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Scholaris newsletter 30/9/2025

Priority 

Nostra Aetate and Countering Antisemitism School Forum (Ref: 230/25)

The ‘Nostra Aetate and Countering Antisemitism School Forum’ for students and teachers will be held at Australian Catholic University (North Sydney campus) on the afternoon of 28 October. It will explore how the Vatican II document, Nostra Aetate, can provide a framework for a practical and effective response to antisemitism. The Forum will bring together students and teachers from Catholic and Jewish schools with a panel of community leaders to foster dialogue and inspire reasons for hope.

Our students are being exposed daily to a proliferation of antisemitic propaganda through social media. In this context, schools can play a role in helping students gain a deeper awareness of how the Catholic tradition can provide a framework to guide them through the current cultural confusion. To this end, Catholic Schools NSW, the Executive Council of Australian Jewry and ACU are organising the Nostra Aetate and Countering Antisemitism School Forum for students (Yr 10 and Yr 11) and their teachers. 

The Forum will include a panel discussion that will explore the impact of Nostra Aetate, a watershed Vatican II document on Catholic-Jewish relations that was promulgated 60 years ago on October 28, 1965. The panel will reflect on how Nostra Aetate’s impact can be harnessed to provide a contemporary response to antisemitism in all its various forms. Catholic students will gain an insight into the Jewish perspective on the impact of antisemitism and the support the Catholic Church can provide at this moment in history. Afternoon tea will be provided.

Date: Tuesday, 28 October 2025

Time: 1:30pm – 4:00pm AEDT 

Venue:Australian Catholic University - North Sydney Offices. The Peter Cosgrove Centre. Level 18 8 - 20 Napier Street North Sydney, NSW 2060

Cost: Free

To learn more and register, go to: Nostra Aetate and Countering Antisemitism School Forum Tickets, Tue, Oct 28, 2025 at 1:30 PM | Eventbrite

Australian Early Development Census Upcoming Webinars (Ref: 228/25) 

Following the sixth national Australian Early Development Census (AEDC) data release in June 2025, there are three upcoming webinars which will further explore the latest AEDC findings and the emerging trends in child development across Australia. 

Responding to the 2024 Australian Early Development Census – closing the equity gap 

Date:  Tuesday 11 November 2025, 1:00pm – 2:30 pm  

Presenter: Professor Sharon Goldfield 

Cost:  Free

Register for ‘Responding to the 2024 Australian Early Development Census – closing the equity gap’ 

Following her session titled ‘Beyond the silver bullet – closing the equity gap for children within a generation’ at the AEDC NSW Research Symposium in June 2025, Sharon will further explore the implications of AEDC data and offer practical steps stakeholders can apply within their own practice contexts. 


Responding to the 2024 Australian Early Development Census – building effective connections and partnerships 

Date:  Tuesday 3 March 2026, 10:00am – 11:30 am 

Presenters: The presenters for this webinar will be announced by December 2025 

Cost:  Free 

Register for ‘Responding to the 2024 Australian Early Development Census – building effective connections and partnerships’.

This session will feature a panel of early childhood experts and advocacy organisations exploring the partnerships and societal connections needed to improve developmental outcomes for all children.

Responding to the 2024 Australian Early Development Census - An Aboriginal Perspective 

Date:  Tuesday 2 June 2026, 10:00am – 11:00 am 

Presenters: The presenters for this webinar will be announced by February 2026  

Cost:  Free 

Register for Responding to the 2024 Australian Early Development Census - An Aboriginal Perspective 

This session will feature a panel of early childhood experts and advocacy organisations exploring the partnerships and societal connections needed to improve developmental outcomes for all children. 


Professional Learning 

Early Years online safety – information session (Ref: 229/25) 

Join the Office of the eSafety Commissioner for a 60-minute information session to learn about the safe use of digital technologies and online environments.

This session is for anyone working in the Early Years sector, including centre managers and directors, and those in policy, training, oversight, or support roles. It will include information about resources available to assess your online environment for the safety of children, educators and families.

This webinar will cover:

  • the importance of digital online safety education in Early Years
  • the eSafety Commissioner’s role and reporting functions

eSafety’s Early Years resources for educators, families and children 0-5.

Thursday, 23 October 2025 12.30pm – 1:30pm (AEDT)

Register Now 

Supporting Families: Working Together in a Modern World - A Conference for Parents and Carers of Children in Catholic Schools in the Jubilee Year of Hope (Ref: 228/25) 

On 25 October 2025, the Council for Catholic School Parents (CCSP) is hosting a special anniversary celebration conference for all NSW/ACT parents and carers with children in Catholic schools! It’s going to be a value-packed day of connection and collaboration where their expert presenters will support you to parent bravely in a modern world:

  • Dr Justin Coulson: co-host and parenting expert on Channel 9's Parental Guidance and the founder of happyfamilies.com.au
  • Michelle Mitchell: sought-after author and speaker on parenting tweens and teens
  • Daniel Principe: a passionate youth advocate and educator, and nominee for Australian of the Year

This conference will provide you with the information you need to parent in today's complex technological age, featuring presentations on consent and respectful relationships, cybersafety, building your child’s resilience, sleep, managing anxiety, screens and brain development, supporting your child’s learning at home and at school, and more!

Don't miss out on this special opportunity to connect with other parents, gain valuable knowledge, and enjoy a meal and relaxation! Secure your spot now and be a part of this memorable event.

Car parking is available at the venue, Novotel Parramatta, for a day rate. Please contact the hotel for more information: (02) 9630 4999. Other options include Eat St Parking.

Novotel Parramatta is offering special rates for conference guests. Please call the reservations team on 02 9890 0850 or email novotel@nmsp.com.au to book and advise them that you are attending the conference. Valid until 09/10/2025, subject to availability at the time of confirmation.

Find out more information on our website here: https://www.ccsp.catholic.edu.au/2025-conference

Don’t miss this conference, especially for parents and carers! 

Buy a ticket: Supporting Families: Working Together in a Modern World Registration, Sat 25/10/2025 at 8:30 am | Eventbrite

Date: Saturday, 25 October 2025

Time: 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM AEDT. Doors open at 8am

Location: Novotel Sydney, 350 Church Street, Parramatta, NSW 2150

Contribution: $30

Contact CCSP at office@ccsp.catholic.edu.au or 02 9287 1514.

CCSP conference 25

Catholic Schools NSW School Registration System Forum Day (Ref: 220/25) 

The Catholic Schools NSW Registration System Forum Day will provide high-level input on policy and processes, as well as opportunities to develop and define quality assurance practices. The forum is open to system (diocesan) leaders and specialists in support of their work in implementing the requirements for school registration and accreditation.

Date: 12 November 2025

Time: 9.30 am – 3.30 pm

Venue: The Assembly, Angel Place, 123 Pitt St Sydney

Cost: Free to attend

Tickets are available on Eventbrite, click on the link below to register:

https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/csnsw-registration-system-forum-day-tickets-1641458319019


Scholarships and Awards

Catholic Schools provide quality training and assessment (Ref: 226/25) 

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
  • Amali Rollinson, MacKillop College, Bathurst
  • Penny Mackay, Kildare Catholic College, Wagga Wagga

We had a wonderful evening celebrating with the students and teachers selected as State winners and finalists. They are great ambassadors for VET in our Catholic schools.

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

Congratulations!

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