Priority Items

NEW and FREE teacher resource: Early Learning EAL/D animation series (Ref: 073/22)

The Early Learning EAL/D animation series explores how teachers can support students whose first language is a language or dialect other than English. Each video is linked to the new NSW English syllabus and provides practical strategies to support teachers as they develop teaching and learning programs.

The resource has been developed to:

  • advise teachers about areas of the curriculum that EAL/D students may find challenging
  • help teachers understand students’ cultural and linguistic diversity, and the ways this understanding can be used in the classroom
  • provide examples of teaching strategies supportive of EAL/D students
  • recognise the important role families play in their child’s learning and how this learning supports a child’s lifelong educational journey.

Click HERE to explore the digital resource.


RSL and Schools Remember Anzac Commemoration 2022 (Ref: 079/22)

Schools can now register for this year’s virtual RSL and Schools Remember Anzac Commemoration service.

The annual RSL and Schools Remember Anzac Commemoration service has traditionally been held at the Anzac Memorial in Hyde Park.

This year a video of the service is being produced and will be available to schools from Monday 4 April 2022. Schools can choose how and when to use the video and may wish to incorporate elements into their own Anzac Day commemorations.

The service will run for approximately 30 minutes and follows a traditional Anzac service, with interactive components including the opportunity for a student at each school to recite The Ode and for floral tributes to be laid locally.

The RSL & Schools Remember ANZAC Commemoration is coordinated by the Returned and Services League of Australia (NSW), Catholic Schools NSW, the NSW Department of Education and the Association of Independent Schools of NSW.

Students from each education sector take part in running the commemoration, and this will be reflected in the virtual service.

The RSL and Schools Remember Anzac Commemoration has been held annually in NSW since 1953 (excluding 2020).

Register your school HERE.


2022 CSSA Trial HSC Examinations (Ref: 071/22)

 

Note: The 2022 CSSA Trial HSC Examinations online ordering closing date has been extended until 9am, Friday 8 April 2022  (Week 11, Term 1).

The CSSA, a division of Catholic Schools NSW, creates high-quality CSSA Trial HSC Examinations.  Contributors have syllabus expertise and extensive teaching experience to create Trial HSC Examinations.

If a Principal requires technological assistance with sign-in to their registered school account in the CSSA website, please email [email protected] There is a Catholic Schools New South Wales verification process in place to maintain the privacy and confidentiality of each Principal and their registered account with the CSSA.

The dates for the 2022 CSSA Trial HSC Examinations are Monday 1st August to Monday 15th August 2022. The Security Period is up to and inclusive of 8am, Thursday 18th August 2022.

2022 CSSA Trial HSC Examinations online ordering is available as of 9am, Monday 14 February (Week 4, Term 1) and until 9am, Friday 1 April 2022  (Week 10, Term 1) and now until 9am, Friday 8 April 2022  (Week 11, Term 1).

The 2022 Draft CSSA Trial HSC Examination Timetable is provided in the Principal Information Package and is also available on the CSSA website.

The 2022 Final CSSA Trial HSC Examination Timetable will be emailed to Principals in Week 1, Term 2 and will then be made available on the CSSA website.

School data can be changed by individual schools via the CSSA website |Account Settings.

For more information, please go to https://www.cssa.com.au/.

Relevant personnel in CSSA registered schools should ensure that school data available and new fields of information on the CSSA website is checked, updated and completed as necessary. This will ensure that your School’s address, phone number, email address and contact details are correct – this information is critical for the delivery of CSSA Trial HSC Examinations. Remember to click on “SAVE” at the end of the process.


HSC Public Reporting Reform (Ref: 064/22)

HSC Public Reporting Reform: Exploring aspects of the current system for reporting HSC results, and alternative options (the Report).

There is a long history to the public reporting of HSC results in NSW. The approach in NSW, which differs from other states and territories, is shaped via a combination of legislation, media analysis, and school disclosures.

The Report acknowledges that there is considerable educational and social benefit from allowing a wider perspective on HSC performance and reporting – to better acknowledge the efforts of all students and schools, and to give parents access to more meaningful information on school outcomes.

Currently, the HSC performance of NSW schools is reported in two ways: NESA Merit Lists and media outlet rankings based on an estimation of schools’ Success Rates.

It is timely to consider the development of new measures that provide a more accurate and holistic picture of school performance in the senior years of schooling.

Several possible alternative measures are considered in the Report

Read more here

 

 


NESA 'Have your say' now open: Draft English and Mathematics 3-10 syllabuses and Languages K-10 syllabuses (Ref: 066/22)

NESA are consulting on the English and Mathematics 3–10 English and Mathematics syllabuses and Auslan, Classical and Modern Languages K–10 syllabuses.

Teachers and other stakeholders are invited to provide feedback until Monday 2 May 2022.

Have your say on:

All feedback in the ‘Have your say‘ phase will be used to inform the development of the final syllabuses. Individuals are encouraged to complete an online survey


Professional Learning

Let’s talk about Principal care…the high 5 strategies for wellbeing (Ref: 070/22)

Join Carrie Benedet and other school leaders to share and discuss strategies  to recognise and celebrate you and the work you do each day. You already set the strategy, lead the team, recognise others success, and support colleagues, friends and family.

Imagine if you gave that same love and encouragement to yourself. Or even better, made it a daily habit.

Let’s ‘High Five’ new skills and mindsets to amp up your personal leadership behaviour! Wellbeing is essential to being the leader you want to be!

When: Wednesday 30 March 9:30 – 10:30 repeated 3:30 – 4:30

To register for the 1 hour workshop click here for the morning session, 9:30 – 10:30am, click here for the afternoon session, 3:30 – 4:30.

You will need to update your details on the Catholic Schools New South Wales Professional Learning site by clicking here.

 

For any technical support please contact [email protected]. All other enquiries can be directed to Mary Ryan [email protected] 0409 606 437.

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Nationally Consistent Collection of Data (NCCD) 2022 Quality Assurance Professional Learning (Ref: 076/22)

Catholic Schools New South Wales will be facilitating two professional learning opportunities early in Term 2, designed to enhance quality assurance processes for the 2022 NCCD.

1-2022 Inter-Diocesan Sector Moderation Day (3 May 2022) Details for this face-to-face event have been distributed to Diocesan and RI/MPJP Networks. Please see your NCCD contact for further information.

2.-2022 Quality Assurance & Moderation Online Workshop The purpose of this professional learning is to assist staff who are new to the NCCD process, in making consistent and reliable decisions regarding a student’s level of adjustment and category of disability. 

The training will focus on quality assurance and will include the features of moderation along with the supporting resources from the NCCD portal. There will be guidance on how to prepare for and carry out moderation. Participants will moderate various case studies throughout the session to enhance their understandings.

AUDIENCE: This live 90 minute webinar training has been developed specifically for:

* New learning support / pastoral care staff
* NCCD team members who would benefit from a moderation refresher
* New school leadership members who are involved with the NCCD

NESA ACCREDITATION: Completing the Quality Assurance & Moderation Online Workshop

The webinar will contribute 1 hour and 30 minutes of NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) Accredited PD in the priority area of Students with Disability addressing standard descriptor 4.1.2 from the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers towards maintaining Proficient Teacher Accreditation in NSW.

 

DATE/S:    9th May – 3.30pm – 5pm  OR  10th May – 9.30am – 11am (Participants choose a preferred date & time)

VENUE: Online – live webinar

REGISTRATION:  

Please follow this two-step process:

STEP 1: Sign-in to the Catholic Schools New South Wales Professional Learning Dashboard
(For any sign-on issues contact [email protected] )

STEP 2: When you are signed in, register to attend using this link  

Once in the new portal, if you encounter any issues with registration, please contact [email protected]

 

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SAVE THE DATE - “Dangerous Ideas” Symposium – Vocational Education & Training (VET) (Ref: 067/22)

Catholic Schools NSW is facilitating the “Dangerous Ideas “ Symposium – Vocational Education & Training (VET) in relation to Secondary Student education.

The event is hosted by Catholic Schools New South Wales and inclusive of the CSSA, a division of Catholic Schools New South Wales.

This event will bring together key industry leaders, Catholic schools and system educators to discuss current issues and opportunities to extend the educational pathways, opportunities, and outcomes available to students.

Who should attend: Principals, School Leadership, Post-School Pathways Coordinators & Stage 5-6 Year Coordinators

Date: Friday 20 May 2022

Time: 8.30am-4pm

Location: Sydney Masonic Centre – 66 Goulburn Street, Sydney. The location is close to Museum Train Station or Secure Parking Stations.

Further information, including the agenda and how to register will be provided in the coming weeks.

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SAVE THE DATE - Results Analysis Package (RAP) Online Professional Learning (Ref: 065/22)

Catholic Schools New South Wales is partnering with NESA to provide a briefing on how to use the Results Analysis Package RAP to improve student HSC outcomes.

Tuesday 3 May 20211 1.30-3.30 via TEAMS

  • Option 1 Understanding the Results Analysis Package (RAP)
  • Option 2 Results Analysis Package (RAP) for Experienced Users

Tuesday 2 August 2022:  1.30-3.00 PM via TEAMS

  • Using NESA Standards to Improve Student HSC Outcomes

Further information and how to register will be provided in coming weeks

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SAVE THE DATE - Sue Larkey presents: Developing Social Skills for Children with Diverse Learning Needs – the Early Years (0-7) (Ref: 072/22)

Catholic Schools New South Wales are excited to announce a collaboration with Sue Larkey to provide a live 3-part webinar series – ‘Developing Social Skills for Children with Diverse Learning Needs – the Early Years’. This course is being offered for the first time and has been created for early childhood teachers in NSW Catholic schools.

Teachers will learn, explore and discuss the following:

  • Social and emotional learning (SEL) and its foundation for learning. How can we support neurodiverse children with SEL?
  • How to support students’ engagement with peers by increasing their interactions, development of friendships and regulation of emotions.
  • Practical strategies to implement with your whole class.
  • The power of relationships and the importance of working in partnership with families.
  • How this learning connects to the new NSW English syllabus and Disability Standards for Education.

Attend all 3 sessions for 3 hours of NESA accredited PD.* For information and how to register, click HERE.

About Sue Larkey:

Sue Larkey is a highly qualified special educator in mainstream and special schools. Sue is uniquely positioned within the education system having taught both as a primary school teacher and a special education teacher. She has taught students with Autism Spectrum Disorder in both general education and specialist settings. She combines this practical experience with extensive research, having completed a Masters in Special Education.

*Completing all 3 sessions of Developing Social Skills for Children with Diverse Learning Needs – the Early Years will contribute 3 hours of NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) Accredited PD in the priority area of Students/children with Disability addressing standard descriptor, ‘Develop teaching activities that incorporate differentiated strategies to meet the specific learning needs of students across the full range of abilities’ (1.5.2) from the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers towards maintaining Proficient Teacher Accreditation in NSW.

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School Newsletter

Menzies School Leader Fellowship (Ref: 078/22)

The aim of the Menzies School Leader Fellowship is to incubate, test and learn about the leadership challenges, and through the process, contribute to building a pipeline of school leaders.

The Menzies School Leader Fellowship is a two-year, $150,000, leadership development initiative with an explicit focus on increasing the skills and capabilities of leaders to build collective efficacy.

The program will award four fellowships in 2022.

Apply here


Doctor of Ministry - New degree offered at ACU (Ref: 075/22)

The Doctor of Ministry (DMin) has been developed for graduates with significant ministry experience in religious, education and health institutions. It is also for those in other secular or faith-based organisations who want to further enhance their skills in leadership across a variety of community or professional settings.

Applications to commence in July 2022 will open soon.

For those interested, the faculty will host an online information session on Tuesday 5 April  from 5-6pm AEST.

Please register by email HERE to attend by Friday 1 April 2022, ensuring you include your full name, email address and location in your response.


Australian Teacher Workforce Data Initiative and Teacher Survey for 2021 (Ref: 077/22)

The Australian Teacher Workforce Data (ATWD) Initiative and the ATWD Teacher Survey for 2021 will remain open until 22 April 2022.

Find out more HERE.


The Great Book Swap (Ref: 068/22)

Registrations are now open for your school to hold a Great Book Swap anytime throughout 2022.

This year The Great Book Swap aims to raise $150,000 to gift 15,000 culturally relevant books to children living in remote Australia.

This year includes a special prize draw, where you could win a virtual visit to your school from ILF Ambassador, Andy Griffiths.

Andy is one of Australia’s most popular children’s authors with New York Times bestsellers, adapted for the stage and television and having won more than 50 Australian children’s choice awards. Who didn’t love the Treehouse series!

Simply host your Great Book Swap and submit your donation by 30 June 2022 to automatically go into the draw to win.

Click here for further details


National COVID Vaccine Taskforce (Ref: 080/22)

Lieutenant General John Frewen DSC AM, Coordinator-General, National COVID Vaccine Taskforce and Prof Paul Kelly, Chief Medical Officer have requested assistance from principals to encourage COVID-19 vaccination in the school community.

The request is focused on primary school principals with regard to vaccinations for 5-11 year olds.

The National COVID Vaccine Taskforce flyer is provided below along with a letter to principals. The letter includes text that principals may choose to send to parents.

COVID Vaccine Communication Flyer

Letter to school principals (including letter to parents)