8 hours Priority Professional Learning - DISruptABILITY Conference (Ref: 244/21)
This inaugural conference will build upon the high-quality professional learning that Catholic Schools New South Wales has been delivering as schools navigate the dynamic policy space for both education and disability. As Catholic educators, we are called beyond fulfilling our legislative obligations for students with disabilities and should always be in a reflective cycle of more effective ways of delivering successful outcomes for students. The virtual conference will be grounded in internationally recognised best-practice evidence. An engaging and interactive conference program will provide participants with insights, knowledge and skill acquisition in evidenced based practices, as well as opportunity for collaborative networking. It will be an opportunity to engage critically with the disruptive trends in education and inspire in our Catholic school educators and leaders a continuing commitment to excellence, with an emphasis on how to create and sustain positive partnerships between all stakeholders, which ensures every child achieves their potential in every classroom, every day.
REGISTRATION: One-flat rate $495 – creating a high-quality virtual experience, live and on-demand.
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 including:
- 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
- Parent & carers, Diocesan Parent Organizations
- Parish Priests & Pastoral Parish Staff
- System staff
CONFERENCE DETAILS
WHEN: Thursday 18 & Friday 19 November, 2021
WHERE: Virtual & On Demand
LEARN MORE & REGISTER: https://eecw.eventsair.com/disruptability-2021
NESA ACCREDITATION
We are pleased to announce that participation in the conference will give 8 hours of NESA Priority Professional Learning in the priority area of Students/children with Disability addressing standard descriptors 1.6.2, 1.5.2 and 7.3.2 towards maintaining Proficient Teacher Accreditation in NSW.
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2022 CSSA Trial HSC Examinations: Expressions of Interest for Committee Members (Ref: 285/21)
The CSSA Trial HSC Examinations are prepared by committees of practicing teachers, university lecturers and educational consultants in a variety of HSC courses.
The Head of CSSA Exams is seeking expressions of interest for the following positions:
Committee Members for the following 2022 CSSA Trial HSC Examination
- VET Construction
Attached is a letter regarding the Expression of Interest requirements for the role with the CSSA and the application process.
Interested applicants are asked to send a Cover Letter and current Curriculum Vitae to Monica O’Brien, Head CSSA Exams at [email protected] by 9am Monday 25 October 2021.
2022 CSSA TRIAL HSC EXAMINATIONS-EOI-Committee Members-VET Construction
Supporting students returning to face-to-face learning (Ref: 290/21)
Join Dr Lyn O’Grady, psychologist – child mental health and wellbeing expert, Jenny Coen State Manager Wellbeing Catholic Schools New South Wales and Sam Giles State Manager Policy & Programs (Disability Support), Catholic Schools New South Wales in conversation about supporting students on their return to school. This can be recorded as 1.5 hours NESA Elective PD addressing Standard 6.2.2 of the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers.
Register here
If you have not visited Catholic Schools New South Wales PL before you may need to visit the dashboard first by clicking here
For further information contact [email protected] 0409 606 437
Let’s talk about…Principal wellbeing (Ref: 272/21)
School leaders, after a few challenging months it is timely to consider what you can and should be doing to care for yourself.
Self care isn’t selfish: we know that in times of emergency the best way to help others is to put on our oxygen mask first.
Take some time to attend this webinar and listen to some practical ideas about caring for yourself in this last term.
Presenter: Carrie Benedet
Carrie is the founder of Global Leaders Thrive and has significant experience in education and emotional intelligence and leadership.
When: Thursday 21 October 9:30-10:30 and repeated 3:30-4:30
Register here for the morning or afternoon session
If you have not visited Catholic Schools New South Wales PL before you may need to visit the dashboard first by clicking here before accessing the link above
For further information contact [email protected] 0409 606 437
Australian Early Development Census (AEDC) Professional Learning for School Leaders (Ref: 286/21)
New Professional learning: School leaders engaging with Australian Early Development Census (AEDC) 2021 school report
This session focuses on the value of AEDC data set in supporting planning and practice in schools. The course explains how to interpret and engage with the AEDC early school preliminary snapshot and AEDC school profile from the 2021 AEDC data collection. Participants will have an opportunity to reflect on questions that can guide their engagement with their school snapshot report and profile. The professional learning is available here.
Target audience: School leaders and teachers
Mode of delivery: Video of school leaders engaging with Australian Early Development Census (AEDC) 2021 school report (34:12)
To access previous Australian Early Development Census e-learning, click here
Upcoming seminar - Problematic Sexualised Behaviour (Ref: 279/21)
Catholic Schools New South Wales is pleased to invite wellbeing, child protection and school counselling staff to a 90 minute webinar on responding to problematic & harmful sexual behaviour in schools.
Dr Lesley-Anne Ey (SA Uni) is an expert in this field. Her research into this area aims to support staff to effectively recognise and respond to such behaviour; and to inform teacher training and curriculum.
To register please contact Jennifer Coen, State Manager – Wellbeing Catholic Schools New South Wales.
Contact: [email protected]
2022 School Travel Applications Now Open (Ref: 291/21)
Applications for student travel in 2022 are now open. From October 2021, information on the School Student Transport Scheme and the School Portal will be available via Transport for NSW.
Students who need a School Opal card or travel pass for 2022 can apply now. Parents/students will need to submit a new application if they are applying for a school travel pass for the first time, or if they are requesting an additional travel entitlement as a result of a new shared parental responsibility situation.
Students who change address, school, campus location, or who have repeated a year or received an expiry notification from Transport for NSW for their school travel entitlement should renew or update their details before the end of term 4. This will ensure that schools can endorse applications and current entitlements are updated and remain valid. School Opal card holders will have the changes applied to their existing card.
Students who have an entitlement approved under a medical condition that is due to expire will receive a notification advising them to re-apply.
Term Bus Pass holders will also receive a notification to re-apply.
Students in the Opal network applying for an Opal card (including a Term Bus Pass) for the first time will receive their Student Opal card at their nominated postal address. Cards will be mailed out from January 2022.
Students living in rural and regional areas should receive their travel pass at the start of the new school year from their nominated transport operator.
For more information on school student travel, please visit the Transport for NSW website.
2022 Vegetable Week, Fruit & Veg Month, and the Big Vegie Crunch (Ref: 287/21)
Timing
- Vegetable Week & The Big Vegie Crunch will run from Monday 28 March to Friday 1 April, with the Big Vegie Crunch on Thursday 31 March at 10am.
- Fruit & Veg Month will run from Monday 29 August to Friday 23 September. This is the last 4 weeks of Term 3 as per usual.
Registration
Registration for both events is now open.
Schools can register right up until the end of the each event.
Australian Reconciliation Convention (Ref: 288/21)
The 2021 Australian Reconciliation Convention is a once in a generation event, the first national reconciliation gathering in more than 20 years.
Delivered over three half-days exclusively via EventCast, an award-winning, immersive and interactive event platform, the Convention will be a vibrant and historic landmark event in Australia’s reconciliation journey.
You will be able to connect with audiences and organisations from across Australia, interact during panels, share your reconciliation stories, and more – all from the comfort of your own home or workplace.
2022 BEST START Year 7 Assessment (Ref: 276/21)
Best Start Year 7 is an optional literacy and numeracy assessment package for secondary schools, offered to schools since 2019. The assessment will be available to NSW Catholic schools again in 2022. The assessment:
- provides a current snapshot of the literacy and numeracy skills and understandings that students bring to secondary school, and
- supports teachers in the planning of targeted teaching strategies across all subjects.
Schools may choose to use Best Start Year 7 to supplement their existing primary to secondary transition practices.
Schools that choose to participate in Best Start Year 7 will be provided with professional learning and support to help prepare and administer the assessments, and to access post assessment feedback. Professional learning will be made available on-line. More information can be found here.
The BSY7 assessment window for non-government schools is Wednesday 9 February- Friday 11 March 2022.
The cost of participating in 2022 Best Start Year7 is $2.00/ student.
Please use this link to register your interest in participating in 2022 Best Start Year 7 before 12 November 2021
Note that continuing schools (those that have participated in Best Start in previous years) will still need to complete the online Opt-in registration form so that school details can be updated.
More information regarding the assessment will be available at the following sessions:
- Wednesday 20 October 3:30 – 4:00 pm
- Tuesday 26 October 3:30 – 4:00 pm
https://nsweducation.zoom.us/j/65339795930?pwd=UnJtUVFYV1J0SWQ5RVB2ZGxFRERiZz09
Meeting ID: 653 3979 5930
Passcode: 091549
Further details contact: [email protected]
Opportunity Class Placement Test (Ref: 283/21)
The Department of Education has revised its advice to families wishing to have their children sit the Opportunity Class Placement Tests in 2021. You may be approached by families and the following is provided so that you can make an informed response. Please note, there is no obligation for your school(s) to provide access to the tests on school site.
To ensure Opportunity Class placement offers can be provided in early January 2022 before the school year starts and to comply with the current heath advice which prevents mingling of student cohorts, the Department is proposing the below changes for the Opportunity Class placement test this year:
- Conduct the placement test in the students’ home primary school supervised by teaching staff; to comply with the current heath advice which prevents mingling of student cohorts.
- Conduct the placement test as a computer-based test; to reduce the time required to ship, scan and mark the paper-based tests.
- Rescheduled the test date to occur on Wednesday, 17 November 2021.
- Structure the placement test as a single test of approximately 60 minutes in length covering Reading, Mathematical Reasoning, and Thinking Skills questions; to streamline the test management for schools.
- Provide a computer-based practice test for students in the lead up to the test; to allow familiarisation of the computer-based test experience.
Resources to help schools commemorate remembrance day (Ref: 289/21)
Remembrance Day marks the anniversary of guns falling silent on the Western Front in the First World War: the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. Our nation stands in silent reflection for one minute each year to commemorate and honour those Australians who have died or suffered in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations.
To assist schools, ex-service organisations and community groups plan for 11 November, the Department of Veterans’ Affairs has prepared a Remembrance Day educational resources pack or ‘digital kitbag’ to highlight the importance of honouring Australia’s veterans and servicemen and women.
A range of digital resources can be accessed on the Anzac Portal.
National Children's Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy (Ref: 280/21)
The Federal Government has launched the world’s first National Children’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy. The Strategy provides a framework to guide the development of a comprehensive, integrated system of services to maintain and support the mental health and wellbeing of children aged 0-12 and their families.
The strategy outlines four focus areas of intervention, one being education.
For more information click here.
Resources to prevent and manage anaphylaxis (Ref: 281/21)
As a part of the National Allergy Strategy, new resources & guidelines to support schools to manage anaphylaxis were launched on October 7, 2021.
These can be accessed via the newly developed Allergy Aware resource hub: www.allergyaware.org.au
Return of School Vaccination Clinics (Non-COVID-19) (Ref: 282/21)
School vaccination has been significantly impacted by the disruption to school-based learning in Term 3, particularly in Greater Sydney. As students return to school sites in Term 4, NSW Health will be again offering onsite vaccination clinics, in line with COVID-19 restrictions.
School principals will be contacted directly by the NSW Primary Health Unit in their area, to negotiate clinic schedules.
For more information including, parent advice please visit: health.nsw.gov.au/schoolvaccination