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NESA Approved: 2023 CSNSW Education Law Symposium (Ref: 129/23)
The NSW Education Standards Authority has approved the 2023 CSNSW Education Law Symposium programme, on July 6, as constituting 6 hours of NESA approved governance training. Those participants who are deemed to be ‘responsible persons’ for the provision of ‘proper governance’ under the NSW Education Act 1990 who attend the full programme can use the 6 hours to contribute towards their mandatory NESA approved training obligation of 12 hours in each three year period.
Topics included in the programme include the Regulatory Review of Section 83C of the NSW Education Act 1990; NESA Reform of Teacher Accreditation and Non-government School Registration; Cybersecurity; Risk Management and Student Attendance and Behaviour, Future planning for the teaching workforce, and Religious Freedom.
For further information about the program and registration, go to https://www.csnsw.catholic.edu.au/education-law-symposium-2023/
Limited tickets left.
Extension of course assessment flexibility for Year 12 HSC students (Ref: 118/23)
The NESA Board has approved extending COVID Smart settings for HSC course assessment flexibility for Year 12 students to 30 September 2024.
In September 2022, NESA extended the flexible school-based assessment arrangements for Years 11 and 12 in 2023.
The rules give principals and System Authorities the authority to determine the number, type and weighting of tasks for Year 12 school-based assessment.
As the expiry of the extension approaches, the NESA Board has approved a further extension for Year 12 students only until 30 September 2024.
The extension will maintain current arrangements for schools and students and give additional time for the policy to be properly evaluated in the context of broader HSC reforms, due to take place throughout 2023 and 2024.
NESA will draft an Assessment Certification Examination (ACE) Rule amendment to be published on the NESA website on or before 30 September 2023. The rule will formally notify principals, teachers and students of the extension to the course assessment flexibility rules and the duration of the extension.
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.
Meet the Marker HSC Analysis Series – 2022 STA NSW (Ref: 122/23)
One of the most helpful and sought after types of professional learning for senior secondary teachers is participation in marking Higher School Certificate Examinations in their subject area. Unfortunately, that opportunity is not available to all teachers, so the Science Teachers Association of NSW has designed a professional learning activity for those who cannot be involved in marking.
The “Meet the Marker HSC Analysis 2022 Series” includes the Stage 6 Science course workshops for Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Environmental Science, Physics, Investigating and Extension Science. Each video is 2 hours in length and consists of HSC markers unpacking the results of the previous year’s HSC science exam questions and can be recorded as a NESA Elective PD.
This has been a highly popular form of professional learning and places are limited.
Meet the Markers is also highly recommended for both early career teachers taking senior classes for the first time as well as experienced practitioners.
- Science Extension exam analysis
- Physics exam analysis
- Investigating Science exam analysis
- Earth and Environment exam analysis
- Chemistry exam analysis
- Biology exam analysis
You may need to create a CSNSW Learning Portal profile by clicking here and then coming back and following the links above.
For further information or support, please contact Mary Ryan via email or ring 0409 606 437
Mathematics K-2 New Syllabus Scope and Sequence (Ref: 121/23)
In this module, Christine Mae presents practical considerations for designing an effective Mathematics scope and sequence. Be advised on key features of the syllabus and the nature of and approaches to scope and sequence. Gain an overview of the outcomes and content for each focus area and create a sample scope and sequence.
The new K-2 Mathematics syllabus: Develop an effective scope and sequence EARLY STAGE 1
The new K-2 Mathematics syllabus: Develop an effective scope and sequence PART A STAGE 1
The new K-2 Mathematics syllabus: Develop an effective scope and sequence PART B STAGE 1
Each session can be recorded as NESA Elective PD addressing standard descriptor 2.2.2 – organise content into coherent, well sequenced learning and teaching programs.
You may need to create a CSNSW Learning profile by clicking here and then coming back and following the links above.
For further information or support, please contact Mary Ryan via email or call 0409 606 437
Australian Academy of Science Professional Learning Opportunities (Ref: 120/23)
The Australian Academy of Science provides independent, authoritative, and influential scientific advice, promotes international scientific engagement, builds public awareness and understanding of science, and champions, celebrates and supports excellence in Australian science.
The Academy strives to support and promote science through a range of programs and activities.
The Academy is currently offering several free online Professional Learning courses during term 3 for primary school teachers.
The Primary Connections courses include the following:
- Unpacking the 5E model
- Exploring assessment
- Supporting student investigations
- Making your classroom a mathematics community
- Deepening learning with high level tasks
- The active role of the teacher
Enrolments open 26 June 2023 and courses open 10 July – 1 October.
Enrol via the professional learning tab on the primary connections webpage.
Digital Wellbeing Webinar with Dr Kristy Goodwin (Ref: 111/23)
This Digital Wellbeing webinar (Brain-based strategies to optimise students’ digital wellbeing) will provide educators and school leaders with research-based, scientific strategies and solutions that can be implemented to optimise students’ wellbeing in the digital landscape, without reverting to ‘digital amputation’.
When: Wednesday 26 July
Time: 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm
Where: Via Teams Platform
In this webinar, participants will explore:
- The impact of students’ digitalised childhoods and adolescence on their physical health, mental wellbeing, and learning preferences;
- How students’ insidious digital habits and behaviours are contributing to mental health issues (dispelling common myths about the screen-mental health nexus); and
- Research-based, yet realistic strategies that educators and school leaders can easily implement to bolster students’ digital wellbeing (with an emphasis on empowering students to form healthy and helpful digital behaviours that are congruent with their neurobiological needs).
Click here to register via the CSNSW Professional Learning Institute.
National Catholic School Improvement Colloquium (NSIC), 15 - 17 October 2023, Fremantle, WA (Ref: 105/23
Catholic Education WA will host this significant event in Fremantle from Sunday, 15 October, to Tuesday, 17 October.
Click here for the event’s flyer.
This Colloquium, building on the success of those previously held, provides an excellent opportunity to share research and best practice from across our Catholic Education systems, promoting connection, innovation and excellence. The Colloquium is themed around “Pathways of Hope” – May the God of hope fill you all with joy and peace so that you may abound in the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:13). With this in mind, we are asked to consider “How do we serve, engage and empower our schools to lead school improvement that prepares students for a hope-filled future?”
Further details regarding the program and registration can be accessed from the event website.
The call for abstracts closes on 30 June 2023.
Artificial Intelligence – Information Sheets for Schools and TAFEs (Ref: 110/23)
Many schools and TAFEs are becoming increasingly aware of the potential copyright issues surrounding the use of AI to generate text and images. The answers to the questions these concerns raise depend on the way in which the AI platforms are used.
Schools can take practical steps to mitigate the risk of impinging upon potentially copyrighted material. These steps include the following:
- Be aware of the terms and conditions of the different generative AI platforms.
- Make sure users of these platforms are employees of the department or administering body.
- Label content generated or modified using generative AI platforms.
- When modifying existing works using generative AI platforms, comply with the statutory licences or education exceptions.
You can find additional resources and information specific for schools and AI at this webpage here.
National Copyright Unit's Monthly Q&A Online Sessions (Ref: 109/23)
From July 2023, the National Copyright Unit (NCU) will be hosting their one hour lunchtime copyright question and answer (Q&A) sessions monthly. These Q&A sessions are for curriculum and education resource developers, in the Departments of Education or non-government bodies, involved in creating and providing educational resources to students, teachers, schools, and parents. These people are welcome to come to these sessions to discuss any copyright issues or questions they may be grappling with in their day-to-day work.
Please also see the Creative Learning and Teaching Resources: A Guide for Departments of Education and Non-Government Administering Bodies
You will need to register in order to attend a Q&A session. Details on how to register are below:
Dates: Monthly from Thursday July 20th 2023
Where: Zoom
Registration link: https://nsweducation.zoom.us/meeting/register/u5Utde2tqTwrGdTXyuAJI-24B8sESGxAqrbc
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email from Zoom containing information about joining the meeting.
Please note: If you registered for our fortnightly Q&A sessions, you will need to re-register for the monthly sessions.
2023 Privacy Manual Update (Ref: 108/23)
The National Catholic Education Commission (NCEC) and Independent Schools Australia (ISA) have published an updated Privacy Compliance Manual. It supersedes the Privacy Compliance Manual, first published in 2001 and updated at various times. Therefore, you should discard previous versions of the Manual.
The Manual’s purpose is to assist and guide non-government schools with the requirements they must observe concerning preserving an individual’s privacy. If your school needs further help with a privacy related issue, you can also contact the Catholic Schools New South Wales Legal Hotline on 1800 427 679.
You can access a digital copy of the Manual here: Privacy Compliance Manual 2023
Modern Slavery Act Reminder (Ref: 97/23)
The Modern Slavery Act 2018 (Cth) commenced in 2019 and requires entities with annual consolidated revenue above $100 million in FY2022 to submit their annual modern slavery statements and set out how they have assessed, addressed, and mitigated the risks of modern slavery in their operations and supply chains.
Entities covered by the Act with a reporting period between 1 January 2022 and 31 December 2022 must submit their modern slavery statements for FY2022 by 30 June 2023. The Australian Government is currently considering recommendations to introduce penalties for failure to comply with the Act.
The Australian Catholic Anti-Slavery Network (ACAN) provides shared services to support Catholic school systems to comply with the Modern Slavery Act. For more information, contact [email protected]
National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council Resources (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.
Foundations for Early Learning Resources (Ref: 126/23)
Did you know about our EARLY YEARS resource?
Foundations for Learning resource overview flyer
The Foundations for Learning website is full of resources that are perfect for transition to school programs and kindergarten orientation and support the wonderful work that is happening across our early learning centres and schools.
HOW THE RESOURCE WILL SUPPORT YOUR SCHOOL COMMUNITY:
- Assist teachers and educators to engage families in the early learning of their children;
- Assist families and educators reflect on how children learn at home and at school;
- Provide practical, evidence-based activities to support literacy and numeracy skills/development aligned to the NSW Syllabus, Early Years Learning Framework and Australian Curriculum; and
- Reinforce Catholic schools’ commitment to work in partnership with all families to support children’s learning and wellbeing.
RECENT UPDATE TO THE RESOURCE:
The recent addition to the website is a suite of resources to support children with diverse learning needs in the early years. There are 6 new pages titled – Belonging, Being, Becoming, Transition, Literacy and Numeracy and Receiving a Diagnosis. They can be used to support conversations with parents and carers and provide helpful suggestions on how families can support their child’s development in the home.
Explore more here!
2024 CSSA Trial HSC Examinations: Expressions of Interest for Convenors (Ref: 124/23)
The CSSA provides teachers and students in schools throughout New South Wales, ACT, and internationally with premium Trial HSC Examinations that will provide a sound basis for their preparation for the HSC examinations later in the year. The CSSA Trial HSC Examinations are prepared by committees of practicing teachers, university lecturers and education consultants in a variety of HSC courses.
The Head of CSSA Exams is seeking expressions of interest for the following positions.
A Convenor for the following 2024 CSSA Trial HSC Examinations:
- Industrial Technology – Multimedia Technologies
- Industrial Technology – Timber Products and Furniture Technologies
- Studies of Religion I & II (combined)
The letter regarding the Expression of Interest requirements for the role with the CSSA and the application process is found below.
- Industrial Technology – Multimedia Technologies is found here
- Industrial Technology – Timber Products and Furniture Technologies is found here
- Studies of Religion I & II is found here
Interested applicants are asked to send a Cover Letter and current Curriculum Vitae to Monica O’Brien, Head CSSA Exams, at [email protected] by 9am, Tuesday 4 July 2023.
New Take it Down platform preventing the unwanted spread of intimate child images online (Ref: 119/23)
A new weapon has emerged to help young people regain their online privacy after they have unwillingly or unwittingly shared an intimate image or video of themselves with a malicious recipient. The Take it Down platform empowers young people (under 18) from anywhere in the world to remove or stop the online sharing of nude, partially nude, or sexually explicit images or videos taken of them.
It provides this service on an anyonymous basis and does not require any images or videos to be uploaded to their system. Take it Down sends a unique fingerprint of the intimate content to their participating social media/content distribution platforms who use the fingerprint to block the content. The participating platforms are: Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Pornhub, OnlyFans, Clips4Sale and Yubo.
Image based abuse can also be reported to eSafety or the police.
Register Now: Busking For Change! (Ref: 117/23)
Busking For Change is a joyful fundraiser for K-6, incorporating music, song, movement and a First Nations language to raise money for theIndigenous Literacy Foundation (ILF). Primary schools across Australia can be Busking For Change changemakers and help raise money to support remote communities to access and create books in languages they speak at home.
The idea is simple –
1. Students commit to learning to play, sing, or dance to a song (in English and Kriol). The ILF provides all resources.
2. Students gather support/donations from their friends and family.
3. Students ‘busk’ their final rendition to their school community, family and friends on Indigenous Literacy Day, on Wednesday 6 September or a date that suits them.
Register your school or a student now and get ready to start rehearsals in Term 3.
Download the Busking For Change factsheet here.
Register Now for Fruit & Veg Month 2023! (Ref: 116/23)
Fruit & Veg Month is a free health promotion event for NSW primary schools. The event puts a positive focus on fruit and vegetables. This year’s theme is Fruit & Veggie STEMs: learn all about the science behind fruit and veggies. Fruit & Veg Month 2023 will be held from Monday, 28 August, to Friday, 22 September.
Is your school ready to explore fruit and veggies? Register now to receive FREE resources.Schools that register receive:
- Hardcopy class posters and student stickers
- Hardcopy and a digital copy of the Teacher’s Booklet. It has 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
The Potential Suspension of Croatian and Dutch Continuers Stage 6 (Ref: 115/23)
The Collaborative Curriculum and Assessment Framework for Languages (CCAFL) National Reference Group has identified that Croatian and Dutch Continuers Stage 6 are at risk of suspension due to a very small candidature in 2022.
The CCAFL policy for discontinuing courses provides that curriculum and assessment authorities across Australia will suspend courses should candidature fall below 15 in 3 consecutive years.
Should the candidature in Croatian and Dutch Continuers Stage 6 fall again below 15 students over the next two consecutive years in 2023 and 2024, the courses will be suspended following the 2026 HSC exams.
The potential suspension of Croatian and Dutch Continuers Stage 6 will still allow students undertaking the Year 11 course in 2025 to continue and complete their HSC studies in 2026. NESA may reactivate the course if documented evidence is provided on the sustainability and
viability of the course. If students wish to study a course after the HSC course suspension, students could undertake a School Developed Board Endorsed course.
Click here to see the letter from NESA.
Catholic Schools NSW Early Years Symposium Presentations Now Available (Ref: 107/23)
Presentations from the Catholic Schools Early Years Symposium (28 April 2023) are now available to download. Please feel free to share with your colleagues; however, the presentations will expire on Friday, 2nd August 2023.
Click HERE to access the presentations. (You will be directed to the CSNSW Professional Learning platform; however, if you have not logged into the platform before, you must go through the brief sign-in process.)
2023 Online Phonics Screening Check for Year 1 students 7 to 25 August (Term 3) (Ref: 106/23)
The Year 1 Phonics Screening Check (PSC) is an optional online reading assessment available at no cost to Catholic Schools NSW schools with a Year 1 student cohort.
The assessment takes 5 – 7 minutes and is carried out by classroom teachers with each student individually. Student responses are auto-mapped to indicators from the National Literacy Learning Progressions.
The Year 1 Phonics Screening Check provides teachers with an overview of a student’s progress in phonics. This information helps teachers make decisions during the teaching and learning cycle.
The Check assesses the phonic knowledge and skills a student has learnt to blend sounds together to read a word.
The Student Assessment Analysis provided after the check assists teachers in making decisions that will help inform the next steps to meet a student’s individual learning needs.
Teachers use an online tool to enter student responses. The online tool is available via the Assessing Literacy and Numeracy (ALAN) portal from 7 August 2023. CSNSW teachers access the ALAN portal using their NETid credentials.
The assessment window for 2023 is from 7 to 25 August (Term 3).
The assessment is available to systemic and RI/MPJP schools with a Year 1 cohort. Systemic schools should check with their Diocese regarding opt-in arrangements, as these vary across the state.
RI/MPJP schools and systemic schools not included in whole-of-Diocese opt-in to the 2023 PSC, should register their expression of interest to participate via email to [email protected]. Registrations close on 7 July 2023.
For more information, please contact Karen Ferrante
2023 CSSA Trial HSC Examinations – School Preparation (Ref: 103/23)
The following information is provided to assist schools with preparation for the 2023 CSSA Trial HSC Examinations.
1. 2023 CSSA Trial HSC Examinations FINAL Timetable
The 2023 CSSA Trial HSC Examinations FINAL Timetable was made available to schools in early Term 2.
The FINAL Timetable is available on the CSSA website via this link.
The dates for the 2023 CSSA Trial HSC Examination Timetable are
- Monday 31 July to Monday 14 August 2023
The CSSA Trial HSC Examinations Security Period is
- up to, and inclusive of, Wednesday, 16 August 2023
- Examinations, including examination-related materials and student scripts, can be returned to students from 8.00 am, Thursday, 17 August 2023
Delivery Rounds
- First Round Deliveries
- Schools that have ordered examinations per cohort (one per student) and using the 2023 CSSA Trial HSC Examination Timetable.
- Delivered to schools from Tuesday, 18 July to Friday, 21 July 2023 (Week 1, Term 3).
- Delivery includes four documents in support of school preparation for the CSSA Trial HSC Examinations.
- An electronic signature is required from the school representative receiving the delivery.
- Ensure secure storage of boxes immediately upon delivery.
- Second Round Deliveries
- Schools that have purchased a minimum order of examinations (5 copies per subject).
- Orders will be delivered to schools from Monday, 4 September 2023 (Week 8, Term 3).
- An electronic signature is required from the school representative receiving the delivery.
2. CSSA Terms and Conditions
Principals are reminded to ensure the CSSA Terms and Conditions are adhered to by school executive, teachers and other staff members.
Nomination guidelines for the Brother John Taylor Memorial Prize (Ref: 102/23)
Are you a staff member or school principal who knows a student who has overcome significant disadvantage to achieve academic excellence in their exams? Find out how to nominate them for the Brother John Taylor Memorial Prize.
The Trust Deed governing the prize states that the Trust Fund be applied to “provide an annual prize to a student or students who have overcome significant disadvantage to achieve academic excellence in the New South Wales Higher School Certificate.”
Check out the full nomination guidelines here and nominate a student by clicking here.
Nominate now: Teachers’ Guild of NSW 2023 Awards for Teachers (Ref: 101/23)
Nominations are open for the 2023 Awards for Teachers, conducted annually by the Teachers’ Guild of New South Wales. Nominate for the World Teacher’s Recognition Award, the Regional/Remote Teaching and Learning Excellence Award and more.
The winners will receive a cash prize and special engraved plaques of excellence from the Guild. The presentations will be made at the annual Awards Evening and Dinner on Friday, 27 October, along with a suite of other Awards made by the Guild.
Click here to nominate now and find the closing dates for nominations.