Dean's Report

As you would be aware the Victorian government announced additional COVID-19 restrictions yesterday following the recent cases in Melbourne’s northern suburbs. This means face masks must be worn inside at MGSE at all times unless you are working in an office alone. The recent cluster is a reminder that we all need to stay alert to the threat of COVID-19, comply with the health advice and maintain COVIDSafe behaviours. We also need to keep in mind that there may be further disruptions to our work so it is important that we all stay up to date with the latest guidance through the University’s dedicated COVID-19 website, our intranet and this newsletter.

MGSE News

Reviewing the readership of MGSE-News via the back-end analytics, as I do periodically, I was pleased to see solid results with higher than industry standard reads. I was somewhat disappointed, however, to see lower than expected rates for some important news items. MGSE-News is our primary internal news and communication channel and is designed to keep staff informed about important strategic developments and opportunities. To read a whole edition usually takes about 10 minutes, which is a reasonable expectation that all staff can find that time every fortnight.

Professional Services Redesign update

Today, the confirmed MGSE Change Plan was released as part of the University’s Pandemic Reset Plan. This plan does not include the details of the changes to the expanded shared services model in the second phase of the Professional Services Redesign (PSR): these will be released next Wednesday 2 June. The MGSE Plan relates to a small amount of realignment needed to complement the new shared services arrangements and to ensure the remaining roles at MGSE are aligned to our strategic priorities. I encourage you all to attend our All Staff webinar next Thursday 3 June to further discuss these changes.

National Reconciliation Week

Today marks the National Day of Healing, formerly known as Sorry Day. It reminds us to stop and take the time to think about the injustices perpetrated on Indigenous people in Australia and the ongoing effects this trauma and grief has had on so many families. Tomorrow marks the start of National Reconciliation Week (27 May – 3 June) with this year’s theme ‘More than a word. Reconciliation takes action’ having particular resonance for we educators.  We will be commemorating the week with an online address by Dr Lois Peeler, Executive Director/Principal of Australia’s only Aboriginal girls’ boarding school, Worawa Aboriginal College. We have also put together a webpage of Indigenous resources and the University has multiple events you can join during National Reconciliation Week.

Jim