Webinar: Dr Justin Coulson on the Adolescent Brain (Ref: 262/22)
A new webinar is available to all staff from Dr Justin Coulson, a positive psychology and parenting expert, on the topic of the Adolescent Brain.
This resource will be of help as a professional learning opportunity for wellbeing staff.
This 60 minute webinar can be accessed here and will be available until November 28th.
NEW NESA-Approved Training Modules - Curated by Catholic Schools NSW (Ref: 255/22)
Catholic Schools NSW has created three new governance modules covering Privacy, Conflicts of Interest and Not-for-Profit (s 83C).
These modules are NESA-approved courses related to the proper governance of non-government schools. They address the requirement for ongoing professional learning for Responsible Persons and reflect current legislation.
Each module contributes one hour of professional learning with regard to governance issues for each Responsible Person for the school, or system of schools, delivered by Catholic Schools NSW, NESA-approved provider of governance training for Responsible Persons.
Staff can access the modules via the Catholic Schools NSW Professional Learning Platform here.
Apply Soon: Premier’s Anzac Memorial Scholarship - Accompanying Teacher (Ref: 254/22)
Applications for a Premier’s Anzac Memorial Scholarship Accompanying Teacher position are now open and will close on 27 November 2022.
NSW Catholic School History teachers are invited to apply to accompany the 2023 Premier’s Anzac Memorial Scholarship Tour in September/October 2023. The Scholarship involves a unique study tour accompanied by a military historian in the 2023 Spring school.
This is a fully funded professional development opportunity for teachers.
Find more information regarding the eligibility criteria and apply here.
NESA Information Sessions: 'Have Your Say' Closing Soon (Ref: 237/22)
NESA Information Sessions on Draft syllabuses
NESA officers have recorded information sessions focused on the opportunity to have your say in the development of the:
- Drama 7–10 draft syllabus
- Science 7–10 draft syllabus
- Technology 7–8 draft syllabus
INFORMATION SESSIONS
Specifically, the information session provided:
- a clear rationale, including evidence base and link to reform objectives, for the basis of the draft outcomes and content
- clarity regarding what to expect in the syllabuses.
‘Have Your Say’ periods
Science 7-10: The ‘Have Your Say’ period concludes Monday 5 December
Technology 7-8: The ‘Have Your Say’ period concludes Monday 21 November
Drama 7-10: The ‘Have Your Say’ period concludes Monday 5 December
The recorded versions of each session will be placed on the Catholic Schools New South Wales Curriculum Reform Hub on Wednesday 26 October
2023 PLAN2 Register NOW: Planning Literacy and Numeracy (PLAN2) available to Catholic Schools New South Wales Schools (Ref: 259/22)
Registrations for 2023 PLAN2 are now open and will close 25 November 2022
What is PLAN 2?
PLAN2 (Planning Literacy and Numeracy) is a NSW Department of Education software package used to support teachers in monitoring student learning using the National Literacy and Numeracy Learning Progressions.
PLAN2 is available to Catholic Schools NSW primary schools at no cost and is accessed via the Assessing Literacy and Numeracy (ALAN) application.
PLAN2 allows teachers to:
- update and analyse observations against progression indicators to identify teaching priorities and support student, class or school literacy and numeracy development across the curriculum
- access observations sent directly from department assessments, including the Best Start Kindergarten Assessment and the Year 1 Phonics Screening Check, to make evidence-based decisions on student learning
- create differentiated areas of focus aligned to syllabus outcomes, to use for explicit teaching and to monitor learning
- monitor student progress at student, class, stage or school level to help identify patterns, evaluate what works best, and strengthen practice in response.
Changes to PLAN2 from 2023
In 2023 NSW schools will use new NSW K-2 English and Mathematics syllabus and version 3 (v3) of the learning progressions. Schools are invited to view a video summarising the change to PLAN2.
Current users of PLAN2 can view an online demonstration platform (PLAN2 Demo site) highlighting updated features of PLAN2.
The PLAN2 Demo site contains sample data to allow schools to become familiar with the changes prior to going live in 2023.
It includes:
- data migration from version 2 to version 3 of the National Literacy and Numeracy Learning Progressions
- new NSW K-2 English and mathematics syllabus outcomes, supporting implementation of the new curriculum
- a new observation status scale.
Current users can access the PLAN2 Demo site by logging in to ALAN and click on the ‘ALAN-DEMO’ tile at the bottom of the ALAN home screen.
Further information
Further information is available via the following links:
Introduction to the PLAN2 Demo site
PLAN2 transition to V3 progressions
Registering for PLAN2 in 2023
If you wish to use PLAN2 in 2023 please complete the online registration form by 25 November 2022.
For more information, please contact [email protected]
Registrations Closing SOON: 2023 'Transition to Year 7' Assessment Package (formerly Best Start Year 7) available to Catholic Schools New South Wales schools (Ref: 233/22)
Transition to Year 7 is an optional online literacy and numeracy assessment package available to secondary schools in Term 1, replacing Best Start Year 7. Assessments are completed by students in participating schools between 8 February and 10 March 2023.
More information about the assessment may be found here: Transition to Year 7 – information-for-schools
There is no cost to participate in the Transition to Year 7 assessment.
All schools wishing to participate in 2023 will need to complete the online opt in form by Friday, 25 November 2022.
For more information, join an information session in Zoom during Term 4:
- Thursday 3 November 8:30 – 9:00 am
- Wednesday 9 November 3:30 – 4:00 pm
Join the Zoom Meeting here
Meeting ID: 558 141 2870
Passcode: 83354
IMPORTANT DATES
Term 4, 2022
- 25 November Opt-in for 2023 Transition to Year 7 closes
- 5 December – Next steps emails to participating schools
Term 1, 2023
- 8 February Assessment platform username and password link emailed to assessment coordinator
- 8 February Assessment window opens
- 10 March Assessment window closes
Further information contact Karen Ferrante [email protected]
SAVE THE DATE: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Servicemen Commemoration Service (Ref: 261/22)
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Veterans & Services Association, supported by The Returned and Services League of Australia (New South Wales Branch) and the NSW Office for Veterans Affairs, will be conducting the annual Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Servicemen and Servicewomen Commemoration Service around the Pool of Reflection at the Anzac Memorial, Hyde Park South in Sydney on Friday 26 May 2023 from 10.40am to 12:00pm.
The inaugural Indigenous Veterans Commemoration Service in Sydney took place in 2007, following the formation of a planning committee made up of representatives from Aboriginal organisations, the Returned and Services League of Australia (NSW Branch) and the Department of Veterans Affairs.
The planning committee has now expanded to now include representatives from each of the three school sectors and the NSW Office for Veterans Affairs.
The Commemoration Service took place in the last week of May 2007, to coincide with Reconciliation Week and has been held on last Friday of May each year since. It commemorates the service of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Veterans, combining conventional military protocol with indigenous ceremonial display and with a focus on attendance by school children.
Join fellow schools from within NSW at this service where students will have the opportunity to lay a floral tribute. Schools are encouraged to make a floral tribute using local flora and native plants.
For more information click here or contact Emily Ritchie here: [email protected]
THIS THURSDAY: Webinar with Paul Dillon - What do parents need to know about vaping? (Ref: 258/22)
The Council of Catholic School Parents NSW/ACT in collaboration with the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle – Federation of Parents & Friends Associations invites parents to attend a free webinar about the dangers of vaping.
The webinar will be hosted by Paul Dillion from Drug and Alcohol Research Training Australia (DARTA), who has been working in the area
of drug education for more than 25 years.
DATE: Thursday, 17 November, 2022
TIME: 7.00 – 8.30pm
VENUE: Online
REGISTRATION: Register via Microsoft Forms here
For more information, view the event flyer here: Paul Dillon Vaping Webinar Event Flyer.
NOMINATIONS OPEN: Inaugural NSW Premier's Respect Awards (NSW) (Ref: 253/22)
All NSW Catholic schools are invited to nominate a student for the inaugural NSW Premier’s Respect Awards.
The awards seek to recognise students from Kindergarten to Year 12 who have shown high standards of respectful behaviour, inclusiveness and community-mindedness.
Schools can also apply for their nominated student to be chosen for the NSW Premier’s Respect Awards Showcase. An expert panel with representatives from the NSW Department of Education, Association of Independent Schools, Catholic Schools, the and the Office of the Advocate for Children and Young People will consider the applications. The panel will select the 10 students who best represent excellence in respectful behaviour to be presented with their awards by the Premier at an annual showcase
For more information and to nominate a student, visit: https://education.nsw.gov.au/…/premier-s-respect-award
Access the Media Release here: Nominations Now Open for Inaugural Student Respect Awards (NSW)