Contents
National Student Wellbeing Program - APPLY NOW (Ref: 137/23)
The National Student Wellbeing Program (NSWP) is an initiative funded by the Commonwealth Government to support the wellbeing of Australian school students through:
- providing pastoral care services
- organising volunteer activities within the school community
- running programs such as breakfast clubs and lunchtime activities
- coordinating excursions, school incursions and parent/carer workshops.
Catholic schools in NSW who need additional wellbeing support for students are encouraged to apply for participation in the program by completing the online application. Schools should read the NSWP NSW Guidelines for 2024 – 2027 before submitting an application. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Applications close on Friday 11 August and successful schools will be advised in late September.
Further information about the program can be found here.
Wellbeing for Learning – Online PL Webinars (Ref: 149/23)
Research highlights the direct correlation between positive wellbeing and improved learning outcomes. As schools continue to embrace a collaborative model of holistic support for students (bridging the gap between curriculum and pastoral care), we are pleased to engage with renowned professionals in the wellbeing space.
Click here to access promotional material that lists upcoming professional learning opportunities for staff.
Further information and registration details can be found at the Catholic Schools NSW Professional Learning website: https://learn.csnsw.cloud/login
If you have any issues with accessing this information or logging into the professional learning website, please email us at: [email protected]
Promoting hope & supporting young people's wellbeing in a changing climate (Ref: 143/23)
Join us at the School-Link Talk for Term Three where climate change’s impact on young Australians’ mental health will be discussed through an informative webinar.
- Learn more about the direct and indirect impacts of climate change on mental health and wellbeing.
- Explore evidence-based strategies to support mental health and wellbeing of young people in the face of a changing climate.
Guest speaker for the webinar, Dr Cybele Dey, is a Sydney-based Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, Conjoint Lecturer at UNSW & Co-chair of Doctors for the Environment Australia (DEA) Mental Health Special Interest Group.
Date: Monday 24 July
Time: 1:30 – 3:00 PM
Venue: Online
Scan the QR code to register.
SAVE THE DATE: HALT Workshop (Ref: 128/23)
Calling aspiring and accredited HALTs!
On Thursday 13 July from 9:00 am to 12:00 midday, Catholic Schools NSW and the NSW HALT Association are hosting a workshop for aspiring HALTs to work with accredited HALTs to progress their submission.
Join colleagues to share questions, queries, and check your thinking. Make connections to take away from the event and build an ongoing collegial network of support.
Depending on numbers, face to face and zoom options will be available.
For further information or support, contact Mary Ryan, Head of Professional Learning and Accreditation, via email or call 0409 606 437.
SAVE THE DATE: CSNSW Assessment and Data Symposium: Insights for Learning and Engagement (Ref: 127/23)
SAVE THE DATE for Friday 29 September 2023 from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm at the Hilton Hotel Sydney.
The symposium will include keynotes, panels, facilitated discussions and networking opportunities.
Themes will include:
- Standardised assessments and beyond,
- Artificial intelligence, and
- Early years to post school destinations.
Confirmed speakers include Dr Tim O’Leary, Educational Data Talks, Melbourne University, and Professor Jim Tognolini, Centre for Educational Measurement and Assessment. Other speakers to be announced soon.
The full day symposium will begin a series of assessment and data events including masterclasses and a virtual symposium.
A registration link will be made available soon.
For further information or support, contact Mary Ryan via email or call 0409 606 437.
SAVE THE DATE: 3-6 Mathematics and English New Syllabus Symposium (Ref: 125/23)
From 9 am – 3:30 pm on 15 September, join Catholic Schools NSW, Dioceses, system and school leaders and teachers for a deep dive into the new 3-6 Mathematics and English syllabuses. This event will be hosted and live streamed from the diocese of Wilcannia Forbes.
Led by subject matter experts, the day will consider the intent and purpose of the syllabuses, offer an overview of the syllabuses and key focus areas, and examine the shifts in content between K-2 and 3-6.
The day will be facilitated in front of an audience, live streamed to a remote audience, and recorded for post symposium access.
A registration link will be made available closer to the event.
For further information or support, contact Mary Ryan via email or call 0409 606 437.
The Principals' Centre Australia Leadership Programme and Scholarship (Ref: 145/23)
The Principals’ Center in Australia is designed to provide school leaders in Australia, New Zealand, and Southeast Asia with the knowledge, leadership strategies, and tools to become effective leaders of instructional change and accelerate learning for all students. Hosted in Sydney and designed for region-specific learning needs, the program brings together school leaders and Harvard faculty over five days. Working with colleagues from across the region, participants will explore research-based techniques and best practices as they develop leadership plans tailored to their schools at home.
Program Details
With content drawn from local learning contexts and all sessions led by Harvard faculty, the program addresses areas of critical importance to school leaders in Australasia – instructional leadership, school culture, leadership development, strategy, and family and community engagement. Participants will have the opportunity to:
- Learn through faculty-led sessions and case studies using Australia-specific examples and learning contexts
- Participate in facilitated discussion groups that engage peers in collaborative learning and reflection
- Reflect on and hone personal leadership goals
- Develop a school leadership plan that can be implemented in multiple school settings and contexts
- Build lasting connections by engaging with faculty and fellow principals and school leaders in your cohortAustralian Scholarship Opportunities
Three types of scholarships are available through the Harvard Club of Australia (HCA).
- HCA Scholarship
- Eureka Scholarship
- NZ Travel ScholarshipRound One Deadline: 30 July 2023
Click here to find out more and apply.
Amendments to the Modern Slavery Act expected (Ref: 150/23)
In 2022, the Australian federal government, led by Professor John McMillan AO, sought public consultation on its three-year review of the Act, and in late May 2023, the Report containing 30 recommendations was tabled in Federal Parliament.
Some recommendations included:
- introducing penalties for non-compliance with statutory reporting requirementslowering the reporting threshold from $100M to $50Mamending the Act to require entities have a due diligence system in place
- The Minister or Anti-Slavery Commissioner be granted the power to make written declarations of a “high modern slavery risk” for a specific region, location, industry, product, supplier or supply chain, to which Reporting Entities must have regard in preparing a Statement.
The full Modern Slavery Act Review Report is available here: https://www.ag.gov.au//crime/publications/report-statutory-review-modern-slavery-act-2018-cth
'Catching Our Breath' mini online retreat (Ref: 152/23)
‘Catching Our Breath’ is a mini online retreat for educators that also develops participants’ capacity to lead and accompany others in prayer. Inspired by the encouragement of Pope Francis, ‘Catching our Breath’ offers refreshing and creative new ways to pray from the heart of our Catholic heritage, individually and together, with staff and students.
This mini-retreat will be conducted across five afternoons online and will begin on Monday, August 21, 2023. Further information can be found on the flyer or by contacting JISA at [email protected] Registration is open via the CSNSW Professional Learning platform, which can be accessed via this link.
Register now: eSafety Commissioner’s Online Relationships and Consent webinar (Ref: 148/23)
CCSP – Online relationships and consent- Flyer
The Council of Catholic School Parents NSW/ACT, in partnership with the eSafety Commissioner, is offering all parents, carers, teachers and support staff the opportunity to join a free webinar designed for parents and carers of students in secondary school.
The 30-minute webinar is designed for parents and carers of young people in secondary school.
It will cover:
- The impact of sharing nude images without consent
- practical suggestions for starting the chat about respectful relationships, consent and pressure to send nudes.
- Where to get support for a young person who has experienced abuse.
- The impact of sharing nude images without consent
Webinar details
Tuesday 15 August 7.30 pm – 8.00 pm
Register at: https://register.gotowebinar.com/rt/5491931265697591563
or via the QR code:
Register your school for Fruit & Veg Month 2023 (Ref: 146/23)
Fruit & Veg Month will be held during the last four weeks of Term 3, 28 August to 22 September. Get your school on board to learn more about:
- The science behind growing and eating fruit and veg
- The technology behind transporting fruit and veg
- How to do a real fruit and veg science experiment
Registered schools receive:
- Hard copy class posters and student stickers
- Hard copy and a digital copy of the Teacher’s Booklet. It includes tips on involving families, the school canteen and the whole school
- Curriculum materials for each stage
- Student competition details
- Family resources to send the ‘eat more fruit and vegetables’ message home
Register your school now at: https://healthy-kids.com.au/teachers/fruit-veg-month/register-now-for-fruit-veg-month-2023/
Fruit & Veg Month will be held during the last four weeks of Term 3, Monday 28 August, to Friday 22 September.
For more details on Fruit & Veg Month, and to register, go to: www.healthy-kids.com.au/teachers/fruit-veg-month/
Modern Slavery Video Resources (Ref: 139/23)
The Australian Catholic University (ACU) and the Anti-Slavery Taskforce of the Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney have developed video resources to complement the modern slavery content in the ACU core curriculum.
These resources provide a wealth of information around what is still a pressing issue in today’s society. All are welcome to view and share these resources which can be found here.
National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council (Ref: 130/23)
The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council (NATSICC) has created resources to inspire and support Schools and Parishes in their celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Sunday. These Liturgical resources are flexible and can be adapted to suit the diverse needs of communities across Australia. Parishes and Schools are encouraged to work with local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to incorporate Traditional rituals and symbols into their celebrations.
Access the resources HERE.
Who is NATSICC?
The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council (NATSICC), founded in 1992, is the peak advisory body to the Australian Catholic Bishops on issues relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholics. Learn more on their website, including interactive calendar of Catholic dates of significance alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander dates, and excellent resources.
Inform Period for new draft Reformed Syllabuses Opening (Ref: 151/23)
Inform Period for new draft Reformed Syllabuses Opening
The NESA Inform Period for the next set of draft reformed syllabuses will open on Monday, 17 July. Educators will have this important opportunity to be informed about these syllabuses via the NESA recordings. The syllabuses for review are:
- CHPS K–6 (Creative Arts, HSIE, PDHPE and Science and Technology K–6)
- Geography 7–10
- History 7–10
- Visual Arts 7–10
- PDHPE 7–10
These recordings can be accessed via the CSNSW Curriculum Reform Hub. The Have Your Say Period for these syllabuses will open Monday, 31 July and will run for six weeks. The details on where to access the Have Your Say surveys will be provided closer to the opening date.
Younger kids reporting bullying to eSafety Commissioner (Ref: 147/23)
The eSafety Commission website has resources to help parents and carers be positive role models and online safety advocates. For online safety information for parents and carers, visit: eSafety.gov.au/parents
For advice on how to set parental controls across home wi-fi, devices, software and more, visit: eSafety.gov.au/parental-controls
For online safety webinars for parents and carers, visit: eSafety.gov.au/parents/webinars
For advice on the latest games, apps and social media, visit: eSafety.gov.au/esafety-guide
New School Reform Consultation Paper Released (Ref: 138/23)
A new consultation paper around School Reform has been released by the Expert Panel conducting the Review to Inform a Better and Fairer Education System. This review seeks to inform the development and negotiation of the next National School Reform Agreement and Bilateral Agreements with individual states and territories.
The new paper makes recommendations for Education Ministers to inform the next agreement to improve education outcomes in Australia and meet the current and future needs of students.
You can read the consultation paper here.
The Expert panel, comprised of leaders within the Australian Educational Research field, invites submissions from interested stakeholders around the recommendations outlined in the consultation paper. This feedback can be submitted here.
Australian Teacher Workforce Data Survey (Ref: 131/23)
The Australian Teacher Workforce Data (ATWD) provides a comprehensive picture of the teaching workforce nationally to help us understand how to build a sustainable teaching profession for the future.
Each year, through the ATWD Survey, teachers around Australia are sharing the rewards and challenges of teaching, to provide greater understanding of how to better support our profession.
CSNSW encourages you to join the growing ‘Teacher Voice’ to help us learn more about:
- The hours you spend on teaching and non-teaching activities.
- Your well-being and career intentions
- Whether your qualifications and expertise are being fully utilised.
- The types of support early career teachers need for a fulfilling career.
- The career pathways of teachers.
Every teacher has a unique experience. To understand the modern teaching career, we need all teachers to share their experiences annually.
The ATWD Survey is the largest survey in Australian education and is providing the evidence we need to build a sustainable teaching profession. It takes only 10-15 minutes to complete and is for all registered teachers and leaders across schools and early childhood services Australia.
The ATWD Survey will be emailed to all registered teachers between August and October 2023. Look out for an invitation from your teacher regulatory authority.