Contents
Register now: Sisters of the Good Samaritan's 2024 Study and Mentoring (SAM) Program (Ref: 186/23)
The Sisters of the Good Samaritan have launched the 2024 Study and Mentoring (SAM) Program, which aims to promote women’s leadership within the Catholic Church. It supports mature-aged (age 30+) Catholic women undertaking undergraduate or postgraduate theological or spiritual study at a recognised theological institution.
Applications for 2024 close on 6 September 2023. For further information, email samleadership@goodsams.org.au
Wellbeing for Learning – Online PL Webinars (Ref: 149/23)
Research highlights the direct correlation between positive wellbeing and improved learning outcomes. As schools continue to embrace a collaborative model of holistic support for students (bridging the gap between curriculum and pastoral care), we are pleased to engage with renowned professionals in the wellbeing space.
Click here to access promotional material that lists upcoming professional learning opportunities for staff.
Further information and registration details can be found at the Catholic Schools NSW Professional Learning website: https://learn.csnsw.cloud/login
If you have any issues with accessing this information or logging into the professional learning website, please email us at: wellbeing@csnsw.catholic.edu.au
Promoting Hope & Supporting young People's Wellbeing in a Changing Climate (Ref: 143/23)
Join us at the School-Link Talk for Term Three where climate change’s impact on young Australians’ mental health will be discussed through an informative webinar.
- Learn more about the direct and indirect impacts of climate change on mental health and wellbeing.
- Explore evidence-based strategies to support mental health and wellbeing of young people in the face of a changing climate.
Guest speaker for the webinar, Dr Cybele Dey, is a Sydney-based Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, Conjoint Lecturer at UNSW & Co-chair of Doctors for the Environment Australia (DEA) Mental Health Special Interest Group.
Date: Monday 24 July
Time: 1:30 – 3:00 PM
Venue: Online
Scan the QR code to register.
The Principals'Â Centre Australia Leadership Programme and Scholarship (Ref: 145/23)
The Principals’ Center in Australia is designed to provide school leaders in Australia, New Zealand, and Southeast Asia with the knowledge, leadership strategies, and tools to become effective leaders of instructional change and accelerate learning for all students. Hosted in Sydney and designed for region-specific learning needs, the program brings together school leaders and Harvard faculty over five days. Working with colleagues from across the region, participants will explore research-based techniques and best practices as they develop leadership plans tailored to their schools at home.
Program Details
With content drawn from local learning contexts and all sessions led by Harvard faculty, the program addresses areas of critical importance to school leaders in Australasia – instructional leadership, school culture, leadership development, strategy, and family and community engagement. Participants will have the opportunity to:
- Learn through faculty-led sessions and case studies using Australia-specific examples and learning contexts
- Participate in facilitated discussion groups that engage peers in collaborative learning and reflection
- Reflect on and hone personal leadership goals
- Develop a school leadership plan that can be implemented in multiple school settings and contexts
- Build lasting connections by engaging with faculty and fellow principals and school leaders in your cohortAustralian Scholarship Opportunities
Three types of scholarships are available through the Harvard Club of Australia (HCA).
- HCA Scholarship
- Eureka Scholarship
- NZ Travel ScholarshipRound One Deadline: 30 July 2023
Click here to find out more and apply.
Amendments to the Modern Slavery Act expected (Ref: 150/23)
In 2022, the Australian federal government, led by Professor John McMillan AO, sought public consultation on its three-year review of the Act, and in late May 2023, the Report containing 30 recommendations was tabled in Federal Parliament.
Some recommendations included:
- introducing penalties for non-compliance with statutory reporting requirements;
- lowering the reporting threshold from $100M to $50M;
- amending the Act to require entities have a due diligence system in place; and
- the Minister or Anti-Slavery Commissioner will be granted the power to make written declarations of a “high modern slavery risk” for a specific region, location, industry, product, supplier or supply chain, to which Reporting Entities must have regard in preparing a Statement.
The full Modern Slavery Act Review Report is available here:Â https://www.ag.gov.au//crime/publications/report-statutory-review-modern-slavery-act-2018-cth
Last chance: CSNSW Early Years Symposium Presentations Now Available (Ref: 185/23)
This is the final week to view the Early Years Symposium Presentation recordings. Click HERE to access the presentations. The CSNSW Early Years Symposium was held on Friday, 28th April. Please note the presentations will expire on Friday, 2nd August 2023. (You will be directed to the CSNSW Professional Learning platform; however, if you have not logged into the platform before, you will need to go through the brief sign-in process.)
Register now: eSafety Commissioner’s Online Relationships and Consent webinar (Ref: 148/23)
CCSP – Online relationships and consent- Flyer
The Council of Catholic School Parents NSW/ACT, in partnership with the eSafety Commissioner, is offering all parents, carers, teachers and support staff the opportunity to join a free webinar designed for parents and carers of students in secondary school.
The 30-minute webinar is designed for parents and carers of young people in secondary school.
It will cover:
- The impact of sharing nude images without consent
- practical suggestions for starting the chat about respectful relationships, consent and pressure to send nudes.
- Where to get support for a young person who has experienced abuse.
- The impact of sharing nude images without consent
Webinar details
Tuesday 15 August 7.30 pm – 8.00 pm
Register at:Â https://register.gotowebinar.com/rt/5491931265697591563
or via the QR code:
Register your school for Fruit & Veg Month 2023 (Ref: 146/23)
Fruit & Veg Month will be held during the last four weeks of Term 3, 28 August to 22 September. Get your school on board to learn more about:
- The science behind growing and eating fruit and veg
- The technology behind transporting fruit and veg
- How to do a real fruit and veg science experiment
Registered schools receive:
- Hard copy class posters and student stickers
- Hard copy and a digital copy of the Teacher’s Booklet. It includes tips on involving families, the school canteen and the whole school
- Curriculum materials for each stage
- Student competition details
- Family resources to send the ‘eat more fruit and vegetables’ message home
Register your school now at: https://healthy-kids.com.au/teachers/fruit-veg-month/register-now-for-fruit-veg-month-2023/
Fruit & Veg Month will be held during the last four weeks of Term 3, Monday 28 August, to Friday 22 September.
For more details on Fruit & Veg Month, and to register, go to:    www.healthy-kids.com.au/teachers/fruit-veg-month/
2024 CSSA Trial HSC Examinations: Expressions of Interest For Assessor (Ref: 141/23)
The CSSA provides teachers and students in schools throughout New South Wales, ACT and internationally with premium Trial HSC Examinations that will provide a sound basis for preparing for the HSC examinations later in the year. The CSSA Trial HSC Examinations are prepared by committees of practising teachers, university lecturers and education consultants in various HSC courses.
The Head of CSSA Exams is seeking expressions of interest for the following positions. An Assessor for the following 2024 CSSA Trial HSC Examinations:Â
- English as an Additional Language or Dialect (EAL/D) inclusive of Paper 1, Paper 2 and Listening Examination
- Mathematics Advanced
- Mathematics Extension 1 and Extension 2 (combined)
The letter regarding the Expression of Interest requirements for the roles with the CSSA and the application process is found below.Â
- English as an Additional Language or Dialect (EAL/D) is found here.
- Mathematics Advanced is found here.
- Mathematics Extension 1 and Extension 2 (combined) is found here.Â
Interested applicants are asked to send a Cover Letter and current Curriculum Vitae to Monica O’Brien, Head CSSA Exams, at cssa.exams@csnsw.catholic.edu.au by 9 am, Friday, 28 July 2023.
Congratulations NSW Training Award Regional winners from Catholic Schools NSW (Ref: 187/23)
We are proud to congratulate our NSW Training Award Regional finalists and winners. Catholic Schools were well represented among the finalists across NSW. All Regional Winners will be interviewed this week for the State Awards, which will be celebrated in September.
In the School Student category, 13 finalists and five winners from Catholic Schools across 8 NSW Regions:
- Montayah Astruc, Caroline Chisholm College Glenmore Park, Certificate III in Health Services Assistance
- Ayla Ali, Southern Cross Catholic College Burwood, Certificate II in Construction Pathways
- Grace Heffernan, Kildare Catholic College Wagga Wagga, Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care
- Charlize Ashby, Brigidine College Randwick, Certificate II in Kitchen Operations
- Laicy Costigan, Newman Senior Technical College Port Macquarie, Certificate II in Construction Pathways
In the School-Based Apprentice and Traineeship (SBAT) category, Catholic Schools were represented by four finalists, with wins by:
- Tayla Hiscock, St Paul’s College Kempsy, Certificate III in Health Services Assistance
- Joshua Sammat St Andrew’s College Marayong, Certificate III in Sport & Recreation
- Molly Smith, McCarthy College Tamworth, Certificate II in Agriculture
In the Trainer category, three finalists, with a win by:
- Colin Hawthorne, Red Bend College Forbes, Certificate II in Agriculture
It is wonderful to have the incredible work of VET in our Catholic Schools across NSW celebrated through participation in these awards. The students’ applications highlighted their growth in confidence, competence and capacity through their VET studies.
'Catching Our Breath' mini online retreat (Ref: 152/23)
‘Catching Our Breath’ is a mini online retreat for educators that also develops participants’ capacity to lead and accompany others in prayer. Inspired by the encouragement of Pope Francis, ‘Catching our Breath’ offers refreshing and creative new ways to pray from the heart of our Catholic heritage, individually and together, with staff and students.
This mini-retreat will be conducted across five afternoons online and will begin on Monday, August 21, 2023. Further information can be found on the flyer or by contacting JISA at mf@jisa.org.au Registration is open via the CSNSW Professional Learning platform, which can be accessed via this link.
World Day Against Trafficking in Persons Webinar​​​​​​​ (Ref: 183/23)
The UN World Day Against Trafficking in Persons aims to raise awareness of human trafficking and the underlying socio-economic and cultural issues that are conducive to trafficking. It calls on governments, law enforcement authorities and civil society to assess and enhance their efforts to strengthen prevention, victim identification and survivor support. It challenges those involved in eradicating modern slavery to move beyond a risk management matrix and take a closer look at the faces of people trapped in the web of modern slavery.
The event will be held on Monday, July 31, from 2:30 pm – 3:15 pm. To attend the webinar, please register here.
Be informed - and get ready to Have Your Say on the new draft Reformed Syllabuses! (Ref: 151/23)
Calling all educators, this is your important opportunity to be informed about the following new draft syllabuses:
- CHPS K–6 (Creative Arts, HSIE, PDHPE and Science and Technology K–6)
- Geography 7–10
- History 7–10
- Visual Arts 7–10
- PDHPE 7–10
The Inform Period is now open. Watch the series of NESA recordings in preparation for the Have Your Say Period, which will open on Monday, 31 July and run for six weeks.
The short videos can be accessed via the CSNSW Curriculum Reform Hub.
Younger kids reporting bullying to eSafety Commissioner (Ref: 147/23)
The eSafety Commission website has resources to help parents and carers be positive role models and online safety advocates. For online safety information for parents and carers, visit: eSafety.gov.au/parents
For advice on how to set parental controls across home wi-fi, devices, software and more, visit: eSafety.gov.au/parental-controls
For online safety webinars for parents and carers, visit: eSafety.gov.au/parents/webinars
For advice on the latest games, apps and social media, visit: eSafety.gov.au/esafety-guide
New School Reform Consultation Paper Released (Ref: 138/23)
A new consultation paper around School Reform has been released by the Expert Panel conducting the Review to Inform a Better and Fairer Education System. This review seeks to inform the development and negotiation of the next National School Reform Agreement and Bilateral Agreements with individual states and territories.
The new paper makes recommendations for Education Ministers to inform the next agreement to improve education outcomes in Australia and meet the current and future needs of students.
You can read the consultation paper here.
The Expert panel, comprised of leaders within the Australian Educational Research field, invites submissions from interested stakeholders around the recommendations outlined in the consultation paper. This feedback can be submitted here.
Modern Slavery Video Resources (Ref: 139/23)
The Australian Catholic University (ACU) and the Anti-Slavery Taskforce of the Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney have developed video resources to complement the modern slavery content in the ACU core curriculum.
These resources provide a wealth of information around what is still a pressing issue in today’s society. All are welcome to view and share these resources which can be found here.