Welcome to Scholaris

Priority 

CSSA Online Trial HSC Examinations and School Readiness Guide (Ref: 155/25)

The CSSA School Readiness Guide is the single source of truth to ensure each relevant school is prepared for the CSSA Online Trial HSC Examinations. Schools have received information about how to access the CSSA School Readiness Guide. Information has been emailed to the Main CSSA Contact person in each relevant school, other than the principal, as registered in each school account with the CSSA.

• The CSSA School Readiness Guide includes:
• key dates and important instructions
• Safe Exam Browser Launcher Files
• step-by-step guides for students, teachers, and IT staff
• troubleshooting tips for exam day
• recordings of the Information Session, webinars for Teachers, Test Supervisors and Principals & IT Coordinators

To support school preparation, review all checklists and reference materials to ensure that every required step is covered in advance.

CSSA Familiarisation Activities

Schools can support and prepare their HSC students for the 2025 CSSA Online Trial HSC Examinations by engaging in the CSSA Familiarisation Activities unique to Enterprise Computing, Science Extension and Software Engineering. 

CSSA Familiarisation Activities are available to schools in Week 1, Term 3 (only). 

Again, information has been emailed to the Main CSSA Contact person in each relevant school, other than the principal, as registered in each school account with the CSSA. It is the responsibility of each school to keep information in their school account with the CSSA up-to-date and accurate.

NESA News (Ref: 153/25)

Subscribe to the NESA News here 

By subscribing to the NESA News, you will receive the latest updates and information as soon as they become available. 

NESA – Official Notice 

1. Confirmation of Entry: implementing digital signatures and verification 

Effective: From 4 November 2025 

Reference NESA 27/25 

From 2026, students enrolled via Schools Online will be able to digitally sign their Confirmation of Entry through Students Online. Schools will also be able to verify whether Confirmation of Entry documents have been signed manually via Schools Online. 

New system functions and reports will clearly indicate whether students have signed their Confirmation of Entry through either Schools Online or Students Online. This enhancement supports accurate and timely recording of Confirmation of Entry signatures in accordance with ACE 3.3 Course Entries, Changes and Exclusions. 

Further resources

A comprehensive step-by-step instructional guide for staff users of Schools Online will be available in Schools Online from 30 June 2025. This will help students and schools to use the new function when it becomes available on 4 November 2025. More information regarding professional support for schools will be provided in a future NESA News item.

2. Continuation of Croatian Continuers Stage 6 course 

Effective: Immediately 

Reference: NESA 28/25 

Croatian Continuers Stage 6 will continue in 2026. This is a result of candidature numbers exceeding 15 in 2024.

The Collaborative Curriculum and Assessment Framework for Languages (CCAFL) National Reference Group has determined the continuation of the Croatian Continuers Stage 6 course. This is a result of course enrolments exceeding 15 students in 2024. If future enrolments fall below 15 students, NESA will provide stakeholders with further information regarding the potential discontinuation of the course.

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.

Tickets on sale now: 2025 CSSA Symposium – “Excellence in P-12 Religious Education in Catholic Schools” (Ref: 143/25) 

Catholic Schools NSW invites School and System Leaders, Religious Education Coordinators, Classroom Teachers, Key Learning Area Coordinators, and Stage P-6 Year Coordinators in Catholic education to join us at the 2025 CSSA Symposium – “Excellence in P-12 Religious Education in Catholic Schools” on Friday, 5 September 2025, in Sydney.

This year’s CSSA Symposium focuses on academic excellence in P-12 Religious Education and delves into the purpose of a properly constituted Religious Education curriculum. It will explore the role of Catholic schools as ecclesial communities and the importance of educators in bringing to life the Mission of the Catholic Church for students, their families, and the wider school community.

The event will emphasise excellence in curriculum, assessment, and faith and mission programs for evangelisation and catechesis. Discussions will highlight opportunities for educators to design and deliver quality curriculum, assessment, and faith experiences across the full continuum of learning from pre-school to Year 12.

Date: Friday 5 September 2025

Time: 8:45am - 4:00pm (the registration desk opens at 8:15am)

Location: The Amora Hotel, Jamison Sydney

Cost: $450.00

Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/cssa-symposium-excellence-in-p-12-religious-education-in-catholic-schools-tickets-1423148578709

The location is close to Martin Place Metro, Circular Quay and Wynyard Train Stations, Light Rail, Buses or Secure Parking Stations.

As you would be aware, due to changes by the Commonwealth Government for the Non-Government Reform Support Fund that was available to cover the costs of prior CSSA Symposiums, the CSSA has reintroduced a fee for registration to each CSSA Symposium. This fee charged is reflective of covering the costs incurred to host the event.

Australian Early Development Census 2024 data release (Ref: 138/25) 

The Australian Early Development Census (AEDC) 2024 data collection outcomes are now available. 

This census is an Australian Government initiative, for which data is collected every 3 years. Data is reported at the national, state, community and school levels. Reports detail the number and percentage of children considered to be developmentally vulnerable, at risk or on track in each of the five AEDC domains, for example, language and cognitive skills. You can also compare data across different years. 

Principals of primary schools with six or more Kindergarten students who took part in the data collection are receiving a copy of the full AEDC School Profile Addendum. This addendum includes trend data for all collections in which the school participated, as well as state, territory and national results to enable comparison. 

The AEDC supports data-driven planning. Reflecting on your local context ensures planning is responsive and inclusive of children’s experiences. Knowing the early childhood development trends can help identify community strengths, challenges and opportunities.

How to access the data:

• AEDC national report  
• AEDC community data
• A detailed report that highlights the key findings from the AEDC NSW data will be available on the AEDC reports page soon.

How to use the data:

• Watch ‘About the AEDC’ explainer video
• Professional learning and resources
• Register for the AEDC NSW research symposium livestream on Wednesday, 18 June 2025, where you can learn about ways to engage with the data.
• Attend one of the AEDC NSW 2024 data release drop-in sessions, designed to support various stakeholders to engage and ask questions about the AEDC 2024 data.

Contact us  

The AEDC NSW team within the Department of Education welcomes the opportunity to meet with you. Contact aedc@det.nsw.edu.au or mary.taiwo@det.nsw.edu.au (02 7814 3083) to set up a meeting. 

Professional Learning 

eSafety Commissioner launches school guide on responding to AI deepfakes (Ref: 152/25) 

The rapid proliferation of generative AI and so-called ‘nudify’ apps is resulting in an alarming surge in ‘deepfake’ nude images in Australian schools. The eSafety Commissioner has released a new guide for responding to deepfake incidents in schools.

To help schools respond to this growing challenge, the eSafety Commissioner has released a new step-by-step guide for responding to deepfake incidents. It is designed to work alongside your school’s existing policies and procedures. The guide strongly encourages educators to prioritise the wellbeing of children and staff who might be targeted.

In Term 3, eSafety is running a professional learning session for educators and youth-serving professionals on AI-assisted image-based abuse: Navigating the deepfake threat on Tuesday 5 August, 3.45pm (AEST).

Finally, eSafety has issued a new Online Safety Advisory to alert schools, parents/carers and young people to the emerging risks of deepfake technology.

A Catholic Conference for Catholic Educators and Catholic Leadership Teams! (Ref: 146/25) 

The K-12 Curriculum Conference is a significant event for NSW Catholic education, attracting over 400 delegates from across the state each year. Take a look to see what brings back Catholic educators and leadership teams year after year!

For me, the takeaway is having the opportunity to network amongst a variety of dioceses …take back to our school.                                            2024 Principal Attendee

Will you be taking up the opportunity to network with your NSW Catholic education community in September?

Take a peek at 2024 (1 min video) and hear what last year’s attendees had to say about the conference. 

Session and Master Classes will include: 

• leadership and leading change
• the Liberal Arts for contemporary Catholic schooling
• NSW curriculum reform and new syllabuses
• delivering quality curriculum and assessment
• artificial intelligence in teaching and learning

                      It’s inspirational, it's aspirational, and it really gives teachers hope for what is possible!

                                                                         2024 Presenter

Tickets still available!  

Last year’s conference was sold out. Register now for the two-day conference.

Once you have tickets, you have a range of accommodation styles in the Sydney Olympic Precinct, with our promotional discounts for delegates. Details are on the CSNSW website.

                                                                           REGISTER TODAY

                          Thank you for an incredible conference! So much valuable learning to take away.

                                                                             2024 Participant

Student Resources

2025 Online Phonics Screening Check for Year 1 students (Ref: 125/25) 

The Year 1 Phonics Screening Check (PSC) is an optional online reading assessment available to Catholic Schools NSW schools with a Year 1 student cohort. 

The assessment takes 5–7 minutes and is conducted by classroom teachers with each student individually. Student responses are auto-mapped to indicators from the National Literacy Learning Progressions. 

The Year 1 Phonics Screening Check provides teachers with an overview of a student's progress in phonics. This information helps teachers make decisions during the teaching and learning cycle. 

The Check assesses the phonic knowledge and skills a student has learnt, to blend sounds together to read a word. 

The Student Assessment Analysis provided after the check assists teachers in making decisions that will help inform the next steps to meet a student’s individual learning needs. Teachers use an online tool to enter student responses. The online tool is available via the Assessing Literacy and Numeracy (ALAN) portal. CSNSW teachers access the ALAN portal using their CSNSW NETid credentials.

The assessment window for 2025 is Monday, 11 August to Friday, 29 August (Term 3). 

The assessment is available to systemic and RI/MPJP schools with a Year 1 cohort. Systemic schools should check with their Diocese regarding whether the Diocese will register on their behalf, as these arrangements vary across the state.

RI/MPJP schools and systemic schools not included in whole-of-Diocese opt-in to the 2025 PSC should register their expression of interest to participate via email to karen.ferrante@censw.catholic.edu.au.

Registration closes 1 August 2025.

For more information, contact Karen Ferrante: karen.ferrante@csnsw.catholic.edu.au 

Early Scholars Program - Campion College Australia (Ref: 141/25) 

Are your students curious about Ancient Greek Philosophy? This year, Campion College invites year 11 and 12 students to apply to the 2025 Early Scholars Program. 

The Early Scholars program is a philosophy intensive that allows students to complete a First-Year (Level 100) university unit that can be used as an alternative admission pathway into Campion College's Bachelor of Arts in the Liberal Arts.

Focusing on PHI101: Socrates and the Examined Life, this unit will explore Plato's Apology and the fundamental human questions posed by Socrates, the foundational philosopher of Greek Philosophy.

Students will attend classes on campus over four days during the September school holidays, getting a taste of university life in Campion's unique academic setting. 

The Early Scholars Program gives students the opportunity to learn from expert academics, to connect with like-minded peers, and to take the first steps in their university education. 

Expressions of interest are due by 21 July 2025. 

For more information on what is involved, click here

To submit an expression of interest, click here

School Updates & Newsletters

80th birthday celebrations of the Children’s Book Council of Australia (Ref: 150/25)

The Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) invites you to join them for the 80th birthday celebrations of Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA). This significant milestone marks eight decades of dedication by their volunteers, who nurture a love for literature among young Australians in NSW.

Event Details: Birthday Book Adventure

• Date: August 23, 2025
• Time: 2.30 – 5pm
• Venue: The auditorium, State Library of NSW,
• RSVP: Kindly confirm your attendance by June 30 to Paul Macdonald at cbcansw@outlook.com

The afternoon will feature a reflection on CBCA's journey, including presentations, panel discussions with celebrated authors and illustrators, a parade of “Living Legends,” and networking opportunities with current authors, illustrators, educators, and fellow advocates of children's literature, all followed by refreshments.

The State Library NSW has coordinated further child-centred activities planned to celebrate the impact of storytelling on young minds with a Family Day on Sunday, August 24.

We encourage you to join CBCA in celebrating this remarkable milestone and the ongoing mission to inspire and educate future generations through the magic of books. 

To find out more about this, go to: https://www.cbcansw.org.au/

Employment Opportunities 

Catholic Schools NSW - Compliance and Risk Officer - School Registration (Ref: 144/25) 

A role is available in our School Registration unit for an experienced Compliance and Risk Officer. This position is responsible for supporting the Senior Manager, School Registration and Accreditation (‘the Senior Manager’) and, more broadly, the Head of Education Policy and Regulation, to ensure that CSNSW functions effectively as the single registration system authority for the Catholic education sector.

This is a full-time, permanent position, working from the CSNSW office located in the Sydney CBD.

Applications close Friday 11 July 2025.

If you are interested in this position or know someone who may be, please share details or click on the link below to view the full position description and information on how to apply

Compliance and Risk Officer - School Registration Job in Sydney NSW - SEEK

Scholarships and Awards

2025 Harmony Day Competition Results for NSW Catholic Schools (Ref: 151/25)

NSW Catholic Schools performed well in the 2025 Harmony Day Competition across the poster, songwriting and short film categories. There were three students and one group of students that were Category Winners, five students and one student group that were Category Runners-Up and two students whose work was Highly Commended. These students were from across the Sydney Metropolitan area as well as from the Dioceses of Armidale, Bathurst, Lismore and Maitland-Newcastle. The theme for the 2025 competition was: Harmony – We All Have a Role to Play.