Dean's Report

Earlier this week I attended a two-day leadership workshop on ‘Identifying, Responding to and Preventing Sexual Misconduct’. This intensive session provided the opportunity for senior leaders in the University to focus on how to identify and understand behaviours that constitute sexual misconduct, respond to and prevent this kind of behaviour and, importantly, support those affected. The workshop stressed the responsibilities we all have in playing an active part in eliminating sexual misconduct and creating a safe and respectful work environment for all. The program will be rolled out to other parts of the University over time as part of the commitment to strengthening a culture of trust and respect throughout the organisation.

MGSE Strategy 2027

While we have all continued to work at home amidst the challenges of the pandemic, work has nonetheless progressed on major strategic projects for MGSE. The development of our new Strategic Plan has been supported through several recent engagement sessions with staff and the survey, with over 100 responses, provided rich data which will feed back into the Strategy. I would like to thank everyone for making the effort to participate so enthusiastically in the design of our next Strategic Plan. A final leadership session will be held in October before the Plan is finalised for publication.

Master of Teaching 2022

The Master of Teaching re-accreditation project has resulted in four new courses (including 150 subjects), which have been endorsed by the MGSE Academic Sub-Committee. These have now been submitted to the University Academic Programs Committee, and from there will go to the Academic Board for final University approval on 21 October. The new courses are the:

  • Master of Teaching (Early Childhood)
  • Master of Teaching (Early Childhood and Primary)
  • Master of Teaching (Primary)
  • Master of Teaching (Secondary)

The next stage of the process will concentrate on external accreditation submissions and our plans for implementation. I would like to congratulate and thank all the staff involved in this immense undertaking. Their work will greatly benefit and enhance our students’ learning, experience and indeed their careers.

Staff updates

My warmest congratulations to our staff who have recently been promoted to Academic Level B: Rachel Colla, Maree Martinussen, Andrew Deuchar and Samantha Marangell. I would also like to thank all of those staff who were not successful this time around for the significant time and effort they invested in their applications.

We welcome two new staff members to our Academic Services team this week: Annie Rappoport is our new Senior Manager, Academic Services and Helen Steer joins us as our new Professional Services Manager. I’m sure you will all make them welcome, albeit remotely.

Casual payments

The Vice-Chancellor’s recent email on the systemic failures regarding the underpayment of past and current casual employees of the University was a welcome acknowledgement of an important issue that needs to be recognised and remediated. MGSE is supportive of the University’s continued efforts in this area and we encourage any casual staff who have any outstanding issues to come forward and contact the Casual Employment Contact Line on 1800 571 187.

MGSE Awards Ceremony

The MGSE Awards Ceremony has been a casualty of the uncertainty surrounding events at the University during COVID-19. Each alternative delivery mode has been foiled by restrictions and ultimately lockdowns. We have therefore decided to cancel the event for this year. Hopefully, next year we will be able to return to an in-person celebration. All student awardees have received their certificates and booklets and the staff certificates and plaques are at Leicester Street awaiting our return.

I was pleased to hear the news that Dr Noor Shah Kamawal, an MGSE alumnus who completed his Masters of Evaluation earlier this year, had arrived safely in Australia from Kabul, Afghanistan with his wife Leena and their seven children. Dr Noor Shah had worked for the previous Afghani government and many staff at MGSE went above and beyond to assist Dr Noor Shah and his family to reach safe passage to Australia.

Lastly, don’t forget that next Friday 24 September is the Grand Final public holiday, with the game played for the second time outside of Melbourne. This is an opportune time to switch off and perhaps even extend the long weekend with some recharge leave. As mentioned in the Office of the Dean email yesterday, please reach out to Janet Clinton if you need relief and additional support during these challenging times.

Jim