About this event
Enlivening hearts and minds: Thinking believers for a hope-filled future
Catholic Schools NSW will bring together experts in education, curriculum, pedagogy, assessment and Catholic mission to build on the success of the past two years in continuing to support and inform diocesan school systems and schools in the implementation of the NSW curriculum reform.
The 2025 conference will pick up on the key themes of bringing to life the educational mission of the Catholic Church through the NSW Curriculum Reform.
The theme, Enlivening hearts and minds: Thinking believers for a hope-filled future further develops the key concept thinking believers presented at the 2024 conference. It aims to explore the educational mission of the Catholic church through the delivery of the NSW Curriculum Reform that is centred on the learner, with hope-filled orientation that is future-focused.
Key Areas will include:
- Delivery of the NSW Curriculum Reform
- Development of new syllabuses
- Place of Liberal Arts in Catholic education
- Assessment
- Artificial Intelligence in teaching and learning
Unlock 2024 Pricing for Our Two-Day Conference – Early Bird Offer!
We’re excited to offer you the chance to register for our highly anticipated two-day conference at 2024 prices – but hurry, this exclusive offer ends on Friday, 9 May!
Don’t miss out on the opportunity to secure your spot at a discounted rate. Register today, before prices increase to the standard rate of $750.
Once you have your discounted tickets, you will continue to save if you need accommodation...
Discounted Hotel Accommodation
Accor is offering our wonderful conference delegates a 10%* discount when booking the following hotels in the Olympic Precinct a short stroll to the conference venue:
- Ibis Sydney Olympic Park
- Novotel Sydney Olympic Park
-
Pullman at Sydney Olympic Park
To book CLICK HERE
Keynote Speakers:
We are thrilled to announce the following confirmed keynote speakers for the conference!

Professor Renee Köhler-Ryan
Deputy Executive Dean, Faculty of Education and Philosophy & Theology - University of Notre Dame Australia
Renee has been teaching Catholic Intellectual Tradition. Philosophy of the Human Person, and Political Philosophy at UND since 2011.
Renee is on the Board of Directors of Mary Aikenhead Educational Ministries and a member of the Mission and Identity Committee for Sydney Catholic Schools. She serves on the Reference Group for Studies in Catholic Thought. Renee was also a delegate for the Plenary Council of Australia and a non-bishop member for Oceania for the Synod on Synodality (2023-2024).

Dr. Ben Jensen
CEO - Learning First
Ben has advised governments in Australia, North America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia on education strategy and reform. Before founding Learning First in 2014, he was director of the Grattan Institute’s School Education Program. He also worked with numerous education systems across the world during five years at the OECD, where he conducted research on education policy and school and teacher effectiveness.
Ben has a particular interest in the "learning of the curriculum" through the quality delivery and assessment of the curriculum.
What does a CSNSW Curriculum Conference look like?
Thanks for a great conference. I had leaders, and teachers who all gained valuable insights.
Last September, over 400 teachers and education leaders from across the state gathered for an energising two-days at the Animating the Curriculum for Human Flourishing K-12 Curriculum Reform Conference. The conference included:
- International keynote speaker Fr Johnny Go who posed the questions: How can we teach reasoned assent to help our students become thinking believers or at least spiritual seekers, & not just obedient believers?
- Keynote Professor Jenny Gore who shared the findings and impact of the Building Capacity for Quality Teaching in Australian Schools project.
- Over 22 sessions, with presenters from NESA and our own colleagues from our Catholic Education Offices and schools from across NSW, sharing practice, resources, case studies and next steps in Curriculum reform in our Catholic schools.
A really positive and dynamic conference. Thank you for the thought provoking and challenging conversations!
Getting there
Any questions?
Upcoming events
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CSNSW Inclusive Education Symposium | 1 May
Come hear the latest research from expert Dr Shiralee Poed. -
Behaviour Symposium | May 22 & 23 2025
Join us for the 2025 Behaviour Symposium. -
CSNSW Education Law Symposium 2025
Catholic Schools NSW annual Education Law Symposium, on Monday 14th July 2025, at the Hilton Hotel Sydney – 488 George Street Sydney -
2025 K-12 Curriculum Reform Conference | 29 & 30 September
Join your NSW Catholic education community for two days of networking, learning and collaboration. -
Connected Catholic Communities Symposium | 14 August
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