Filter Content
- Chair's Update
- CSPV Partnerships in Learning and Wellbeing - SchoolTV, Lifesaving Victoria, CatholicCare Victoria
- Parent Engagement in Child Safety - Free vouchers for swimming lessons and water safety
- Parent Engagement in Child Safety - Online Safety Webinars for Parents
- Parent Engagement in Child Safety - Conduct Reporting Guides
- Parent Engagement in Child Safety - What you should know before hiring tutors
- Parent Engagement in curriculum - financial literacy
- Parent Engagement in Curriculum - Changes to the Australian Curriculum and NAPLAN
- Parent Engagement in Learning - How do you advocate for your child?
- Parent Leadership - CSPV Member Delegates and Parent Representatives
- CSPV Annual Report
- Easter Reflection and prayer for the people of Ukraine
- Your invitation to provide feedback - Website Review
- Parent Engagement in Catholic Community - NCEC Conference 2022
It is a great privilege that I write this, my first Chairperson’s report for Catholic School Parents Victoria (CSPV).
I have only been a parent member delegate of CSPV for close to six months and have quickly witnessed a group of people who are warm, purpose driven and most importantly possess a strong desire for the betterment of children who attend Catholic schools in Victoria and support for their parents and carers.
I especially thank Rachel Saliba, our Executive Officer for her guidance and support so far.
Naturally, I have been asked about why I put my hand up to be Chairperson and why and how I became involved with CSPV. I have been a member of the St Macartan’s Parish Primary School Advisory Council (Mornington) for close to three years. This involvement led to the awareness of being able to be involved at another level with CSPV as well as being a representative on the national parent body, Catholic School Parents Australia (CSPA).
This has all come from a point of wanting to be more involved at a decision-making level in the Catholic education of my own three children. It has also come from a point of being able to ‘give back’.
Matthew (pictured left) attending the annual St Patrick's Day mass at St Patrick's Cathedral alongside MACS board members, NCEC Executive Director Jacinta Collins, Archbishop Peter Comensoli, Bishops and priests who presided over mass.
I have been a teacher and senior leader in Catholic schools for over 23 years with national and international experience, with a qualifications background that covers education, theology, governance, Canon Law and business. I am blessed that I can share my experiences and learnings with like-minded people, for a greater good.
I look forward to what is to come for CSPV in providing a voice and support for parents of children in Catholic schools.
Our role at CSPV is also to provide opportunity for parents of Catholic students to come together, so I hope you are using the resources on our website and encourage you to let us know what you may need from us.
Please remember that you are able to translate this newlsetter to different languages so it is hoped that more parents are able to access and read the important information we share with all parents in our diverse school communities.
We recently surveyed Catholic school parents to determine areas of focus for 2022. Scroll down for a copy of our CSPV Advocacy Report sharing the results of common themes and answers from parents related to parent engagement in child safety, curriculum, wellbeing and Catholic Community. These results will guide us in choosing topics for articles, webinars, resources and other key areas of importance for parents of children in Catholic schools.
Throughout the year you will receive emails from CSPV inviting parent feedback and participation in forums, webinars and other opportunities. We encourage you to take advanatage of these opportunities and share with other families in your school community.
Stay tuned for more events to come and make sure you follow our Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn posts.
As we move further into 2022, we encourage you to speak with your school principal about nominating a CSPV parent representative for your school. Further information about options to be involved with CSPV are included in our CSPV Introduction Booklet. Click on the link below to read or download a copy.
Parent representatives provide a wonderful connection between CSPV and your school and provide a range of opportunities and topics throughout the year for you to engage with and share with other parents. To truly represent parents of Catholic students we seek more engagement from parents to ensure we are providing a true representation of issues, concerns and experiences across the varied needs of parents in each diocese across Victoria.
The recent work of CSPV is summarised in our Annual Report from 2021 that you can download in this newsletter. The Annual Report provides you with an overview of our key advocacy focus areas and how we have provided opportunities for parents to engage in webinars and respond to key issues in education last year.
Thank you to the CSPV Council members, past and present and the many parent representatives that have and will continue to support the work of CSPV.
Take care over the holidays and Easter blessings to you all,
Matthew Williams
Chairperson
CSPV developing valued partnerships to support you as parents of children in Catholic schools
One of the three pillars we explore as part of our strategic direction is in the area of partnerships. We know that the learning journey is one that can't be achieved alone and partnering with parents, organisations and education decision makers is critical to our work in advocating on behalf of Catholic school parents across Victoria.
It's important for CSPV to engage with partners who value the voice of parents and who are supportive of the unique role that parents have in their child's education.
At our recent planning meeting we began exploring who our partners are and why, who we could partner with to provide support and resources to families and what unique value we can provide in the partnership.
There are various relationships we are forming to continue to build the capacity of CSPV to deliver resources, information, opportunities and support for parents of children in Catholic schools. The following information outlines several of these partners we are currently colloborating with to benefit parents:
Family Wellbeing; SchoolTV
SchoolTV is a unique digital platform that has been designed to support schools and empower parents by providing them with the tools to deal with the challenges of raising happy, confident and resilient young people.
Developed in partnership with leading youth psychologist Dr Michael Carr-Gregg, this comprehensive resource focuses on addressing key wellbeing issues and features interviews with leading experts from across the country.
SchoolTV currently works alongside Catholic schools in the diocese of Brisbane, Sale, Armidale, Broken Bay, Wagga Wagga and Townsville. The resources are provided via an online, subscription based portal for parents to support their children's wellbeing.
SchoolTV is a school subscription based portal providing 10 new wellbeing topics every year, featuring interviews with leading experts. Subscribed schools also have access to a comprehensive library of over 60+ topics, special reports and additional resources from the top wellbeing organisations in the country. Each topic is supported by surveys and polls. SchoolTV takes the work out of sourcing wellbeing content to share with school communities.
To begin our partnership journey, CSPV have collaborated with SchoolTV to provide four videos and other resources such as quizzes, articles and fact sheets for parents on the following topics:
These video interviews are normally found on the portal that a school would provide for parents but we wanted to provide you with a sneak preview of the type of resource that can support you as you navigate parenting your children through their learning journey.
Please click on the link below to watch an introductory video from Dr Michael Carr Gregg and our Executive Officer Rachel Saliba and to access the free resources:
Please also complete the survey at the bottom of the website page so we can understand your most challenging needs at this time.
Child Safety; Lifesaving Victoria
As we approach the school holidays, it's important to remember that if you are holidaying near any waterways, whether it's the beach, rivers or even creeks or dams, it is essential for adults and children to understand water safety.
CSPV have partnered with Catholic Education Commission of Victoria (CECV) and Lifesaving Victoria to bring you helpful resources that support you to engage in child safety conversations with your children about water safety and swimming.
Swim City is a game developed for primary aged students to educate them on water safety and staying safe around different waterways. Perhaps you could play the game with your child and have conversations about what they are learning. This is engagement in learning and provides you with an understanding of water safety at the same time. What we want to avoid is for children to have a fear of water. Equipping them with knowledge of different waterways and which are safe to swim in and what they need to be aware of means they will be well informed in how to stay safe and swim safely once they become adults.
There are many parents who invest time and money into swimming lessons in their local community and who value the importance of the lessons their children are learning, not only in how to swim but also how to be safe and understand water in all its' forms. This is an option for some parents but not all parents who may not have the finances or the time to send their children to swimming schools.
The Victorian government has recognised that this is the case with 50% of students not having achieved the Victorian Water Safety Certificate by the time they leave Year 6 and have therefore provided funding for a school vouchers program to encourage families to enrol your children in swimming programs in your local area.
Please see our article in this newsletter for more information on the school vouchers program.
CSPV's partnership with Lifesaving Victoria is very exciting as we are planning to develop resources and information webinars for parents to advocate for child safety around water. To do this effectively, we invite you to share your feedback on what support you need as parents to support your child with water safety education alongside your school.
Click here for the quick survey to give your valued feedback so we can provide resources that suit your needs.
Family Wellbeing and Relationships; Catholic Care Victoria
For the past few years CSPV has been sharing the resources and family support programs provided by Catholic Care Victoria. We have also been collaborating with Catholic Care for ideas for Family Week fundraising and resources for schools to encourage support for the great work of Catholic Care and for families in need in our communities.
This year we hope to continue to work alongside the organisation to develop new projects and resources to support and strengthen relationships between home and school.
Families are at the centre of our school communities and we know that children thrive in their learning when they are supported by a loving family.
CatholicCare Victoria believe that building strong family relationships is the key to building healthy, resilient communities.
Strong families give children the foundation they need to grow, and the support they need to face challenges and setbacks not only now, but into the future.
“Family is where we first experience love and care; where we learn to grow and thrive; and where we have the opportunity to form our strongest and most supportive connections,” says Agnes Sheehan, CEO CatholicCare Victoria.
“Within the family we learn the value of forgiveness and starting over, of trying, failing and being supported to try again.”
So how can parents and families build strong family relationships?
Click on the link below for the full interview with two of the CatholicCare Victoria Family Relationship Practitioners in Bendigo, Julia Feiss and Lisa Castles, on five important elements for creating strong families.
Swimming and water education is critical for child safety
Did you know the Victorian Curriculum requires swimming and water safety programs to be taught as part of Health and Physical Education?
Despite this, many students have not had enough or have the necessary skills to be confident swimmers and familiar with water safety.
By the end of primary school (year 6), it is anticipated that all Victorian students should be able to demonstrate the knowledge and skills identified in the Victorian Water Safety Certificate.
The Certificate is awarded when a student can:
- swim 50m continuously
- answer water safety-based questions
- perform simple rescues.
The Swimming and Water Safety education in schools initiative has been funded by the Victorian Government since 2018.
As part of the Victorian Government’s Positive Start in 2022 initiative, schools will receive an additional $16.3 million in funding for more swimming lessons for primary school students to be delivered throughout 2022.
This is in addition to the 2021-22 State Budget commitment to Swimming and Water Safety Education.
Additional funding is allocated based on the number of Grade 5 enrolments and will be combined with the 2022 Swimming in Schools funds provided through the Student Resource Package (SRP) as a Targeted Initiative. Schools can use the funding to support program provision at any year level.
The Victorian Education Department has developed guidance on developing a swimming and water safety program that meets the Victorian F-10 Health and Physical Education Curriculum, in partnership with the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA) and Life Saving Victoria. Some of the resources used by Catholic Primary schools include:
- Victorian Curriculum F-10 Swimming and Water Safety
- VCAA Sample Swimming and Water Safety Activities
- Swimming and Water Safety Progression Model
- VCAA Curriculum Planning Resources
- FUSE: Swimming and Water Safety Resources
- Life Saving Victoria Toolkit.
FAQs – for parents and carers about your role and what to expect
School swimming outside of school hours vouchers program
Why are the vouchers being provided?
Swimming and water safety education is part of the F-10 Victorian Curriculum Health and Physical Education.
School Swimming Outside of School Hours Vouchers are being provided to current primary school students who had their school swimming and water safety programs cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and/or 2021 to ensure they have the knowledge and confidence to participate in aquatic activities.
Who are the vouchers for?
The vouchers are for current primary school students who missed out on participating in school swimming and water safety programs because of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021 to build their skills and knowledge to achieve the Victorian Water Safety Certificate and meet the Victorian Curriculum requirements.
How can my child(ren) access swimming lessons using the voucher?
Parents and carers will receive a letter from their school which has a voucher and a request form.
If you would like your child(ren) to access swimming lessons using the vouchers, you will need to:
- complete the request form for your child(ren) and return it to your school by the date shown on the letter
- book swimming lessons at your local swim school for dates and times of your choosing after the date on the voucher
- Once confirmed with the swim school, take the voucher to the swim school for the first swimming lesson.
Swim schools in your local area
If you are unsure of swimming schools in your local area, your school will have a list for you to choose from.
If you are unsure how to approach a swimming school and what to ask them, perhaps you could ask a member of staff or another parent at your school to support you with making contact.
Here are some questions you may ask when making contact with the swim school:
• I have been provided with a swimming voucher for my child from my school and I would like to find out how I can book my child in for swimming lessons.
• Can you please tell me when the lessons are, how long they go for (time of lesson and how many lessons do they need) and what my child needs to wear and bring to lessons.
• Ask what the rules are in relation to supervision of your child while they are having their swimming lessons, what to expect and who to meet with when you arrive so you know your child is in the correct class.
Are the vouchers transferrable?
Only current primary school students who missed out on school swimming and water safety programs in 2020 and/or 2021 will be eligible for the Voucher program and they are not transferrable for other students.
The swim school will have a list of the students who are eligible for the program and for whom the request form has been returned.
When will the swimming lessons be delivered?
Lessons will be delivered outside of school hours - after school, on the weekend or during school holidays.
For example, swim schools may offer students places in their regular learn to swim program or, alternatively, offer school holiday programs and parents and carers can book lessons for a time that best suits their needs.
How many lessons can my child(ren) access?
This will be different for each school in the program and will depend on several factors including:
- number of years of lessons
- number of lessons per year level
- cost per lesson
- availability of lessons outside of school hours.
Schools will be in touch with their usual swim school to confirm the number of swimming lessons students can access and when they can access them (e.g. after school, on the weekend or during school holidays).
Is there an expiry date for the vouchers?
Students should be booked into the Voucher program swimming lessons before 30 June 2022 and all lessons using the vouchers completed by the end of 2022.
Where can the voucher be used?
The voucher can only be used at the swim school named on the voucher for the purposes of the School Swimming Outside School Hours Voucher program.
What are parents and carers’ responsibilities?
Parents and carers will be responsible for getting their child(ren) to and from and the swim school as well as for visual supervision during their time at the swim centre.
What is meant by supervision at the swim school?
Parents and carers will be responsible for visual supervision of their child(ren), in line with the requirements of swim schools. Parents and carers should speak to the swim school if they need further information.
How much will this cost my family?
There is no cost to families who are eligible for the swimming lessons. The vouchers are being paid for by your school to support the delivery of the Victorian Curriculum requirements.
Is it compulsory to use the voucher?
You are being offered the opportunity for your child(ren) to have swimming lessons which have been cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
While it is not compulsory to use the voucher, it is important that all children learn how to be safe in and around water and be confident to participate in aquatic activities, therefore we encourage you to take up this offer to ensure your child learns all about water safety and builds their confidence as a stronger swimmer.
How do we get to the swim school if we don’t have a car?
Please ask the swim school about public transport options or visit https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/journey for more information.
Information for schools
Earlier this term LSV ran two webinars for CECV schools to explain how 2020-2022 Swimming in schools funding could be used to provide a robust swimming program in 2022 for students. The recordings of these webinars can now be accessed at: https://lsv.com.au/toolkit/pd_workshops_and_webinars_more.php#tab-3
Child safety online
Click on the link below for more information for parents on how you can support your child to be safe online.
How can you support your child to know what is fact and what is fake online?
Conspiracy theories and fake news — the disinformation kids read online impacts children as well as adults. And new research shows young people are more exposed and vulnerable than ever.
Monash Education educational and developmental psychologist and researcher Dr Nerelie Freeman outlines some key ideas.
More children are spending time online, and the age at which children start using the internet is far younger. Yet only 2 percent of children aged up to 15 years have the critical thinking required to consistently distinguish fact from fiction online.
Although this article is written for teachers, you can also apply the strategies as a parent. Read the full article by clicking the link below:
The Victorian Institute of Teaching, the Commission for Children and Young People, the Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority and the Quality Assessment and Regulation Division of the Victorian Department of Education and Training work with each other as co-regulators who are committed to child safety.
CSPV partners with VIT, VRQA, CCYP, Parents Victoria, Victorian Disability Worker Commission, Victorian Parents Council, Youth Affairs Council and VicSRC on a community expectations group to discuss the engagement of parents in child safety and to contribute parent voice to the work of each of these organisations.
These organisations regularly receive reports regarding the conduct of a registered teacher*, school or early childhood service.
- Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT) – regulatory authority for the teaching profession
- Commission for Children and Young People (CCYP)
- Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority (VRQA) – regulatory authority for schools
- Quality and Regulation Division (QARD) – regulatory authority for early childhood services
Together we have developed Conduct Reporting Guides for teachers, students and parents through the members of the community guide to inform parentes about reporting matters related to conduct either at school or in the community.
The guides provide information about what constitutes reportable conduct under the following categories:
1. Criminal behaviour (non-sexual)
2. Criminal behaviour (sexual)
3.Inappropriate conduct
4.Teacher registration concerns
5. School based concerns
Each of these provides an example to guide you in what type of report you may submit with easy to follow infographics that provide a simple roadmap of who to report to depending on the nature of the conduct.
CSPV will provide further updates in future newsletters about the new child safe standards along with a guide being developed by the Commission for Children and Young People (CCYP) on what to expect from child safe organisations.
Click on the link below to view the Conduct Reporting Guide and if you have any questions you would like us to raise at our next Community Expectations Group meeting, please email executive@cspv.catholic.edu.au.
The past two years has seen children in and out of remote learning and subsequently a rise in parents seeking tutoring services to improve their children's learning.
In a recent article by The Educator, it stated 'The majority (67%) of parents worry they won’t be able to effectively help their kids with homework this year, according to new research.
While 63% of parents surveyed believe that homework is necessary in today’s world, many are turning to experts for help, contributing to the rise of educational tutoring services.'
But using a tutoring service isn't always the answer, nor is it always safest option.
CSPV partnered with VIT, VRQA, CCYP, Parents Victoria, Victorian Disability Worker Commission, Victorian Parents Council, Youth Affairs Council and VicSRC on a community expectations group to raise awareness for parents about child safety when hiring tutors. The following fact sheet provides you with information about what to be aware of when hiring tutors to ensure they are registered with VIT and have appropriate qualifications to work with children. The Register of Disciplinary Action is also available to check whether the tutor you are seeking to hire has an past history and if they have been deregistered. This fact sheet will support you to make sure your child is in safe hands should you feel the need to hire a tutoring service.
We would always encourage you to seek further support from your child's school if you have any concerns about your child's learning progress, however if you feel the need to seek external support, this resource will support you to keep your child safe.
ATO launches new Tax, Super + You education website
High-quality resources to teach financial literacy to tomorrow’s adults today
The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has launched an all-new Tax, Super + You website. It contains free resources that help improve financial literacy, teach the value of tax and super, and prepare secondary students for the workforce.
The new website (taxsuperandyou.gov.au) includes hundreds of high-quality resources designed by teachers, for teachers. The resources are mapped to the Australian and state curriculums and involve real-world concepts. All content is available in online and printable formats once a user has registered for free.
Changes to NAPLAN in 2023
Federal and State Education ministers have announced a series of improvements to the National Assessment Program, which will enhance NAPLAN as a measure that allows teachers, schools, governments and parents to support students, and ensure they are gaining important literacy and numeracy skills.
NAPLAN testing will move from May to March in 2023. Separate opt-in assessments in science literacy, civics and citizenship, and digital literacy will also gradually be available from Term 2, 2024.
The improvements mean that valuable data will be available earlier in the school year to inform teaching and learning programs, and to give teachers and parents additional information about students’ performance.
The new opt-in assessments for Year 6 and Year 10 students will start with science in 2024.
Reference: ACARA newsletter, April 2022
Changes to the Australian Curriculum
A decluttered Australian Curriculum that sets high expectations and standards for what all students should know and be able to do, and that supports deeper conceptual understanding and improvement in educational performance, has been endorsed by education ministers today.
“The Australian Curriculum ensures the same high standard curriculum content is available to every student, regardless of where they live. It reflects the priorities and expectations we hold for our young people, and this curriculum sets a new high benchmark,” said ACARA CEO, David de Carvalho.
“Importantly, this is a more stripped-back and teachable curriculum that identifies the essential content our children should learn. Together with new resources designed to support our teachers, it is expected the Australian Curriculum will lead to improved student outcomes.
“There is a stronger focus on phonics in English and on mastering essential mathematical facts, concepts, skills and processes. Students will be introduced to concepts and processes at the right time.
“History has been significantly decluttered, allowing more time for in-depth teaching.
There is a strengthening of explicit teaching of consent and respectful relationships from F–10 in ageappropriate ways.”
Ministers considered the final draft earlier this year and were supportive of the revisions to 6 of 8 learning areas, as well as the cross-curriculum priorities and the general capabilities. Further revisions were requested in Mathematics and the Humanities and Social Sciences, which have now been approved.
Reference: ACARA media release, April 2022
Being an advocate is about speaking up on behalf of your child — asking questions, raising concerns, asking for help — and teaching them to speak up, too. Doing those things can be uncomfortable for some parents and caregivers, for many different reasons.
Learning and thinking differences…
But when things aren’t going well at school, you are a voice for your child. You know your child’s strengths, challenges, and interests. Advocating helps make sure your child has the support to thrive.
Here are eight ways you can advocate in a positive way for your child;
What opportunities are available to connect with CSPV?
As parents of children in Catholic schools we understand that all parents are very busy and pressed for time.
Therefore, we have created various opportunities for you to contribute your voice and perspective to Catholic education and to benefit from the various opportunities provided by CSPV. We answer a few questions about how to connect with CSPV:
I’m interested in being informed and contributing my perspective but I don’t have time to be on a council or committee:
CSPV provides opportunities for parents who are not able to join as a volunteer member delegate. You may provide your perspective through the following:
• Respond to requests for parent feedback through our surveys or requests sent to your school principal or via your school parent representative.
• Follow the CSPV Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn pages to receive updates and invitations to events and contribute to requests for feedback.
• Provide an expression of interest to be informed about opportunities to contribute your perspective by clicking here.
I’m interested in contributing parent perspective but I don’t want to join as a volunteer member delegate:
CSPV provides opportunities for parents who are not able to join, to be co-opted onto specific forums or steering committees to contribute parent perspective.
If you are interested in the opportunity to contribute to future forums or steering committees, please click here.
I’m interested in being a CSPV parent representative for my children’s school:
Your school principal will need to nominate a parent representative by clicking here. If your school does not yet have a representative, please discuss this with your school principal and click here to complete a nomination form.
I’m interested in joining as a committed CSPV volunteer member delegate:
CSPV has a process for nominating parents who would like to join as a volunteer member delegate for a two year term. CSPV member delegates are expected to attend four meetings during each school term and contribute to the development of fulfilling the strategic direction of CSPV.
Click here to express your interest in joining CSPV as a committed volunteer member delegate.
We will be in touch with you once you have completed this form or you may email executive@cspv.catholic.edu.au.
We invite you to read the Annual Report to learn about the work of CSPV and how you might engage with us in 2022. Please feel free to connect with us through any of the links below.
Prayer is at the heart of our lives as a Christian families but for many of us, we are unsure of how to pray with our children. But prayer is as simple as talking to a friend because prayer is all about closeness and friendship with God. When we pray to God, we are deepening our relationship with Him and when we pray together as a family, we strengthen our family relationships too.
There are countless ways to pray as a family. If you aren’t sure how to pray, here are some engaging ways to introduce your children to the mystery, joy, and peace that prayer can bring.
Pray Before Meals: Grace
Giving thanks before meals is a great place to start with family prayer. “Thank you, God, for this food and for those who grew and cooked it. In Jesus name, Amen.”
This simple prayer or another like it, helps our children to develop gratitude for, and recognition of, the blessing to be able to sit and enjoy a meal as a family.
Pray With Music: Make Some Noise
Music has a way of getting us involved in prayer in body, mind and soul. Music is also a great way to pray when you feel like you don't have the words. Our diocesan worship band, 'Wildfire' has produced beautiful music that your family will find is great inspiration for prayer.
Click here to be inspired.
Pray While Walking: The Neighbourhood Prayer
This idea is great for active children. Take a family walk around the neighbourhood after dinner and encourage everyone to pray for neighbours, creation, the world....whatever they are inspired to pray about.
Pray In Silence: Christian Meditation
Christian Meditation is taught in our Catholic schools and is a simple way to practice stillness and silence and open our hearts to God. Everyone sits comfortably, with their eyes gently closed. Pray the word "Maranatha" silently and repeatedly. Maranatha means 'Come Lord' and is a simple invitation to God to enter our hearts. Allow the meditation to last 3-5 minutes depending upon the age of your children.
Pray Through Art: Colour Prayer
Provide your children with paper and coloured markers, crayons, or even stick on decorations and decals. Ask your child to start by writing the name they use for God eg. Loving Father, Creator, Jesus, My Friend. Encourage them to write and draw around this name all the people and issues they want to pray about. Using reflective music for this prayer is a great focusing tool.
Pray Before Bed: Popcorn Prayers
Gather as a family and invite one person to say a short prayer about anything they feel moved to pray about. At the end of the prayer, that person names another person in the family whose turn it is to ‘pop’ up to share another spontaneous prayer. This continues until everyone has prayed.
Pray with Movement: Body Prayer
We don’t just have to use only our minds to pray, we can use our bodies too. Lead your children through this movement prayer.
Begin by kneeling down and sitting so bottom is on feet and bend over so arms are stretched out over your head and touching the ground. Your head will be near knees. Use hands to help you push yourself up to standing. Move your arms from beside your body all the way out and then bring your hands to meet over your head.
Say: God, you are above. (Touch your toes). God you are below. God you are inside (Bring your hands toward heart) and all around (big arm circles). I worship you (bow from the waist), and give my life to you (move your hands from the front of your body out and up). And I love you (hands to heart) with all that I am (extend arms out to the side and gently sway your torso). (3 deep breaths) Amen
Prayer for the people of Ukraine
We turn to you, Lord Jesus Christ, Word of God made flesh for us, and we entrust the people of Ukraine to you who once said to your disciples, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you” (Jn 14:27).
Hear the cry of your people; change the hearts of those who have unleashed such suffering on the innocent; strengthen the resolve of those who are working to bring the conflict to an end; be close to those who have been driven from their homes and from their homeland; heal the wounds of mind and heart inflicted on the children; comfort the frightened and the lost; strengthen the faith of those who are bereaved; give eternal rest and joy to those who have died.
In your own agony on the cross you entrusted your mother to the beloved disciple, and entrusted him and all disciples to your mother’s care (Jn 19:26). It was through Mary’s faith that you, the Word made flesh, came to dwell among us. That same faith strengthened Mary as she stood at the foot of the cross. We pray that your suffering people in Ukraine may know and experience that Mary stands with them, too, in this time of their great distress.
You have given Mary to us as the Mother of the Church and the Help of Christians. With great confidence in the power of her prayer, in accordance with the tradition of your Church, and in communion with our bishop and all the Holy People of God, we consecrate and entrust the people of Ukraine to Mary and ask that our prayers might be joined with hers as we come before you now in hope and in trusting faith.
Hear our prayers, O Lord, and raise up champions of peace, of justice and of healing, so that the weapons of war may be silenced and the people of Ukraine may know the peace that only you can give.
CSPV website designed by you
The Future is Listening - Now Virtual and Live
This September’s National Catholic Education Conference will be the first chance we have had to come together as a national Catholic education community in six years.
The conference will provide an excellent opportunity to listen to inspiring keynote speakers, attend thought-provoking workshops, and learn and share with colleagues from across Australia.
Presenters will include educational leadership authority Dr Simon Breakspear, leading student wellbeing academic Professor Donna Cross, futurist and engineer Dr Jordan Nguyen, and parental engagement expert Dr Janet Goodall.
This is the first time in six years that Catholic educators have been able to attend a national gathering. With the COVID-19 pandemic still presenting challenges for many school communities and education offices, we want to ensure maximum participation.
You can now register for the conference and attend LIVE at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre or participate VIRTUALLY. It’s your choice.
Can't decide?
That’s okay. Register to attend via either option and, if circumstances change, you can alter your registration at a later date. It’s win-win.
All access, on-demand pass
Once registered, you will automatically receive an all-access, on-demand pass to the conference following the event. This will include recordings of over 50 keynote addresses, presentations, workshops and panel discussions to watch at your leisure.
Want to network?
There’s nothing like meeting up in person, and Melbourne is a fabulous host city for you and your colleagues (and your new-found friends) to enjoy the food and the sights.
But don’t worry – you won’t miss out if you choose to attend virtually. You’ll be able to connect with your colleagues and meet new ones via our conference portal. You’ll also be able to enjoy the food and the fun with our conference pack of goodies delivered right to your door.
We are working on a great line-up of speakers and activities, and our program will be available soon.