LEVEL A: accreditation to work in catholic education

Newly appointed School Support Staff who have direct contact with students, parents or teachers, will participate in the equivalent of a one day (6 hour) Catholic Workplace Orientation Program within the first year of their employment. The program may be held over several sessions.

Accreditation currency is maintained through participation in the equivalent of fifteen (15) hours of formation on an ongoing basis over each ensuing five year period, generally through participation in Staff Spirituality days at their school. This requirement also applies to Administration Officers of the CEO.

LEVEL B: accreditation to work in catholic education - teachers and professional officers

Newly appointed permanent teachers (full time and part time) and those new to Catholic education will participate in the Alight for the World Program; a four-day Spiritual Formation Program held within the first five years of their appointment. Completion of the first two-days of this program meets the minimum accreditation requirements, however, participants are required to complete a further two days to complete the full program.

Typically, teachers participate in one day each year of the program. Accreditation currency is maintained through participation in the equivalent of thirty hours of formation on an ongoing basis over each ensuing five year period, generally through participation in Staff Spirituality days at their school. This requirement also applies to Professional Officers of the CEO.

Transitional Arrangements

Automatic accreditation is granted for ongoing permanent teachers appointed prior to June 2014, however, ongoing maintenance of currency is required.

LEVEL C: Accreditation to Work in Catholic Education - Leadership in Schools and Catholic Education - Leadership in Schools and Catholic Education Office including Education Officers in Curriculum and Pedagogy (CAP) and Pastoral Care and Learning Support (PCLS)

Newly appointed Middle Leaders (2 and 3 point Coordinators) and Middle Leaders who have their contract renewed after commencement of this policy must attain Level C accreditation. Those who hold post graduate qualifications, which include studies in Catholic Leadership, may be accredited for Level C upon application. Leaders not holding such qualifications are required to participate in the Learning for Leadership Program provided by the Catholic Education Office, or an approved program of Catholic Leadership Formation, which is the equivalent of four days within the first four years of their appointment.

In addition to the thirty hour currency requirement of accreditation for permanent Teachers, Middle Leaders are required to participate in the equivalent of fifteen hours of formation in approved Catholic Leadership professional learning on an ongoing basis over each ensuing five year period. This requirement also applies to Education Officers in the CAP and PCLS Teams.

Transitional Arrangements

As current leaders accept new or updated leadership contracts from June 2014 they are required to participate in the relevant formation programs. 

LEVEL D: accreditation to work in catholic education - teachers of religious education

Teachers of Religious Education will be Catholics who: 

• were accredited Teachers of Religious Education in the Diocese of Wollongong or another Australian Diocese prior to 31 December 2012 with qualifications to the equivalent of the Certificate of Religious Education (NSW); or,
• have completed undergraduate studies that include a minimum of six approved units in Religious Education/Theology at a Catholic tertiary institution, or, 
• have completed a minimum of four postgraduate units of study in Religious Education/Theology at a Catholic tertiary institution. 

In addition to the thirty hour currency requirement of accreditation for permanent teachers, Religious Education Teachers must maintain their currency through the equivalent of fifteen hours of additional professional development in Religious Education/Theology on an ongoing basis over each ensuing five year period.

Transitional Arrangements

Teachers qualified to teach Religious Education prior to June 2014 will automatically gain Level D accreditation; however, ongoing maintenance of currency is required. At the commencement of this policy, currently employed teachers who do not have the required qualifications to teach Religious Education, will be provisionally accredited and have up to five years to meet accreditation.

LEVEL E: Accreditation to work in Catholic Education - Senior Leadership in Schools and Catholic Education Office

Newly appointed Principals, Assistant Principals and Religious Education Coordinators and those who have their contract renewed after commencement of this policy, must be practising Catholics accredited to teach Religious Education, and have completed a minimum of four approved units of study at postgraduate level in Religious Education, Theology, Spirituality or Catholic Leadership in an approved tertiary institution. These units of study are in addition to the requirements for Teachers of Religious Education.

In addition to the forty five hour currency requirement of accreditation for Teachers of Religious Education, Senior Leaders will undertake the equivalent of thirty hours of professional learning or formal study on an ongoing basis over each ensuing five year period specifically related to Religious Education, Theology, Spirituality or Catholic Leadership.

Transitional Arrangements

As current leaders accept new or updated leadership contracts from June 2014 they are required to participate in the relevant study and/or formation programs.