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Professional Learning

High Potential and Gifted Education Symposium: Better, Fairer: Equity and Excellence (Ref: 88/26)

Catholic Schools NSW is thrilled to invite you to our inauguralHigh Potential and Gifted Education Symposiumon Monday, 19 October 2026. Join us as we gather educators, leaders, and experts to explore a transformative theme: Better, Fairer: Equity and Excellence.

When: Monday 19 October 

Where: Amora Hotel Jamison, Sydney 

What if equitable practices in High Potential Gifted Education were the system’s defining measure of success, not an aspirational add‑on? 

This symposium transcends academic achievement; it explores the vital intersection of social justice and intellectual rigour. We are moving beyond "one-size-fits-all" to discover how inclusive excellence can be woven into the fabric of every Catholic classroom. 

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.

Expressions of interest are now open

Registrations open for the Curriculum Reform Conference (Ref: 77/26)

Catholic Schools NSW invites you to register for the 2026 K–12 Curriculum Reform Conference: Learning with Grace – Expert practice at the heart, a live online professional learning event for Catholic educators across NSW.

Conference Details:

Date: Monday, 20 July 2026

Time: 9:00am - 3:00pm AEST

Format: Online (live streamed to schools and individuals) 

Audience: Teachers, school leaders and system leaders

The conference will support schools in planning and implementation of the NSW Curriculum Reform. It brings together leading voices in Catholic mission, curriculum, pedagogy and assessment. Keynotes and workshop sessions will provide expert guidance, practical support and new learnings for schools and staff.

Ticketing Information:

Option 1 – Group Booking: Whole of school ticket allowing full staff participation

Option 2 - Individual Booking: Educators not in schools register individually 

All registrations will have six months of access to the conference content and recordings post event. 

For further details and to secure your ticket, click here.

Catholic Secondary Principals Australia (CaSPA) National Conference 2026 (Ref: 80/26)

Catholic School Principals Association of New South Wales will be hosting the Catholic Secondary Principals Australia (CaSPA) National Conference from Tuesday 7 July, to Friday 10 July, at the Hyatt Regency, Sydney. 

With the theme Inspiring Leadership: Celebrating Faith, Learning and Wellbeing, this conference offers the opportunity to reflect, connect, and collaborate with other leaders in Catholic education. Attendees are invited to engage in thought-provoking discussions, and explore ways to continue to inspire purpose, critical thinking, and hope in future generations of students.

STEM MAD Introductory Teacher Workshop (Ref: 74/26)

Join leading STEM educator Dr Simon Crook, Director of CrookED Science, for this free half-day introductory workshop designed for primary teachers. Leveraging his proven record of success with finalists and winners in the Catholic Network Australia (CNA) STEM MAD competition, Simon will equip you with essential strategies. He will unpack how to:

• Select and organise students.
• Guide them through the STEM design process and iterative prototyping cycle.
• Offer suggestions on real-world problems to solve and the final video product.

The details for the introductory workshop are:

Date: Friday, 1 May 2026

Time: 9:00am - 12:00pm

Format: Online (via Microsoft Teams link to provided closer to the date)

Registration: https://csnsw.link/STEMMadIntroWorkshop

This introductory session will be followed by three further half-day student support workshops (via Teams) for students and teachers to work through their projects.

STEM MAD Student Support Workshops

Give your STEM students a competitive edge with direct access and expert feedback from leading STEM educator Dr Simon Crook, Director of CrookED Science. These free three half-day support workshops are dedicated to refining their STEM MAD projects. For maximum benefit, it is highly recommended that the STEM teacher also attend the earlier Teacher Introductory Workshop.

These are progressive workshops and will be held on:

• Thu 11 Jun (9.00am – 12.00pm)
• Thu 25 Jun (9.00am – 12.00pm)
• Thu 10 Sep (9.00am – 12.00pm)

To register your students for these sessions, please follow this link: https://csnsw.link/STEMMadStudentWorkshops

Student Resources 

National Careers Week (11–17 May 2026) (Ref: 83/26)

Schools are encouraged to plan at least one targeted activity during the week. Visit the CSNSW Careers Education webpage for ideas, resources, and guidance to support your school’s involvement, and consider sharing your activities to highlight the great work happening across our system.

Schools are encouraged to coordinate activities that reflect their local context and student needs. We also invite schools to share their initiatives and successes with the CSNSW community to support system-wide promotion of careers education.

Legal and Policy

Expanded copyright exception for schools (Ref: 91/26)

Section 28 of the Copyright Act 1968 (Cth) provides an exception to copyright infringement which allows teachers and students to perform and communicate copyright material in class.

Recent amendments to section 28 have expanded this exception to a range of scenarios including online and hybrid classes.

The amendments make it clear that the section 28 exception applies:

• in a wholly or partially virtual class environment;
• when other individuals assisting or supporting teachers or students with a lesson (whether virtual or in a classroom) such as parents or classroom aides are present; and
• where persons who are not teachers (e.g. members of the local community) are providing educational instruction (as long as it is not provided for profit - such as private tutoring).

By way of example, the exception will likely apply to persons using copyrighted material to run a class on behalf of a museum or gallery. The exception will also likely apply where a member of the public, such as a police officer or MP, delivers a presentation in class.

Importantly, the teaching activity must be in real-time for the exception to apply. The exception will not apply to recordings made for future viewing. The school will need to obtain permission or pay remuneration for the use of copyrighted material in recorded lessons.

The exception does not, of itself, allow teachers to copy broadcasts. Teachers who wish to do so must ensure their school is covered by a Screenrights licence and can confirm this with their school or diocese.

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Scholarships and Awards

Apply now! 2026 Schools Plus Teaching Awards (Ref: 87/26)

Applications are still open for the 2026 Schools Plus Teaching Awards, a national initiative celebrating teachers who are making a meaningful impact in some of Australia’s most disadvantaged communities.

The Schools Plus Teaching awards recognise educators who extend far beyond everyday teaching responsibilities. From helping students overcome learning barriers to creating supportive classrooms for learning, these teachers play a crucial role in helping young people thrive. In many cases, they are a consistent source of guidance and encouragement, influencing students’ lives in ways that reach well beyond academic achievement.

Not only does the award acknowledge the individual, but also their knowledge and experience on best practice and innovation. 

Important dates for 2026:

• Applications close: 8 May 2026, 5:00pm AEST 
• Recipients announced: June 2026 
• Awards ceremony: 15 September 2026 at Parliament House, Canberra 

Teachers are encouraged to apply and be acknowledged for the difference they make every day.

To learn more about the award, and to apply go to: Schools Plus Teaching Awards - Australian Schools Plus

 

Don't miss your chance! Apply for the NSW Premier’s Teacher Scholarships now (Ref: 86/26)

Successful applicants will receive $15,000 to complete a 5-week study tour within Australia or abroad. Participants will have the opportunity to visit the most acclaimed schools and centres for teaching and training and collaborate with professionals in a key focus area to inspire positive outcomes for students in NSW schools.

If you are a current temporary or permanent teacher or in an early childhood centre in a Catholic school in NSW, you may be eligible to apply.

The NSW Premier’s Teacher Scholarships include: 

• Premier's Anika Foundation Youth Depression Awareness Scholarship
• Premier's Creativity across the Curriculum Scholarship
• Premier's Early Childhood Australia Education Scholarship
• Premier's Economics and Business Educators NSW Commerce Scholarship
• Premier's Hicksons Lawyers Rural and Remote Education Scholarship
• Premier's History Teachers' Association History Scholarship
• Premier's NESA Quality Teaching Scholarship
• Premier's Reserve Bank of Australia Economics Scholarship
• Premier's Teachers Mutual Bank Aboriginal Education Scholarship
• Premier’s University of New England STEM and Technology Scholarship
• Premier's University of Sydney Mathematics Scholarship
• Premier's Vocational Education in Schools Scholarship
• Premier's Western Sydney University Inclusive Education Scholarship

 

Apply for the NSW Premier’s Teacher Scholarships here

Applications close Friday 15 May 2026, 11:59 pm (AEST).

 

For further information, please visit the NSW Premier's Teacher Scholarships webpage

View the Frequently Asked Questions, or contact the program team via premierscholarships@det.nsw.edu.au or (02) 7814 3820.