure that education email accounts are used for academic purposes. This change will help students focus on important communications related to their studies and school activities.
3. Reduce Clutter: Social media notifications can quickly fill your inbox, making it harder to find important emails. Blocking these emails will help keep inboxes organized and manageable.

Please refer to our knowledge base article for further information about this social media block – click here.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. If you have any questions or concerns about this update, please do not hesitate to contact Technology Services.