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Priority 

Webinar: Understanding the 2024 Australian Early Development Census (AEDC) results – Where to next? (Ref: 161/25) 

In June, the Australian Government released the results from the sixth national Australian Early Development Census. This webinar will explore the latest AEDC findings and the emerging trends in child development across Australia. Panellists will consider the implications of the results and the action necessary to optimise children’s development. Register now. 

Date: Tuesday 5 August 2025 

Time: 12:30pm-1:30pm AEST 

Cost: Free

Early childhood is a time of rapid development that provides the foundation for lifelong health and wellbeing. Understanding how children are faring helps to ensure the right kinds of services, supports and resources are available to help children and families thrive.

The Australian Early Development Census (AEDC) is a national measure of children’s development as they enter their first year of full-time school. The Australian Government has just released the results from the sixth national AEDC collection. This webinar will explore the 2024 AEDC findings and the emerging trends in child development across Australia. Panellists will explore the implications of the results and the action necessary to optimise children’s development. 

The webinar will be hosted by Prof Sharon Goldfeld AM, Director of the Centre for Community Child Health.
Panellists include: 

• The Hon Blair Boyer MP, Minister for Education, Training and Skills SA
• A/Prof Yasmin Harman-Smith, Head of Early Years Systems Evidence, The Kids Research Institute Australia
• Dr Michelle Lucas, Executive Director, Logan Together
• Janet Williams-Smith, Inclusion and Early Intervention General Manager, Early Childhood Australia. 

This free webinar is for researchers, policymakers, service providers, practitioners, advocates, and anyone working to improve the lives of children. 

Register now to join us on Tuesday 5 August 2025 at 12:30pm AEST

Professional Learning 

2025 Connected Catholic Communities Symposium (Ref:162/25) 

What can boost staff morale and retention, motivate students, inspire your families, reduce complaints (and aggravation) and build lasting community support? 

Our international guest speaker at the upcoming Connected for Impact Symposium has been researching this for over 40 years and will be sharing her key insights and practical tools. 

“Trust is instrumental for outcomes. It mediates leadership effectiveness, student well-being, teacher retention, and even academic performance.” Allensworth et al 

This year’s Symposium Connected for Impact will once again focus on turning the research into meaningful action, as together we continue to explore and advance opportunities to build impactful partnerships, both within and beyond the school gate. 

Anne T. Henderson, our international keynote speaker, has been a strong and passionate advocate for unravelling and enriching the relationship between families, schools, and communities, since 1981.  

She has steadily tracked research and effective practice on how engaging families and building strong, trusting school communities can improve student achievement and life prospects, especially in diverse and low-income communities. 

Anne says that it is clear that by putting relationships first, you can boost staff morale and retention, motivate students, inspire your families, reduce complaints (and aggravation) and build lasting community support – in short, create a school that everyone loves!

We’re thrilled to welcome Anne as our opening keynote speaker! She’ll kick off the event with an inspiring address and follow it up with a hands-on workshop packed with practical tools and resources.

Anne shares this message:
“Discover the three core principles of relational leadership and walk away with actionable strategies you can use immediately. I’m so looking forward to joining you all in August!” 

Date: Thursday 14 August 2025, 9 am – 4 pm
Venue: Amora Hotel Jamison, Sydney  
Cost: $100 for the full day

Access the 2024 Symposium here    

Watch the 2022 Symposium here

"Transforming your school culture from one that is transactional – focused on compliance and to-do lists – to one that is relational – focused on fostering trust and collaboration, can make all the difference.” Anne Henderson

VET Teachers partner with industry to achieve a national qualification (Ref: 158/25) 

Teachers from Catholic Schools NSW and the NSW Department of Education have undertaken specialised training with the Australian Cabinet and Furniture Association (ACFA), hosted at Chifley College Senior Campus, to complete the MSF20322 Certificate II in Cabinet Making & Timber Technology.

MSF20322 Certificate II in Cabinet Making & Timber Technology is a nationally recognised qualification that enables teachers to deliver the MSF20522 Certificate II in Furniture Making Pathways as part of the HSC VET curriculum offerings in schools. 

The initiative reflects strong cross-sector collaboration to enhance access to industry-relevant training. By equipping teachers with current, accredited skills, schools can offer practical, hands-on learning aligned with modern furniture manufacturing. 

The Furniture Making Pathways course introduces students to safe tool use, joinery, and construction techniques while building core employability skills such as teamwork and problem-solving. As a pre-apprenticeship qualification, it provides a gateway to careers in cabinet making, furniture design, timber technology, and related fields. 

This professional development ensures teachers can deliver industry-aligned programs that prepare students for future training or employment. The partnership with ACFA strengthens vocational education in NSW, supports skills development, and addresses local industry needs. 

 Teachers from Sydney and Lismore were involved in the Professional Learning program.

Tickets on sale now! CCSP 2025 Parents and Carers Conference (Ref: 159/25) 

Tickets are on sale now for the Council of Catholic School Parent's 25 October 2025 Parents and Carers Conference! 

Supporting Families: Working Together in a Modern World

This special one-day event will bring Catholic school parents together from across NSW to explore ways to support and strengthen families in a rapidly changing world. With thought-provoking keynotes, breakout sessions and opportunities for connection, it’s set to be an amazing day.

Find out more about the program, speakers and session details on the CCSP website:
ccsp.schoolzineplus.com/2025-conference

To register, click here. 

CCSP welcomes you to this milestone event, to celebrate, reflect and look to the future of Catholic education and school + family partnerships!

Date: Saturday, 25 October 2025

Time: 8:30am – 3:30pm

Location: Novotel Parramatta, Sydney

Registrations Open! CSNSW Early Years Symposium - Thursday 4 September 2025 (Ref: 149/25) 

The 2025 Early Years Symposium is for early childhood educators, teachers and leaders. Click here to register.

Hear from keynote speakers - Anne Hollonds (National Children's Commissioner), Br David Hall fms, Dr Amie Fabry (Director Professional Learning and Director Early Childhood, The Learning Future) as they speak to the UN Conventions on the Rights of the Child, Article 5 - Governments should let families and communities guide their children so that, as they grow up, they learn to use their rights in the best way. The more children grow, the less guidance they will need.

Additionally, the Australian Institute of Family Studies will unpack their rapid evidence review, Understanding Preschool Delivery, and other early years work.

Who should attend? Early childhood teachers, educators, teachers, and leaders.

Date: Thursday, 4 September 2025 

Time: 9am - 3:30pm 

Venue: Tenison Woods House, 8-20 Napier Street, North Sydney 

Don't miss out on this opportunity to be part of a transformative conversation about the future of our children. Click here to register.