A very warm welcome to 2022 from CCSP!

When the gates opened at the beginning of the school year it was great to see the smiling faces of children returning to school, even the teenage ones had smiles too!

Those smiles were replicated by parents, carers and teachers, although there were a few tears shed by the parents and carers of children transitioning from preschool to kindy and primary to secondary school. As we hit the halfway mark of the term, we are back into the school term routine and the summer holidays seem like a distant memory.

Once again, the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the start of the school year, although many had fears of widespread virus transmission, school closures and a return to home-based-learning, thankfully so far this has not transpired in the Catholic sector. The amazing work of our principals, teachers, children and of course all of you, parents and carers, is keeping the infection rates below the forecast COVID-19 case numbers.

The provision of free Rapid Antigen Tests (RAT) and vaccinations for children aged over five gives parents and carers a level of security they did not have in 2020 and 2021.

The Council of Catholic School Parents NSW/ACT (CCSP) thanks the Government for providing these tests for free to all families as many may not have been able to afford the cost of the Rapid Antigen Tests.

The wellbeing of many families has been adversely affected over the past two years. CCSP is supporting a survey being conducted by the Australian Human Rights Commission about the effect of COVID-19 pandemic on children and families. CCSP is encouraging parents and carers to provide their voice to this survey as the results will help government form policy.

Communication from your child’s school principal is the best way to keep up to date with the school’s COVID-19 safe protocols and guidelines. If you have any questions don’t hesitate to call the school. Your children's schools are doing everything they can to ensure the safety and wellbeing of your children, their teachers and the wider school community.

CCSP urges everyone to be patient and vigilant as we move through this phase of the pandemic. If anyone in the family has symptoms, use one of the free RAT to keep you, your family, and school communities safe as possible.

We encourage as many of our families to get vaccinated if it is possible.

On behalf of all Catholic Learning Communities across NSW and the ACT, CCSP wants to thank all people who are part of the NSW and ACT Catholic education sector for their care and support for students and their families throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. CCSP extends its deep admiration and appreciation for your impressive agility, resilience, and compassion throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.   

Whilst navigating complex issues arising from the pandemic the Catholic Education leadership from Catholic Schools NSW, (CSNSW) Diocesan Directors, Principals, School Leadership teams, our amazing teachers and Education Officers have demonstrated a deep level of care for students and their families. Thank you for your ongoing care and compassion for students and their families.

In late January CCSP Executive Director, Peter Grace, commenced his new position as Assistant Principal -Evangelisation and Catechesis of St Leo’s Catholic College, Wahroonga. We thank Peter for facilitating the CCSP's continued support and advocacy for parents and carers across NSW and the ACT. We all wish Peter all the best in his new role.

CCSP is in the process of recruiting a new Executive Director, in the interim period, please direct any enquiries you may have about CCSP to me.

This week is the commencement of Lent, an opportunity for time of personal reflection, repentance, and renewal in preparation for the solemn celebrations of Holy Thursday, Good Friday and the Easter Vigil. I hope you will be able to be involved with any events organised by your children’s school community.  

God Bless

Wayne Davie

Chair, CCSP

The CCSP Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Committee encourages Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists, aged 13 years and over, to enter the 2022 National NAIDOC Poster Competition. The winning artist will receive a $10,000 cash price.

Kiri Newcombe Hubber, Chair of CCSP Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Committee said

"There are so many talented artists across NSW and the ACT, it would be wonderful to see entries from our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, past and present. What a great opportunity!"

This poster competition represents a significant opportunity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists to have their work recognised nationally and internationally as part of the celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures and achievements during NAIDOC Week.

The artwork must reflect the 2022 National NAIDOC theme: Get up! Stand up! Show up! 

Poster entries close on 14 March 2022 at 11:59PM (AEDT). Visit the National NAIDOC Week Poster Competition website.  for more information including the terms and conditions of the competition. 

Congratulations to those 22 students, who attended Catholic schools, that have been chosen to be part of 2021 ARTEXPRESS.

ARTEXPRESS represents the high standards and diversity achieved by 2021 Year 12 Visual Arts students in New South Wales schools. Catholic schools from 8 dioceses are represented by the high achieving students. 

Congratulations to following students:

Stephanie Creigh, McCarthy Catholic College

Jaydon Hughes, St Stanislaus College

Louis Caruana, St Columba’s Catholic College

Lilian Quick, James Sheahan Catholic High School

Jaden Beard, St Edward’s Christian Brother’s College

Sara Der Bedrossian, Mercy Catholic College

Kaitlyn Mateta, Trinity Catholic College

Coen Moran, St John’s College

Edward Parsons, St Mary’s Cathedral College

Monique Frasca, Clancy Catholic College

Monica Jornales, Aquinas Catholic College

Jet March-Cashman, Waverley College

Coco Remond, Kincoppal Rose Bay

Grace Shattock, Loreto Kirribilli

Sophie Beedham, Caroline Chisholm College

Dominic Hak, St Paul’s Catholic College

Eleanor Mason Kildare Catholic College

Eliza Berrell, St Mary Star of the Sea College 

Samuel Corkhill, St Gregory’s College Campbelltown

Lily Thomas-McKnight, St John the Evangelist Catholic High School

Benjamin Waights, St Benedict’s Catholic College

Mathias Decker, Edmund Rice College

You can view the exhibition in person or virually at ARTEXPRESS Virtual 2021.

Art Gallery of NSW  3 February – 25 April 2022

Bank Art Museum Moree   14 April – 25 June 2022

Tweed Regional Gallery & Margaret Olley Art Centre
22 July – 18 September 2022

The last two years have been challenging for everyone. You and your children have an opportunity to inform support services about what support families need.

CCSP and Catholic School Parents Australia (CSPA) encourage parents, carers, children and young adults aged 9 to 17 to complete the new study commissioned by the Australian Human Rights Commission. 

Karl Rodrigues, Chair of CSPA, the national body representing parents and carers with children attending Catholic schools commented, "The research is designed to find out more about the challenges faced by children and their families during the COVID-19 pandemic. This is an opportunity for families to be able to help shape future policy as the Australian Human Rights Commission will present key findings to government". 

The Commission has launched two surveys to better understand the social, emotional, educational, and other impacts experienced by children aged 9 to 17 and their parents and carers over the past two years’.

The surveys will help inform the support services children and their families need as Australia continues to deal with the pandemic, and as we emerge from it.

Each survey should take about 10 minutes to complete and is completely confidential. Children will need parental consent to complete the survey. 

To learn more about the project, and complete the survey visit www.kidscovidsurvey.com.

Children and young people aged 9 to 17 can complete the survey here.

Parents and carers can complete the survey here.

CCSP urges you and your children to share your stories. The survey is open until Sunday 20 March 2022. 

Regional and Sydney walk-in vaccination clinics are operating every Saturday and Sunday until 6 March.

Whether you’re due for your first dose, second dose, or a booster, or you want to get your children vaccinated, walk-in clinics allow you to easily access your protection against serious illness from COVID-19. The regional clinics are located across NSW. Click here to find the location and dates of clinics near you.

If these dates are not suitable for your or your family you can find out how to book and an appointment at NSW Health COVID-19 Vaccination Information.

NSW Health have created a two page fact sheet that answers many questions parents and carers may have about the COVID-19 vaccination. You can access the information sheet here. If you have further questions speak with your local health provider. 

Sydney Catholic Schools (SCS) partnered with South East Sydney Local Health District to establish vaccination hubs for 5-11 year-olds at two of its schools: Marcellin College Randwick and St Patrick’s College Sutherland. For more information click here. 

As at 27 February 2022 less than 55% of NSW residents had received their booster shot and 48% of 5-11 year children had received one vaccine dose. NSW Health is strongly encouraging all people aged 5 and above to get a vaccination against COVID-19. People aged 16 and above are encouraged to receive a booster 3 months after their second dose of vaccine.

Going online can to assist us everyday BUT do we know what content and why our children are it accessing online? The latest research report from the eSafety Commissioner highlights some interesting findings. 

The key findings in the Mind the Gap: Parental awareness of children's exposure to risks online report are:

You can register here to attend a free webinar to provide parents and carers with strategies to help young people online.

On behalf of parents and carers of children attending Catholic schools in NSW and ACT CCSP made submissions to the Australian Government's Inquiries into Social Media in 2022 and 2020. 

The submissions are another example of how CCSP advocates to have your collective voice heard by government.  

Technology is changing at a rapid rate, it is important for us and our children to understand how to safely and respectfully use the many applications on our devices. It is also very important to know how to report content that is inappropriate or harmful.

At 7.30pm, Tuesday 8 March, the eSafety Commissioner in collaboration with CCSP is presenting a free webinar to assist parents and carer support their children while online. 

You can register here.

On 23 January 2022, Australia welcomed the commencement of the Online Safety Act 2021, which provides additional protections for Australians in the fight against online harms, including a world-first Adult Cyber Abuse Scheme to protect Australians aged over 18, and a broader Cyberbullying Scheme for Australian children to capture harms that occur on online services other than social media. 

The eSafety Commissioner now also has the authority to order service providers to remove illegal and restricted content – including child sexual exploitation material and terrorist content – no matter where it is hosted. Click here to read the factsheet produced by the eSafety Commissioner.

Teacher education students to work in Catholic schools to address the COVID-19 teacher shortage and plan for future workforce needs.

The plan will not only address the short-term challenges posed by COVID-19, it is part of a long-term strategy to place highly trained, workplace-ready graduates into Australian Catholic schools and early childhood education centres.

St Clare’s Catholic High School,Hassall Grove, in the Diocese of Parramatta has employed five ACU pre-service teachers as paraprofessionals.

Kevin Jones, Principal, St Clare’s Catholic College, commented

 “At St Clare's we are acutely aware that the experience undergraduate teachers gain in schools is invaluable. We believe the role of paraprofessionals in Catholic schools will benefit these young aspiring teachers, the experienced teachers they work with, our students and the community as a whole. Their work will be a tremendous support to hard working professionals both in the learning spaces and in terms of preparation, resourcing and organisation. We are very excited about the possibilities.”

The paraprofessionals will be employed up to four days per week with in-school mentoring and support from ACU. This flexibility ensures they have time to complete their university studies and to meet the requirements of their final professional experience so they can graduate and join the workforce.

St Clare’s Catholic High School Principal, Kevin Jones, with student teachers Georgia Houlihann and Patrick Sheehann. Photo: The Catholic Weekly/GiovanniPortellii.

National Catholic Education Commission Executive Director, Jacinta Collins, further commented

“We are developing a long-term strategy to build teacher capacity and address the teaching workforce needs of Catholic schools, particularly in rural, regional and remote areas. This is an exciting partnership that enables teaching students to find employment and extend their experience in Catholic schools where they are most needed. Supported by mentors, school and tertiary professional learning, this initiative will provide the opportunity of paid teaching experience.”

myfuture is hosting a free insights webinar with Autism CRC to help parents support children on the autism spectrum in post-school transitions and career planning using myWAY Employability.

Cheryl Murphy, Chair of the CCSP Diverse Learning Needs Working Party, commented that “it can be very challenging for young adults, parents and carers to find out about the many career options that are available for students with diverse learning needs.

The working party are developing an additional section for the resource Supporting Diverse Learning in Catholic Schools A Guide by Parents for Parents that will assist students, parents and carers learn more about post school options. If you have not previously seen the helpful guide, you can view and download it here ccsp.catholic.edu.au/students-with-diverse-learning-needs.”

As part of the Insights webinar, Associate Professor Marina Ciccarelli from Curtin University, and Cheryl Mangan from Autism CRC will provide information about the myWAY Employability evidence-based resources available to assist students on the autism spectrum in transition planning, to build their employability, and maximise their potential.

The team from myWAY Employability will discuss topics such as:

• Starting challenging conversations about the future
• Identifying personal strengths, interests, and sensory preferences to guide career exploration and work experiences
• Providing a just right challenge
• Building self-determination.

4.00pm, 9 March 2022 (AEDT) 

 You can register at https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/1366920972620471309

There are several vouchers available for parents and carers to assist families with school aged children. 

The NSW Government has launched Parents NSW vouchers to reward and thank eligible NSW households for their efforts to support learning from home in 2021. You can apply for 5 x $50 vouchers, worth $250 in total. Go to Service NSW to check if your family is eligible.

The Creative Kids voucher may be used with a registered activity provider for registration, participation and tuition costs for a range of creative activities, including arts, drama, dance, digital design, coding, and music lessons. The activities must be in person. Parents and carers can apply for a voucher with a value of up to $100 per calendar year for each student aged 4.5 to 18 years old enrolled in school. For more information visit Service NSW.

The Active Kids program provides two $100 vouchers for parents and carers of school-enrolled children to use towards sport and active recreation costs each year. Voucher 1 is valid January to December and Voucher 2 is valid July to December. For more information visit Service NSW.

NSW residents aged 18 and over can apply for 1 x $50 Stay NSW voucher to use towards the cost of accommodation bookings. ​The vouchers are being released to NSW residents according to their Local Government Area, by March 3 all eligible NSW residents will be able to apply for a voucher. For more information visit Service NSW.

CCSP thanks the NSW Government for creating these programs and suggests families use the vouchers to help reduce their living costs.   

"Safety in schools is our top priority, and we are taking every step necessary to prove a safe learning environment, including free rapid tests for every student" 

Wrote the Premier Dominic Perrottet MP, in a letter addressed to all parents at the beginning of the school year. You can read the full letter here.

Australian Catholic Bishops Conference president Archbishop Mark Coleridge welcomed Archbishop Balvo’s appointment on behalf of the Australian bishops.

“Archbishop Balvo is no stranger to the Antipodes, having served as Nuncio in New Zealand and the Pacific – and I myself came to know him at that time,” Archbishop Coleridge said.

Pope Francis has announced that American Archbishop Charles Balvo, a veteran of the Vatican’s diplomatic service for more than 30 years, will serve as the next Apostolic Nuncio to Australia. For more information visit the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference.Wikimedia Commons/Dan1