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Professional Learning

Access High Potential and Gifted Education Symposium Resources (Ref: 260/26)

2026 HSC Analysis Seminars with Dr John DeCourcy (Ref: 252/26)

Teachers, school leaders, and system officers are invited to attend a series of seminars presented by Dr John DeCourcy, discussing the intricacies and importance of understanding and analysing the 2026 HSC data. Each training seminar contributes 5 Teacher Identified Professional Development (PD) hours.

The Seminar Programme covers four in-person seminars, each with a particular audience in mind. Prior to attending, an online tutorial designed to support intending participants can be completed through the HSC Data Analysis Users portal which requires a NetID login. 

Diocesan and School Officers’ HSC Overview

Audience: Diocesan and RI/MPJP school officers.

Programme: This seminar will take participants through using the system-level reports in conjunction with school reports to support schools. There will be opportunities for cross-system sharing and a discussion of key features of the 2025 HSC. 

Completing this seminar will contribute 5 hours of teacher-identified PD addressing standard descriptor 5.4.2 from the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers towards maintaining Teacher Accreditation in NSW.

Preparation: Check for an active NetID account and access to the HSC Data Analysis Users portal, and familiarity with the online tutorial via NetID. (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, Mezzanine level, 123 Pitt St, Sydney

When: Friday, 29 January 2026, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm, lunch included 

Register now: Registrations close 25 January 2027

HSC Analysis #1: Introduction to the Analysis

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 addressing standard descriptor 5.4.2 from the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers towards maintaining Teacher Accreditation in NSW.

Preparation: Check for an active NetID account and access to the HSC Data Analysis Users portal, and familiarity with the online tutorial via NetID. (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, Mezzanine level, 123 Pitt St, Sydney

When: Friday, 12 February 2026, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm, lunch included

Register now: Registrations close 8 February 2027

HSC Analysis #2: A detailed reading of your Analysis

Audience: Experienced users, including teachers, coordinators, Assistant Principals or Principals who have previously attended at least one HSC Analysis seminar.

Programme: Theory covered in the HSC Analysis #1: Introduction to the Analysis seminar is assumed knowledge. Participants will have the opportunity to spend most of the seminar in a detailed, guided reading of their own school’s analysis. This will include consideration of ways to resolve any problems highlighted by the analysis.

Completing this seminar will contribute 5 hours of teacher-identified PD addressing standard descriptor 5.4.2 from the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers towards maintaining Teacher Accreditation in NSW. Completing this seminar will contribute 5 hours of teacher-identified PD addressing standard descriptor 5.4.2 from the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers towards maintaining Teacher Accreditation in NSW.

Preparation: Check for an active NetID account and access to the HSC Data Analysis Users portal, and familiarity with the online tutorial via NetID. (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, Mezzanine level, 123 Pitt St, Sydney

When: Friday, 19 February 2027, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm, lunch included

Register now: Registrations close 15 February 2027

HSC Analysis #3: Leading your school in the Analysis

Audience: Principals, Assistant Principals, Leaders of Curriculum or Pedagogy and anyone with a whole school focus.

Programme: This seminar will explore the intersection of leadership, data, teacher professional learning and student achievement. Participants will come away having considered a range of leadership responses to their school’s analysis. Multiple members of a school’s senior leadership team are encouraged to attend.

Completing this seminar will contribute 5 hours of teacher-identified PD addressing standard descriptor 5.4.2 from the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers towards maintaining Teacher Accreditation in NSW.

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

When: Friday, 26 February 2027, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm, lunch included

Register now: Registrations close 22 February 2027

Studies of Religion teachers – ‘Have Your Say’ Webinar (Ref: 251/26)

The draft NESA Studies of Religion 11–12 and Studies of Religion Life Skills 11–12 syllabuses will open for consultation on Monday, 26 October and your voice matters.

With around 85% of all Studies of Religion students in NSW enrolled in Catholic schools, the Catholic sector has a significant stake in the future direction of the syllabus. This consultation is an important opportunity to ensure that the perspectives, experiences and aspirations of Catholic educators are reflected in the feedback provided to NESA and influence the final syllabus.

Join Catholic educators from across NSW to explore the proposed changes, share your insights and help shape the future of Studies of Religion in our schools.

Date: Wednesday, 18 November 2026

Time: 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm

Delivery: Online via Microsoft Teams 

Register here

Be part of this important conversation and help ensure the Catholic voice is heard during this critical stage of curriculum reform.

National Catholic Education Commission Formation for Mission – National Conference (Ref: 258/26)

Student Resources 

Entries close this Friday! RSL and Schools Remember ANZAC Art Competition for 2027 (Ref: 259/26)

The RSL and Schools Remember ANZAC Commemoration was first held in 1953 and co-hosted by RSL NSW and the Department of Education. Over the years the service has expanded to Catholic Schools NSW and Independent Schools NSW. Held at the Anzac Memorial Hyde Park in April each year, the proceedings are delivered entirely by school students including the Master of Ceremonies, keynote address, readings, and musical accompaniment. The Service also includes an Inspection of the Guard by the official party, The Ode, The Last Post, and Rouse.

The service aims to educate primary and secondary school students about Australia’s military history, whilst paying respect to the service and sacrifice of servicemen and women of the Australian Defence Force.

The Remember ANZAC Art Competition invites students to create an artwork celebrating the theme 'The Power of Mateship'. Winning artworks will be selected for the cover of the 2027 RSL and Schools Remember ANZAC Commemoration service program and all finalists' artworks will be showcased in a public exhibition at the Anzac Memorial. The exhibition will be officially launched by Her Excellency, the Governor of New South Wales, following the annual commemoration service, making it a special occasion for participating students and their schools.

The competition closes on 30 October 2026.

More information including the guidelines, how to submit artwork, judging and FAQs can be found here. 

NSW Parliamentary Education Resources (Ref: 255/26)

The Parliamentary Education and Engagement Office of the Parliament of NSW provide a range of free resources to support teachers and students Stages 3 & Stage 6. Recent releases include resources to support the teaching of:

• Stage 3 HSIE: The history of the parliament and development of democracy
• Stage 5 History: The Core Topic, Depth Study: Australia the Making of a Nation from Federation to WW1
• Stage 5 Commerce: The NSW Budget process

Explore the Parliamentary education resources here. 

The Parliamentary Education & Engagement website also provides information on school tours to Parliament. For further information about updates to curriculum aligned lesson plans and professional development opportunities, teachers are encouraged to subscribe to the quarterly newsletter. 

Subscribe to the Teaching Parliament quarterly newsletter here.

SunSmart Student Studio Competition (Ref: 247/26)

Cancer Council NSW is challenging students across NSW to get creative and help make sun safety matter to other young people. This is an opportunity to shift sun safety from something adults tell young people about, to something young people have a voice in shaping and communicating themselves.

Sun safety messages are everywhere, but not all of them land. Adults can explain what to do, but students are best placed to work out how to make it actually matter to someone their own age.

Cancer Council NSW wants to see how students can get other students thinking about sun safety.  Entries should demonstrate an understanding of sun safety and communicate a clear SunSmart message in a way that’s relevant and engaging for other students.

There’s no need for fancy equipment or professional production. They are looking for strong ideas, creativity and a message that connects with peers.

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School Updates & Newsletters

2027 Australian Early Development Census (AEDC) (Ref: 254/26)

The next Australian Early Development Census (AEDC) data collection will take place in Term 2, 2027. To support schools in preparing for the collection, please find below important information about upcoming communications, key milestones and resources to assist in your planning over the coming months.

AEDC 2027 Calendar

The AEDC 2027 Calendar outlines key dates and milestones for the upcoming data collection process.

Principal Awareness email

School principals will receive the first AEDC communication on 27 October 2026 (Principal Awareness Raising Email). Please note these emails will be distributed from helpdesk@aedc.gov.au.

General information, resources and support materials regarding the AEDC are available on the AEDC website.

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Scholarships and Awards 

2027 Premier's Anzac Memorial Scholarship – Accompanying Teachers Applications (Ref: 249/26)

Applications are now open for Accompanying Teachers to join the 2027 Premier's Anzac Memorial Scholarship study tour.

Selected teachers will travel to Germany, Belgium and France during the 2027 Term 3 school holidays alongside a highly engaged group of NSW high school History students. 

Accompanied by a military historian, the tour participants will visit significant battlefields, war memorials, historic sites and war graves to deepen their understanding of the service and sacrifice of Australian men and women.

This unique experience offers an exceptional professional development opportunity, while enabling teachers to support students through immersive, hands-on and site-specific learning opportunities.