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eTAMs Shutdown 25 – 29 November 2022 (Ref: 267/22)
eTAMS will be shut down from 9:00 pm Friday 25 – 6:00 am Tuesday 29 November.
This is for the purpose of updating the site in order to implement the Teacher Accreditation Reform on 29 November.
Creating new NESA Accredited PD sessions or uploading participation data will be non-functional for this period.
For further information, please contact Mary Ryan at [email protected]
NEW: NSW Cyber Security Course (Ref: 269/22)
The NSW Government has announced that secondary students will soon be able to experience a cyber security course developed collaboratively by the NSW Department of Education, industry and Cyber Security NSW. As part of the course, students will be able to learn the fundamentals of cyber security and practical skills such as building hardware and coding.
Cyber Security NSW has also invested in the development of Cyber City. Cyber City is an open source and industry-aligned set of pedagogical resources and methods to support teachers introducing inquiry-led, cyber security and digital innovation concepts in the classroom. The learning program integrates diverse concepts from the hardware and networking level up to programming and the design and testing of the smart city systems. The open-source platform will help teachers deliver the new cyber security curriculum, including the new iSTEM Cyber Security specialised topic.
Schools and teachers are invited to register their interest to participate or integrate the cyber security learning experiences in their classrooms from 2023. For more information about Cyber City, see here.
View Now: Dr Justin Coulson on the Adolescent Brain (Ref: 262/22)
A new webinar is available to all staff from Dr Justin Coulson, a positive psychology and parenting expert, on the topic of the Adolescent Brain.
This resource will be of help as a professional learning opportunity for wellbeing staff.
This 60 minute webinar can be accessed here and will be available until November 28th.
Apply NOW: Premier’s Anzac Memorial Scholarship - Accompanying Teacher (Ref: 254/22)
Applications for a Premier’s Anzac Memorial Scholarship Accompanying Teacher position are now open and will close on 27 November 2022.
NSW Catholic School History teachers are invited to apply to accompany the 2023 Premier’s Anzac Memorial Scholarship Tour in September/October 2023. The Scholarship involves a unique study tour accompanied by a military historian in the 2023 Spring school.
This is a fully funded professional development opportunity for teachers.
Find more information regarding the eligibility criteria and apply here.
NESA Syllabus Release: Computing Technologies, Geography, Modern and Classical Languages (Ref: 270/22)
New syllabuses are available for Computing Technologies 7-12, Geography 11-12, Modern Languages and Classical Languages K-10.
A number of new syllabuses have been released as the next milestone of the NSW Curriculum Reform.
The syllabuses and information about implementation are available on the Digital Curriculum:
- Computing Technology 7–10
- Enterprise Computing 11–12
- Software Engineering 11–12
- Computing Technology Life Skills 11–12
- Geography 11–12
- Geography Life Skills 11–12
- Modern Languages K–10
- Classical Languages K–10
Schools can plan and prepare to teach the new syllabuses in 2023. The new syllabuses will be taught in NSW schools from 2024.
Any inquiries can be forwarded to Joanne Hack at [email protected]
2023 PLAN2 Register NOW: Planning Literacy and Numeracy (PLAN2) available to Catholic Schools New South Wales Schools (Ref: 259/22)
Registrations for 2023 PLAN2 are now open and will close 25 November 2022
What is PLAN 2?
PLAN2 (Planning Literacy and Numeracy) is a NSW Department of Education software package used to support teachers in monitoring student learning using the National Literacy and Numeracy Learning Progressions.
PLAN2 is available to Catholic Schools NSW primary schools at no cost and is accessed via the Assessing Literacy and Numeracy (ALAN) application.
PLAN2 allows teachers to:
- update and analyse observations against progression indicators to identify teaching priorities and support student, class or school literacy and numeracy development across the curriculum
- access observations sent directly from department assessments, including the Best Start Kindergarten Assessment and the Year 1 Phonics Screening Check, to make evidence-based decisions on student learning
- create differentiated areas of focus aligned to syllabus outcomes, to use for explicit teaching and to monitor learning
- monitor student progress at student, class, stage or school level to help identify patterns, evaluate what works best, and strengthen practice in response.
Changes to PLAN2 from 2023
In 2023 NSW schools will use new NSW K-2 English and Mathematics syllabus and version 3 (v3) of the learning progressions. Schools are invited to view a video summarising the change to PLAN2.
Current users of PLAN2 can view an online demonstration platform (PLAN2 Demo site) highlighting updated features of PLAN2.
The PLAN2 Demo site contains sample data to allow schools to become familiar with the changes prior to going live in 2023.
It includes:
- data migration from version 2 to version 3 of the National Literacy and Numeracy Learning Progressions
- new NSW K-2 English and mathematics syllabus outcomes, supporting implementation of the new curriculum
- a new observation status scale.
Current users can access the PLAN2 Demo site by logging in to ALAN and click on the ‘ALAN-DEMO’ tile at the bottom of the ALAN home screen.
Further information
Further information is available via the following links:
Introduction to the PLAN2 Demo site
PLAN2 transition to V3 progressions
Registering for PLAN2 in 2023
If you wish to use PLAN2 in 2023 please complete the online registration form by 25 November 2022.
For more information, please contact Karen Ferrante at [email protected]
Register NOW: 2023 'Transition to Year 7' Assessment Package (formerly Best Start Year 7) available to Catholic Schools New South Wales schools (Ref: 233/22)
Transition to Year 7 is an optional online literacy and numeracy assessment package available to secondary schools in Term 1, replacing Best Start Year 7. Assessments are completed by students in participating schools between 8 February and 10 March 2023.
More information about the assessment may be found here: Transition to Year 7 – information-for-schools
There is no cost to participate in the Transition to Year 7 assessment.
All schools wishing to participate in 2023 will need to complete the online opt in form by Friday, 25 November 2022.
For more information, join an information session in Zoom during Term 4:
- Thursday 3 November 8:30 – 9:00 am
- Wednesday 9 November 3:30 – 4:00 pm
Join the Zoom Meeting here
Meeting ID: 558 141 2870
Passcode: 83354
IMPORTANT DATES
Term 4, 2022
- 25 November Opt-in for 2023 Transition to Year 7 closes
- 5 December – Next steps emails to participating schools
Term 1, 2023
- 8 February Assessment platform username and password link emailed to assessment coordinator
- 8 February Assessment window opens
- 10 March Assessment window closes
Further information contact Karen Ferrante at [email protected]
Apply SOON: Senior Policy Officer, Student Wellbeing (Ref: 271/22)
Catholic Schools NSW is currently seeking a Senior Policy Officer for Student Wellbeing.
This is a full time role with a fixed term contract expiring 30 June, 2025.
The primary purpose of the role is to support the Senior Manager, Wellbeing and Countering Violent Extremism by providing leadership and expert policy and program advice to Catholic school agencies to promote social cohesion and support vulnerable students in school communities.
The Senior Policy Officer will be responsible for supporting a range of policy and program areas including student wellbeing and safety, PDHPE, Chaplaincy and school attendance.
The ideal candidate would have relevant qualifications in education, knowledge of relevant legislation, a strong understanding of Catholic teachings and support for the mission, ethos and beliefs of Catholic schools and the communities they serve. Additionally, relevant experience and a demonstrated ability to carry out the necessary tasks is crucial.
Applicants are invited to direct their enquiries or cover letter and Curriculum Vitae to Patricia Dickson at [email protected]
Applications close 5:00 pm, Wednesday 30 November.
More information can be found here.
Register NOW: The Big Vegie Crunch 2023 (Ref: 268/22)
Vegetable Week & The Big Vegie Crunch is an easy and fun way to get students excited about eating more veg.
Vegetable Week will run from Monday 27 – Friday 31 March and the Big Vegie Crunch will be held at 10:00 am on Thursday 30 March.
‘The Big Vegie Crunch’ is an attempt by NSW primary school students to break the record for the highest number of children eating vegetables simultaneously.
Interested schools can sign up here and will receive a number of resources in the lead up to the event. Resources will include activity ideas, entry into the school competition and organisational hints and tips.
SAVE THE DATE: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Servicemen Commemoration Service (Ref: 261/22)
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Veterans & Services Association, supported by The Returned and Services League of Australia (New South Wales Branch) and the NSW Office for Veterans Affairs, will be conducting the annual Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Servicemen and Servicewomen Commemoration Service around the Pool of Reflection at the Anzac Memorial, Hyde Park South in Sydney on Friday 26 May 2023 from 10.40am to 12:00pm.
The inaugural Indigenous Veterans Commemoration Service in Sydney took place in 2007, following the formation of a planning committee made up of representatives from Aboriginal organisations, the Returned and Services League of Australia (NSW Branch) and the Department of Veterans Affairs.
The planning committee has now expanded to now include representatives from each of the three school sectors and the NSW Office for Veterans Affairs.
The Commemoration Service took place in the last week of May 2007, to coincide with Reconciliation Week and has been held on last Friday of May each year since. It commemorates the service of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Veterans, combining conventional military protocol with indigenous ceremonial display and with a focus on attendance by school children.
Join fellow schools from within NSW at this service where students will have the opportunity to lay a floral tribute. Schools are encouraged to make a floral tribute using local flora and native plants.
For more information click here or contact Emily Ritchie at [email protected]