Yvonne Taouk
Mount Lewis,NSW
Summary
A highly passionate, hardworking, and well-organized educator with a student-centred focus and commitment to the mission and identity of Catholic schools. With many years of experience in leadership across various schools and as the current Director of Religious Education & Formation, I seek to continue my work in Catholic life and Religious Education to help strengthen people's engagement in the life of the local and wider Church. In my work, I will remain dedicated to promoting and implementing Sydney Catholic Schools' mission: ‘To know and love Christ through learning'; and the vision: of creating Thriving Catholic communities through excellent teaching and learning.
Overview
35
35
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Religious Education, Acting Assistant Principal | Term
St Brigid's Church
04.2019
TeacherYear 7 Pastoral Coordinator
01.1996
Acting Religious Education Coordinator
FR ELIE RAHME, St Charbel's Parish & Monastery
01.1996
- 0998 Mobile: 0405 699 755
School Leaders Coordinator
St Brigid's Catholic Parish
01.1995
- Email: rerrittgary@gmail.com
Director of Religious Education & Formation
Casimir Catholic College
01.2023 - Current
- Classroom Observations Model at Casimir 2023
- Supporting Students through Universal Design for Learning 2023
- Curriculum Alignment 7-12 St VC Ashfield 2022
- Literacy & Gifted Education - Provisioning for gifted and talented students 2022
- Literacy Strategic Planning 2022
- Leading for Mission Course 31/10/2022
- Gifted Education Online 1 - 2022
- Secondary RECs' PL Communities (2022)
- Member of the ASR
Teacher
Bethlehem College
01.2018 - 12.2023
- Subjects Taught - English Language: First Certificate & Proficiency, World Geography, and Physical Education
HSC SoR Marking
01.2017 - 01.2022
- Making Learning Visible to Maximise Learning (2019)
- Trial
SOR, Marking
HSC
01.2012 - 01.2022
Parish Administrator
TOM MCDONOUGH CP, St Brigid's Catholic Parish, PERRITT CP
01.2004 - 01.2022
- Consolidating and Extending Teaching During COVID-19 2021/22
- Assessment and Engagement 2021
- Quality Assessment & Backward Design Programming 2021
- GIF: Growing in Faith (2021)
- Archdiocesan Secondary RECs' and YMCs' Meeting (, 02) 8577 5670
- FR
PLC Domremy College Five
01.2015 - 01.2021
- Stage 6: Studies in Catholic Thought- Preliminary Course Core Module 1: Who is a human person
- (2019)
- Improving Practice in Teaching Reading (2019)
- REC Leadership Capacity Building (2019)
- Spirituality Day: Este Fideles - Courage (2019)
- Enhancing understanding of the K-12 Continuum (2018)
- Stage 6: Studies in Catholic Thought - Introduction to Studies in Catholic Thought (2018)
- Exploring An Interdisciplinary Approach (2017)
- The Pastoral Care of Persons with Same-Sex Attraction and Families with Same-Sex Parents (2017)
- Improving HSC results (2017)
- Differentiating Assessment (2016)"Walking Country" - Cultural IWR Professional Learning (2016)
- Stage 5: Revised RE Curriculum - D10 Sacraments at the Service of Communion (2016)
- Stage 6 Catholic Studies - Strand E (2016)
- Stage 5: Revised RE Curriculum - B10 The Changing Church (2016)
- Using Data- Building data Walls (2016)
- Using Technology
Youth Ministry Coordinator
Domremy College
01.2006 - 12.2017
Meetings and PD, SCS Sydney & IW
01.2005 - 01.2017
- Exploring an Interdisciplinary Approach (2017)
- National Symposium: Religious Education, Secularisation and Australian Catholic Schools (2017)
- The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, SCS (2016)
- Inner Western Region "Walking Country" - Cultural Professional Learning (2016)
St Charbel Church, Catholic
01.2012 - 01.2013
- Religious Education & Formation/Religious Education Coordinator I have:
- Worked with College Executive/Leadership Teams in developing the College's Strategic Improvement Plan taking particular leadership in Key Area 1 Catholic Life and Religious Education
- Assumed leadership in monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of strategies and identifying future improvements for upholding and enriching the Religious Dimension and Catholic Life of the school
- Led the school communities in their understanding of the various charisms (Lasallian, Good Samaritan, Passionists, Marist, Charity & Presentation) and their place within the Catholic identity of the college and wider Church
- Deepened staff and students' understanding of Catholic Social Teaching and incorporated opportunities for both staff and students to express their faith in action
- Identified that Social Justice is a platform to link young people to their faith, hence developed and implemented a Social Justice program and group to deepen further social concern and opportunities for faith in action and a connection with the wider Church
- (Winter Sleep out, Brekkie Van, Vinnie Night Patrol, Nagle Camps, Buddies Day)
- Developed and implemented Immersion Programs for senior students (Fiji and Red Earth)
- Developed and facilitated Retreats, Reflection / Spirituality Day, Prayer and whole school liturgies (Opening Masses, Graduations, Leadership Induction, Founders/Charism, Liturgical Calendar Celebrations, Funeral, death and loss)
- Promoted & implemented Youth Ministry Initiatives – WYD, ACYF, Network Youth Nights, schoolies alternative immersion program, evangelisation days, prayer & discussion groups, rosary, Lenten programs, Catechist Program, Community Service & nursing home visits
- Mentoring new and young staff particularly working closely with and mentoring both the Youth Ministry Coordinator and Social Justice Coordinator
- Facilitated opportunities for staff in adult faith formation (3-Year Faith Formation Plan - staff spirituality and retreat days, immersion experiences, professional development, prayer & liturgical celebrations)
- In addition to the above key achievements, I have also immersed myself in the life of the schools I have worked at through the following;
- Coaching Sporting Teams
- Organising and running Athletics, Swimming Carnivals & Gala day
- Organising School Concerts
- Organisation and Facilitating School Camps and Outdoor Education Programs
- As a result of my last contract renewal, I was commended on the following;
- Highly organised in a multi-faceted job
- Providing opportunities for students and staff to encounter Jesus every day is evident by Yvonne's involvement and leadership of prayer and liturgies, reflection days, retreats staff spirituality days and the RE curriculum
- It is evident that she is an active role model for staff and students in her religious leadership
- Provides the opportunity for individual and community prayer and works collaboratively with staff in the leading prayer life of the college
- She developed a sound relationship with the local priests
- Well-respected and major strength is authenticity, richness, and depth in liturgy, always gracious and welcoming
- A good listener, caring and brings a sense of humour to work
- Encourages staff in the area of professional learning experiences that assist them in their profession
- Leads a department, which is collaborative, cohesive and develops positive and productive relationships with staff and students
- Staff feel valued and as a result, feel that the RE department has a very positive place in the school
- Staff are grateful for the ‘open door' policy and the manner she communicates with them so that they feel valued
- It is acknowledged that Yvonne has a beautiful manner with the girls and is very attentive to their involvement in their faith life
- A parent expressed her pleasure in her daughter's involvement in the Religious Curriculum of the school to the extent that it is talked about home and she is finding it challenging and exciting
- Another parent is grateful for the opportunities provided in the area of religious development e.g
- Becoming a Eucharistic Minister, as well as the confidence that Yvonne develops in young women to become involved in the liturgy
- Students acknowledge the retreats and reflection days are well-prepared and appropriate to their needs and create unity and closeness
- Students view her as very approachable and always happy to give prompt feedback and clarification
- They see her as ‘putting herself out there' to be of assistance to them
- As a teacher, they see her as thorough and as someone who is prepared to sit down and explain if they do not understand
- With the sad loss student, they felt that the opportunities presented in the chapel for prayer and quiet time enabled them to show their condolences in a meaningful manner and help to bring closure to the student's death.', Youth Mental Health First Aid 2023
- Casimir, College Step Universal Design for Learning (UDL)
Religious Education Coordinator
Bethlehem College
01.2005 - 12.2005
Religious Education Coordinator
De La Salle College
01.2004 - 12.2004
Acting Religious Education Coordinator
Trinity Catholic College
01.2000 - 12.2003
Assistant Religious Education Coordinator
Trinity Catholic College
01.1997 - 12.2000
Pastoral Coordinator
Casimir Catholic College
01.1989 - 12.1996
Peer Support Coordinator
Jesus And Mary – Thevenet College, Rabweh
07.1993 - 06.1994
Education
Masters - Religious Education/Theology
Australian Catholic University
Sydney, NSWBachelor of Education -
Australian Catholic University
Sydney, NSWDiploma of Teaching -
Australian Catholic University
Sydney, NSWHigher School Certificate -
St. Scholastics
Glebe, NSWSt. Brigid's College
Marrickville, NSWSkills
- Teamwork and Collaboration
- Team Building
- Excellent Communication & interpersonal skills
- Decision-Making
- Curriculum knowledge and effective pedagogy
- Student management, student well-being
- Critical reflective practice
- Organisation and planning
- High levels of energy
- Community involvement
- High levels of energy
- Community involvement
Accomplishments
- PLC Domremy College Five Dock (Using Technology) (2016)
- Companions in Learning: Mentor Learner Leaders Program, CEO Sydney (2014)
- Revised Curriculum PD – Various Units, CEO Sydney (2013 - 2015)h National e Conference - Pope Francis: Modelling the Ministry of St Peter
- Catholic Life and Identity RE Conference, CEO Sydney (2014)
- Choice Theory Program, Domremy College (4 Full Days – 2014)
- Unpacking the Archbishop's Charter (July 2013)
- Presentation Teachers Conference (2012)
- Catholicism ‘It's My Story', Fr Robert Barron (2012)
- Understanding By Design, Jay Tighe, CEO Sydney (2012)“Towards Rigour and Relevance in Teaching Christianity Today”, Dr Peter Vardy and Charlotte Vardy (2012)
- Vatican II 50 years on, CEO IW (2012)
- Studies of Religion – Islam, Islamic Council of NSW (2008)
- The Word Made Flesh, Monica Brown & Hilary Mustgrave Emmaus Productions (2008)
- Restorative Justice Training Workshop, CEO Eastern Region
- Archdiocesan Catholic Ethics, CEO IW
- Dr Peter Vardy ‘Nature of God', CEO Sydney
- New Studies of Religion Program Writing Team For 2006, CEO Sydney
- Animators Program 2005, CEO Sydney
- Retreats for Secondary Schools Course - Montague Institute
- Sharing Our Call - Marist Brothers Australia (November 1999)
- Child Protection, CEO Sydney (July 1998)
- Professional Skills Training Program for Year Coordinators, Lyn Harrison, St Patrick's Marist College, Dundas
- A Liturgical Music Workshop
- Lasallian Spirituality Retreat, De La Salle Brothers Australia
Affiliations
Sydney Catholic Schools: 27199000Current teacher Classification: 5 YR Trained (C/S ST1)Accreditation to Teach RE: Sydney Diocese, 1995Category E Accreditation in accordance with To Work, Teach and Lead in systemic Catholic schools Archdiocese of SydneyAccredited School Leadership: ASL Level EWorking With Children Check: WWC1212749E Expiry: 13/04/2027First Aide Certificate: (2022) with the ability to providecardiopulmonary resuscitation, basic emergency life support and first aid.Salt compliance: (2023) completed workplace behaviour, child protection and work safety.Anaphylaxis: (2022) through ASCIAAs the Director of
Timeline
Director of Religious Education & Formation
Casimir Catholic College
01.2023 - Current
Director of Religious Education, Acting Assistant Principal | Term
St Brigid's Church
04.2019
Teacher
Bethlehem College
01.2018 - 12.2023
HSC SoR Marking
01.2017 - 01.2022
PLC Domremy College Five
01.2015 - 01.2021
SOR, Marking
HSC
01.2012 - 01.2022
St Charbel Church, Catholic
01.2012 - 01.2013
Youth Ministry Coordinator
Domremy College
01.2006 - 12.2017
Meetings and PD, SCS Sydney & IW
01.2005 - 01.2017
Religious Education Coordinator
Bethlehem College
01.2005 - 12.2005
Parish Administrator
TOM MCDONOUGH CP, St Brigid's Catholic Parish, PERRITT CP
01.2004 - 01.2022
Religious Education Coordinator
De La Salle College
01.2004 - 12.2004
Acting Religious Education Coordinator
Trinity Catholic College
01.2000 - 12.2003
Assistant Religious Education Coordinator
Trinity Catholic College
01.1997 - 12.2000
TeacherYear 7 Pastoral Coordinator
01.1996
Acting Religious Education Coordinator
FR ELIE RAHME, St Charbel's Parish & Monastery
01.1996
School Leaders Coordinator
St Brigid's Catholic Parish
01.1995
Peer Support Coordinator
Jesus And Mary – Thevenet College, Rabweh
07.1993 - 06.1994
Pastoral Coordinator
Casimir Catholic College
01.1989 - 12.1996
Masters - Religious Education/Theology
Australian Catholic University
Bachelor of Education -
Australian Catholic University
Diploma of Teaching -
Australian Catholic University
Higher School Certificate -
St. Scholastics
St. Brigid's College
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