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NESA Official Notices

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NESA Timetable of action for secondary schools

Timetable of action for secondary schools can be accessed here

NESA has made changes to the ACE Rules for HSC exam provisions and appeals (previously known as ‘Disability provisions and appeals’).

These changes reflect NESA’s acceptance of the recommendations from an independent review of the HSC Disability Provisions program. These changes only apply to students sitting HSC exams from 2026 and students eligible to lodge early applications for HSC exam provisions.

No changes have been made to the HSC minimum standard disability provisions or disability adjustments for NAPLAN.

Summary of the changes can be found in the ACE Record of Changes.

Changes apply to:

• Current Year 12 students commencing HSC courses from Term 4, 2025
• Year 10–11 students eligible to lodge early applications for HSC exam provisions.

NESA has developed a range of resources to support schools’ understanding and application of the changes.

Changes to HSC exam provisions in line with independent review

The review emphasised prioritising students’ strengths, reducing stigma and promoting inclusion, so NESA have renamed the program the HSC Exam Provisions Program. The new name reflects a focus on ability, equity and accessibility.

In 2026, NESA have redesigned their website and the resources on it.  

Changes NESA have made include:

• overhauled  web pages and public-facing materials
• a searchable library of provisions, including what supporting information is needed for each
• categorised provisions to allow users to search by condition or disability, exam needs or type of provision
• an updated form for medical specialists
• clarified supporting documents families and schools need to submit.

These initial changes will help schools, families and students understand eligibility, timelines and available supports.

NESA has made changes to the application process. The number of teacher comments needed has been reduced. Now, applications only need comments from two teachers, rather than comments from teachers in each course. 

HSC Exam Provision - Computer

The computer provision supports students who need to access or respond to exams electronically, such as by using a screen reader to hear questions or typing their answers.

What this provision does

This provision allows students to use a computer to access questions and/or communicate their answers.

Accessing (reading) exam questions

For example, students might use an electronic exam paper (PDF) that they can enlarge, or a screen reader such as JAWS and NVDA to read the questions aloud. See the Screen reader exam provision for more information on how this provision works.

Communicating responses

Students might type their responses or use eye gaze technology to communicate them.

NESA will automatically approve small group supervision for all students using a computer, whether to access questions or communicate their answers. Supervisors will sit where they can see the screen, without intimidating or distracting the students.

Accessing (reading) exam questions

This provision is usually for students who have significant vision impairment. If NESA approves an electronic exam paper (PDF) or a screen reader, they will automatically approve a computer too.

Communicating responses

This provision is usually for students who:

• are permanently unable to write due to a condition or disability (such as severe vision disability or muscular dystrophy)
• qualify for a writer but have a relevant condition or disability that means they can’t communicate with a writer (such as cerebral palsy). 

For more details about how this provision will be implemented on the day of an HSC exam, please visit https://www.nsw.gov.au/education-and-training/nesa/hsc/exam-provisions/computer

New 7–12 curriculum support materials

New resources are now available to support the teaching of newly reformed syllabuses. Resources include: 

• parent and carer guides,
• sample units, outcomes worksheets,
• sample scope and sequences,
• teaching advice,
• teacher guides,
• Aboriginal Education support,
• glossaries  
• teaching and learning support.

These resources can be filtered by course and type. The resources can be accessed here.

Timeline for ordering CSSA HSC Exams

19 January – Principal Information Package sent via Australia Post

6 February – Principal Information Package emailed

9 February – CSSA website opens for online orders

27 March – Applications for Disability Provisions due

2 April – CSSA website closes for online orders

Professional Learning

Understanding Trauma’s Impact on the Brain: Classroom Strategies to Support Students Professional Learning Module (Ref: 39/26)

The Understanding Trauma’s Impact on the Brain: Classroom Strategies to Support Students module will help school staff understand how trauma can shape a child’s developing brain and provide them with practical, trauma-informed strategies to support every student’s wellbeing. It will assist school staff to learn to recognize the signs of trauma, implement supportive routines, and foster resilience and emotional regulation. The learning covered in the module will empower school staff to create classroom and school environments in which all children can thrive, no matter their background.

This module is available through the CSNSW Professional Learning Platform in the Wellbeing Section.

Instructions on how to access the CSNSW Professional Learning Platform for returning or first-time users are provided in the following document:  Accessing CSNSW Professional Learning Platform.pdf

This professional learning opportunity is open to the NSW Catholic education sector only.

Understanding the Impact of Antisemitism: Supporting Student Wellbeing Professional Learning Module (Ref: 38/26) 

The Understanding the Impact of Antisemitism: Supporting Student Wellbeing in Catholic Schools module is composed of three focused lessons that will allow school staff to learn how to recognise antisemitism in its various forms, understand how to identify student trauma responses, and apply practical approaches to improve mental health, wellbeing and strengthen belonging. The module uses evidence-based resources and real-world examples, to enable school staff to confidently support students and colleagues at a time when school communities are navigating the increasingly complex challenge of maintaining social cohesion.

This module is available through the CSNSW Professional Learning Platform in the CVE Section.

Instructions on how to access the CSNSW Professional Learning Platform for returning or first-time users are provided in the following document: Accessing CSNSW Professional Learning Platform.pdf

This professional learning opportunity is open to the NSW Catholic education sector only.

2025 HSC Analysis Seminar with Dr John DeCourcy (Ref: 36/26)

Teachers, school leaders, and system officers are invited to attend a seminar presented by Dr John DeCourcy on the 2025 HSC Data Analysis on Friday 27 February 2026.

HSC Analysis #1: Introduction to the Analysis with Dr John DeCourcy

Audience: Teachers, KLA coordinators, school leaders and interested persons who have not previously attended an HSC Analysis seminar.

Programme: This seminar discusses why and how data should be used within schools to shape the direction of pedagogy. It will also cover an introduction to the idea of Comparative Learning Gain and how this can be used to understand HSC data.

Completing this seminar will contribute 5 hours of teacher-identified PD aligned to Standard 5 in The Australian Professional Standards for Teachers, “Assess, provide feedback, and report on student learning” toward maintaining teacher accreditation.

Preparation: Checking for an active NetID account and access to the HSC Data Analysis Users portal, and familiarity with the online tutorial via NetID: https://netid.csnsw.catholic.edu.au. (For the tutorial, once logged into NetID select CSNSW Professional Learning and use the search bar to find "HSC Analysis Online Tutorial")

Where: The Assembly room, Mezzanine level, 123 Pitt St, Sydney

When: Friday 27 February 2026, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm, lunch included Register here

Save the Date: 2027 Catholic Schools NSW Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Conference – 19 & 20 October 2027 (Ref: 30/26)

Save the date! Catholic Schools NSW (CSNSW) with the Diocese of Broken Bay, will be co-hosting the CSNSW Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Conference on 19 and 20 October 2027. The conference is set to be held at the beautiful Manly Pacific on the shores of the Pacific Ocean on the traditional homeland of the Gayemagal people of the greater Eora Nation. 

Keep yourself in the loop and receive further updates by filling in the expression of interest form: Expression of Interest 2027 CSNSW Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Education Conference

Centre for Educational Measurement and Assessment -  Educational Measurement Interest Group (Ref: 34/26)

Exclusive - Year 11-12 2026 English and Mathematics Syllabus Familiarisation Professional Learning Courses (Ref: 29/26)

Online professional learning modules for teachers of Year 11 and 12 Mathematics and English. Familiarisation with the new 2026 syllabuses implemented this term. 

Registrations open: 2026 CSSA Symposium – Differentiating the K-12 Curriculum: Personalising Learning for Student Achievement (Ref: 8/26)

Registrations are now open for the 2026 CSSA Symposium on Monday, 23 March 2026. This year's symposium will showcase differentiation of the current curriculum, future syllabuses and innovative examples in Catholic schools. The personalisation of curriculum is at heart of student success in our schools. 

When: Monday, 23 March 2026.

Where: The Amora Hotel Jamison Sydney, 11 Jamison Street, Sydney, Level 2.

Cost: $350.00 + GST

Register here

The focus of this year’s CSSA symposium will centre around the importance of differentiation for our students. How our Catholic schools and educators have embraced the challenge to enhance student success, will be a key theme of the day. 

Sharing best practice

New in 2026. For the first time, the K-12 Curriculum Reform Conference will be online and in staffrooms across NSW (Ref: 18/26) 

The K-12 Curriculum Conference is a significant event for NSW Catholic education. After three successful years, the Conference is moving online.  

On Monday 20 July 2026, first day of Term 3, all Catholic schools across NSW will be able to attend an exciting online professional learning conference designed to deepen understanding of the current curriculum reform. 

The theme is “Learning with Grace – expert practice at the heart”. 

Catholic Schools NSW will bring together leading voices in Catholic mission, education, curriculum, pedagogy and assessment, providing diocesan school systems and RI/MPJP schools with expert guidance and practical support in implementing the NSW Curriculum Reform. This will build upon the successful conferences from 2023-2025. 

Registration

Further details regarding registration will be released soon.

Expression of Interest

Scan the QR code or use link below to ensure you receive all the latest updates!

https://csnsw.link/IaminterestedJuly2026

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sharing best practice 

A highlight of every conference is sharing the wonderful work happening in classrooms every day in our 593 Catholic schools across NSW. 

Have something to share? Contact Mary Ryan - Head, Professional Learning & Accreditation 

CSNSW: professionallearning@csnsw.catholic.edu.au

Learn more

https://www.csnsw.catholic.edu.au/events/online-workshop/2026-online-curriculum-conference-0

“A world-class professional learning event”.
Catholic School Principal - 2025 Participant
 

Student Resources 

Premier's Anzac Memorial Scholarship 2026 (Ref: 33/26) 

It has recently been announced that the Premier’s Anzac Memorial Scholarship (PAMS) will once again be offered this year to some exceptional high school history students in NSW. Up to 18 NSW high school students will be selected to take part in a study tour of Greece and Crete, visiting historic sites linked to Australia’s military service during the Second World War.

The Premier’s Anzac Memorial Scholarship (PAMS) offers History and Modern History students a unique opportunity to deepen their understanding of Australia’s wartime experiences and reflect on the courage and sacrifice of Australian servicemen and servicewomen. The tour will include significant locations such as the Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery at Phaleron, the Hellenic War Museum, and the battlefields of Thermopylae and Thebes, as well as key sites in Crete including the 6th Australian Division Memorial, Rethymno, and Souda Bay War Cemetery.

Previous scholarship recipients have described the experience as life changing, highlighting the strong sense of connection felt while visiting historic battlefields and memorials.

The 2026 tour will take place during the Term 3 school holidays, departing on 26 September and returning on 8 October 2026. 

Applications close on Monday, 9 March 2026, with students required to submit a five-minute multimedia presentation, a school recommendation, and parent consent.

For more information and to apply, visit the Premier's Anzac Memorial Scholarship page. 

St Pauls Publications Lenten resources for kids (Ref: 32/26) 

Lent is an important season for Catholic School teachers as it is an opportunity to help students grow in prayer, reconciliation, and acts of kindness as they prepare for Easter. Using faith-filled resources designed for kids can help make this time more meaningful and engaging in the classroom.

Paul’s Bookstore carries a variety of Catholic Lenten resources that are well suited for teachers and students. Options include Lenten books for classroom use, children’s devotionals, lesson supplements, storybooks, prayer aids, and hands-on activities that can be easily incorporated into daily routines.

These resources can support religion lessons, classroom prayer, and Lenten service activities, helping students better understand the purpose and practices of the Lenten season.

To browse St Pauls Publications Lent and Easter season catalogue, go to: St Pauls Online Store Lent & Easter - Seasonal - Others | Books, Gift Items, Religious articles