NESA HSC Minimum Standards Letter to Sectors (Ref: 255/20)
Dr Sofia Kesidou, Executive Director of Curriculum and Assessment Standards has written to Dallas McInerney, CEO of Catholic Schools NSW informing him of the closing date for the HSC minimum standards test. To download a copy of the letter please click here.
2021 Australian Early Development Census (AEDC) (Ref: 259/20)
The fifth Australian Early Development Census (AEDC) data collection on kindergarten children will take place between 3 May 2021 to 25 June 2021, across all NSW schools. Based on the previous 4 data collections (2009, 2012, 2015, 2018) the questionnaire for each kindergarten student will take less than 20 minutes. Teacher release will be provided to support teachers to complete the data collection.
The AEDC is a national measure of children’s development and developmental vulnerability as they enter their first year of full-time school. Five key areas of development are measured:
- physical health and wellbeing;
- social competence;
- emotional maturity;
- language and cognitive skills;
- communication skills and general knowledge.
Principals will receive an email from the AEDC before the end of the year that includes important information on the data collection process.
2021 Important dates
- March 2021: AEDC information packs sent to schools via Australia Post
- April 2021: Website open for teacher registration and training and school activation
- 3 May 2021 to 25 June 2021: Census data collection
For more information please visit the AEDC website.
Please contact Catholic Schools New South Wales’s AEDC manager Angela Cain for any further queries: [email protected]
SAVE THE DATE - CSSA/Catholic Schools New South Wales 2021 Forum: Senior Secondary Pathways (Ref: 258/20)
CSSA and Catholic Schools New South Wales invite you to the first 2021 forum. The forum’s theme is ‘Senior Student Pathways’.
The forum will be held on Monday 22 March 2021 at the Sydney Masonic Conference Centre. Keynote speakers include Professor Peter Shergold, Professor John Buchanan, Dr Lizzie Knight, Ivan Neville and Danielle Cronin.
Further details will be made available in early 2021.
To download a copy of the Save the date information please click here.
Updated Final Guidance: COVID-19 and the NSW School Vaccination Program (Ref: 245/20)
The Final Guidance on additional measures to reduce COVID-19 transmission in school vaccination clinics has been updated to reflect that it is not necessary for nurses to wear a surgical face mask while delivering the school vaccination program. The updated Final Guidance is attached.
In practice, this means that school staff and students will no longer be seeing PHU nursing staff routinely wearing face masks when interacting with students.
To download a copy of the The Final Guidance on additional measures to reduce COVID-19 transmission in school vaccination clinics please click here.
SAVE THE DATE: Catholic Schools New South Wales DISruptABILITY Conference 2021 (Ref:248/20)
Program: A full two-day conference, hosted at Manly on 18 – 19 November 2021. Conference proceedings will also be accessible through video conferencing.
Audience: Classroom teachers, middle leaders and senior leadership in schools as well system officers.
Synopsis: Catholic education has a particular orientation and anthropology that is not often addressed in other conferences and professional learning events in this space. This event will provide an opportunity to celebrate and share the innovative and high-quality teaching and learning that is happening throughout the Catholic sector. The conference will provide an opportunity for evidenced based, high-quality professional learning, sharing practice and connecting with colleagues. The interactive format will allow attendees to reflect, collaborate and develop their knowledge. They will evaluate individual and whole school practices to effectively implement strategies and supports for the young people in their care.
Cost:TBC for face to face and video conferencing packages
More details and full program to come early 2021.
Additional Cyberbullying PLP Sessions Available in December (Ref: 246/20)
Additional cyberbullying PLP sessions available in December for Chaplains involved in the National School Chaplaincy Program who has not attained this certification.
Tues Dec 8 9.30am to 12.30pm AEDT
*Reminder: all NSCP chaplains must attend the webinar for the required 3 hours and complete the quiz by 15 December 2020.
2021 HSC Data Analysis Seminar Programme (Ref: 243/20)
A series of NESA approved seminars have been released as part of the 2021 HSC Data Analysis Seminar Programme. The following seminars will be offered:
1. Diocesan Officers’ Overview
NESA code: DS2011
When: Thursday 28th January 2021, 9am-3pm
Target group: Diocesan & congregational system officers
2. Introduction to the Analysis
NESA code: DS2021
When: Offered twice: Wednesday 3rd February or Tuesday 16th February 2021, 9am-3pm
Target group: Teachers, KLA coordinators and others who have not attended an HSC seminar before, or those who have but who want to ‘brush up’ on the main ideas behind the Analysis.
3. A detailed reading of your Analysis
NESA code: DS2051
When: Offered twice: Tuesday 9th February 2021 (Clancy/Gilroy Room) or Wednesday 17th February 2021, 9am-3pm
Target group: Experienced users – any teacher, coordinator, AP or Principal who has in a previous year attended at least one HSC Analysis Seminar.
4. Leading your school in the Analysis
NESA code: DS2061
When: Thursday 11th February 2021, 9am-3pm
Target group: Principals, APs, Leaders of Curriculum or Pedagogy: those who have a whole-school focus rather than a one-KLA or year group.
To download a copy of the information and registration details for each seminar please click here.
Reportable conduct eLearning update (Ref: 257/20)
The Office of the Children’s Guardian has released a new, free eLearning course, Responding to Reportable Allegations, which has been updated with the second of what will be eight modules.
‘Identifying and assessing reportable allegations’ outlines which organisations and employees are included in the scheme, definitions of ‘reportable conduct’, and what organisations are required to consider under the scheme.
Register or log in at www.kidsguardian.nsw.gov.au/elearning
CALLING ALL TEACHERS💃 Let's DANCE for Sick Kids! (Ref: 253/20)
Bring the positive vibes and your school community together, for the stress-busting, joy-boosting event of 2021💟
Schools who register will receive TEACHING RESOURCES aligned to the Australian Curriculum for Years 5/6, and Years 7/8, designed by teachers for teachers!
Dance for Sick Kids combines the joy of dance, with the happiness we gain when we give back 💙🕺all in support of families with seriously ill or injured children.
Visit danceforsickkids.com/schools or email [email protected] to find out more #keepingfamiliesclose
2020 Roger O’Sullivan Memorial Award Recipient - St Joseph's Primary School Uralla (Ref: 256/20)
The Council of Catholic School Parents NSW/ACT is proud to announce St Joseph’s Primary School, Uralla as the recipient of the 2020 Roger O’Sullivan Memorial Award for Family, School and Community Partnerships for Learning.
The genesis of the “St Joseph’s School Sheep Manure Business and School Garden Project” was in 2016 after the school identified a need to further support students’ learning needs by involving them in a practical yet meaningful project.
To download the full copy of the CCSP’s media release please click here.
Transition to school: Advice from the experts video series (Ref: 254/20)
The Advice from the experts video project has now been finalised. Please find the entire video series below and please feel free to share with your networks.
Transition to school: Advice from the experts video series
- What do you need to know before starting school?
- What should you do if you need help at school?
- What’s one thing that helps you to be happy at school?
- What do you love about school?
- Packing your bag for school
For more transition to school resources, explore the Foundations for Learning website!
This project has benefited greatly from the support and wisdom of early years consultants, teachers & students across our Catholic schools. Thank you!
GERRIC Student Programs - 19-21 January 2021 (Ref: 244/20)
GERRIC Student Programs will be running between 19 – 21 January 2021.
GERRIC for Gifted Students program is offered to gifted and talented students (generally students who are capable of performing in the top 10% of their age-peers) in years 3-10 at Australian primary, middle or secondary school. This is a school holiday program that expands the minds of bright, inquisitive individuals looking for an intellectual challenge that is more demanding and more fun than they may sometimes experience at school.
GERRIC Student Programs open a student’s mind to abilities they may not have known they possess. At UNSW, gifted students meet others who share their interests and they are taught by educators who love working in this field. Our program runs for three days and gives students the opportunity to work on a small project.
Registrations will open on Wednesday 25 November: for more information on the GERRIC program visit their website.
Harmony Day 2021 Poster and Song Competition (Ref: 242/20)
Submissions are open for the 2021 Harmony Day poster and song competition. Click here to download a copy of the promotional flyer.