2025 K-12 Curriculum Reform Conference | 29 & 30 September

About this event

Enlivening hearts and minds: Thinking believers for a hope-filled future

Catholic Schools NSW will bring together experts in education, curriculum, pedagogy, assessment and Catholic mission to build on the success of the past two years in continuing to support and inform diocesan school systems and schools in the implementation of the NSW curriculum reform.

The 2025 conference will pick up on the key themes of bringing to life the educational mission of the Catholic Church through the NSW Curriculum Reform.

The theme, Enlivening hearts and minds: Thinking believers for a hope-filled future further develops the key concept thinking believers presented at the 2024 conference. It aims to explore the educational mission of the Catholic church through the delivery of the NSW Curriculum Reform that is centred on the learner, with hope-filled orientation that is future-focused.

Key Areas will include: 

• Delivery of the NSW Curriculum Reform
• Development of new syllabuses
• Place of Liberal Arts in Catholic education
• Assessment
• Artificial Intelligence in teaching and learning 

Last years conference was sold-out!

Register now to secure your place to join YOUR Catholic community at this distinctly Catholic PL!

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Once you have your tickets, you will save on accommodation...

Discounted Hotel Accommodation

Accor is offering our wonderful conference delegates a 10%* discount when booking the following hotels in the Olympic Precinct a short stroll to the conference venue:

• Ibis Sydney Olympic Park
• Novotel Sydney Olympic Park 

• Pullman at Sydney Olympic Park 

  To book CLICK HERE

Please note: This conference is specifically for Catholic educators in NSW. For any enquiries contact professionallearning@csnsw.catholic.edu.au. 

Meet your MC:

Libby Denny

Libby Denny has served Catholic education in the Archdiocese of Sydney for over 40 years as teacher, middle leader in Pastoral Care/Wellbeing and Curriculum, Assistant Principal and Principal. Libby’s previous roles include Regional Consultant for Sydney Catholic Schools, Manager and Director of System Performance. 

Libby currently serves on a number of boards and committees including Director of Marist Schools Australia, Member of the Governing Council for Good Samaritan Education and Deputy Chair of the Board of OLMC Parramatta. Libby also works as a Principal mentor and has recently completed qualifications in Professional and Pastoral Supervision. Libby provides pastoral supervision and accompaniment for senior leaders in ministry including diocesan and PJP school communities. 

Keynote Speakers:

We are thrilled to announce the following confirmed keynote speakers for the conference!

Professor Renee Köhler-Ryan
Deputy Executive Dean, Faculty of Education and Philosophy & Theology - University of Notre Dame Australia

Renee has been teaching Catholic Intellectual Tradition. Philosophy of the Human Person, and Political Philosophy at UND since 2011.

Renee is on the Board of Directors of Mary Aikenhead Educational Ministries and a member of the Mission and Identity Committee for Sydney Catholic Schools. She serves on the Reference Group for Studies in Catholic Thought. Renee was also a delegate for the Plenary Council of Australia and a non-bishop member for Oceania for the Synod on Synodality (2023-2024).

Dr. Ben Jensen
CEO - Learning First

Ben has advised governments in Australia, North America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia on education strategy and reform. Before founding Learning First in 2014, he was director of the Grattan Institute’s School Education Program. He also worked with numerous education systems across the world during five years at the OECD, where he conducted research on education policy and school and teacher effectiveness.

Ben has a particular interest in the "learning of the curriculum" through the quality delivery and assessment of the curriculum. 

What does a CSNSW Curriculum Conference look like?

Thanks for a great conference. I had leaders, and teachers who all gained valuable insights.  

Last September, over 400 teachers and education leaders from across the state gathered for an energising two-days at the Animating the Curriculum for Human Flourishing K-12 Curriculum Reform Conference. The conference included: 

• International keynote speaker Fr Johnny Go who posed the questions: How can we teach reasoned assent to help our students become thinking believers or at least spiritual seekers, & not just obedient believers?
• Keynote Professor Jenny Gore who shared the findings and impact of the Building Capacity for Quality Teaching in Australian Schools project.
• Over 22 sessions, with presenters from NESA and our own colleagues from our Catholic Education Offices and schools from across NSW, sharing practice, resources, case studies and next steps in Curriculum reform in our Catholic schools.

A really positive and dynamic conference. Thank you for the thought provoking and challenging conversations! 

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