Catholic Education Wilcannia-Forbes has embarked on an innovative journey to provide innovative high-quality teacher education right here in Wilcannia-Forbes.
CEWF Teaching Schools Hub
The Catholic Education Wilcannia-Forbes (CEWF) Teaching Schools Hub, provides an opportunity for locals who seek a vocation in Catholic education to commence their careers as teachers – working in Catholic primary schools throughout the Wilcannia-Forbes Diocese, while they study a teaching degree – gaining practical hands-on experience from day one of their course.
Each student is placed as a trainee teacher in a primary school within the Wilcannia-Forbes Diocese and is paid as a learning support officer (1 day per week). University course fees will be subsidised by 50% as students undertake content in an online platform each week.
The Teaching Schools Model
A Uniquely Better Approach to a Catholic Teacher Degree
The Teaching Schools model is an exciting concept that flips the conventional model of teacher training, by bringing fully accredited tertairy education onsite to our very own Wilcannia-Forbes Catholic schools.
In an innovative and dynamic approach, Catholic Education Wilcannia-Forbes will partner with University of Notre Dame Australia to deliver a Commonwealth-accredited Bachelor of Education (Primary).
The Teaching Schools model offers part-time, paid trainee teacher positions each year, with each student supported by a school-based mentor, the CEWF Teaching Schools Manager, the Teaching Schools Regional Director and University of Notre Dame Australia lecturers.
The Teaching schools model provides on-the-job practical teacher training and one-on-one academic and personal support. Essentially we are educating teachers in a tertiary setting that is Christ-centred and student-focused, here in our own Diocese. The CEWF Teaching Schools Hub will produce teachers who have had up to four years of in-classroom teaching experience.
School-based training
You will be in the classroom, employed as a teacher assistant, from the commencement of your four-year Bachelor’s degree. You will have the opportunity to participate in school and system-based professional learning and be supported by a highly experienced mentor teacher to give you valuable knowledge of working in a Catholic primary school.
Financial support
On top of a paid part-time teacher assistant position (0.2FTE) in your school for the duration of your course, you will be reimbursed for 50% of all successfully completed university units and be offered ongoing employment at the completion of your degree.
A Community of Support
You will be supported on your journey by the staff of the Teaching School Hub, lecturers from University of Notre Dame Australia, and school-based and CEWF staff, who are dedicated to your spiritual growth, well-being and on-going development as a teacher. Throughout your journey you will have an opportunity to spend time at a number of other schools in the Diocese to broaden your experience.
A Teaching position at the end of your Training program
We are invested in your development and want you to stay with us at the end of your training program. We will endeavour to secure you a teaching position at your school or within Catholic Education Wilcannia-Forbes Diocesan school. After you complete your training we will continue to support your development through our fantastic graduate teacher accreditation program.
Ongoing Support
Teaching Schools Regional Director
The Regional Director will support you with anything related to your Bachelor of Education program. They
represent University of Notre Dame Australia.
CEWF Teaching Schools Manager
The CEWF Teaching Schools Manager will liaise and work with University of Notre Dame Australia and the Teaching Schools, providing ongoing support from a CEWF perspective.
Mentor Teacher
Mentor Teachers are experienced teachers who will personally support and guide you each day in all aspects of your development as a teacher.
The Application Process
Your decision to embark on this journey is important, and we consider the selection of Trainee Teachers to be a two-way process. It is just as important that you embrace the CEWF Teaching Schools Hub vision, as it is for us to hear why you are applying for this opportunity.
Step 1 – Expression of Interest
Register your interest in the Teaching Schools via our short survey or contact the CEWF Teaching Schools Hub Manager via email
Step 2 – Apply
Once we have received your expression of interest, the Teaching Schools Hub Manager will contact you and answer any questions you may have. You can then apply either via email link or through this link:
Step 3 – Interview
The CEWF Teaching Schools Hub Manager will arrange a time when scholarship interviews will be conducted.
Step 4 – Apply for a position at University of Notre Dame Australia
Apply to the University of Notre Dame Australia for acceptance into the Bachelor of Primary Education. Once you have been accepted as a student you may move to the next stage.
Step 5 – Offers
Should you be successful in your applicationsyou will be offered a position in one of our Diocesan schools.
Step 6 – Meet your Mentor Teacher
You will have an opportunity to visit your school and meet your Mentor Teacher prior to your commencement.