Many parents have been or will be involved in the formation of new School Advisory Councils schools across Victoria. Each Diocese which includes all Catholic Schools are now governed by a Board of Directors and therefore the structure of School Advisory Councils will change.

Diocese of Ballarat Catholic Education Limited - DOBCEL

If you are seeking information about School Advisory Councils, the best person to speak with first is your school Principal. You may also like to download information and Terms of Reference by clicking the links below:

Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools - MACS

In 2020 CSPV co-opted several Catholic school parents to be involved in the development of the Terms of Reference for MACS new School Advisory Councils. The Terms of Reference document is now being finalised and there are various resources available on the Stewarding the Mission website.

It is recommended by MACS that each School Advisory Council member familiarise themselves with the Statement of Mission and the Terms of Reference. It is advised also that each School Advisory Council review and revise the Terms of Reference to suit the school and parish context. 

If you are seeking information about joining or the formation of School Advisory Councils, the first person to speak with is your school Principal who will be informed by the MACS Education Office as to the direction of the formation of your School Advisory Council.

Visit the Stewarding the Mission website for further information and updates.

Catholic Education Sandhurst Limited - CES Ltd

Catholic Education Sandhurst has recently appointed a School Advisory Council officer who is responsible for the formation and direction of School Advisory Councils in the diocese of Sandhurst.

If you are seeking information about joining or the formation of School Advisory Councils, the first person to speak with is your school Principal who will be informed by the Sandhurst Catholic Education Office as to the direction of the formation of your School Advisory Council.

We will continue to source resources and information for parents to support you in your challenges to manage and understand the wellbeing needs of your children and hope that you are able to use the strategies that Dr Jodi is able to share. 

The following article was written by Dr Jodi to address the other challenges within families when a child is suffering from anxiety. She shares some of the strategies she discussed during the webinar. 

It's so important that you feel confident to bring these challenges to light so that you can seek the guidance you need to support the wellbeing of your children.

You don't need to feel alone when there are many support services available either through your school wellbeing officer or in your local community. If you are needing further assistance beyond what the school is able to provide, please contact the following numbers that apply to your diocese:

Student Wellbeing Contact Numbers

If you are concerned about the emotional wellbeing of your child or family, you should talk to your child's school in the first instance. For further assistance or help, contact Student Wellbeing at your Catholic Education Office.

Ballarat: 03 5337 7135
Melbourne: 03 9267 0228
Sale: 03 5622 6600
Sandhurst: 03 5443 2377

Anxiety impacts the whole family, here’s how you can help.

Written by Dr Jodi Richardson

When a child or teenager experiences the challenges of anxiety, it impacts the whole family. Children and teens will usually lean on one parent more than the other for support, comfort and reassurance, and the avoidance that usually accompanies anxiety can be time consuming to manage. Brothers and sisters begin to notice that when anxiety shows up for their sibling it can pull mum or dad away from them, and that brothers or sisters who struggle with anxiety can, at times, be parented quite differently.

These are just some of the ways anxiety impacts family life. It can leave us, as parents, feeling pulled in different directions trying to meet the needs of all of our children, our partner, and our own. Parenting an anxious child or teen can also be really upsetting and tough at times. It can be hard to know where to start to move things in a more positive, helpful direction. I’ve written five suggestions below to get you started. 

1. Learn as much as you can about anxiety

Understanding that anxiety is the brain and body’s response in anticipation of a threat is an excellent place to start. When a child or teen is feeling anxious, their brain has detected a threat somewhere. It doesn’t matter if the threat is real, imagined or perceived, the brain and body will respond in exactly the same way. The anxiety response triggers a host of physical changes, such as increased heart rate, increased breathing rate, perspiration and shunting of blood from the stomach (to name a few), that will make an anxious person feel awful. Learning about these physical changes and why they’re happening help an anxious child or teen to understand why they feel the way they feel. They’re also more able to recognise their own anxiety when it shows up and draw on their anxiety management skills. 

2. Teach anxiety management skills

The changes in the body are a key to how we can teach anxious kids and teens to begin settling their anxiety response. Slowing down the rate of breathing begins to show the brain that there’s no threat, that they’re safe.  Encouraging longer, deeper, slower inhalation and exhalation helps to dial the anxiety response down and balance the levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the brain. Movement is another important strategy to implement. Encouraging anxious kids and teens to move helps bring the anxiety response to a natural end.

3. Respond to anxiety with empathy

When your child or teen is anxious the very best and most helpful response you can give them is one filled with compassion, empathy and validation. Hearing ‘I can see this is really hard for you right now’, or ‘anxiety feels plain awful doesn’t it?’, or ‘I’m sorry you’re feeling like this’ all show your anxious child that you see them, you understand what they’re going through and that you’re there for them in that moment. 

4. Take note of the patterns evolving when anxiety shows up

We all know how awful anxiety feels. Whether you’ve had experience with the normal kind of anxiety that settles after a stressful situation has passed, or you have ongoing anxiety challenges, it’s not much fun. Because it feels pretty awful, and often goes hand-in-hand with lots of painful and distressing thoughts, the obvious and natural response for anyone with anxiety is to avoid whatever it is that’s making them anxious. Wherever possible. This is a pattern most families observe in their homes. Social anxiety can see anxious kids and teens baulking at going to parties, separation anxiety gets in the way of sleepovers and school camps, generalised anxiety disorder can cause kids and teens to stop doing the things that provoke a lot of worrying, and kids with phobias want to make darn sure they’re nowhere in the vicinity of what it is that causes them distress and panic. It makes perfect sense, except sadly, avoidance only serves to dial anxiety up, not down. The alternative is inching anxious kids and teens closer to their challenges over time, and with lots of empathy and compassion. This is called step laddering or Exposure Response Prevention (ERP). A psychologist can support you and your family to develop a step-by-step plan. 

5. Know when to get help

When anxiety is getting in the way of day-to-day functioning it’s a sure sign that extra help is needed. Although, I always like to tell parents, if you have any questions or concerns at all about your child’s mental health, any, the very best thing to do is to make an appointment with your family doctor for a discussion. Normal anxiety comes and goes with stressful situations. When you observe that your child or teen experiences frequent anxiety, anxiety that’s not clearly related to a known challenge, anxiety that stops them from doing what’s important or is getting in the way of day-to-day life, please seek the help of a professional. Your GP will be able to make an initial assessment and will reassure you that there’s no need for additional help, or that extra help is recommended and who to turn to next. Anxiety is treatable, the sooner the better.

Dr Jodi Richardson is an anxiety specialist available for parent presentations and staff professional development. Contact hello@drjodirichardson.com.au for more information.

How are you connecting with CSPV and how are we connecting with you as parents of children in Catholic schools?

There are various ways we are connecting with you through this newsletter, social media, through webinars and in future podcasts, as well as through surveys to gather your feedback on key issues in education. You can continue to connect with us through the following mediums:

Social Media

CSPV can be found on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. We share information daily and weekly that is relevant to Catholic school parents, providing insights, increasing awareness of current news and events and providing opportunities for parents to learn from experts in various areas of interest to support children's learning and development. 

If you're not yet connected or following our pages, click on the links below:

Contribute parent perspective to reviews and submissions

As a parent of children in Catholic schools your voice is valued and welcomed for many reviews and submissions we write each year in response to consultation on various topics that impact parents and students as well as Catholic schools.

You can be included on our database to have the opportunity to share your feedback and perspective on future reviews by clicking on the link below and completing out expression of interest form.

Register a CSPV parent representative

Does your school have a CSPV parent representative yet?

CSPV invites principals to register a parent representative to connect and liaise with CSPV. This is not a CSPV membership position but a representative allocated in every school to liaise with CSPV and receive information that will require input and feedback.

To register a parent representative at your Catholic school, the principal of the school must complete the following registration and nominate a suitable parent to be their school representative:

Please click on the link below to complete the online registration form via the link provided to nominate a parent representative from your school to be the liaison/connection with CSPV.

Please click on the following link for further information about this request and the parent representative role: CSPV Parent Representative Description.pdf

Subscribe to CSPV newsletter

CSPV provides a newsletter every term to explore the four key areas of advocacy and provide an update on our work with parents, principals, system leaders and government. The newsletter is sent to all of our subscribers which includes all schools across the state of Victoria. 

CSPV welcomes article contributions to the newsletter, especially from parents of children in Catholic schools who are invited to share stories of experiences on their Catholic school journey.

Review of Civics and Citizenship Curriculum

Catholic School Parents Victoria provide opportunities for parent perspective to contribute to major reviews in education through our connections with the Victorian Curriculum and Assessement Authority and various Universities who approach us seeking parent voice.

This year we have already sought parent feedback on the review of the Civics and Citizenship Curriculum undertaken by Monash University to be presented to VCAA.

You can read our submission below that was written based on feedback from parents of children in Catholic schools.

Review of school boarding premises

CSPV sent out a request to parents of children in boarding schools to contribute to this reform.

From 18 June 2021, the VRQA will begin regulating school boarding premises in Victoria.

The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse identified school boarding facilities as high risk environments for children. It found that a disproportionate amount of abuse has occurred in school boarding premises, and recommended they be regulated to ensure they meet the Child Safe Standards.

In response, the Victorian Government has expanded the VRQA's remit to include the regulation of school boarding premises.

Conversion Practices Bill 2020

Catholic School Parents Victoria became aware of a Change or Suppression (Conversion) Practices Prohibition Bill 2020 earlier this year and responded with concerns for parent rights in supporting their children when it comes to gender dysphoria and sexuality.

CSPV wrote to several MPs and independent members expressing concern about the legislation and the grey areas surrounding the rights of parents to support their children through a process of discernment and to be able to seek advice should their child present with gender dysphoria. There were thousands of letters sent to prevent the Bill in its' current form from being passed with concerns about the rights of parents and professionals to be able to adequately support children who have questions about their gender.

Despite thousands of concerned voices, including those of parents and psychology and other professionals, the legislation was passed in February. CSPV continue to investigate and advocate for the rights of parents under this new legislation and will seek further clarification on this. 

As a parent representative organisation we are exploring further information about some of the concerning trends that are occurring in the US and UK and what you need to be aware of in relation to this sensitive area. 

Jordan B Peterson recently interviewed journalist Abigail Shrier about concerning trends amongst teenage girls. In the interview they discuss identity, gender dysphoria, the increased rate of gender fluidity and transitioning procedures among young female adolescents, details of these procedures, de-transitioning, and her personal experiences writing her book, “Irreversible Damage.” Abigail suggests every parent should be aware of these trends and understand the impact on the safety and wellbeing of their children.

CSPV believe that parents should know what their rights are and who to turn to should your child need support and guidance if presenting with gender dysphoria. This is a very real challenge for families and understanding who is able to support families through a discernment process is critical.

Catholic schools provide specialist pastoral care support for students and their families and have developed policies to respond to the unique pastoral and learning needs of gender dysphoric children and young people. CSPV were involved in the development of these policies in 2018. Click on the link below to read the policy so you are aware of the approach of Catholic schools. Should you have any concerns or questions, you may wish to contact your relevant diocesan office for wellbeing support.

Further opportunities for your feedback and contribution

Catholic School Parents Victoria provide opportunities for parent perspective to contribute to our four key advocacy areas of parent engagement in wellbeing, child safety, curriculum and Catholic Community. The following opportunities are coming up soon and you have the opportunity to provide your feedback:

Review of the new Victorian senior secondary school certificate - VCAA

The Victorian Government is introducing significant reforms to vocational education in schools, including a new integrated end-of-school certificate that will give students the opportunity to develop the skills needed to succeed in life. A new pathways certificate to replace Foundation VCAL will also be created to formally acknowledge student achievement and facilitate clear pathways to the reformed senior secondary certificate.

The senior secondary certificate reform aims to lift the quality and perception of vocational education in our state and help more students access high-quality applied learning programs.

Draft certificate designs and study designs for the new Vocational Pathways qualification (which will replace Foundation VCAL) will be provided for public consultation soon.

Review into the use of school buses in regional Victoria

The Victorian Economy and Infrastructure Committee have launched an inquiry into:

(1) an independent analysis of the transport disadvantages experienced by regional and rural Victorians, specifically youth, the elderly and low-income households;

(2) investigating the potential social and community impacts of improving mobility options by widening the mainstream school bus system and an analysis of the examples and trials from other jurisdictions both locally and overseas;

(3) investigating technology and systems that would be effective in ensuring child safety on mainstream school buses;

(4) identifying any existing or potential barriers to allowing public access to the mainstream school bus network;

(5) identifying the spare capacity of existing assets in the school bus program and how that might be used to enhance public transport options in regional and rural Victoria; and

(6) investigating the costs of extending mainstream school buses to the general public and how a fare system would function.

Review of the Australian Curriculum - ACARA

It has been 12 years since the Australian Curriculum has been reviewed. Your feedback is now invited on proposed revisions to the current Australian Curriculum. Responses will help ensure the Australian Curriculum continues to remain world-class and meets the needs of students.

Please advise by 30th May if you are interested in providing your feedback on any or all of these areas of reform.

In this article, we explore an extract from Marilyn Price-Mitchell, PhD who shares the benefits of family meetings for children.

Family meetings are opportunities for parents and children to discuss important issues, strengthen communication, reinforce values, and nurture positive relationships.

Often, parents and kids are reluctant to adopt family meetings because they don’t understand their purpose and structure. Some parents fear it will lessen their authority. Conversely, children may view family meetings as a way for parents to enforce rules and restrictions.

8 Benefits of Family Meetings

When effectively organized and led, there are many benefits of holding family meetings for children and parents.  Family meetings strengthen relationships and foster core developmental abilities in kids of all ages. These abilities prepare children for youth leadership positions in their schools and communities as they mature and develop. Holding family meetings is an intentional way to help raise genuinely successful kids with internal abilities that help them navigate through life. Meetings provide a regular opportunity to:

• Learn about each other and the world. (Curiosity)
• Practice communication skills. (Sociability)
• Overcome challenges together. (Resilience)
• Reflect on feelings. (Self-awareness)
• Live your family values. (Integrity)
• Set and achieve shared goals. (Resourcefulness)
• Have fun and inspire one another. (Creativity)
• Appreciate and understand your loved ones. (Empathy)

Dr. Jane Nelsen, founder of Positive Discipline and author/coauthor of the Positive Discipline Series, has been teaching parents to use family meetings for several decades. If your family isn’t ready to jump right into family meetings, Dr. Nelsen offers an effective “training plan” to help introduce meetings to your family over the course of a month.

It is important to mention that some families have a pattern of arguing and violence like slapping, pushing, and hitting that can be difficult to break. Family meetings can be a strategy to reduce anger, but it is not a magic fix. If your family is experiencing these types of conflicts, please read this excellent publication from Colorado State University to assess if family therapy should be considered as a first step.

Introducing Family Meetings to Children

At first, the idea of family meetings can be intimidating to children, especially teens. One reason is because children don’t know what to expect. They are likely unfamiliar with ways families meet more formally to plan, organize, problem-solve, and make decisions.

Family meetings work well with children from about four years old onward. If you’ve never had a family meeting, take time to introduce the concept to your children before you dive in. The best time to do this is when you have their full attention, either over dinner or at another time when you’ve asked them to gather.

You might start by saying that you’ve recently learned how weekly meetings can benefit families by helping them communicate and solve problems together as a team. Because family meetings work toward building consensus, everyone has a voice and a role in solving problems. Meeting time is also an opportunity to have fun, plan trips, organize family outings and service projects, and appreciate each other.

Respectful Relationships - teaching in schools and in the home

As a parent of children in Catholic schools no doubt you will have heard alot in the news this year about respectful relationships, particularly the very important topic of consent. 

The Victorian government has now made it compulsory for all Government schools to teach consent as part of the Respectful Relationships curriculum. While it is not compulsory for all Catholic schools to use the Respectful Relationships curriculum specifically, all Catholic schools do teach respectful relationships as an integral part of the mission of Catholic education.  

There are various programs that are taught in Catholic schools and many are using the Respectful Relationships curriculum.

As parents it's also your responsibility to be discussing with your children, how to have respectful relationships with others, what signs to be aware of when they don't feel safe and what to do or who to turn to if they recognise or experience disrespectful behaviour.

When it comes to consent, it's important to discuss this with children from a young age in an age appropriate way and normalise conversations about their personal safety so they are not fearful, but equipped with skills to protect and manage themselves with others. 

Therefore, it's important that schools and parents work together to have a shared language and understanding about how to have these important conversations with their children. Families need to feel supported to impart their values with their children about sexuality and consent, however support is also needed for parents to understand current information about consent and how to raise this with their children.

A recent webinar run by VicSRC addressed some of these issues from a student, parent and teacher perspective. Guests included secondary school students from each sector, a Family Planning Victoria sex education specialist and Wellbeing Manager from Department of Education and Training.

Students were asked;

1. Who should be involved in teaching consent?

Parents have an important role to talk with their children about consent and to normalise the conversation with their children. Teachers too have an important role to be able to provide access to a support network for students in a safe environment outside the home to be able to share their views and see different perspectives.

2. What language should be used?

Students were not sure what sort of language could be discussed that is appropriate in the classroom or at home when talking about sexuality, sexual health etc. 

For teachers and parents, it was advised by Family Planning Victoria not to talk in metaphors or euphamisms, be clear about what you're talking about - name body parts as they are and be upfront about the topic being discussed - however, once again being respectful in use of language and age appropriate content.

Being in tune with children in what slang words they use and then sharing the actual words that are actually more respectful than slang words and are normal parts of the body. As adults we need to normalise and model the language as normal rather than to be fearful or see it as shameful to discuss with children.

Modelling human interactions and relationships helps children to understand how to be respectful towards others and to make good choices for themselves.

The webinar explored student perspective on relationships with others and what support they need to make informed choices for themselves. 

It also explored some of the issues for teachers to introduce various topics in the curriculum and how to overcome challenges to support students.

3. What information should be shared with parents?

The more information the better so that we share the same language that is in the curriculum, that the children are learning and navigating, and so students feel supported both at home and at school.

The following webinar is centred around consent and sex education.

Click on the link below to watch the full webinar:

Click on the links below provided by VicSRC for further resources and information.

Information sessions are available through Family Planning Victoria for parents prior to the school implementing the curriculum. Speak with your school principal about how they are teaching respectful relationships and how you can be engaged in this learning to support your child.

ARCSHS Resources

The Australian Research Centre for Sex, Health and Society at La Trobe University has a suite of resources to read and download on various topics.

Department of Education and Training links:

Each of us are on a learning journey when it comes to navigating relationships.
Don't expect to be an expert at teaching your children about relationships, however it's important you share information you know so they are informed and able to stay safe, feel confident and empowered to develop positive relationships with others and with themselves.

CSPV were disappointed to learn about the new law related to banning parents from schools last week. While we know only a small minority of parents behave in a way that is threatening to school staff, the message this sends to parents can have a lasting impact. It is critical that people, particularly parents who enter school grounds, are mindful of their behaviour and respectful of others, and that school staff and students are protected from aggressive behaviour, however, it is not the only solution.

There has never been a more important time than now to create a culture of schools as core social centres, where familes feel a sense of belonging, are welcomed and valued as members of a community that includes their children.

During 2020 we became many small, isolated communities as our extended families were not able to spend time together, adults and children were not able to socialise and the opportunities for nurturing relationships went online, which as we know is not the same as meeting and interacting in person.

The message from the Victorian government for parents when children returned to school was to stay away, do not enter the school grounds. 

This has not encouraged a culture of schools who enable parents to feel welcomed as valued partners in their child's learning at school. While there are many schools who have embraced families back into the school community, there are many parents who still feel they are not welcomed or are once again on the outer when it comes to their children's learning at school. This can contribute to increased anxiety and frustration leading to certain behaviours.

While at home, having been asked to support their child's learning while juggling work and other responsibilities, they were able to be a partner in their child's learning. They had connection with the teachers and felt more connected with their children and their daily lives as a student.

CSPV would like to encourage all parents to continue to engage with the school, particularly with teachers, in a positive and respectful manner, so that you are able to continue to be a part of the Catholic community and your child's learning.

Leading by example for your children is so important, especially when it comes to developing positive relationships with their teachers. The best lessons you can give children is through your actions, which then means there will be no need for laws to prevent parents from entering school property.

One of the most challenging roles you have as parents is to guide your children towards career pathways. So often we are hearing that many young people have no idea what they want to do when they leave school. They are either indecisive, have too many choices and don't know where to start, or are not receiving the guidance they need to be able to make informed choices.

A new website MyFuture provides teachers and parents with further resources to enable engagement and guidance when choosing subjects, courses and pathways.

CSPV encourage you to explore this website and also to participate in the subject selection evenings and events that your school provides. This is an opportunity to ask questions of teachers to understand how to guide your child, how to support them in their decisions about their future career and who to turn to for advice.

Some of the ways that you can support your child are:

• Ask them to list all of their interests and hobbies they enjoy, what they love to talk about and what they are passionate about

• Discuss their favourite subjects at school and what they enjoy the most about them

• Encourage your child to complete activities in My career profile where they can identify their interests, values and skills, and view suggested occupations to explore career pathways. This is a great way to begin your career conversation.

• Explore together or provide some courses for them to investigate that are related to their interests

• Take them to University or TAFE Open Days so they get a feel for what a University campus is like and to ask questions about courses

• Ask them to prepare a list of courses they might be interested in

• Encourage them to narrow down their choices by doing a process of elimination - remove the courses that don't interest them and then list 8-10 that do. This will make it easier for them to make their selections during Year 11 and 12.

• Support them be reassuring them that there are various pathways they can take should they not get into their most preferred course straight away. There are always options.

• Meet with the careers adviser at school to share your parent knowledge of your child and their interests to seek guidance on the best pathways for them.

Upcoming Webinars for Parents and carers

What you shared during lockdown - what parents want to see continue

To understand the parent perspective through their remote learning experience, CSPV provided a survey specifically designed by parents for parents with questions parents wanted to be asked. 

There are many more insights to be shared from the feedback provided by parents and CSPV will be sharing these through a series of webinars and through a report that summarises the research.

You may also order a copy of the survey report by clicking on the link below.

Earlier this year Archbishop Peter A Comensoli delivered his annual Patrick Oration. Focussing on the family as leaders and facilitators of church in the home, the oration is an acknowledgment of how we worship and express our faith as leaders within our families and in the community.

The Oration shares insights into the early missionary work of Jesus as he moved through communities, getting to know families and encourage them to be the leaders of his mission in their homes and broader community. 

Archbishop Comensoli shares, "when you read through the four gospels, it’s striking how much time Jesus spent in family homes. They were the familiar and life-giving households along the pilgrim way of his mission. There, he ate and slept; rested and played; taught and healed; laughed, cried, sang, and prayed. From them Jesus set out on the road ahead."

"Perhaps not surprisingly, then, family households became the ordinary locations in which the Church gathered in the early years. Families of believers would meet regularly in the domesticity of someone’s home, rather than in some dedicated building. Household churches were the locations where the community of believers would gather for fellowship, for the Breaking of the Bread, for the teaching of the Apostles, and for the care of those in need." (Acts 2.42-47)

I recall myself as a child that my parents often had mass in our home. We shared communion and had several family friends attend our home and then share a meal. At the time I thought it was unusual but there is nothing preventing this in homes today. Even the sharing of a meal as a family is becoming something of a luxury these days but one tradition that you could bring back or introduce into your home to nurture the art of sharing, of being together and learning from each other.

We've included an article in this newsletter about having a family meeting around the dinner table that provides you with some tips on how to engage with family in conversation to share ideas and family values, create new traditions and genuinely get to know each other, especially as your children get older and our lives become busier.

Click on the link below to read the full Patrick Oration and the messages that Archbishop Comensoli shares about the importance of "all of us here making contributions to the lives and needs of those who live in Melbourne (and across Victoria). Whilst I speak to you today from the heart of the Christian Gospels, each of us are called to live our lives for the good of each other – a life of holiness that witnesses to a more human way of living in our society. A domestic priestly life is yours to claim, by the grace of baptism, and yours to live as a leaven, a ‘Mother dough’ that brings life to others.

Even though we are now rapidly heading towards winter with the change in weather, there are still many children attending their local pool for swimming lessons. While this is really important for their fitness and wellbeing, when attending a swimming pool it's important to keep personal hygiene and children's safety in mind.

The following guide provides you with information on:

• Basics of pool hygiene - how parents can help kids maintain good health and hygiene practices in and around the swimming pool.
• Understanding and mitigating the risks of recreational water illnesses (RWIs) and other water-borne infections.
• Important pool safety knowledge - understanding water safety signs, and helping kids recognise when it's unsafe to swim or dive.
• Other essential swimming and water safety advice and best practices for parents and their children.

In 2020 CSPV began scoping a major project to develop a state-wide framework for parent leadership in Catholic education. 

The project will span over the next five years and will include five stages of development. CSPV will be collaborating and consulting with key stakeholders in education and especially with parents and carers to co-design the framework and potential training opportunities for parents in each of the four diocese across Victoria.

The first stage involves finalising the vision for the project and exploring resources required to enable the project to develop and evolve over the next few years. This is an exciting time for parents in Catholic schools as it is a time for rebuilding and regrouping after the challenges of the pandemic. 

CSPV encourage you to be involved in this project should the opportunity arise in your school to participate in focus groups or surveys that we may send out over the course of the project. 

We are looking forward to providing parents with many opportunities to share and develop leadership strengths over the course of the project and in the future as we work together in partnership with schools to guide and support children to thrive.

Our last newsletter in 2020 included an article on the independent review of NAPLAN commissioned by Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland and the ACT. Since then a final report has been delivered and now there are many politicians, educators and institutions lobbying to ban NAPLAN. 

There are many tests that are undertaken by students for various purposes and assessments that are required by teachers and school leaders to review learning progress. Many have questioned the necessity of such a test and how the results are used.

A challenge raised with CSPV by Catholic school parents earlier this year is the confusion about how NAPLAN is required for secondary school applications. Year 5 students missed out on the test last year and therefore have no results to provide for their applications. There are perceptions amongst parents that the results are a determinant for school entry but this is not the case. This needs to be made clearer for parents who are seeking to enrol their children in Catholic secondary school and what the purpose is for providing NAPLAN results for enrolment.

We would like to hear from your parent perspective what you think of NAPLAN, if you think it should be banned, reviewed and changed or if there is no issue with it.

Please click on the link below to share your perspective.

Ballarat News

Last week CSPV Executive Officer attended the Family and Community Engagement Steering Committee meeting to continue to provide parent perspective in the development of the FACE Strategy for Diocese of Ballarat schools. The steering committee is a passionate group of key staff from CE Ballarat, parent engagement specialists, parents, DOBCEL board members, Principals and teachers, all collaborating as partners to develop the future strategy.

Executive Director of DOBCEL, Tom Sexton attended the meeting and was impressed with the passion and drive of the committee to pursue this as a key strategy for all Ballarat Diocese schools and families.

Do you have news to share?

CSPV invite you to share what's been happening in your school or diocese to include in our newlsetter or through our social media channels. We know students, teachers and families involved in Catholic learning communities are doing great work and we'd love to share your achievements!

Please email executive@cspv.catholic.edu.au if you'd like to share an update.