MAY ‘22 THIS ISSUE Our journey of Reconciliation
The monthly newsletter that aims to inter-connect our 2500+ employees (and countless volunteers) so that we all have a broader understanding of and empathy for the significant scope of faith-based, for purpose work Newcastle Anglican is delivering, to enable people of all ages and communities to flourish through our parishes and services.
Spotlight on Lifestyle ‘Exelerating’ Talent
Be Brave and Make Change
Let’s be clear. Just because we chose to celebrate the women in our business last month, that recognition and respect is not suddenly turned off as we move into a new calendar month. Similarly, with significant focus planned for the month ahead on Reconciliation, we need to fully recognise that we are not simply suggesting that we ‘be brave and make change’ only during May. Reconciliation is a journey: it needs to live in the hearts, minds and actions of all Australians as we move forward, creating a nation strengthened by respectful relationships between the wider Australian community, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. As a mark of that significance – and of the particular
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NATIONAL RECONCILIATION WEEK 2022
27 MAY – 3 JUNE #NRW2022
NRW.RECONCILIATION.ORG.AU
importance the journey of Reconciliation has for Newcastle Anglican, Bishop Peter’s recent affirmation of The Reverend Canon ‘Aunty’ Di Langham as Director of Reconciliation for and amongst our organisation, carries particular weight. Her role is to guide us through the development of an organisation-wide Reconciliation Action Plan, encouraging us all to ‘be brave and make change’. As we approach National Reconciliation Week (May 27 – 3 June) and NAIDOC Week (3-10 July), Aunty Di invites each of us to open our ears and hearts to the many Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander stories of families being removed from homelands, with lives on Missions and lives as Stolen Generations. “Families have suffered and many, even now, are victims of trans-generational trauma. Reconciliation week reminds us that Australia has an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history that has not been acknowledged. This year this theme tells us that we can make change. We can be brave.” “We need to use these stories to help us to embed a culture of understanding, safety and compassion across our whole organisation.”
Newcastle Anglican Schools Corporation
National Sorry Day National Reconciliation Week (NRW) started as the Week of Prayer for Reconciliation in 1993 (the International Year of the World’s Indigenous Peoples) and was supported by Australia’s major faith communities. The 27th May carries some significance, given that it was on this day in 1967 that Australia’s most successful referendum saw more than 90% of Australians vote to give the Australian Government power to make laws for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and
to recognise them in the Census. On the 3rd June 1992, the Australian High Court delivered the Mabo decision, the culmination of Eddie Koiki Mabo’s challenge to the legal fiction of ‘terra nullius’ (land belonging to no one) and leading to the legal recognition
of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Owners and Custodians of lands. This decision paved the way for Native Title.
RENTAL AFFORDABILITY
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RENTAL AFFORDABILITY SNAPSHOT
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Coast | Hunter | Mid Coast | Newcastle & Lake Macqaurie InCentral partnership with Anglicare Australia, the Samaritans recently helped to produce an annual Rental Affordability Snapshot (RAS) aimed at shining a light on the current national and all too real, local housing crisis This is the tenth year Samaritans have participated in the national RAS where data is collected and tested on private rental properties’ suitability and affordability for people on low incomes without placing them under rental stress.
The regions in which data is collected by Samaritans are Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Central Coast, Mid Coast and Hunter. Key findings in the report showed that during the weekend the snapshot was taken: • only one rental property was deemed affordable for a person on the JobSeeker payment; • only one rental property was deemed affordable for an out-of-work couple with two children; • there were no affordable rental properties available for single parents, out of work; • there were no affordable rental properties available for a person on the Disability Support Pension; and • there were no affordable rental properties available for a young person on Youth Allowance. These findings reflect the reality of the housing crisis that individuals and families are experiencing across the nation in accessing affordable and appropriate housing. Anglicare Australia is using the results of the Rental Affordability Snapshot, to advocate for action by Governments at every level, to work together to protect people from unfair rent increases, boost affordable housing and raise the rate of Jobseeker and related payments over the poverty line. The full report can be found on our Intranets and Samaritans website. •3
Who’s who in the ZOO? May’s announcement of a new Executive Director for Quality & Risk, Luke Hughes (set to commence in June) comes just a few months after the inclusion of Paula Trood to the executive leadership team (as ED of People Care), with the Diocesan Chief Executive and ED People and Culture roles still being recruited and managed in the meantime by Bishop Peter and Nicole Klasen respectively. One level down from the ELT, there has also been a significant amount of change in leadership across all portfolios, with the inclusion too of a few more new faces – notably, the GM Organisational Development (Susanna Bradley), Director Housing & Real Estate (Amos Buresh) and Director Enterprise Risk (Kelly Wyman). Meanwhile, the Bishop’s Office has also recently been strengthened to include a Director of Reconciliation (Di Langham), Director of Mission (Rod Bower) and Director of Brand, Marketing and Communications (Nige Cottingham). Pictured here is a ‘short-form’ view of the current executive and senior leadership team and a more complete version, including names and a brief bio on each leader is currently in production.
PETER STUART Anglican Bishop of Newcastle
GERARD BOWEN Executive Director of Asset Management
LESLEY JORDAN
LINDA WILSON
Interim Chief of Staff
Corporation Secretary & Registrar
EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP TEAM
GLEN COUSINS
JOHN BARRIGA
Executive Director of Finance
Executive Director of IT
LIZ KNIGHT Executive Director of Education & Child Development
LUKE HUGHES
NICOLE KLASEN
PAULA TROOD
Executive Director of Quality & Risk
Acting Executive Director of People & Culture
Executive Director of People Care
EPISCOPATE & EXECUTIVE OFFICE
FINANCE
BISHOP PETER STUART
GLEN COUSINS
Anglican Bishop of Newcastle
President of Anglican Care, Samaritans & Newcastle Schools
Bishop Charlie Murry
Assistant Bishop (Coastal Episcopate)
Bishop Sonia Roulston
Assistant Bishop (Inland Episcopate)
Archdeacon Rod Bower Director of Mission
Canon Di Langham Director of Reconciliation
Alison Dalmazzone Senior Executive Assistant
Executive Director of Finance
Cass Phillpott
Finance Manager Schools
Pieta Morris
Finance Manager Samaritans
Rachel McKenna
Commercial Manager Samaritans
Rob Foster
Commercial Manager Anglican Care
Sarah Cahill
Finance Manager Anglican Care
Terese Innes
Diocesan Accountant
Lesley Jordan
Interim Chief of Staff
Linda Wilson
Corporation Secretary & Registrar
ASSET MANAGEMENT
Nige Cottingham
Director of Brand, Marketing & Communications
Samantha Brookes Senior Policy Specialist
GERARD BOWEN
Executive Director of Asset Management
Amos Buresh
Director of Housing & Real Estate
Brendon Lowndes
IT JOHN BARRIGA
Executive Director of IT
Darren Smith
Major & Minor Works Manager
Daniel Perrin Maintenance Manager
PEOPLE CARE
Head of IT Operations
John Riffle
ICT Application & Security Manager
Kate Bernadino
ICT Business Engagement Manager
Rachel Anthes
IT Program Delivery Manager
PAULA TROOD
Executive Director of People Care
Barbara Critchley
General Manager of Community & Allied Health
Barry McKibbin
Hospitality Services Manager
PEOPLE & CULTURE
Erin Ruprecht
Acting General Manager of Residential
Tammie Lawler
General Manager of NDIS
Toby Mills TBA
General Manager of Residential
Acting Executive Director of People & Culture
Nicole Klasen
GM People & Culture Operations (Acting ED)
Susanna Bradley
QUALITY & RISK
General Manager of Organisational Development
EDUCATION & CHILD DEVELOPMENT LIZ KNIGHT
Executive Director of Education & Child Development
Jared Gillard
General Manager of Safety & Resilence
Shane Reed
General Manager of Child Wellbeing
Darren Parks
Principal Manning Valley Anglican College
Deborah Clancy
Principal Lakes Grammar Anglican School
Paul Humble
Principal Bishop Tyrrell Anglican College
Paul Smart
Principal Scone Grammar School
LUKE HUGHES
Director of Quality & Risk
Jodie Gardiner Acting Director of Assurance
Kelly Wyman
Director of Enterprise Risk
Louise Cossettini
Acting Director of Compliance
Team spotlight Anglican Care Wellbeing and Lifestyle Team Aligned with more detail on the Newcastle Anglican leadership, interconnect is committed to shining a regular spotlight on teams from around the organisation. This month, our focus falls on the Anglican Care Lifestyle Wellbeing and Diversity Team operating under the mantra ‘beyond the clinical’. Managed by Jane Meldrum, who is ably supported by Chrystine Banning and Donna Thomas, this trio bring their 64+ collective years of Aged Care industry experience together to support the 40 lifestyle and wellbeing team members operating across the Anglican Care Residential Aged Care Facilities and Day Centres. The teams plan, design, coordinate and implement recreation and leisure-based activity programs to support, challenge and enhance the psychological, spiritual, social, emotional and physical wellbeing of individuals. A much-loved member of the LWD Team is ‘Rene’ their Lifestyle Resource Van which supports the programs and is a modern take on the mobile library. Rene’s resources can be borrowed and have items such as jigsaws, large print books, dementia-specific resources, CD’s, DVD’s, games, golf
Chrys Donna & Jane
sets, ten pin bowling, Ball games, table games, cards, magazines etc. The Lifestyle Van has won numerous commendations at the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission Better Practice Awards and plays an integral role in our representation at the Australian Association of Gerontology, Positive Living in Aged Care and National Dementia Conferences.
deep understanding of each person’s physical and mental health, environment, interests, life experiences and family relationships. DART uses strategies such as exercise, music, reminiscence, multi-sensory experiences and pet therapy to calm emotions, soothe anxieties and to naturally alleviate the escalation of negative or adverse behaviours.
The team also facilitates the Directed Action Response Team (DART) Program as part of their service delivery. DART is a customised, evidence-based lifestyle program through which the team supports ‘customers’ to alleviate any escalation of the challenges they face, utilising a combination of nonpharmacological therapybased strategies and a
Constantly researching best practice approaches and activities to add to their programs, Jane notes: ‘I love exploring ways to support our residents. It is so important to try to meet the individualized needs and preferences of our consumers, and that is reflected in our Lifestyle & Wellbeing Programs.’
FUEL FOR THOUGHT Another extremely weighty global matter that the Anglican Church is involved in active leadership of is climate action. To this end, representatives of Anglican EcoCare recently submitted bills related to the Divestment from Fossil Fuels* for consideration by the Synod. These came as ‘private members bills’ in the sense that they had not been previously submitted to the Diocesan Council for its consideration. Anglican EcoCare engaged with Newcastle Anglican’s Finance Budget and Investment Committee (FBI) to help determine the full financial implications of the bills and the FBI noted BHP, Origin Energy and Oil Search as the three companies within the TCP Endowment Portfolio that meet this definition of Fossil Fuel Investments*. The FBI commented that ‘while these companies are currently deriving revenue associated with fossil fuels, some are also beginning work in emerging technologies and investing in alternate opportunities such as solar and hydrogen sourced energy production’. Acknowledging this, the negotiated position for divestment from fossil fuel investments within 2 years from the assent of the Ordinance, was considered acceptable by both the FBI and Anglican EcoCare and has subsequently been endorsed by Newcastle Anglican. Accordingly, the investments of both the Endowment Fund of the Trustees of Church Property and the Anglican Savings and Development Fund will divest no later than 15 March 2024. * in this context, Fossil Fuel Investments are defined as investments in companies that derive more than 20% of revenue from the extraction, production or refining of coal, oil or gas
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SAMARITANS OP SHOP Hamilton Right VOLUNTEERS EVELYN AND FONDA, AND RETAIL MANAGER PAULINE SELLERS
SAMARITANS OP SHOPS SAY ‘THANKS’ TO VOLUNTEERS Heavily reliant on volunteer support, Samaritans Op Shops Manager, Pauline Sellers, who oversees four stores across Newcastle - Boolaroo, Wallsend, Mayfield and Hamilton - was quick to say ‘thanks’ to the many volunteers who lend their time and energy to running the shops. Reaching out on social media and through her community networks, Pauline’s message of gratitude was lined up with National Volunteer Week (May 16-20) and celebrated ‘the amazing Volunteers who support us in the stores and through other Samaritans initiatives, to help us get the job done.’ Pauline notes: ‘Our volunteers come from all walks of life, from retired people wanting to serve in their community to young uni students with a strong interest in sustainable clothing.’ Our stores and the work of the Samaritans in general are part of the fabric of the local community. It goes beyond what we sell: we provide a place for people to come and connect.’
SAMARITANS OP SHOP Hamilton Left VOLUNTEERS VICKI AND VICKI
E-LEARNING PORTAL PASSES THE LITMOS TEST With some additional SMEs joining the team and some focused effort on updating content and a more intuitive look and feel, the Litmos e-learning portal is gradually being extended to more corners of the Newcastle Anglican organisation, with Samaritans staff now targeted to receive more e-learning modules from June. Led by Learning and Development Coordinator, Benita Van Der Wel, her two new cohorts Leigh-Ann Mate (Anglican Care) and Bre’Arna Valentine (Samaritans) have been busy reviewing and updating all current training modules to ensure they meet the L&D needs of all our staff. The Samaritans NDIS workers were recently welcomed onto the Litmos platform, collectively completing over 300 courses in their first week. The Child, Youth and Family workers are the next team on the e-learning team’s radar, with all users encouraged to rate the training and development modules and to provide feedback to enable continuous improvement.
LEARNING
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YOU TURNED MY WHOLE WORLD UPSIDE DOWN A lyric from Eric Clapton’s immortalised ‘Layla’ seems an appropriate tribute to Storm Village resident Lela McKay as she celebrated her 102nd birthday on May 4th, no doubt turning the world upside down for her 3 children, 7 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren and 2 great great grandkids! Having survived her husband Alex, Lela is also the last one standing out of her 8 siblings and puts her long life down to healthy living on a farm in Coopernook, where she spent over 50 years of her life. Pictured here now enjoying the company at her new home in Storm Village, Lela’s birthday milestone even made it into the local Manning Valley Times newspaper.
Storm Village Birthday Celebration Left TOBY MILLS, HEATHER MURPHY, JACKY VAN YK, LELA AND FAMILY.
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Kilpatrick Court Celebration Left JOHN PHILLIPSON
AN INORDINATE AMOUNT OF TIME In another Anglican Care residential aged care facility celebration, Kilpatrick Court resident, John Phillipson, celebrated a remarkable milestone in May too, acknowledging the 65 year anniversary of his Ordination. The celebrations fittingly took place during the Weekly Church Service, with family, friends and KC staff present.
AFFIRMATION FOR AGED CARE WORKERS Incensed by misplaced commentary about the Aged Care sector and thoroughly moved by her experience of how well our team at McIntosh Court have looked after her husband Bill, Celestine put pen to paper and her letter of appreciation was published in the Newcastle Herald. The letter states: ‘My beautiful husband has Alzheimers and lives in MacIntosh Court. The care that Bill receives is wonderful. He is treated with friendliness by every staff member, whatever their rank or responsibility. His personal carers look after him with dignity and skill. The surroundings are spotlessly clean and tastefully decorated.’ ‘Dementia is a cruel and confronting disease but the RNs and liaison staff always balance straight talking, patience and compassion.’ • 11
We need to do BETTER The Federal Election results are in and the next ministerial leadership determined. Whilst keen to point out that he was not looking to sway public opinion to one party or another, prior to the election some of you may have seen (or heard) some insightful local commentary from Bishop Peter on matters that our politicians – and voters – should be taking greater account of. Publishing a series of opinion pieces in the buildup to the Federal Election, Bishop Peter’s voice – in this context more as the leader of an organisation, whose services are significantly impacted daily by a range of government funding and policy decisions, than as the Bishop of Newcastle – has been heard through ABC Radio breakfast, news, Drive Time and the Newcastle Herald. His primary message: ‘we need to do better’….in Aged Care, in NDIS matters, in housing affordability, on climate action and, with respect to inclusivity. A call to action for voters and politicians alike to be transparent and accountable, to be brave and inclusive and to prioritise the services sectors in crisis. By way of conclusion, his rhetoric acknowledged that one of the fundamental platforms of change through
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which to achieve all of this is to enable long-term solutions through multi-party planning. Affirmation through the General Synod Finding voice through a power far greater than any media outlet, Bishop Peter took some of the same debate, issues and opportunities to the General Synod this month too. Every church needs a way of debating big ideas and major rules and for the Anglican church this is available through Synods. Bishop Peter was supported at May’s General Synod in the Gold Coast for his motion to ‘call on the incoming Commonwealth Government to develop and communicate a strategic roadmap for improvement to Aged Care and Disability Care which implements the findings of the Aged Care and Disability Royal
Commissions, enables providers of Aged Care and Disability Care to have long-term confidence about sufficient funding for the provision of services, and assures people receiving support of the integrity of these systems’. When presenting this motion, he affirmed Anglicare Australia and its member agencies for the work and leadership they are already undertaking in response to the findings of the Aged Care Royal Commission and community concerns about the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), acknowledging this work makes a huge difference to the people who have lived experienced of disability and who need support because of the impact of aging, as well as their families and their communities.
TRAINING FOR SUCCESS Cognisant of the positive impact training has on our service capability across the organisation, a number of new trainee programs were launched in May. Arguably our two youngest trainees, Rebecca Welch and Georgia Brown have both recently commenced Junior Business Traineeships: managed around their respective duties for Booragul Reception and the Customer Relations Team (Rebecca) and Warabrook Reception and the Payroll & Finance Team (Georgia). This month also sees the next intake of Certificate III Individual Support (Aging) trainees commence, aimed at starting a journey for many into Aged Care nursing, with similar opportunities planned soon for Samaritans services.
TRAINEE Above GEORGIA BROWN
Last but not least, no less than 35 Anglican Care hospitality workers have recently commenced Meals Matter training, designed to ensure our staff have the knowledge and skills to provide quality meal services across all our residential aged care facilities, with our busy Boolaroo Food Prep Unit providing an exemplar model for this course.
TRAINEE Right REBECCA WELCH
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Q & A Paul Humble Enjoy a quick Q&A with new Principal of Bishop Tyrrell Anglican College (BTAC): Q. What motivated you to become a school principal? I started teaching in 1997 and moved into the Independent system in 2002, enjoying spells at a number of schools along the way. There came a point when I had to make a choice between a single classroom or something broader, and after consulting people who had guided and mentored me over the years, I came to the conclusion that I had an opportunity to effect change, benefit communities and empower people to reach their full potential. A key driver has been to lift education for all, something I was first able to achieve in Wagga with the introduction of the IB Diploma Programme, the first NSW regional school to adopt this programme. Q. How do you spend time outside of work? First and foremost, I am a husband and father. I like to read, fish, garden and travel – Malta and Italy are next on the list. I am aIso trying to become a more ‘passionate’ exerciser! Q. What attracted you to the BTAC Principal role? The community, the opportunities, the challenge and the Diocese. I like the way Bishop Peter thinks and to be part of what he is trying to do with education is exciting. Q. You are one of four Anglican Newcastle School Principals: how do you see this being a benefit to your role? Being a Principal can be quite a lonely job, so the opportunity for some collegiality and support is vital. Collaboration with peers is extraordinarily powerful. Q. What do you think BTAC needs to make the next jump? Leadership that will take the jump with them – a real partnership - the potential to be exceptional is there and the staff are keen to make the leap. Q. What is your area of educational passion and why? Mentoring staff and growing potential in students – opening doors of opportunity for all kids. You need to be open, brave and like Teflon in your resolution. Q. They say everyone has a book in them. If you could take time out to write a book, what would the title be and why? Actually, I am already writing a book. It is a junior historical fiction loosely based on Plutarch’s Comparative Lives: a parallel semi-fictional adventure in the lives of Alexander the Great and Julius Caesar.
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In December 1992, I was 24 years old, had just resigned from my workplace and was preparing to head back to university to study a Bachelor of Social Science with the view to become a Social Worker. I often like to think of the milestones in my life that have led me to where I am today. On 10 December 1992, Prime Minister Paul Keating delivered what has become known as the Redfern Address. A speech that changed my life. In a powerful and moving 16-minute oration delivered at the official opening of the United Nations International Year of the World’s Indigenous Peoples in Redfern, Mr Keating’s words initiated a new phase in the relationship between the Australian state and the First Nations people. The Prime Minister lauded the substantial influence that First Nations people had asserted on the evolution of the modern Australian nation and boldly proposed a radical way forward to reconciliation. He publicly questioned the conventional colonial narrative of terra nullius by challenging all Australians to reconsider the horrendous experiences of First Nations people as if these atrocities had happened to us – a powerful and emotive challenge! In 1992 there was considerable animosity, intolerance, ignorance, and racism in Australian society, especially regarding Indigenous rights. This speech demonstrated an unflinching desire for progress and leadership of an unpopular issue that is rare in the modern Australian political landscape. It was this speech and the new and evocative narrative that I experienced that drove me to study history and political science, and eventually, to teach history. As we commence National Reconciliation Week in Australia, it is fitting to look back 30 years to remember this speech and the impact it had on our national dialogue. National Reconciliation Week is an opportunity for all Australians to engage with our shared histories, our rich and diverse cultures, and shared and individual achievements, and to examine ways in which we can all genuinely contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia. As I watched a new Prime Minister – Anthony Albanese – speak as he came into office, I was moved when I heard him utter the words “I begin by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land on which we meet. I pay my respects to their elders past, present and emerging. And…I commit to the Uluru Statement from the heart in full.” I was immediately transported back 30 years to Paul Keating’s speech…and Prime Minister Kevin Rudd’s Apology to Australia’s Indigenous Peoples in 2008…and it allowed me to reflect on just how far we have come as a diverse, inclusive, and multicultural nation, but also, just how far we still must go.
Paraphrased from Paul Humble’s pen • 15
Fundraising Record
The 10th annual Bean Counters fundraising ball saw a record $35k raised to support youth and education in the Newcastle and Hunter region, with the Samaritans Student Accommodation at Wickham a worthy and grateful recipient of circa 50% of this amount. Supported by the Samaritans, Thea, a current resident of the Wickham Student Accommodation facility, confidently addressed the 350 ball guests, saying: “Samaritans has allowed me to become truly independent. The friends, connections, and community have helped me be who I am today. Thank you to the Bean Counters Ball committee for inviting me here to speak tonight, and thank you once again for your support of Samaritans - because of you, I’ve been able to get to a place where I can succeed in life. I never imagined I would have gotten
this far.” A joint initiative between local members of CPA and Chartered Accountants Australia & New Zealand – hence the Bean Counters nomenclature - COVID-19 has prevented the event itself from being held over the last two years, leaving the Ball Chairperson, Hayden Asper, more eager than ever to affirm the event’s raison d’etre. He noted: ‘We fully recognise that our standing
in the local community comes with a responsibility to support young people across the Hunter Region and we are proud to again be partnering with Samaritans and the Hunter TAFE Foundation to help us meet this responsibility by providing opportunities for young people to learn and grow.’
NEW ‘STEER’ on ROYAL EASTER SHOW Talking training, a team of students and staff from Manning Valley Anglican College definitely had their training wheels on when they involved themselves in the Cattle Parade at this year’s Royal Easter Show. Winning a competition during online schooltime in lockdown, the somewhat unusual prize was a ‘steer’ to take to the Sydney Royal Easter Show to auction for slaughter. Whilst not an area that was immediately familiar to teacher, Rebecca Wheeler, and her agriculture students, the team quickly shrugged off the nerves and competed with aplomb. So much so that Jedd Fazio took out first place in the Junior Parade event and Logan Doolan came a very commendable fourth in the School Parade. They also received a very good auction price for their steer! Rebecca notes, with justified pride, ‘It was incredible to watch the students grow and shine before my very eyes. This single experience will help improve their leadership skills, communication skills and knowledge about cattle.’
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Exelerating TALENT
This month saw celebration at the climax of an innovative 4-month High Performing Leaders Program aptly entitled EXELERATE. Following a robust panel selection process late last year, seven emerging leaders were lifted from across the Newcastle Anglican organization to undertake a specially tailored performance program that focused on: • individual leadership styles, highlighting strengths and areas of growth; • developing capacity to set objectives, solve challenging problems and obtain meaningful results; • exploring new frameworks and approaches to improve team performance and cross-organisation collaboration; • strengthening capacity to lead through uncertainty, bringing others with you, and building resilience; • progressing beyond a focus on ‘skillsets’ to create a more flexible mindset, capable of
successfully adapting to dynamic situations and operating environments. Bishop Peter acknowledges: ‘As Newcastle Anglican continues to evolve, there will be increased collaboration across our agencies, schools and parishes, which carries with it a layer of complexity. So it is more important than ever for us to invest in our leaders, enabling and empowering them to seize opportunities for their career development and success.’ Herself a graduate of the new program, Acting Executive Director People and Culture, Nicole Klasen, notes: ‘The Exelarate program has been an amazing opportunity to gain an insight not only into my own leadership style but
into that of my peers across the business.’ ‘The program has enabled me to see professional and personal growth in myself, arming me with new skills and approaches to use when leading and supporting my team, underpinned by a more flexible and positive mindset in my approach to the matters in hand.’ Expressions of interest for the next Exelarate program will be announced in the coming months and is open to all Newcastle Anglican employees. If this is an opportunity you are considering applying for, we invite you to speak to your manager/supervisor as part of the initial process.
NOTHING MILD ABOUT MEEKES GRAND FINAL PERFORMANCE Scone Grammar School PDHPE Teacher, Yasmin Meekes, played a significant role in her Sydney Rooster’s team NRLW Grand Final win over the Dragons, crediting coach John Strange with instilling internal belief in the team, after a slow start to the season. Yasmin also praised the support she has had from her community at Scone Grammar School: ‘The students are definitely my biggest fans and I also know I wouldn’t have been able to achieve what I have without the encouragement from my Head of Department, Jason Croucher, and a large number of other staff members from around the school.’ Away from the football field, Yasmin had another celebration to attend to a few weeks after the Grand Final. After four attempts at setting a wedding date, she and partner Adam finally tied the knot!
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from
Bishop Peter
Honour and Respect for our First Nations People ‘Newcastle Anglican acknowledges that for thousands of years the Awabakal, Biripi, Darkinjung, Geawegal, Kamilaroi, Worimi, Garrigal and Wonnarua peoples have walked gently on the unceded territories where we now live, work, worship, and play. We seek a new relationship with the first peoples here: one based in honour and respect. In January last year, I was on holiday near Wallis Lakes and reading about the history of the Hawkesbury River region. In that book I read an account of the horrendous experience of the Dharawal nation. In the early hours of the morning of 17 April 1816, a group of soldiers - following the orders of Governor Lachlan Macquarie and under the command of Captain James Wallis – opened fire on a group of at least 14 Dharawal men, women and children, ultimately driving them over the gorge of the Cataract River, in what is
Our Service Agencies
now known as the Appin Massacre. It is a chilling account. I started reading further, to discover that the Wallis Lakes are named after James Wallis who became the commandant at Newcastle on 1 June 1816, just over six weeks later. I was even more horrified to discover that In 1817, Wallis led the claiming of the land and the construction of the first Christ Church in Newcastle, in the absence of a chaplain who had regularly led the prayers. Where are we heading now in Newcastle Anglican? Over time there is a growing understanding of the Anglican Church as part of the colonising process of these lands which has ongoing impact in the lives of First Nations peoples today. We are committed to deep listening and the journey of reconciliation in which healing might come.
I am delighted the Reverend Canon Aunty Di Langham has accepted the invitation to become Director Reconciliation. She speaks with boldness locally and nationally about her story and has offered decades of prophetic work to challenge presumptions. I am looking forward to her guidance as we move towards the development of an organisation-wide Reconciliation Action Plan and to her building the network of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who are part of our workforce.’ +Peter
Newcastle Anglican Schools Corporation