HSC Public Reporting Reform (Ref: 064/22)
HSC Public Reporting Reform: Exploring aspects of the current system for reporting HSC results, and alternative options (the Report).
There is a long history to the public reporting of HSC results in NSW. The approach in NSW, which differs from other states and territories, is shaped via a combination of legislation, media analysis, and school disclosures.
The Report acknowledges that there is considerable educational and social benefit from allowing a wider perspective on HSC performance and reporting – to better acknowledge the efforts of all students and schools, and to give parents access to more meaningful information on school outcomes.
Currently, the HSC performance of NSW schools is reported in two ways: NESA Merit Lists and media outlet rankings based on an estimation of schools’ Success Rates.
It is timely to consider the development of new measures that provide a more accurate and holistic picture of school performance in the senior years of schooling.
Several possible alternative measures are considered in the Report
NESA 'Have your say' now open: Draft English and Mathematics 3-10 syllabuses and Languages K-10 (Ref: 066/22)
NESA are consulting on the English and Mathematics 3–10 English and Mathematics syllabuses and Auslan, Classical and Modern Languages K–10
Have your say on:
- English 3–6 Draft Syllabus
- Mathematics 3–6 Draft Syllabus
- English 7–10 Draft Syllabus including Life Skills outcomes and content
- Mathematics 7–10 Draft Syllabus including Life Skills outcomes and content
- Auslan K–10 Draft Syllabus
- Classical Languages K–10 Draft Syllabus
- Modern Languages K–10 Draft Syllabus
Teachers and other stakeholders are welcome to provide feedback until Monday 2 May 2022. All feedback in the ‘Have your say‘ phase will be used to inform the development of the final syllabuses. Individuals are encouraged to complete an online survey
SAVE THE DATE - “Dangerous Ideas” Symposium – Vocational Education & Training (VET) delivered to Secondary Students (Ref: 067/22)
Catholic Schools NSW is facilitating the “Dangerous Ideas “ Symposium – Vocational Education & Training (VET) delivered to Secondary Students
The event is hosted by Catholic Schools New South Wales and inclusive of the CSSA, a division of Catholic Schools New South Wales.
This event will bring together key industry leaders, Catholic schools and system educators to discuss current issues and opportunities to extend the educational pathways, opportunities, and outcomes available to students.
Who should attend: Principals, School Leadership, Post-School Pathways Coordinators & Stage 5-6 Year Coordinators
Date: Friday 20 May 2022
Time: 8.30am-4pm
Location: Sydney Masonic Centre – 66 Goulburn Street, Sydney. The location is close to Museum Train Station or Secure Parking Stations.
Further information, including the agenda and how to register will be provided in the coming weeks.
Immediate Disaster Assistance Now Available (Ref: 058/22)
Financial assistance
Disaster payments, grants and financial assistance for people living in areas affected by severe storms and floods in NSW.
https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/floods/financial-assistance
The Australian Principal Occupational Health, Safety and Wellbeing Survey 2021 Data (Ref: 059/22)
Catholic Schools New South Wales is the major sponsor of the ACU Australian Principal Occupational Health and Wellbeing Survey 2021. The report was released today.
Results from the Survey (2021) found brutal workloads, critical staff shortages and the impact of Covid-19 on the education system have hit school leaders hard, triggering “red flag” warning emails for one-in-three principals whose health and wellbeing were at risk.
The report can be found here
SAVE THE DATE - Results Analysis Package (RAP) Online Professional Learning (Ref: 065/22)
Catholic Schools New South Wales is partnering with the NESA to explore the function and application of RAP to improve student HSC outcomes.
Tuesday 3 May 20211 1.30-3.30 via TEAMS
Option 1 Understanding the Results Analysis Package (RAP)
Option 2 Results Analysis Package (RAP) for Experienced Users
Tuesday 2 August 2022: 1.30-3.00 PM via TEAMS
Using NESA Standards to Improve Student HSC Outcomes
Further information and how to register will be provided in coming weeks
Australian Inclusive Schooling Conference Free Webinars (Ref: 050/22)
In the lead-up to the Australian Inclusive Schooling Conference, Illume Learning is pleased to present a FREE pre-conference webinar series. Join us across March and April for 5 webinars that shine a light on some of the key themes and topics of the conference.
Unable to join us live (7:30pm AEST) on Webinar Wednesdays? Each session will be available for one week as an on-demand replay.
Webinar dates and registration information can be found here.
LivingWorks suicide prevention training for all secondary schools (Ref: 052/22)
The NSW Government has invested $14 million in a state wide suicide prevention training initiative to support the mental health of the population. A key target group for this initiative is young people, with high school teachers; school support staff; school counsellors; parents; carers and student peer leaders in years 10-12 eligible to receive training.
Training is available for all NSW Catholic high schools, on an opt-in basis.
The training will be provided by sector experts in suicide prevention training, LivingWorks Education Australia (LivingWorks). There will be a variety of training courses on offer, ranging from a short online course that will teach participants the skills to identify signs of suicidal thoughts or self-harm and support referral to appropriate resources, to a two-day intensive suicide intervention skills course. Participation in this initiative is free, with all costs met by the NSW Government.
LivingWorks will be in contact with each Diocese and the Catholic Independent schools to plans for the rollout of training.
However, if your school wants to register to start training straight away, you can express interest on the LivingWorks website.
https://www.livingworks.com.au/
If you have any questions please contact Lauren Dale, Project Manager, LivingWorks Australia at [email protected]
NSW Curriculum Reform: New online professional development modules (Ref: 045/22)
Teachers can now explore the new English and Mathematics K–2 syllabuses through free online learning modules.
The modules provide an overview of:
- new syllabus structures
- outcomes, content and evidence base
- how to access key information
Each module counts towards 2.5 hours of NESA accredited PD.
Login to online learning HERE.
The Great Book Swap (Ref: 068/22)
Registrations are now open for your school to hold a Great Book Swap anytime throughout 2022.
This year The Great Book Swap aims to raise $150,000 to gift 15,000 culturally relevant books to children living in remote Australia.
Make WriteOn 2022 part of your program (Ref: 055/22)
WriteOn is an annual writing competition open to primary students in Years 1 to 6, including home-schooled students.
Last year NESA received more entries than ever before, with almost 600 students participating from over 300 schools across NSW.
This year’s competition will run from 28 March to 17 June.
Teachers are encouraged to include the competition in their English programs.
How to enter and competition guidelines can be found here.
Aboriginal Education: Mental Health and Wellbeing Resource (Ref: 054/22)
Last year, Catholic Schools New South Wales launched the Aboriginal Education Digital Resource (Ref: 246/21). Explore the following resources on the Catholic Schools New South Wales Aboriginal Education Digital Resource to support the wellbeing of teachers, students and parents.
- Wellbeing – Educators and parents can find resources, guidelines and support services related to mental health issues.
- Aboriginal spirituality
- Supporting learning at home – Teachers and parents can find resources to support children with their learning at home.
- Online resources for early learners
The Big Vegie Crunch registration (Ref: 057/22)
It’s not too late to register. The Big Vegie Crunch time is on Thursday 31 March at 10am.
Wondering what Vegetable Week & The Big Vegie Crunch is all about?
Vegetable Week is a school-based event for NSW primary schools, funded by NSW Health.
‘The Big Vegie Crunch’ is an attempt by NSW primary school students to break the record for the highest number of children eating vegetables simultaneously – and to get kids excited about vegetables!
Vegetable Week 2022 will run from Monday 28 March to Friday 1 April, with The Big Vegie Crunch held at 10am on Thursday 31 March.
Find out more at the Vegetable Week & The Big Vegie Crunch website:
https://healthy-kids.com.au/teachers/vegetable-week-the-big-vegie-crunch/