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Professional Learning

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 ������ 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 ������ to explore the proposed changes, share your insights and help shape the future of Studies of Religion in our schools.

🗓 Wednesday, 18 November 2026
⏰ 3.30 pm – 4.30 pm
💻 Online via Microsoft Teams 
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Be part of this important conversation and help ensure the Catholic voice is heard during this critical stage of curriculum reform.

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

HSC Analysis Seminars with Dr John DeCourcy

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 ������.

Preparation: Check for an active NetID account and access to the HSC Data Analysis Users portal, and familiarity with the online tutorial via . (For the tutorial, once logged into NetID select CS������ 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 

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 ������.

Preparation: Check for an active NetID account and access to the HSC Data Analysis Users portal, and familiarity with the online tutorial via . (For the tutorial, once logged into NetID select CS������ 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

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 ������. 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 ������.

Preparation: Check for an active NetID account and access to the HSC Data Analysis Users portal, and familiarity with the online tutorial via . (For the tutorial, once logged into NetID select CS������ 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

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 ������.

Preparation: Check for an active NetID account and access to the HSC Data Analysis Users portal, and familiarity with the online tutorial via . (For the tutorial, once logged into NetID select CS������ 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

Registrations close 22 February 2027

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

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 ������ 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.

Advancing Literacy Conference 2027, Australian Catholic University, Rome (Ref: 237/26)

The Advancing Literacy Conference set to take place from 24 to 27 May 2027 at the Australian Catholic University in Rome will bring together Australian Catholic school system leaders, international education leaders and researchers to pursue knowledge about how people learn to read and write, how ideas are expressed and articulated through reading and writing, and how these processes can be best supported in a learning environment.

Hosted by the Australian Centre for the Advancement of Literacy (ACAL), the conference is designed for Catholic education leaders seeking to drive system-wide change through the latest scientific evidence on how students learn to read and write. Attendees will hear from leading literacy scholars and learn from real-world examples of successful implementation in Australian Catholic education systems.

The four-day program combines professional learning, networking and cultural experiences in Rome. Each day begins with presentations and workshops at the ACU Campus Conference Centre, followed by unique excursions that foster connection and collaboration among participants, including opportunities to visit iconic sites such as the Sistine Chapel or Vatican Necropolis.

Participants will have the opportunity to connect with like-minded educational leaders, exchange successful reform practices and build a network of professionals committed to literacy excellence. 

Follow the links for and to in this exciting opportunity.

Student Resources 

SunSmart Student Studio Competition (Ref: 247/26)

Cancer Council ������ is 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 ������ 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.

RSL and Schools Remember ANZAC Art Competition for 2027 (Ref: 235/26)

The RSL and Schools Remember ANZAC Commemoration was first held in 1953 and co-hosted by RSL ������ and the Department of Education. Over the years the service has expanded to Catholic Schools ������ and Independent Schools ������. 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 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 . 

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Catholic Schools ������ Sport

Entries Now Open – ������ All Schools Triathlon & Aquathlon and CS������ Primary School Aquathlon (Ref: 242/26)

We are pleased to advise that entries are now open for two exciting multisport opportunities in 2026: 

• ������ All Schools Triathlon & Aquathlon Championship (Years 6 – 12) held on 4 – 5 November 2026 at Sydney International Regatta Centre, Penrith. Year 6 students are eligible to enter the individual events and be considered for selection in the 2027 ������ All Schools Team. 
• CS������ Sport Primary School Aquathlon (Years 2 – 5, with Year 6 students also welcome) to be held on Tuesday, 17 November 2026 at Des Renford Leisure Centre and Heffron Park, Maroubra. 

Which Event Should My Child Enter? 

Students in Years 2 – 5 are encouraged to enter the CS������ Sport Primary School Aquathlon. 

This event is specifically designed as an introductory multisport experience, combining swimming and running in a fun, supportive environment. It is ideal for students wanting to experience multisport competition for the first time. 

Year 6 students have the unique opportunity to choose the event that best matches their experience, confidence, and goals. 

CS������ Sport Primary School Aquathlon 

• Ideal for students who would like to experience multisport competition in an introductory setting. 
• A great first step into triathlon and aquathlon participation as students will participate in a 100m swim in a swimming pool and a 1km run. 

������ All Schools Triathlon & Aquathlon Championship 

• Suitable for students looking for a challenge, with the event featuring longer distances (300m swim and 2km) and competition against students from across New South Wales. 
• Provides a pathway to gain selection in the 2027 ������ All Schools Triathlon and Aquathlon Teams, which will compete at the School Sport Australia Triathlon Championships. 

Secondary School Students (Years 7–12) 

Secondary students should enter the ������ All Schools Triathlon & Aquathlon Championship. 

The championship includes: 

• Individual triathlon and aquathlon events. 
• Team triathlon events 
• Opportunities for selection in the ������ All Schools representative team.  

How do I register for the CS������ Aquathlon (Years 2 – 6 students)? 

• Register –   
• More information –   

������ All Schools Triathlon or Aquathlon (Year 6 – 12) students 

• Individuals (Years 6 – 12 students) –   
• Teams (Years 7 – 12 students only) –   
• Must be completed by a teacher who has an account on the CS������ Sport platform 
• More information –

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School Updates & Newsletters

Council of Catholic School Parents conference: Supporting Families: Working Together in a Modern World (Ref: 217/26)

Council of Catholic School Parents ������ (CCSP) invites all parents and carers to a day of connection, growth and learning, bringing families closer together in this constantly evolving world.

Supporting Families: Working Together in a Modern World is a conference designed especially for parents and carers of children in Catholic schools, bringing together leading voices in education, parenting and wellbeing to explore the topics that matter most to families today.

The day will include expert speakers Daniel Principe, Gen Muir and Karen Young, talking about topics such as cybersafety, respectful relationships, dealing with kids’ anxiety, and managing big feelings.

Date: Saturday, 24 October 2026

Time: 9.30 am – 4:00 pm

Venue: Twin Town Services Club, 2 Wharf Street, Tweed Heads

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This conference is a great opportunity for many parents and carers in School communities to connect with other parents and carers, share experiences and gain valuable knowledge in a welcoming and supportive environment.

To promote this event to your school communities, see the .

Learn More:

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