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Last chance to buy tickets! 2026 CSNSW Behaviour and Diverse Learning Symposium (Ref: 90/26)

The 2026 CSNSW Behaviour and Diverse Learning Symposium will be held on Monday 4 and Tuesday 5 May at the Four Seasons Hotel, Sydney. The Symposium will address topics including bullying, antisemitism and social cohesion, school security, wellbeing and pastoral care, student behaviour, and supporting students with diverse learning needs.

One of the key current and emerging issues being explored at the symposium is the new NSW Anti-bullying Framework. This will include a focused examination of NESA’s compliance requirements, system-level implementation planning, and the evolving obligations placed on schools and systems from a governance and risk mitigation perspective. 

Learn directly from leading experts, including Donna Cross OAM FAAHMS CF, and leave with practical, system ready insight. Click here to hear more from Donna. 

Tickets are selling fast – last chance to register: 

To view the full event programme or to purchase tickets, click here.  

Tickets available! 2026 Education Law Symposium (Ref: 84/26)

Catholic Schools NSW invites you to register for the 2026 Education Law Symposium, to be held at the Hilton Hotel Sydney on Monday, 6 July.

The theme of this year's symposium is Catholic School Governance: Stewardship and Service. 

We encourage leaders across Catholic education, including professionals involved in managing and governing Catholic schools, systems, and agencies, to attend.

The event will be an enriching professional development experience, delivering the latest policy and regulatory updates, and reflections on governance and Mission leadership.

This year's symposium will include keynote addresses and panel sessions on:

• Safeguarding
• Staff wellbeing, duty of care, managing risk
• Created and Loved
• Codes of conduct, hate speech regulations, fit and proper person requirements
• Technology and AI
• Not-for-profit requirements.

Tickets for the Symposium are $295, with payment required upon registration.

Date: Monday, 6 July 2026.

Time: 8:30am - 5:00pm 

Venue: Hilton Sydney, 488 George Street, Sydney, NSW 2000

To register, click here.

For more information, visit the 2026 Law Symposium Website.

NESA updates – 20 April 2026 (93/26)

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

Subscribe to NESA News here

NESA Official Notices

NESA Official Notices can be accessed here

NESA Timetable of action for secondary schools

Timetable of action for secondary schools can be accessed here

HSC Written Exam timetable available this Friday

The 2026 HSC written exam timetable will be available on NESA’s website from 10:00am Friday 1 May. 

From 9:00am Friday 1 May: 

• HSC students can access their personalised exam timetable on Students Online. 
• Schools can access the HSC written exam schedule on Schools Online. 

The HSC practical and performance exam timetable and Languages oral exam timetable are available now. 

Please click to see important HSC Key Dates

Sample exams now available for HSC online exams

Sample exams are now open for HSC students to start preparing for their online exams.

Schools will need to nominate their students by going to Schools Online > Online Tests > HSC Online Examinations.

The Online Exam Handbook and Sample Exam Information Guide are available in Schools Online > Memos and documents > HSC Online Exam Resources.  

New HSC practical exam hub

The HSC practical exam hub is now available and brings together essential information to support schools in coordinating practical exams.

It includes updated and clarified guidance, including additional information about scheduling requests for the practical exams. 

New 7–12 curriculum support materials

New resources are available to support teachers delivering the following reformed syllabuses:

• Years 7–10: Engineering Technology, Design Innovation Technology, Food Technology, History Elective, Physical Activity and Sports Science, Work Education.
• Years 11–12: Ancient History, Biology Life Skills, Chemical World Science Life Skills, Dance Life Skills, Earth and Environmental Science Life Skills, Modern History, Music Life Skills, Physical World Science Life Skills.

Resources include sample units, sample scope and sequences, teaching advice, teacher guides, parent guides, advice on numeracy documents and Aboriginal Education support.

Please click to explore the new 7-12 Resources 

HSC 2026: Electives Survey

The Electives Survey for HSC written examinations is now open until Friday 3 July.

To complete the survey, go to Schools Online > Examination Options and Scheduling. The information collected in the survey is used to organise the HSC marking operation.

The following subjects are included in the survey:

• Ancient History
• Community and Family Studies
• Drama (Written)
• English (Standard/Advanced) Paper 1 Common Module
• English (Advanced) Paper 2
• English (Standard) Paper 2
• English (EAL/D)
• English Extension 1
• History Extension
• Legal Studies
• Modern History
• Society and Culture
• Studies of Religion 1
• Studies of Religion 2

Please click to complete the Electives Survey.

2026 WriteOn competition

The countdown is on to submit students' entries for WriteOn 2026.

Held in association with the State Library of NSW, the WriteOn competition is an opportunity to develop students’ skills as young writers. Winners are celebrated at a prestigious event and published in The Best of WriteOn 2026 anthology.

This year, students use the stimulus quote “It was a small thing, but it made a difference” to create an imaginative text of up to 500 words.

Teaching and learning materials, aligned to the English K–10 Syllabus, are available.  

The competition closes on Friday 19 June. 

Sydney Writers’ Festival Student Sessions livestream

There are a few weeks to go before Student Sessions take place at Carriageworks, Sydney.

Developed in partnership with the Sydney Writers’ Festival, the Student Sessions bring some of Australia’s brightest minds and authors to senior students, for a full day of discussions that support the NSW English Stage 6 syllabuses.

If you can’t be there in person on Wednesday 20 May, you can book front-row seats to the livestream!

Schools can purchase a single booking for $35 that includes access to the following sessions: 

• Craft of Short Fiction with Tony Birch & Ellen van Neerven
• The Craft of Creative Non-Fiction with Lech Blaine and Sarah Krasnostein
• The Craft of Poetry with Maxine Beneba Clarke and David Stavanger. 

Please click to see all student session speakers. 

Official Notices

HSC minimum standard writing test – changes to typist instructions

Advice to non-government schools regarding 2025 annual reports

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Professional Learning

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.

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Student Resources 

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

National Careers Week is a valuable opportunity for Catholic schools across NSW to inspire students to explore future pathways and connect their learning to meaningful careers.

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.

National Careers Week (11–17 May 2026) provides an opportunity for Catholic schools across NSW to strengthen student aspirations and connect learning to meaningful future pathways.

Careers education plays a vital role in supporting young people to make informed decisions about their futures. This week offers a timely opportunity for schools to highlight the breadth of pathways available and promote the value of purposeful work and lifelong learning.

Schools are encouraged to plan and deliver activities that connect students to the world of work and future opportunities. These may include:

• guest speakers from industry and the local community
• alumni panels sharing post-school journeys
• career exploration activities embedded in the classroom
• workplace learning experiences and virtual industry tours
• resume writing and interview skills workshops

These experiences support students to better understand the diverse pathways available through further education, training, and employment, while strengthening connections between curriculum and future careers.

Catholic Schools NSW continues to support high-quality careers education through Vocational Education and Training (VET), School-Based Apprenticeships and Traineeships (SBATs), and strong partnerships with industry.

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.

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Legal and Policy

Updates to the NSW Non-government Schools Not For Profit Guidelines (Ref: 92/26)

NESA recently released the updated NSW Non-government Schools Not For Profit Guidelines.

The updated Guidelines align with the recommendations from the Review of Section 83C and related provisions of the Education Act 1990 (NSW) report and changes to the Education Regulation 2017 (NSW) (Regulation) that took effect in December 2025. For more information about the amendments to the Regulations, see Updates to the Education Regulation for non-government schools | NSW Government.

What are the Guidelines?

The Guidelines provide direction for schools to comply with their not for profit requirements set out in section 83C of the Education Act. The Guidelines set out, among other things, how compliance with not for profit requirements is assessed and the process for seeking a review before final decisions are made regarding potentially non-compliant activity.

What are the changes?

The updated Guidelines have a new structure and design and feature additional examples to help schools understand how to comply with their requirements under section 83C. The Guidelines also clarify the types of records that may support compliance and provide clearer explanations of how the not for profit requirements are assessed in practice.

What does the update mean for schools?

Schools should promptly review the Guidelines (alongside the Education Act and Regulations) to ensure compliance with the not for profit requirements.

Where are the resources available?

The Guidelines are available on the NSW Government website and can be accessed here:

https://www.nsw.gov.au/education-and-training/nesa/not-for-profit-school-regulation/not-for-profit-guidelines

For enquiries and support, email NESA’s Regulation of Non-Government School Funding Directorate at: ngs83cenquiries@nesa.nsw.edu.au

 

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.