Contents

Priority Items Professional Learning Resources for Learning Employment Opportunities School Newsletter
Priority Items

Commonwealth Government Disaster Ready Fund (Ref: 23/23)

The Commonwealth Government has established the Disaster Ready Fund (DRF) to help communities mitigate the impacts of natural hazards across Australia. Each financial year, $200 million will be available to Australian states and territories. While only state and territory governments are eligible to apply for funding from the Commonwealth, non-government organisations can submit proposals for the DRF through the NSW Reconstruction Authority, which will manage the NSW application process. However, the non-government organisation must be an incorporated body and must meet a range of project eligibility criteria.

There are two eligibility streams:

  1. Infrastructure projects that seek to achieve any or all of the following: a.) resilience to a future natural disaster and/or b.) preparedness for a future natural disaster and/or c.) reduction of the risk of a future natural disaster.
  2. Systemic risk reduction projects that build the long-term sustainability of a community or communities in an area that is at risk of being affected by a future natural disaster.

The full list of eligibility criteria is available here.

See also the Information Briefing from the NSW Reconstruction Authority here.

Applications for Round 1 of the DRF are now open.

Project proposals for the NSW Application must be submitted to the NSW Reconstruction Authority using the Proposal Form via email, [email protected], by 14 February 2023.

You can find more details about the DRF, the application process and other frequently asked questions here.

Professional Learning

Register SOON: Curriculum Reform: Tactics for Success (Ref: 27/23)

CSNSW is offering a professional learning day titled Curriculum Reform Tactics for Success as a way of supporting systems and schools to review their approaches to managing the challenges of implementing multiple syllabuses in K-6.

Key members of primary curriculum teams are invited to attend and Dioceses are encouraged to bring with them a principal or school-based curriculum leader so that application of the learning is both contextual and practical.

The seminar will take place on Thursday, 2 March at Kimpton Margot, Pitt St Sydney.

You can register through clicking this link. You will need to be registered for CSNSW PL Platform in order to access the event through the link.

Participants will learn a number of things including:

  • Implementation indicators and core phases of implementation
  • How to identify, develop, enable and design curriculum change
  • How to develop the essential objectives for terms 1 and 2 for your context

The day will include 3 sessions:

  1. Effective Curriculum Implementation
  2. Effective Professional Learning and Team Processes
  3. Implementation routines, plans and monitoring

 

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Applications Closing THIS WEEK: Japanese Government 2023 MEXT Scholarship - Teacher Training Category (Ref: 1/23)

The Japanese Government MEXT Scholarship 2023 Teacher Training Category applications close this week!

This scholarship offers Australian teachers of primary school, high school or college level the opportunity to conduct research on school education at designated Japanese universities as “Teacher Training Students”.

Applications are open to teachers who were born on or after 2 April 1988, have graduated from a university or Teachers’ College and have 5+ years of teaching experience. Applicants will also be required to take Japanese and English exams and must demonstrate a sufficient level of Japanese language ability to be able to receive research guidance in Japanese.

Hard-copy application documents are due at the Embassy of Japan in Canberra by 5PM (AEDT) this Friday 17 February 2023.

More information and application forms are available on the Embassy of Japan in Canberra website here.

If you have any enquiries, please contact the Embassy via [email protected] or (02) 6272 7252.

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REGISTRATION DETAILS: Early Years Symposium – 28 April (Ref: 24/23)

EVENT REGISTRATION for the inaugural ‘Early Years Symposium’ goes live next week on Wednesday 22 February through the Catholic Schools NSW Professional Learning platform.

The event will be held on Friday 28 April 2023 and guests will hear from keynote speaker, Nathan Wallis along with Sue Larkey, Professor Tricia Eadie and Professor Pamela Snow.

Early childhood and early years primary school teachers are encouraged to attend.

For more information, please contact Mr Sean Maloney- Senior Education Officer ([email protected]).

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Resources for Learning

2023 CSSA Trial HSC Examinations (Ref: 16/23)

The CSSA, a division of Catholic Schools NSW, creates premium CSSA Trial HSC Examinations by education experts.  Our contributors have syllabus expertise and extensive teaching experience to create Trial HSC Examinations.

The CSSA has posted a Letter to the Principal containing essential information regarding the 2023 CSSA Trial HSC Examinations. If a Principal requires technological assistance with sign-in to their registered school account in the CSSA website, please email [email protected] There is a CSNSW verification process in place to maintain the privacy and confidentiality of each Principal and their registered school account with the CSSA.

Key Dates to assist schools:

  • The 2023 CSSA Trial HSC Examinations Timetable is from Monday 31 July to Monday 14 August with a security period up to and including 8am, Thursday 17 August
  • The 2023 CSSA Trial HSC Examinations Principal Information Package will be emailed to Principals on Friday 10 February  
  • 2023 CSSA Trial HSC Examinations online ordering is available as of 9am, Monday 13 February and until 5pm, Thursday 6 April (Week 11, Term 1)
  • Schools must contact the CSSA regarding CSSA Trial HSC Examinations Disability Provisions by 9am, Friday 31 March (Week 10, Term 1)
  • The 2023 Draft CSSA Trial HSC Examination Timetable will be provided in the Principal Information Package and then made available on the CSSA website
  • The 2023 Final CSSA Trial HSC Examination Timetable will be emailed to Principals in Week 1, Term 2 and then made available on the CSSA website

CSSA website and individual School Accounts:

School data in School Accounts with the CSSA must be kept up-to-date by individual schools via the CSSA website | Account Settings.

Relevant personnel in CSSA registered schools should ensure that school data available and fields of information on the CSSA website is checked, updated and completed as necessary. This will ensure that your School’s address, phone number, email address and contact details are correct – this information is critical for communication with schools and the secure delivery of CSSA Trial HSC Examinations. Remember to click on the “SAVE” button at the end of the process.

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Harmony Week Resources and Competitions (Ref: 12/23)

Harmony Week runs between Monday 20 March – Sunday 26 March and Harmony Day is Tuesday 21 March 2023. The day provides us with an opportunity to celebrate Australian multiculturalism, and the successful integration of migrants into our community.

Australia is a vibrant and multicultural country — from the oldest continuous culture of our first Australians to the cultures of our newest arrivals from around the world. Our cultural diversity is one of our greatest strengths and is at the heart of who we are. It makes Australia a great place to live.

An integrated multicultural Australia is an integral part of our national identity. All people who migrate to Australia bring with them some of their own cultural and religious traditions, as well as taking on many new traditions. Collectively, these traditions have enriched our nation.

Support Harmony Week in your school with resources found here.

Students are also invited to participate in the Harmony Day Poster Competition and the Harmony Day Songwriting Competition.

Competitions close on Friday 14 April 2023.

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Virtual Story Time - Register SOON for a free book (Ref: 9/23)

This term, Catholic Schools NSW is proud to present a virtual story time of “What Do You Call Your Grandma?” by author, Ashleigh Barton.

Shortlisted in 2022 for the Children’s Book Council of Australia awards, this is a charming and heart-warming book that celebrates the many ways we say grandma.

The virtual story time will be livestreamed into your classroom at 10:00 am Wednesday 22 March.

Be one of the first 100 teachers to register your class for the virtual story time event and you’ll receive a free copy of this delightful book!

Registrations open Tuesday 21 February…so stay tuned!

Check out the trailer below or click here to watch it.

For further information, please contact Sean Maloney (Senior Education Officer) here.

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Employment Opportunities

APPLY NOW: Senior Manager, Vocational Education Training (Ref: 25/23)

We are Hiring!

Catholic Schools NSW is recruiting the position of Senior Manager, Vocational Education Training (VET). This is a permanent and full time position.

The Senior Manager, Vocational Education Training (VET) is responsible for providing statewide leadership to the Catholic sector in the area of Vocational Education and Training (VET) and vocational learning. To provide strategic advice and reporting to Senior Management on the delivery of current VET programs and prospective future trends in VET.

Applications for this role close 5:00 pm, Monday 20 February (unless closed earlier).

Find the full position description and information on how to apply here.

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School Newsletter

School Vaccinations (Ref: 28/23)

From February 2023, children in year 7 (aged 12-13) will be offered a single dose course of HPV vaccine at school vaccination clinics.

Previously, students were offered two doses of the HPV vaccine in the NSW school vaccination program. The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) has reviewed recent international evidence and has advised that a single dose of the HPV vaccine gives the same protection as two dose courses.

For more information visit: https://www.health.gov.au/ministers/the-hon-mark-butler-mp/media/change-to-single-dose-hpv-vaccine?language=en

Please see a message for parents regarding the School Vaccination Program here: School newsletter messaging to parents of year 7 students in 2023.

Schools can also access an online consent parent communication toolkit here:

General information on school vaccine program:

If you have any questions, please contact Nathan Smith, ([email protected]) Senior Policy Officer,
Wellbeing.

Free Parent and Carer webinar (Ref: 22/23)

In collaboration with the eSafety Commissioner, the Council of Catholic School Parents NSW/ACT is offering a webinar on the topic of ‘Navigating Online Friendships’.

This 30 minute webinar will cover:

  • how to support young people to have safe and respectful online relationships
  • what to do when something happens at school and ends up on social media or private messaging apps
  • how to report to social media platforms and eSafety.

The webinar will run at 7:30 pm on Thursday 23 February and you can register here.

ESafety advice for parents - ThinkUKnow program  (Ref: 13/23)

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) are urging families to be proactive this school year and update the privacy settings on children’s devices to help prevent predators from contacting them online. 

The AFP-led ThinkUKnow program – Australia’s first and only nationally delivered, law enforcement-led online safety program – has produced guides for parents and carers.

For more information, visit this website.

RSL and Schools Remember ANZAC Art Competition for 2024 (Ref: 20/23)

The RSL and Schools Remember ANZAC Commemoration was first held in 1953 and co-hosted by RSL NSW and the Department of Education. Over the years the service has expanded to Catholic Schools NSW and the Association of Independent Schools NSW. Proceedings, held at the Anzac Memorial Hyde Park in April each year, are delivered entirely by school students including the Master of Ceremonies, keynote address, readings, and musical accompaniment. The Service also includes an Inspection of the Guard by the official party, The Ode, The Last Post, and Rouse.

The service aims to educate primary and secondary school students about Australia’s military history, whilst paying respect to the service and sacrifice of servicemen and women of the Australian Defence Force.

To mark the 71st Anniversary of this service in 2024, RSL NSW, the Department of Education, Catholic Schools NSW and the Association of Independent Schools NSW are launching an art competition for NSW school students. The theme of the competition is “Why Lest we Forget?”, inviting students to create an artwork that considers why we commemorate ANZAC Day. Two artworks will be selected for the cover of the 2024 service program and all finalists’ artworks will be displayed at the Anzac Memorial and included in the program.

More information including the guidelines, how to submit artwork, judging and FAQs can be found here.

Premier's ANZAC Memorial Scholarship 2023 (Ref: 21/23)

The NSW Government invites Year 10 and Year 11 History students to apply for the 2023 Premier’s ANZAC Memorial Scholarship. Applications are now open via the NSW Office for Veterans Affairs website here.

The ANZAC Memorial Scholarship gives History students the opportunity to travel on a two-week study tour to Singapore and Darwin where they will explore the history of Australian men and women at war. A military historian will accompany students and the tour will include significant historical sites.

The Scholarship covers:

  • all learning and leisure activities on the tour
  • all travel while on the tour (flights, coaches, etc)
  • all meals and accommodation
  • uniforms to wear on the tour.

Applications close 13 March 2023. Further information is available on the Veterans Affairs website here.