Scholaris newsletter 29/9/2026
Priority
Register for the 2026 Kathleen Burrow Research Institute Lecture 鈥� Thank God For Our Failure: Staying human in the era of AI. (Ref: 234/26)
Catholic Schools 黑料社 is pleased to announce that Stan Grant, prominent Australian journalist, best-selling author, and Yindyamarra Distinguished Professor of Ethics at Charles Sturt University, will deliver the 2026 Kathleen Burrow Research Institute Lecture, titled Thank God For Our Failure: Staying human in the era of AI.
A proud Wiradjuri, Kamilaroi and Dharawal and Irish man, Stan has spent decades in media, both in Australia and internationally, with roles at major news networks. With his powerful storytelling and articulate advocacy, Stan has become one of the most influential voices for Indigenous matters and reconciliation.
In 2023, Stan was elected a Fellow of the Academic of the Social Sciences in Australia, and in 2024, he earned a PhD in theology from Charles Sturt University for a thesis entitled Yindyamarra as theology: identity, history, violence, faith and reconciliation. Stan is also the Author of 11 critically acclaimed and best-selling books, and writer of the internationally award-winning documentary The Australian Dream.
Previous speakers at our Annual Lecture include the Archbishop of Sydney, the Most Reverend Anthony Fisher OP, the Hon. Jacqueline Gleeson, Justice of the High Court of Australia, the Hon. Chris Minns MP, Premier of 黑料社, and Greg Sheridan AO, author, commentator and Foreign Editor of The Australian.
The lecture will take place on Monday, 12 October at 6:00 pm at the Peter Cosgrove Centre, Australian Catholic University, Level 18, Tenison Woods House, 8-20 Napier Street, North Sydney. Guests are invited to enjoy drinks and canap茅s after the conclusion of the lecture. Guests are invited to enjoy drinks and canap茅s after the conclusion of the lecture.
Dress code: Academic dress/business.
The Kathleen Burrow Research Institute is a research unit within Catholic Schools 黑料社 that conducts and publishes research on contemporary issues in school education to promote the advancement of education in all school sectors in Australia.
The institute is named after Kathleen Burrow (1899-1987), an Australian Catholic teacher who had a strong presence in the history of Catholic education and the Church in the 20th century.

2027 CSSA Trial HSC Examination Dates (Ref: 233/26)
The 2027 CSSA Trial HSC Examinations Timetable has been scheduled:
- Monday 2 August to Tuesday 17 August
- Exam period increased from 11 days to 12 days
The 2027 CSSA Trial HSC Examinations Security Period is up to, and inclusive of Wednesday, 18 August 2027.
Examinations, including examination related materials and student scripts can be returned to students from 8.00 am Thursday, 19 August 2027.
Professional Learning
What鈥檚 Happening to Our Boys? A Webinar with Dr Michael Carr-Gregg (Ref: 203/26)
Conversations about respectful relationships, and about what it means to grow up as a young man, are happening everywhere at the moment; in the media, in the community, and in our schools. Rather than a moment for alarm, Catholic schools can use this as a genuine opportunity: to connect with our young men, walk alongside them, and support them to become the men we need.
Catholic schools in 黑料社 have been proactively building their response to this challenge for several years through the Catholic sector鈥檚 Consent and Respectful Relationships Education (CRRE) project.
Dr Michael Carr-Gregg, one of Australia鈥檚 leading adolescent psychologists and the author of 18 books on youth mental health and wellbeing, returns to CS黑料社 following the strong response to his earlier session on anti-bullying, which struck a chord with staff and parents alike.
In What鈥檚 Happening to Our Boys?, Dr Carr-Gregg will unpack:
- What is happening to boys 鈥� the data on disengagement, and the developmental reasons behind it
- What is being sold to them online 鈥� who is doing the selling, and why it works so well on a teenage brain
- Why our usual responses fall short 鈥� and why shaming boys can drive them further towards the very influences we鈥檙e trying to counter
- What actually shifts it 鈥� in classrooms, in staffrooms, and at kitchen tables
The session will carry real practical weight, with Dr Carr-Gregg promising staff and leaders will leave with genuine, workable strategies 鈥� alongside solid grounds for optimism.
Date: Wednesday, 14 October 2026
Time: 3:30 鈥� 4:30 pm
Delivery: Online
Register:
Implementing the K鈥�6 Science and Technology Syllabus 鈥� Online Professional Learning course (Ref: 231/26)

The K-6 Science and Technology syllabus needs to be fully implemented in all schools by the start of 2027.
As a part of CS黑料社鈥檚 Professional Learning Platform, we have developed a one-hour self-directed online course to help support early-career teachers with understanding the new syllabus and provides practical strategies, clear explanations and ready-to-use advice for implementation.
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Please note, participants will be required to login with their NETiD address.
Student Resources
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 黑料社 and the Department of Education. Over the years the service has expanded to Catholic Schools 黑料社 and Independent Schools 黑料社. Proceedings, held at the Anzac Memorial Hyde Park in April each year, 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鈥檚 military history, whilst paying respect to the service and sacrifice of servicemen and women of the Australian Defence Force.
The Remember ANZAC Art Competition 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 .

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 黑料社 (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鈥� anxiety, and managing big feelings.
Date: Saturday, 24 October 2026
Time: 9.30 am 鈥� 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:

Employment Opportunities
Apply Now: 2027 CSSA Trial HSC Examinations 鈥� Expressions of Interest for the role of Convenor for Agriculture (Ref: 232/26)
The Senior Manager, CSSA Exams, is seeking expressions of interest for the following positions.
Convenor of the 2027 CSSA Trial HSC Examination: Agriculture (new CSSA HSC Trial Exam)
The letter with the Expression of Interest requirements for the Convenor role with the CSSA and the application process is .
Interested applicants are asked to send a Cover Letter and current Curriculum Vitae to Dr Andrew Eaton, Senior Manager, CSSA Exams at cssa.exams@csnsw.catholic.edu.au by 9:00 am Tuesday, 6 October 2026.
Scholarships and Awards
Council of Catholic School Parents 黑料社 2026 Family Partnerships Excellence Awards (Ref: 218/26)
How do you enter? It's easy!
- Complete the downloadable submission form on the CCSP website here: by responding to 6 criteria about your school's initiative.
- Complete the online entry form, have the application endorsed by the school principal and P&F/parent body chair, then upload your submission form and any supporting files.
Check out past winners and get all the details about how to enter here:

Previous issues
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Read more about Scholaris newsletter 20/10/2026
Scholaris newsletter 20/10/2026
In this week's newsletter: Professional Learning, Student Resources, School Updates and Newsletters, Employment Opportunities, Scholarships and Awards, and other Priority items. -
Read more about Scholaris newsletter 13/10/2026
Scholaris newsletter 13/10/2026
In this week's newsletter we cover: Professional Learning, Student Resources, School Updates and Newsletters, Employment Opportunities, Scholarships and Awards, and other Priority items. -
Read more about Scholaris newsletter 6/10/2026
Scholaris newsletter 6/10/2026
In this week's newsletter we cover: Professional Learning, Student Resources, School Updates and Newsletters, Employment Opportunities, Scholarships and Awards, and other Priority items. -
Read more about Scholaris newsletter 22/9/2026
Scholaris newsletter 22/9/2026
In this week's newsletter we cover: Professional Learning, Student Resources, School Updates and Newsletters, Employment Opportunities, Scholarships and Awards, and other Priority items. -
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Scholaris newsletter 15/9/2026
In this week's newsletter we cover: Professional Learning, Student Resources, School Updates and Newsletters, Employment Opportunities, Scholarships and Awards, and other Priority items. -
Read more about Scholaris newsletter 8/9/2026
Scholaris newsletter 8/9/2026
In this week's newsletter we cover: Professional Learning, Student Resources, School Updates and Newsletters, Employment Opportunities, Scholarships and Awards, and other Priority items. -
Read more about Scholaris newsletter 1/9/2026
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In this week's newsletter we cover: Professional Learning, Student Resources, Legal and Policy and other Priority items. -
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Scholaris newsletter 25/8/2026
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Scholaris newsletter 18/8/2026
In this week's newsletter we cover: Professional Learning, Student Resources, Legal and Policy and other Priority items. -
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Scholaris newsletter 11/8/2026
In this week's newsletter we cover: Professional Learning, Student Resources, Legal and Policy and other Priority items. -
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Scholaris newsletter 4/8/2026
In this week's newsletter we cover: Professional Learning, School Updates and Newsletters, Scholarships and Awards, Legal and Policy and other Priority items. -
Read more about Scholaris newsletter 28/7/2026
Scholaris newsletter 28/7/2026
In this week's newsletter we cover: Professional Learning, School Updates and Newsletters, Scholarships and Awards, Legal and Policy and other Priority items.
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