12 October 2017
Newsletter Articles
- Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons opens for signature
- Conference weighs how 'Amoris Laetitia' rejects 'infantilization of laity'
- Principal Health and Wellbeing
- The GROWTH model
- Framework for pre-service teacher mentor program planning
- Growth Faculty
- $45,000 Teaching Fellowship Grant
- Catholic Workplaces
- ChiFUNese
Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons opens for signature
A new treaty that opened for signature Sept. 20 at the United Nations and that could be the first step toward worldwide nuclear disarmament has been signed by the Vatican and endorsed by leading Catholic ethicists. The Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons would stop countries from "undertaking to develop, test, produce, manufacture, acquire, possess or stockpile nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices, as well as the use or threat of use of these weapons," according to a U.N. press release. If it gains the signature and ratification of 50 states, it would become the first legally binding treaty prohibiting nuclear weapons. "Just as bans have been ratified on other weapons of mass destruction, including cluster munitions, land mines, and chemical/biological weapons, so too it is hoped that a ban on nuclear weapons would reduce the likelihood of their use," Tobias Winright, associate professor of theology at the Albert Gnaegi Center for Health Care Ethics at St. Louis University, told NCR. Read More
Conference weighs how 'Amoris Laetitia' rejects 'infantilization of laity'
Pope Francis is asking the Catholic Church not to see families as a kind of workshop to try out different pastoral strategies but as a "privileged place" where God is alive and at work in the world, Chicago Cardinal Blase Cupich said Oct. 5. At a first-of-its-kind conference for U.S. bishops and theologians to consider how to better implement Amoris Laetitia, Francis' 2016 apostolic exhortation on family life, Cupich said the pope focuses on how "God has chosen to reveal the divine reality in the privileged place of family life."
"How true that is, if you look at the opening chapters of Genesis, all the way to the final scene in the Book of Revelation," Cupich said. "The context is always families, people coming together as families." That it is the privileged place that God has chosen in order for us to come to know who God is," he said. "It is not so much that we are treating families as a kind of a laboratory in which we do pastoral practice or theology, but rather it's a privileged place that we are graced to be a part of ... to see where God is active, where God is alive and God is doing something new."
Cupich is co-hosting the conference at Boston College with Jesuit Fr. James Keenan, a theologian at the university. During the two-day event, two cardinals, 12 bishops and 24 other invited participants are discussing what organizers call the "new momentum" Amoris Laetitia (in English, "The Joy of Love") gives local bishops to renew their pastoral practices toward families. Pope Francis is asking the Catholic Church not to see families as a kind of workshop to try out different pastoral strategies but as a "privileged place" where God is alive and at work in the world, Chicago Cardinal Blase Cupich said Oct. 5.
At a first-of-its-kind conference for U.S. bishops and theologians to consider how to better implement Amoris Laetitia, Francis' 2016 apostolic exhortation on family life, Cupich said the pope focuses on how "God has chosen to reveal the divine reality in the privileged place of family life." Full Article
Principal Health and Wellbeing
There is growing concern about the wellbeing of Australia’s primary school principals. In response to this, the Australian Primary Principals Association has conducted a national survey to investigate the relationship between policy, practice, and principal health.
The results of this survey were collated into a report, called Back to Balance: How Policy and Practice Can Make Primary Principals Highly Effective. It is a significant insight into the problems facing Australian principals, and the policy and practice resources that could improve this situation. The report can be found here, as well as a shorter preliminary report. We have also posted an infographic video on our YouTube account, accessible here.
At the 2017 APPA Conference, a Forum was held to discuss the outcomes of the survey and to draft a National Statement on Principal Health and Wellbeing. This statement can also be found here.
APPA would like to thank the project leader, Norm Hart, for his hard work on this survey and dedication to the broader issue of principal health and well-being. We would also like to thank Dr Philip Riley for his support and guidance. Finally, the design and publication of this Report would not have been possible without the expertise of Camp Australia. We thank Camp Australia for their contribution.
The GROWTH model
The GROWTH model as presented here (Campbell, 2016a) is an extension of the popular GROW model proposed by Sir John Whitmore (2009) in 1992. Aside from achieving a higher Scrabble score and forming another very apt word in a coaching context, the addition of the ‘T’ and ‘H’ serve to ensure that the conversation leads to clearly defined actions and that consideration is given to factors influencing the sustainability of new practices.
Before outlining each stage of the model in turn, it should be noted that coaching conversations are rarely as linear as the model might suggest. The GROWTH model is certainly not intended to be interpreted as a six-question script or formula. Moreover, it is a conversational framework designed to enable productive coaching conversations – it was never intended to be reproduced as a form to be completed by passive recipients!
Framework for pre-service teacher mentor program planning
Pre-service teacher mentoring programs have a large role to play within the Australian educational context, where schools not only share responsibility for assessing the aptitude of pre-service teachers but also take on the role of preparing teachers for the range of social and emo¬tional challenges of the practice. Making the task of pre-service teacher mentoring even more difficult is the significant importance of each of these roles. Clearly we need to ensure pre-service teachers are capable of achieving the graduate stage Australian Professional Standards for Teachers prior to being assigned their own classroom; however, equally important is the need to prepare pre-service teachers for the types of social and emotional challenges that are contributing to poor teacher attrition rates around the country. As we strive to develop graduate teachers who are confident, creative, show initiative and are willing to take risks in the classroom, the research shows that many school-based practicums are falling short of the mark.
A common strategy, for example
Growth Faculty
Growth Faculty are one of ACSP’s Professional Learning Partners and offer ACSP members 10% discount on the registration of their highly acclaimed seminars. Please use the links below to register and receive your exclusive discount.
Malcolm Gladwell and Steven Levitt – The Future: Disrupted and Reimagined
The Future: Disrupted & Reimagined blends a combination of economics and behavioural science to decode what drives human behaviour, motivation and success. It demonstrates that these stories are more surprising and fascinating than we could have imagined. It provides a new way of thinking that will have you looking at your own potential through a whole new lens and realising that the possibilities within the modern world, despite its complexity, are within your grasp.
Melbourne – 4th December
2017
Sydney – 6th December 2017
Malcolm Gladwell is the author of five New York Times bestsellers — The Tipping Point, Blink, Outliers, What the Dog Saw, and now, his latest, David and Goliath: Underdogs, Misfits and the Art of Battling Giants.
Steven Levitt – economist and best-selling author of Freakonomics, SuperFreakonomics, Think like a Freak and When top Rob a Bank.
Time: 09:00 – 15:00
ACSP Rate: $795pp (before 29 September), $895pp afterwards. For more information, please see here
Peak Performance Leadership Summit – Sydney 21 March & Melbourne 23 March 2018
Peak Performance Leadership Summit will feature three of the most influential leadership gurus of our time John C. Maxwell, Liz Wiseman and Michael Bungay Stanier, who will provide cutting-edge strategies, practical tools and critical components to achieve peak performance in any organisation. Peak Performance will question conventional beliefs, push boundaries of leadership styles and individual potential and raise the bar on performance. Peak performance is essential for today's fast-paced, team-centred, initiative-taking, results-oriented market. Be assured that the day will expose a new level of possibilities within your organisation, provide direction and focus to your team and help you build a plan of action that is consistent with the organizations goals and future direction.
Time: 09:00 – 16:30
ACSP Rate: $695pp (before 29 September), $795pp afterwards.
For more information, please see here
$45,000 Teaching Fellowship Grant
The Commonwealth Bank are now accepting nominations for Teaching Awards to celebrate and reward excellence in teaching and school leadership.
October 12 is the closing date for applications for the 2018 Commonwealth Bank Teaching Awards. Created by Schools Plus and the Commonwealth Bank, these prestigious Awards recognise and reward excellence in teaching and school leadership.
$45,000 Teaching Fellowship
In 2018, 12 outstanding educators will receive a $45,000 Teaching Fellowship, comprising $30,000 for a project at the Fellow's school, $10,000 for professional development and a $5,000 study tour to a high-performing education system.
They will also join a network of leading educators – including previous Award recipients – and have unique opportunities to learn from experts, share experiences and shape Australia's education landscape. Visit teachingawards.com.au for further information.
Catholic Workplaces
Last week saw the launch of Catholic Workplaces, an online Facebook page, featuring the latest news, tips and advice on creating a happier and healthier workplace. Check it out now, and 'like' the page.
Catholic Workplaces will be an easily accessible newsfeed and resource to help employees and employers navigate the ups and downs of any workplace, as well as keeping you in the loop about exciting upcoming events in our community.
Curious as to your work entitlements? Need advice on reaching your goals? Want to meet others who share a similar role to you? You can head to Catholic Workplaces to chat with others in the community to workshop different ideas on making your workplace the absolute best it can be.
Half way through your Wednesday and got a serious case of mid week blues? Hop on over to Catholic Workplaces to get inspired as we place the spotlight on people kicking goals in their workplace. But most importantly, Catholic Workplaces is a community – somewhere you can share your stories and your experiences and chat online with other people working in Catholic spaces.
ChiFUNese
Did you know that Mandarin Chinese is the most commonly taught language in NSW primary schools? It is not surprising given that Mandarin is the world's most spoken language, and China is Australia's largest trading partner. However, there are challenges for a school to implement and maintain a Chinese language program due to the difficulty in recruiting and retaining a qualified Chinese teacher on a p/t basis, and a lack of support structure for the language program and the teacher. ChiFUNese can help schools overcome these challenges by running a high quality Chinese language program on the school's behalf and offer extensive teaching resources and on-going training and support for our professional Chinese teachers. The program can also be used as RFF for the school teachers. ChiFUNese currently runs curricular and extra-curricular Mandarin Chinese programs at 40+ schools and early learning centres around Sydney including curricular programs at Galilee Catholic Primary School in Bondi, St Michael's Catholic Primary School in Stanmore, St Kevin's Catholic Primary School in Eastwood etc. For further information please visit www.chifunese.com and http://tinyurl.com/chifunese. Please contact ChiFUNese Director Jenny Shen on (02) 8006 8606 or info@chifunese.com to discuss this opportunity further. Full Flyer
Schoolzine
Schoolzine is proud to be a digital partner and supporter of ACSP NSW - Association of Catholic School Principals in NSW Inc.
Schoolzine has been an industry leader in digital school communications for 10 years. They are dedicated to customer service, product development and understanding the school landscape that keeps them at the top of the industry. Schoolzine’s Parent Engagement Platform consists of 3 packages, an eNewsletter, Mobile App and Website offering. Purchased separately or together, they guarantee each package will make engaging with parents easy and even enjoyable for a school of any size. Schoolzine addresses the need for media-rich, interactive content that engages parents.