Welcome to Scholaris

2026 HSC exams have officially begun in NSW, with 12,958 students set to complete Languages oral and performance exams over the next six weeks.

Languages oral exams started on Saturday. Almost 5,000 Language students will complete their oral exams throughout this period.

From this week, 8,487 Dance, Drama and Music students will start their performance exams and submit their compositions.

All the best to the HSC Class of 2026 who will complete an exam, and to those handing in major works.

HSC Study Guide: HSC tips from high achievers, teachers, markers and an astronaut

• Three CALLBACK performers share their tips for HSC Dance.
• HSC markers, teachers and 2025 high-achieving HSC students share their advice for success across a variety of other subjects.
• Get inspired by some famous faces who share their experiences about their own HSC exams.

Click here to see HSC Key Dates

New SHAPE showcase project directory now available

NESA's new SHAPE project directory gives you access to all the outstanding HSC Design and Technology, Industrial Technology and Textiles and Design major projects selected for this year's SHAPE showcase.

Search by subject, HSC year, or project category to explore the creativity, innovation, and technical skills showcased by NSW students.

Click here to explore the SHAPE project directory. 

Get ready for Science Week 2026

National Science Week 2026 runs from Saturday 15 to Sunday 23 August and the theme is ‘Seeds of Science: Nurturing knowledge for all.’

Teachers can use the theme to support students in observing, testing, gathering evidence, and sharing ideas through real-word investigations.

Professional Learning

Registrations now open for High Potential and Gifted Education Symposium – Better, Fairer: Equity and Excellence (Ref: 166/26)

Catholic Schools NSW is pleased to announce that registrations are open for the inaugural High Potential and Gifted Education Symposium, on Monday 19 October 2026. Thanks to overwhelming interest and an outstanding speaker lineup, limited places are set to fill up fast for this event.

About the Event

Key features of the day include two keynotes, 12 breakout sessions, a dynamic panel discussion, and a plenary session. An excellent opportunity to engage, learn and connect throughout the day with your Catholic colleagues.

Date: Monday 19 October 

Time: 8:30 am – 4:00 pm  

Where: Amora Hotel Jamison, Sydney

Register: To learn more and register, click here.

About your Keynote Speakers

Why attend?

Participants will engage with well‑designed, research‑informed strategies that bridge the gap between theory and classroom practice, empowering educators to nurture the full potential of every learner.

• Expert Insights: Hear from leading voices in high potential gifted education on identifying and nurturing talent in diverse settings.
• Collaborative Spirit: Connect with peers committed to elevating the educational experience for high potential and gifted learners.
• Practical Strategies: Gain actionable tools to promote equity and excellence, ensuring no high potential or gifted student is left behind.

Workshop Sessions – Preparing for the New K-6 Science & Technology Syllabus (Ref: 181/26)

Dr Simon Crook will run an online workshop for teachers in preparation for the implementation of the new K-6 Science and Technology Syllabus. At the recent CSNSW Curriculum Reform conference, Dr Crook examined and discussed the STEM content in the newly released K-6 Science and Technologies syllabus. These workshops will focus on implementation strategies to support K-6 teachers for full implementation of the syllabus by the start of 2027. 

Date(s): Friday 4 September 2026 
This event will be repeated on 18 September 2026 and 10 November 2026

Time: 9:00am – 3:00pm

Format: Online Zoom 
A link will be sent to registered participants prior to the event

Please visit the CSNSW website to register for one of these workshops. 

Integrating the Live Life to the Full Program: A Whole School Approach (Ref: 164/26)

Live Life to the Full has recently launched across CSNSW, giving schools a Catholic-informed program to teach consent and respectful relationships, but rolling it out well takes more than platform access it takes a clear plan for staff professional learning, sequencing and support.

Join Karen Doyle, Founder of Live Life to the Full, for a practical, hands-on session for school and system leaders. Karen will walk through how to introduce the program to different stakeholder groups, from teachers and wellbeing staff to school executive, and share simple ways to sequence the rollout so it doesn't overwhelm staff.

The session will focus heavily on the practical: how to prepare teachers to deliver sensitive content with confidence, what to put in place before lessons begin, and the key tips and common pitfalls picked up from schools already using the platform.
Ideal for Principals, Assistant Principals, Wellbeing Leaders, PDHPE and Religious Education Coordinators and other system leaders, this session will leave you with a clear, workable starting point for embedding Live Life to the Full in your school.

Date: Thursday August 27

Time: 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm

Format: Online

To register, click here. 

 

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Student Resources 

Modern Slavery in Schools (Ref: 180/26)

Does your school have a plan to educate young Australians about modern slavery and forced labour? ACAN can help raise awareness among your young Catholic high school students.

Moe Turaga is the Lived Experience Advisor at the Australian Catholic Anti-Slavery Network. He is a survivor of modern slavery and has shared his story with people all over Australia and around the world. 

Working with Moe

Your school can work with ACAN to help young students learn more about modern slavery, forced labour and human trafficking.

With forced-labour scams posing a growing risk across the Asia-Pacific region, Moe teaches students how to recognise the signs and know how to respond. 

Moe runs workshops that help young people recognise and avoid exploitative workplace practices. 

In response to Pope Leo XIV’s call to break “the chains of new forms of slavery,” Catholic schools can partner with Moe to build informed and vigilant school communities that prevent modern slavery and help people at risk of labour exploitation.

More information can be read on:  Moe’s mission to schools — Australian Catholic Anti-Slavery Network

Book Moe on:  CSNSW_ACAN 2026 modern slavery raising awareness in schools

 

School’s in – on the Great Barrier Reef (Ref: 163/26)

The Great Barrier Reef is a classroom like no other. Now a new national program is offering more Australian school students the learning experience of a lifetime by subsidising school excursions to the Reef.

The $6 million ‘Kids for the Reef’ program is making rebates available from the Australian Government for eligible Year 4 to Year 12 students.

Pupils can boat through amazing ecosystems, take part in snorkel surveys of vibrant sea life, study marine science and conservation, or embark on many other approved educational activities.

The program is open to public, private, independent and Catholic schools, as well as registered home educators, across the country. Rebates generally range from $20-$400 per student, based on distance. However, payments may rise to around $1,600 per student for very remote schools with low ICSEA (socio-educational) scores.

The Kids for the Reef School Excursion Rebate Program runs until June 2028, but it helps to apply early. Applications are assessed in order of receipt until all funds are allocated.

Read more about Kids for the Reef: Kids for the Reef school excursion rebate program | Austrade