HAVE YOUR SAY on the new English & Mathematics K–2 syllabuses (Ref: 210/21)
NESA has released the Draft English and Mathematics K–2 syllabuses for consultation. This additional 3-week consultation is to confirm the revisions made after feedback on the draft English and Mathematics K–2 outcomes and content earlier this year.
Given the challenges arising from COVID-19, including remote learning and determinations around HSC exams, NESA has extended the original ‘Have Your Say’ timeline. NESA is inviting feedback from all school sectors on the English and Mathematics K–2 syllabuses until 23 August 2021.
You can access the syllabuses at the Catholic Schools New South Wales Curriculum Reform Hub (login via NETiD) where you can also find other relevant NESA updates and resources. You can provide feedback via an online survey here.
Catholic Schools New South Wales 2021 DISruptABILITY Conference: Early Bird Registrations NOW OPEN (Ref: 211/21)
Everything you have come to expect from Catholic Schools New South Wales Professional Learning:
- Catholic & Inclusive
- Evidence-based
- Connection Focussed
In the same way our schools continue to deliver high-quality learning in uncertain and changing times, Catholic Schools New South Wales prioritises high-quality professional learning in a responsive manner during these challenging times. The inaugural Catholic Schools New South Wales 2021 DISruptABILITY conference is hybrid – so there will be the flexibility to access content live, online or on demand – no matter the circumstances.
WHEN: Thursday 18 & Friday 19 November, 2021
WHERE: Live Manly Novotel, Virtual, On Demand
EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION: $495 (until 31 August)
REGISTRATION: https://eecw.eventsair.com/disruptability-2021
AUDIENCE:
This conference seeks to be inclusive of all those who provide educational support and care for students with disability in our schools, and so schools are encouraged to bring teams
- School leadership teams
- Learning support and/or diverse learning teachers
- Pastoral care and wellbeing coordinators
- Leaders of learning and/or pedagogy
- Classroom teachers and teachers’ aides
- Parents
- Parish Priest
- System staff
Did you Know: there are approximately 45,000 students, comprising 19% of all students in NSW Catholic schools, with some degree of disability. Catholic schools provide for the needs of these students in a range of settings, including: mainstream schools, special schools, special assistance schools and satellite classes.
Working with Children Checks extended for three months (Ref: 213/21)
Working with Children Checks due to expire between 19 July 2021 and 26 September 2021 have been extended for three months. People who are granted an extension will be advised by email and the system will be automatically updated.
National Copyright Unit Q&A on remote learning: Thursdays lunchtime (Ref: 201/21)
In response to the return to remote learning in some States, the National Copyright Unit (NCU) is hosting a one-hour lunchtime copyright question and answer session each Thursday (via Zoom) for curriculum developers and other staff, in the Departments of Education or non-government school bodies, involved in creating and providing educational resources to students, teachers, schools and parents.
When: Thursdays 12-1pm
Where: Via this Zoom link
Who is welcome: Departmental/ Non-government school bodies’ staff involved in creating and providing education resources to teachers, schools and parents.
Please note: teachers and schools can contact NCU for copyright advice by phone at (02) 7814 3855 and via email [email protected]. They can also find practical copyright information and guides on http://www.smartcopying.edu.au including our new information sheet COVID-19 School Lockdown – Copyright Guidance.
How to recognise complex trauma in infants and children and promote wellbeing (Ref: 212/21)
Australian Institute of Family Studies in collaboration with Emerging Minds, National Workforce Centre for Child Mental Health is offering a webinar on how to recognise complex trauma in infants and children and promote wellbeing.
Complex trauma in early childhood is distinct from other kinds of trauma. It can manifest in ways that affect body and brain development, and lead to poor long-term outcomes if not addressed. Early identification and support, including through trauma-informed practice, is critical to supporting infants and children who have experienced complex trauma.
Effective trauma-informed practice can promote recovery and resilience in infants and children. However, it requires a comprehensive understanding of the signs and effects of complex trauma and the skills to hold protective conversations with parents and caregivers.
This webinar will explore how complex trauma might present in children and impact their development, as well as how practitioners can respond in their work with infants and children, and their parents and caregivers.
This webinar is of interest to professionals working with infants and children, and/or their caregivers across early learning and care services, maternal and child health and other family support services.
Supporting young people impacted by COVID-19 (Ref: 204/21)
In response to the current lockdowns, HeadSpace is running additional Parent/Carer mental health education sessions, over the next 6 weeks.
The sessions are titled supporting young people impacted by COVID-19, and provide Parents and Carers with information and strategies to proactively support their young people during these uncertain times.
The following sessions are available via zoom and scheduled over the next 5 weeks.
- 27 July 2021, 6:30pm – 7:45pm, Liverpool
- 28 July 2021, 6:30pm – 7:45pm, Waverley
- 4 August, 2021, 6:30pm – 7:45pm, South Western Sydney
- 5 August, 2021, 6:30pm – 7:45pm, Cumberland
- 9 August, 2021, 6:30pm – 7:45pm, Northern Sydney
- 10 August, 2021, 6:30pm – 7:45pm, Georges River
- 11 August, 2021, 6:30pm – 7:45pm, South Eastern Sydney
- 17 August, 2021, 6:30 – 7:45pm, Western Sydney
- 19 August, 2021, 6:30pm – 7:45pm, Randwick
Catholic Schools New South Wales works in partnership with HeadSpace and supports this initiative which provides parents/carers with helpful information during this period of increasing lockdowns and disruptions to daily life.
To register click here
Kindergarten Orientation and transition 2021-22 (Ref: 203/21)
Kindergarten orientation and transition to school should be flexible and responsive to emerging COVID-19 guidelines. Where current health restrictions will impact on school orientation visits, it is recommended that they be delayed until later in Term 3 or early Term 4.
To support a successful transition, there are still a number of ways you can engage families and children in preparation for starting school in 2022.
The Early Years Foundations for Learning digital resource is available to all teachers, educators and families including the Advice from the Experts videos. All resources can be found here and have been developed in conjunction with Catholic School Agencies.
Talking Drugs with Paul Dillon - Vaping! (Ref: 205/21)
Has your teen started vaping? It may surprise you to know that many teens don’t think vaping is harmful – but the pitfalls of engaging in this behaviour are many.
With increasing numbers of young people believing vaping to be harmless, it has become a growing issue for many schools.
In this podcast Jennifer Coen (State Manager- Wellbeing Catholic Schools New South Wales) talks to Paul Dillon about drugs, alcohol & vaping (duration 24 min).
ABS 2021 Census of Population and Housing - Information for School Camps (Ref: 206/21)
Tuesday 10 August 2021 is Census night
The ABS has written to all schools in Australia to outline the process for counting students and staff who will be away from home and on a school camp or overnight excursion on Census night.
Tax, Super + You competition (Ref: 207/21)
The Tax, Super + You competition is a fun and engaging way for high school students to learn about the value of tax and super, and the role they play in our community.
There are prizes for both the winning students and their schools.
Students are asked to develop a creative project on their topic. There are two entry topics this year:
- Junior (Year 7–9): Highlight the value of tax or super (or both) in the community.
- Senior (Year 10–12): Your first job – what you need to know about tax and super.
Watch this video featuring Assistant Commissioner Sally Bektas as she explains how students and their schools can get involved!
The Tax, Super + You competition is now open.
Fruit & Veg Month 2021 starts this month (Ref: 208/21)
Fruit & Veg Month is a free health promotion event for NSW primary schools that puts a positive focus on fruit and vegetables. Each year Fruit & Veg Month has a special theme to inspire kids to get interested in eating, enjoying and learning about fruit and veg, and all schools that register receive a fantastic resource pack full of classroom materials, posters, stickers and more. The event is funded by NSW Health. Find out more at the Fruit & Veg Month website.