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NESA News - 8-week ‘Have your say’ period in Term 4 2025 (Ref: 244/25)

Subscribe to the NESA News here

By subscribing to the NESA News you will receive the latest updates and information as soon as it becomes available. 

8 Week ‘Have your say’ period

Below are the dates and NESA syllabuses going for consultation in Term 4 2025.

NESA invites individuals and groups to provide feedback on draft syllabuses as part of the NSW Curriculum Reform. 

The inform period is from Monday 13 October to Monday 27 October 2025. 

The ‘Have your say’ period is from Monday 27 October to Friday 19 December 2025. 

The 17 syllabuses are:

• Aboriginal Studies 11–12
• Aboriginal Studies Life Skills 11–12
• Agriculture 11–12
• Agriculture and Life Skills 11–12
• Business and Economics Life Skills 11–12
• Business Studies 11–12
• Engineering Studies 11–12
• Graphics and Multimedia Technology 11–12
• Graphics and Multimedia Technology and Life Skills 11–12
• Industrial Technology 11–12
• Industrial Technology and Life Skills 11–12
• Society and Culture 11–12
• Society and Culture and Life Skills 11–12
• Textiles and Design 11–12
• Textiles and Design and Life Skills 11–12
• Visual Arts 11–12
• Visual Arts and Life Skills 11–12

 NESA Inform recordings

9 NESA inform recording YouTube links are listed below, with Society and Culture to follow soon.

• Aboriginal Studies and Life Skills 11–12
• Agriculture and Life Skills 11–12
• Business Studies and Business and Economics Life Skills 11–12
• Engineering Studies 11–12
• Graphics and Multimedia Technology and Life Skills 11–12
• Industrial Technology and Life Skills 11–12
• Society and Culture and Life Skills 11-12
• Textiles and Design and Life Skills 11–12
• Visual Arts and Life Skills 11–12

Make a Difference: Take the 2025 Australian School Leader Health & Wellbeing Survey (Ref: 235/25) 

The Australian Principal Health & Wellbeing Survey is confidential and independent of all employer groups, professional associations and unions. This research informs state departments, evaluates existing policies, and drives new initiatives.

• Participants receive an individualised report on their job-related health and wellbeing upon completion.
• Global results provide a holistic, system-level picture of principal health and wellbeing, with recommendations for action.

Register now at healthandwellbeing.org

Important notes:

• Ongoing participants will have already received their links. If their email has changed, please encourage them to contact us.
• If participants are no longer in a principal role, they are still welcome to complete the shortened survey.
• For 2025, we have streamlined the survey by removing a number of questions, making it shorter and more accessible. Missing answers will be carefully estimated so results remain accurate and reliable.

Professional Learning 

How to Strengthen Catholic Identity in Catholic Schools (245/25)

The Word on Fire Show is a weekly discussion in which American Bishop Robert Barron and Dr Matthew Petrusek take a deep dive into all things faith and culture. In this episode, Bishop Barron and Dr Matthew Petrusek discuss the dilemma of Catholic identity in Catholic Schools, and how some schools do not promote Catholic teaching, and instead promote things that are against Church teachings. 

"If Catholic schools are already Catholic, why would they need to become more so? The unfortunate reality, however, is that some Catholic educational institutions are not living up to their name. As some frustrated parents, priests, and even teachers who are afraid of losing their jobs for being “too Catholic” around their colleagues know well, some schools actively promote values that contradict Church teachings. What has led Catholic education in some instances to deviate from its mission? And what, more importantly, can we do about it?"

Follow this link to listen to the episode: WOF 498: How to Strengthen Catholic Identity in Catholic Schools

2025 Australian Chesterton Conference (Ref: 239/25)

The Australian Chesterton Society invites you to the 2025 Chesterton Conference, a one-day event featuring a conference and dinner that focuses on exploring Chesterton's life, philosophy, and faith through examining many of his great works. 

Various speakers will focus on subjects related to Chesterton's works, which contain his insights as a Catholic philosopher, historian, educational thinker, journalist, and cultural and political critic.

Given 2025 marks the centenary of the publication of a Chesterton Classic, "The Everlasting Man", the theme of this year's conference will be "The Everlasting Chesterton". 

Last year's conference hosted Dale Ahlquist, a Chesterton Scholar and founder of the American Chesterton Schools Network. Following on from Dale's presence last year, this year's conference will host Executive Director of the Society of Gilbert Keith Chesterton, Emily de Rotstein, who will report on her experience overseeing the opening of Chesterton Schools around America and internationally. 

Date: Saturday 1 November 2025 

Time: 8:30 am - 4:45 pm

Location: Campion College, 8-14 Austin Woodbury Pl, Toongabbie NSW 2146

General Admission Cost: $90 (Student concession available) 

General Admission + Conference Dinner: $150

To register for the 2025 Chesterton conference, click here.

To view the conference program, click here.

International Office for Catholic Education’s new publication “A School for Peace – Towards a Global Educational Fraternity.” (237/25) 

The International Office for Catholic Education (OIEC) has just released A School for Peace - Towards Global Fraternity. 

This book is a call to action for those in schools, universities, colleges, and training centres who still believe that education can change the world.

Inspired by the Global Educational Pact promoted by Pope Francis and continued by his successor Pope Leo XIV, this book proposes to place peace back at the centre of the educational project.

This short book is aimed at all those involved in education – teachers, school principals, educational staff, specialised educators, activity leaders, trainers and pastoral leaders – who are convinced that their profession is much more than just a job: it is a human and social mission, a daily work of peace.

"Peace is a precious commodity, God's greatest gift; it can only be established through a spirit of justice and love."

• Pope Benedict XV, Pacem, Dei munus pulcherrimum (1920)

To download “A School for Peace – Towards a Global Educational Fraternity”, click here. 

Register Now 

Australian Early Development Census Upcoming Webinars (Ref: 228/25) 

Register for ‘Responding to the 2024 Australian Early Development Census – building effective connections and partnerships’.

Catholic Schools NSW School Registration System Forum Day (Ref: 220/25) 

The Catholic Schools NSW Registration System Forum Day will provide high-level input on policy and processes, as well as opportunities to develop and define quality assurance practices. The forum is open to system (diocesan) leaders and specialists in support of their work in implementing the requirements for school registration and accreditation.

Date: 12 November 2025

Time: 9.30 am – 3.30 pm

Venue: The Assembly, Angel Place, 123 Pitt St, Sydney

Cost: Free to attend

Tickets are available on Eventbrite. Click here to register.

School Updates & Newsletters 

Hartford College talk: 'Forming Hearts and Minds - The Timeless Power of Catholic Classical Education' (Ref: 242/25) 

On Friday, 31 October, Hartford College will be hosting a Wine and Cheese night with Dr Emily de Rotstein and Dr Nes Rotstein, the Executive Director and Vice President of the American Chesterton Schools Network.

Emily and Nes will share their insights on Classical Education in schools based on their extensive experience in setting up the fast-growing Chesterton Classical Education Schools across America and internationally. 

The Classical Education model, which Hartford College has integrated within their curriculum, is a model that educates the whole person, setting up students not only with critical thinking and leadership skills, but also the knowledge to live a faith-filled and happy life. 

Date: Friday 31 October 2025

Time: 6:00pm - 8:00pm

Venue: Hartford College, 33 Banks Avenue, DACEYVILLE NSW 2032

Cost: Free

Click here to register. 

Teachers Who Inspire - call out for contributions (Ref: 240/25) 

The National Catholic Education Commission (NCEC) is putting out a call for contributions for the Teachers Who Inspire section on the NCEC website. These stories are also featured in NCEC’s fortnightly e-news and shared on social media.

The Teachers Who Inspire series celebrates the incredible educators and leaders in Catholic schools across Australia. You can read previous stories here: Teachers Who Inspire – highlighting the incredible educators and leaders in Catholic schools across Australia.

NCEC invites colleagues to nominate inspiring teachers by either contacting them directly or sending their details to NCEC (with their permission). Selected teachers will receive the short questionnaire below and will check with their principal before sharing their story. Each feature highlights their school and includes links to help promote it.

Participants are asked to share:

Background:

• Name
• School and current role
• Year levels/subjects taught
• Years in teaching or leadership

Reflective questions:

• What inspired you to become a teacher?
• Can you share a moment in your career where you really felt you made a difference?
• Is there a story from your time teaching that has inspired you or had a deep impact on you?
• How does your faith shape your teaching approach?
• What’s the most rewarding part of teaching in a Catholic school?
• What do you think is the most valuable role Catholic education plays in today’s society?

Photos are also requested to accompany the stories (with permission if students are included).

If you have any questions, ideas, or nominations, please contact the NCEC Communications Team at: media@ncec.catholic.edu.au 

Legal and Policy

CER’s Employment Law Symposium (Ref: 234/25)

Workplace challenges in the digital age - discussions, networking and learning at the CER Symposium. This is a free, invitation ONLY event. Our aim is to equip you with clear insights, practical strategies and thoughtful perspectives that you can take back to your own organisations.

Let's explore some of the most pressing challenges and opportunities facing modern workplaces. As technology continues to reshape how, when and where we work, it also raises complex questions about performance, privacy, accountability and culture. Over the course of the day, we’ll be unpacking crucial topics such as the ethical and legal dimensions of workforce monitoring, best practices for enabling remote work and how enterprise bargaining looks in the future.

We’re joined by an outstanding line-up of speakers - Lawyers, Principals and technology specialists - all of whom bring deep expertise and real-world experience. We encourage you to ask questions, share your views and make the most of the networking opportunities throughout the day.

This is a free, invitation ONLY event. Registering your interest does not guarantee a spot. Confirmation of your seat will be sent mid-October via email. Doors open at 9:30am for registration.

Date:  Wednesday 31 October 2025

Time: 10:00am - 4:00pm

Delivery: In-person event

Cost: Free

Register your interest now: Symposium — Catholic Employment Relations

Scholarships and Awards 

Celebrating Excellence at The Youth Partnership 2025 VET Excellence Awards (Ref: 243/25)

Congratulations to the students from Catholic Schools who were awarded The Youth Partnership VET Excellence Award for their achievements at Work Placement during their HSC VET Course.

Each award recipient represents the very best of VET education. The following students excel academically, embrace hands-on learning, and demonstrate professionalism in their industry work placements. Their determination and leadership set a remarkable standard for their peers and the future workforce. Congratulations to CSNSW VET Excellence Award recipients of 2025: