Hosting HSC Exam Centres and Voting Centres for the Referendum (Ref: 238/23)
NESA has advised of the arrangements for schools hosting HSC exam centres and voting centres for the Voice Referendum on Saturday, 14 October.
NESA’s key messages to schools and exam staff are that:
- schools and school sectors remain responsible for exam venues;
- NESA’s usual and strict protocols remain in place for the secure collection and storage of exam materials on Friday, 13 October;
- Presiding Officers will be briefed and prepared to follow usual procedures; and
- School staff should follow their school and sector advice when liaising with the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) to prepare voting venues and return them to normal for exams on Monday, 16 October.
For further information, schools can contact NESA at [email protected].
Australian Catholic Education Symposium (Ref: 256/23)
Join the National Catholic Education Commission on Wednesday 25 October from 3:30 – 4:50 pm for an online symposium with speaker Prof Anna Graham.
This year’s symposium will discuss how Catholic schools can respond to student views for wellbeing, faith formation and learning. This discussion will provide participants with key insights into why we should affirm the purpose and mission of Catholic education in supporting learning, faith formation and wellbeing.
The symposium is held in October to celebrate World Teachers Day and is designed for Catholic system and school leaders, educators and staff to stimulate professional dialogue in their communities around topics of interest.
Prof Anna Graham is a Professor of Childhood Studies and is the Founding Director of the Centre for Children and Young People at Southern Cross University. She has a background in primary education, has led over 70 research projects, and was recognised for her service to education with the award of an Officer of the Order of Australia.
Click here for more information and to register for the online symposium.
Master Class Webinar Series – Assessment and Data (Ref: 255/23)
Master class 1: Wednesday 11 November from 3:30 – 5:30 pm, via TEAMs.
Let’s measure what you value instead of valuing only what you can measure – continuing the conversation
Professor Jim Tognolini will continue the conversation begun at the Assessment and Data Symposium on measuring what you value not just valuing what you measure. Professor Tognolini will review the concept before guiding groups through a process to learn how to measure what they value. Participants are asked to be prepared to work on a concept or activity they wish to measure.
Register via this link.
Master class 2: Tuesday 31 October from 2:00 – 4:00 pm, via TEAMs.
Using data: A master planning session.
Dr Tim O’Leary will guide you and your team in planning to effectively use data for purposeful and informed decision making. This class is designed for school leadership teams.
Register via this link.
Creating a Sense of Belonging: Strategies for School Success Webinar (Ref: 243/23)
Register now for an exciting webinar unpacking AERO’s Belonging and Connectedness in Schools resources. This webinar will run via Teams for one hour on 18 October at 3:45 pm.
Join educators and learn how to implement effective strategies for improving peer connections, engagement with learning and an overall sense of Belonging. Leaders, teachers, and other professionals working with children in schools are encouraged to attend and take advantage of this deep dive into the latest evidence on improving children’s sense of Belonging.
For more details, and to register, please visit this website.
Building Leadership in Aboriginal Education across Catholic Schools in NSW/ACT (Ref: 242/23)
Senior system and school leaders are encouraged to register for a symposium designed to support educators in leading initiatives to deepen an understanding of and respect for the histories, cultures and languages of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Participants can expect to learn ways in which they can facilitate greater learning outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, and can expect to leave with an increased awareness of ways in which they can create culturally safe learning environments for their students.
The symposium will be held from 8:30 am – 3:30 pm on 2 November at the Raddison Blu Plaza Hotel Sydney.
Find out more and register here. (You will need to log in to GO1 to access).
The Principals’ Centre in Australia (Ref: 241/23)
The Principals’ Centre in Australia (TPCA) is a collaboration between the Harvard Graduate School of Education and the Harvard Club of Australia and will be held in Sydney from 15 – 19 January 2024.
This is a key professional learning opportunity for school leaders from Australia, New Zealand and Southeast Asia. Principals and educators involved in school leadership positions from schools including Catholic schools are encouraged to attend. Participants will have the chance to learn how to implement best practice and research-based techniques in their own schools.
Participants can expect to:
- gain a deeper understanding of the leadership skills needed to set high expectations for instructional quality,
- learn to cultivate school cultures that prioritise learning for all,
- learn new leadership approaches for creating change and identifying optimal conditions for student learning,
- develop leadership strategies informed by relevant school data,
- learn how to align resources and initiatives around evidence, and
- foster student achievement and better outcomes by increasing engagement among family members, community, stakeholders, and school leaders.
Registrations close 17 November. There are a range of scholarships available. For more information and to register, please visit The Principals’ Centre in Australia website.
AI in Education Mini Conference (Ref: 237/23)
Western Sydney University’s School of Education invites you to connect with like-minded educators at the upcoming mini conference AI in Education. Participants who attend this conference will have the opportunity to explore the possibilities and challenges AI presents in education, build capacity in using AI technologies for learning and teaching, and hear from experts in the field, including Professor Matt Bower from Macquarie University.
Topics to be explored:
- AI literacy and fluency
- Ethics of AI use in education
- Practical application in classrooms
- Assessment in the post-AI world
- The role of the AI-powered educator
Time: Monday, 13 November 2023, 8:30 am – 3:30 pm
Where: Western Sydney University, Parramatta City Campus
Click here to register.
New Mental Health and Wellbeing Resources from ACARA (Ref: 239/23)
A new online resource for teachers to help students develop their understanding of the factors that influence their mental health and wellbeing and that of others has been developed by the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA), working with experts from Beyond Blue and Headspace. The new ‘Curriculum Connection’ resource means teachers will now be better equipped to teach about mental health and wellbeing through the Australian Curriculum learning areas, including Health and Physical Education, Digital Technologies, English, Humanities and Social Sciences (HASS) and the Arts.
The mental health and wellbeing resource has been developed with the aim of equipping young Australians with an understanding of the importance of:
- connectedness and belonging;
- the ability to manage themself and their interactions with others;
- accessing reliable and timely information and services to manage health and safety; and
- engaging in health-enhancing behaviours such as healthy eating, physical activity and sleep.
ANZAC Community Grants Program 2023 (Ref: 257/23)
Applications are now open for the 2023 ANZAC Community Grants Program.
The NSW Government’s ANZAC Community Grants Program aims to provide non-government organisations and educational institutions with funds for a variety of projects. Eligible projects for grants of up to $3,000 include projects which commemorate and educate NSW communities about the service and sacrifices of current and former military servicemen. Activities which benefit the NSW veteran community in some way will also be eligible.
For more information and to submit an application, please visit the grants program website.
Applications close Saturday 11 November at 5:00 pm.