Contents
Resource: Life to the full: The mission and purpose of Catholic schools (Ref: 192/24)
Recently the National Catholic Education Commission published Life to the full: The mission and purpose of Catholic schools, with a foreword by the Chair of the Bishops Commission for Catholic Education, the Most Reverend Anthony Fisher OP.
It is intended ‘for Catholic schools to complement existing local resources and provides an opportunity for dialogue to enhance the shared understanding of why Catholic schools exist in Australian society.’
Book launch: The Divided Heart of Catherine Mackerras (Ref: 195/24)
Join the PM Glynn Institute in celebrating the launch of Patrick Mullins’s novel The Divided Heart of Catherine Mackerras at the Peter Cosgrove Centre on Thursday, 12 September 2024, at 5.30 pm.
Mullins will join The Hon. Michael Kirby AC CMG (Justice of the High Court of Australia), Ms Anne Henderson AM (Deputy Director, Sydney Institute) and Mr Dallas McInerney (CEO, Catholic Schools NSW) in conversation on the book.
The text expands upon Catherine Mackerras’s original “Divided Heart” memoirs in which she discussed her conversion to Catholicism. Mullins sheds light on how Mackerras approached family and faith, and the influences that encouraged her conversion.
To purchase the book, click here.
Registrations for the launch close on Friday, 6 September 2024.
To register for the event, click here.
Harvard's 'The Principals' Centre in Australia' Program (Ref: 170/24)
The Principals’ Centre in Australia program, jointly presented by the Harvard Graduate School of Education (HGSE) Professional Education and the Harvard Club of Australia, encourages the attendance of principals and school leaders across Australasia.
The program will be held from 13 to 17 January 2025.
The 5-day program explores regionally based content including family and community engagement, optimal learning conditions, long-term strategies, leadership plans and instructional leadership development.
Early bird applications close on 15 September 2024.
The final application deadline is 15 November 2024.
Click here to learn more and apply.
Update: New ACE Resources (Ref: 189/24)
ACE Actions for Schools
The ‘ACE Actions for Schools’ information sheet is conveniently designed to assist schools understand the clarified ACE Rules, and schools must read the rules on the NSW Curriculum website.
There are two types of actions for schools.
- Review – Read the full rule and update the practices and policies within your school
- Take note – Refer to the new rule for key information, like NESA or Schools Online deadlines
The ‘ACE Action for Schools’ information sheet can be found here.
ACE Table of Contents
The ‘ACE Table of Contents’ document conveniently lists the ACE landing Page/Groupings, Sub-group and Rules and is hyperlinked to the rules on the NSW Curriculum website.
The ‘ACE Table of Contents’ can be found here.
NSW Curriculum webiste
NESA will upload the two new ACE documents onto the NSW Curriculum website in September 2024.
National Copyright Unit Webinars (Ref: 186/24)
The National Copyright Unit (NCU) is offering a series of free and practical webinars to help teachers navigate copyright while teaching.
‘The NCU Copyright Hour’ short webinars (Term 3 and 4 dates)
The one-hour sessions focus on specific copyright topics. Please take note if the webinars are for schools, TAFEs or both.
Term 3
| Topic | Dates | Registration Link |
| Schools and TAFE: AI and Copyright | Tuesday 13 August (3:30 – 4:30pm AEST) | Register Here |
| Schools: Music and Copyright in Schools | Tuesday 27 August (3:30 – 4:30pm AEST) | Register Here |
| Schools: Using Text and Artistic Works in Schools | Tuesday 3 September (3:30 – 4:30pm AEST) | Register Here |
| Schools: Using TV and Film in Schools | Tuesday 10 September (3:30 – 4:30pm AEST) | Register Here |
Term 4
| Topic | Dates | Registration Link |
| Schools and TAFE: Creative Commons | Tuesday 15 October (12 – 1pm AEDT) | Register Here |
| TAFE: Using Text and Artistic Works in TAFE | Tuesday 12 November (12 – 1pm AEDT) | Register Here |
| Schools and TAFE: AI and Copyright | Tuesday 19 November (12 – 1pm AEDT) | Register Here |
| TAFE: Copyright for Resource Developers | Tuesday 26 November (12 – 1pm AEDT) | Register Here |
‘Copyright for Educators’ long-form webinar series
These webinars cover topics such as:
- copyright basics
- what schools and TAFEs can do under the various education licences
- free education exceptions – performing and communicating works in the classroom, flexible dealing, exam copying and disability access exceptions
- guidelines for schools and TAFEs on online teaching
- using Netflix, YouTube and audiobooks in class, including virtual classes
- finding and using ‘Creative Commons’ licensed material and ‘Open Education Resources’
- livestreaming music performances/concerts
- attributing third-party materials and seeking permission/consent
- artificial intelligence (AI)
- copyright infringement claims.
Schools
|
Date |
Details |
Registration Link |
|
Term 3: Thursday 22 August 2024 |
11 – 5pm AEST (Syd/Melb/Canberra) |
|
|
Term 4: Tuesday 22 October 2024 |
9 – 3pm AEDT (Syd/Melb/Canberra) |
TAFE
|
Date |
Details |
Registration Link |
|
Term 4: Tuesday 29 October 2024 |
9 – 1pm AEDT (Syd/Melb/Canberra) |
For more information on these webinars, please visit the Smartcopying website found here.
Review of Section 83C (Ref: 191/24)
The review into section 83C of the Education Act 1990 (NSW) (‘the Act’) commissioned by the NSW Government in 2023 has just released its report. This report examined section 83C broadly prohibits the Minister for Education from providing financial assistance to a non-government school that operates for profit. This section therefore has the effect of prohibiting non-government schools from acting for profit.
The review considered submissions from different organisations, including CSNSW. The review recommended substituting the ‘for profit’ and ‘non-compliant’ categories in the Act for a scheme that provides for graduated responses and actions where suspected breaches can be treated according to their objective seriousness. The report also recommended amending the Education Regulation 2017 (NSW) to provide that the provision of certain functions and services do not constitute a breach of the requirement to operate as not-for-profit.
The report further recommended amending the Not-For-Profit Guidelines for clarity and making certain changes to regulatory procedures including widening the discretion of the regulator in responding to possible breaches.
The report can be accessed here.
The media release from the Education Minister can be found here.
Smart Farming Virtual Classroom (Ref: 194/24)
Australian Good Meat Education is back for the second half of the school year, offering virtual classroom sessions on Smart Farming. These interactive lessons are designed for primary school students, with separate programs for lower primary (Foundation to Year 2) and upper primary (Years 3-6).
The 30-minute Zoom sessions introduce students to Australian farming practices through direct conversations with farmers. New topics include both ‘Life on the Farm’ (LP) and ‘Future Farming’ (UP) sessions.
These curriculum-aligned classes cover key areas such as farming environments, sustainable agricultural practices and modern farming technology.
Students can participate from their classrooms or homes, engaging in Q&A sessions with farmers, interactive quizzes and learning about Australian agriculture.
To learn more and book your session, visit here.
Australian Pioneer Spirit Video Series (Ref: 187/24)
The Pioneer Spirit Video Series takes several young urbanites out of their comfort zones to learn about and taste the pioneering spirit of the early Australian settlers. Each episode follows these budding pioneers as they gain hands-on experience in different industries that have made a lasting impact on our history and culture, such as Cattle, Dairy, and Pearling which helped make Australia the ‘Lucky Country’.
Watch episode 1: Cattle
Watch episode 2: Dairy
Watch episode 3: Pearling
Apply Now: Senior Manager CSSA Exams (Ref: 193/24)
CSNSW is recruiting the position of Senior Manager CSSA Exams.
The Senior Manager of CSSA Exams plays a critical strategic and operational role in leading the successful delivery of the CSSA Trial HSC Examinations. The CSSA Examinations Division, under the auspices of CSNSW, has a strong reputation as the leading provider of Trial HSC Examinations and Marking Guidelines for 52 Trial HSC Examinations and Marking Guidelines and 48 HSC courses with more than 200,000 examinations distributed annually.
This is a full time, permanent position, working from the CSNSW office located in Sydney CBD.
Applications close Friday, 30 August 2024.
If you are interested in this position or know someone who may be, please share details or view full position description and information on how to apply here.
Letter of His Holiness Pope Francis on the Role of Literature in Formation (Ref: 188/24)
Pope Francis has issued a letter emphasizing the “value of reading novels and poems as part of one’s path to personal maturity”, particularly for those preparing for the priesthood. The letter advocates for a significant shift in how priesthood candidates view and value readings.
In his message, the Pope highlights several key benefits of engaging with quality literature. He describes good literature as providing solace during challenging times, such as periods of fatigue, frustration, disappointment, or setbacks. Additionally, the Pope emphasizes literature’s role as an educational tool, its ability to promote critical thinking and reasoning skills, enhance human empathy and emotional intelligence, and foster spiritual receptiveness.
By encouraging this renewed focus on literary works, Pope Francis aims to cultivate well-rounded, emotionally intelligent, and spiritually open believers. To access the letter, click here.
Have Your Say – Social Media Use and Impacts (Ref: 196/24)
The NSW Government wants to hear your opinion on social media, including how it is used and concerns regarding safety, misinformation, online hate and extremism.
Responses will be communicated to policymakers, experts, academics and young people at the Social Media Summit on Thursday 10 October. This event aims to formulate practical solutions towards a safer and more positive online environment.
To have your say, complete the survey before 8 September 2024.
To access the survey, click here.
To learn more about the Social Media Summit, click here.
Spotlight on Cyberbullying Resources (Ref: 190/24)
The Minister for Education has just released a suite of new online resources to support school communities navigating cyberbullying.
The Spotlight on Cyberbullying resources have been developed in collaboration with NSW Chief Behaviour Advisor Donna Cross and federal eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant. They include downloadable material, professional learning programs and resources for students, parents and carers.
To access the resources click here.
Have Your Say - NESA Consultation on the 7-10 Syllabuses (Ref: 183/24)
Consultation on 7–10 draft Child Studies, Design Innovation Technology, Industry Technology, and Work Education syllabuses opened on Monday, 12 August 2024, and will be open for either 4 or 6 weeks as listed below.
4 Week ‘Have your say’ period: Monday 12 August to Monday 9 September
- 7–10 Child Studies and Work Education
6 Week ‘Have your say’ period: Monday 12 August to Monday 23 September
- 7–10 Design Innovation Technology and Industrial Technology
Systems and schools are invited to provide feedback on these syllabuses via the Have Your Say surveys available here.
Please find a document outlining key features for each syllabus here.
All feedback from the ‘Have your say’ period will be used to inform the development of the final syllabuses. The final syllabuses will be released on the NSW Curriculum website. Up-to-date Curriculum Reform information is now available here.
Any questions regarding the Curriculum Reform can be directed here to Joanne Hack.
2025 CSSA Trial Exam Timetable (Ref: 182/24)
The CSSA, a division of Catholic Schools NSW, creates premium CSSA Trial HSC Examinations by education experts. Our writers and assessors have syllabus expertise and extensive teaching experience to create the CSSA Trial HSC Examinations.
In support of school organisation for the 2025 school year, the 2025 CSSA Trial HSC Examinations Timetable dates have been released.
Key Dates to assist schools:
- The 2025 CSSA Trial HSC Examinations Timetable is scheduled from Monday 4 August to Monday 18 August with a security period up to and including 8am, Thursday 21 August 2025.
NSW Premier's Teacher Scholarship Recipients (185/24)
Congratulations to the following Catholic teachers who have been awarded a NSW Premier’s Teacher Scholarship, in recognition of their passion for and dedication to the teaching profession. The Honourable Chris Minns MP, Premier of New South Wales, and the Honourable Prue Car, Deputy Premier of NSW, presented the scholarship winners at a reception held at the State Library of NSW (Gallery Room) in Sydney on August 1, 2024.
We hope that the knowledge they will gain from their scholarship activities will benefit their schools and wider community.
YANG SUN – English Teacher and Senior Mentor from Marist College, Eastwood; HSC English Specialist, Sydney Catholic Schools
Premier’s Anika Foundation Youth Depression Awareness Scholarship
- Yang’s proposal is entitled “Teach Us Wellbeing: Research-based strategies that every educator should teach”.
- It seeks to help bridge the gap between wellbeing research and wellbeing practice, providing educators with practical research-based strategies they can implement to build awareness of wellbeing and mental health in school-aged children in educational settings.
- Yang plans to travel to the UK, USA, Scandinavia, and Australia.
ANITHA ARUL – Early Childhood Teacher and Centre Director from St Therese Catholic Preschool and Long Day Care, Sadlier-Miller
Premier’s Early Childhood Education Scholarship
- Anitha is proposing to research the connection of nature and play in the first 2000 days of a child, seeing it as a critical aspect of their holistic development.
- Anitha aims to build on research which underscores the critical importance of early childhood experience on lifelong development – benefiting cognitive, social and emotional wellbeing.
- Anitha aims to study in Sweden, Norway and within Australia.
FRANCES MASON – VET Teacher; Careers Adviser from St Joseph’s College, Banora Point
Premier’s Vocational Education in Schools Scholarship
- Frances will investigate how schools prepare students to make VET choices and pathway decisions, and identify strategies that most effectively promote VET pathways.
- The aim is to build on effective career development where students are more inclined to select appropriate courses during high school, to recognise VET as a valuable option, and to smoothly transition from school to employment.
- Frances’ studies will take her to New Zealand and Australia
To learn more about the scholarship visit the NSW government website here.
Details of current and previous winners of these prestigious scholarships can be found here.