Welcome to Scholaris

Priority 

2025 Connected Catholic Communities Symposium (Ref: 173/25) 

Learn the “How” of Strategic, Impactful and Sustainable Partnerships. Catholic Schools as faith communities of connection and relationship are ideally positioned to provide a platform of outreach to families and the wider community to mitigate out-of-school factors impacting learning, through social offset partnerships.

‘‘Children’s educational opportunities are inextricably linked to where they live - we must continue to address the persistent disparities that exist beyond school walls.” 

The Improving Outcomes for All Report revealed that "... the impact of out-of-school factors could account for up to 60% of variability in students test scores." 

So, despite the amazing dedication, commitment and expertise of our wonderful Catholic educators and staff, in-school interventions alone may not be enough. 

Impactful and sustainable strategic partnerships support students and families, whilst allowing schools to focus on their core business - teaching! 

This year’s Symposium Connected for Impact will focus on the “How” of creating these strategic partnerships. 

Paul Milgate, who has been leading the Family Connect in Schools service in the Diocese of Lismore, will be keynote speaker at our Symposium in August. He will share his extensive experience in leading and developing a systemic approach to extended services operating in schools that deliver positive social impact and return on investment. 

He will be joined by Social Impact expert Les Hems from Right Lane Consulting and CSNSW Demographics expert Geoff Miller.

This year, they are leading the Extended Services School Project (part of CSNSW Connected Catholic Communities Strategy) which is supporting schools in reaching out to and networking with families, parishes, communities, and support services to establish predictable, integrated support systems that extend beyond the classroom. It connects students and families with vital supports that create significant benefits.

This value flows back to schools through better student attendance and behaviour, greater teacher and school leader productivity, stronger school reputation and increased enrolments. 

Other sessions include:

• Keynote Address: Anne Henderson (USA) Powerful Ways to Engage Families so that Everyone Wins!
• Workshop: Anne Henderson (USA) Trust-Building Tools to Put the Research into Practice
• Campfire Chat: Aunty Sharon & Aunty Roz Listening Circles to Yarning Circles: Our Cultural Way
• Panel: Lismore Family Connect in Schools Program Strategic Partnerships Creating Positive Social Impact
• Case studies: Cath Garrett-Jones & Diocesan Staff Contextualising Extended Service School Models

Date: Thursday 14 August 2025, 9 am – 4 pm 

Venue: Amora Hotel Jamison, Sydney COST: $100 for full day program and resources 

Register: https://www.csnsw.catholic.edu.au/events/symposium/connected-catholic-communities-symposium

‘Enabling our students to experience the fullness of life’- John (10:10)

NESA development of K-10 English and Mathematics assessment support materials (Ref: 175/ 25)

NESA invites K–10 English and Mathematics teachers to participate in a project developing assessment support materials aligned to the new syllabuses. 

NESA is working with the University of Sydney’s Centre for Educational Measurement and Assessment (CEMA) on this project. This is an accredited professional learning opportunity for teachers to develop deep knowledge and understanding of the new syllabuses and to contribute to the building of common assessment resources for schools and teachers. 

As part of this project, NESA and CEMA will engage with participants through a variety of activities, beginning in Term 3 of 2025 and continuing through Term 2 of 2026. Activities will differ in terms of duration and type of engagement required, ranging from a half-day to six (non-consecutive) days. Your expression of interest does not commit you to all the activities taking place during the project. 

To register your interest, please complete the Expression of Interest (EOI) form HERE by COB on Friday 8 August. You will be notified of the outcome of your EOI, and given more details about your participation, by Wednesday 20 August. 

At a glance: 

• Who: K–10 English and Mathematics teachers with an interest in assessment 

• What: Collaborate with NESA and CEMA on the development of assessment support materials 

• When: Different activities from Term 3 2025 to Term 2 2026, ranging from half a day to six days (commitment to entire timeline not necessary) 

Thank you for your time and interest in this important work. 

If you have any questions about this project, please contact Project Lead Ellen O’Connor at: 

k-10 assessmentproject@nesa.nsw.edu.au

Event: The Spiritual Foundations that Guide Leadership in Catholic Education (Ref: 172/ 25)

St Joseph's College Institute is hosting Associate Professor Paul Kidson, the National Course Coordinator for the Master of Educational Leadership degree at the Australian Catholic University. 

Dr Paul Kidson is a leading researcher on the Australian Principal Occupational Health, Safety, and Wellbeing Survey, Australia's longest running principal wellbeing project.With his extensive experience formerly being a School Principal, Dr Paul Kidson frequently commentates on educational matters in the media.

The topic of the presentation is how Catholic educational leaders are called to lead with purpose, integrity and a deep sense of mission. In this presentation Dr Paul Kidson will draw on his knowledge of Catholic Tradition and faith to explain the importance of "Servant leadership", Discernment, and having communities that are built on core principles of Catholic Social Teaching. 

When: Tuesday 5 Aug, 6pm - 7:30pm AEST

Where: Br Liguori Resources Centre, St Joseph's College, Hunters Hill NSW

Register: https://events.humanitix.com/2025-sjc-institute-the-spiritual-foundations-that-guide-leadership-in-catholic-education/tickets

Professional Learning 

Programme Now Available: 2025 CSSA Symposium – Excellence in P-12 Religious Education in Catholic Schools (Ref: 165/25) 

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.

The programme for the symposium has been finalised and can be downloaded by clicking here. Be sure to secure your tickets today!

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: 8:30am - 4:00pm (registration desk opens at 8:00am)

Location: The Amora Hotel, Jamison Sydney

Cost: $350.00

Tickets: https://csnsw.link/2025-CSSA-Symposium-Register-Now

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 costs incurred to host the event.

Webinar: Understanding the 2024 Australian Early Development Census (AEDC) results – Where to next? (Ref: 161/25) 

In June, the Australian Government released the results from the sixth national Australian Early Development Census. This webinar will explore the latest AEDC findings and the emerging trends in child development across Australia. Panellists will consider the implications of the results and the action necessary to optimise children’s development. Register now. 

Date: Tuesday 5 August 2025 

Time: 12:30pm-1:30pm AEST 

Cost: Free

Early childhood is a time of rapid development that provides the foundation for lifelong health and wellbeing. Understanding how children are faring helps to ensure the right kinds of services, supports and resources are available to help children and families thrive.

The Australian Early Development Census (AEDC) is a national measure of children’s development as they enter their first year of full-time school. The Australian Government has just released the results from the sixth national AEDC collection. This webinar will explore the 2024 AEDC findings and the emerging trends in child development across Australia. Panellists will explore the implications of the results and the action necessary to optimise children’s development. 

The webinar will be hosted by Prof Sharon Goldfeld AM, Director of the Centre for Community Child Health.
Panellists include: 

• The Hon Blair Boyer MP, Minister for Education, Training and Skills SA
• A/Prof Yasmin Harman-Smith, Head of Early Years Systems Evidence, The Kids Research Institute Australia
• Dr Michelle Lucas, Executive Director, Logan Together
• Janet Williams-Smith, Inclusion and Early Intervention General Manager, Early Childhood Australia. 

This free webinar is for researchers, policymakers, service providers, practitioners, advocates, and anyone working to improve the lives of children. 

Register now to join us on Tuesday 5 August 2025 at 12:30pm AEST

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.

Student Resources

CSSA Online Trial HSC Examinations – Familiarisation Activities (Ref: 168/25) 

The CSSA Familiarisation Activities are now live!

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 on the Gradeo platform. 

CSSA Familiarisation Activities are available to schools from 21-25 July 2025. 

The CSSA School Readiness Guide is available here and contains all of the information required for successful school preparation.

Australian Education Research Organisation School writing instruction framework (Ref: 164/25) 

The Australian Education Research Organisation (AERO)has developed a free school writing instruction framework to support teachers and school leaders in delivering effective writing instruction to primary and secondary students across all learning areas.  

Students knowing how to write well and to think critically and logically is of the highest importance in Australian schools.

In 2022, AERO's analysis of Australia's NAPLAN results showed a decline in students' writing skills since 2011. This analysis demonstrates a growing need for increased support of teachers and school leaders to help students improve their writing. 

AERO has developed an evidence-based writing instruction model to help teachers and school leaders deliver effective writing instruction to students, as well as offer free professional development courses. 

To access the school writing instruction framework and professional development courses, click here. 

Foundations in the Classics Homeschool program (Ref: 163/25)

Augustine Academy is hosting the Foundations in the Classics Homeschool program at Campion College Australia.

Offered to students aged 13 to 17, this program teaches foundational Liberal Arts which includes the core units of Literature, History, Philosophy and Theology. Over the course of the year, students will have the opportunity to study Ancient, medieval, Renaissance, and modern eras exploring key authors and texts of the times.

Classes are held every Wednesday over the course of 10-week terms. Each term concludes with a certificate of completion to commend the student's growth in learning. 

Where: Campion College Australia, 8-14 Austin Woodbury Place, Toongabbie NSW 2146

When: Term 3 begins Wed 23 Jul

Cost: $300 per five-week block

Open to: Homeschoolers aged 13-17

For more information on the course outline and how to apply, click here. 

Scholarships and Awards

Catholic Schools provide quality training and assessment (Ref: 174/ 25)

Catholic Schools NSW (CSNSW) is proud of our students and teachers interviewed last week for the NSW Training Awards 2025. They were selected as regional winners from the 7 Events, 9 Regions, 180 outstanding Finalists in June.

Catholic Schools NSW (CSNSW) is a proud gold sponsor of the NSW Training Awards and commends our students and teachers who demonstrate CSNSW commitment to ensuring quality VET training in Catholic Schools across NSW.

• Darby Hubber, St Raphael's Catholic School, Cowra
• Beau Mullins, Carroll College, Broulee
• Summer King, Catherine McAuley College, Westmead
• Bridie Irwin, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart College, Kensington
• Amali Rollinson, Mackillop College, Bathurst
• Zipporah McClelland, Xavier Catholic College, Albury
• Taine Wihare, De La Salle College Caringbah
• Penny Mackay, Kildare Catholic College, Wagga Wagga
• Sky Van Den Burge, Marian Catholic College, Kenthurst
• Mark Bokenham, St Joseph's College, Hunters Hill.

The Regional Training Awards were great celebrations, as seen in the Training Award photo galleries:

• Hunter & Central Coast – Thursday 12 June
• Western NSW – Thursday 12 June
• Illawarra & South East NSW – Friday 13 June
• New England – Friday 13 June
• Riverina – Thursday 19 June
• North & Mid North Coast – Friday 20 June
• Sydney Metro – Friday 20 June

We look forward to celebrating on 11th September with the students and teachers selected as state finalists through last week’s interviews. They will be great ambassadors for VET in our schools.

Congratulations.