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Professional Learning

In Review: Dr Michael Carr-Gregg Unpacks the New Anti-Bullying Framework (Ref: 167/26)

Bullying prevention is everyone's responsibility, and last week renowned psychologist Dr Michael Carr-Gregg joined CS������ on Wednesday 29 July to unpack the new Anti-Bullying Framework and what it means for Catholic schools. Over 450 people registered for the session; if you missed it, the recording is now available.

Creating safe, respectful and inclusive school communities takes more than responding to incidents of bullying; it requires a proactive, whole-school approach that builds belonging, wellbeing and positive relationships. That was the message at the heart of last week's CS������ Wellbeing for Learning webinar with psychologist Dr Michael Carr-Gregg. He unpacked the new ������ Anti-Bullying Framework for Principals, Wellbeing leaders and teachers from across the system, helping to uncover what bullying really is, what the evidence says works, what's changing under the Framework and why parents and carers are central to making it stick. He closed with practical steps that schools can implement straight away. 

Access the Webinar recording and flipbook

A recording of the webinar and a flipbook of Dr Carr-Gregg's slides are now available on the Wellbeing page (under What's New) of the CS������ Professional Learning platform. Sign in with your school or diocesan email address and use the NETID portal to access the link. 

Keynote speakers locked in for High Potential and Gifted Education Symposium Better, Fairer: Equity and Excellence (Ref: 166/26)

Catholic Schools ������ is pleased to announce that Dr Geraldine Townend and Marisa Zadro will be thekeynote speakers for the inaugural High Potential and Gifted Education Symposium, on Monday 19 October 2026. 

About your keynote speakers

Dr Geraldine Townend is the Deputy Head of School of Education (Learning & Teaching), at the University of ������ (U������). As a prominent lecturer and researcher in the field of gifted education, twice-exceptionality, and creativity and innovation education, she also contributes to Gifted Education Research and Resource Information Centre (GERRIC).

Her opening keynote, Equity and Excellence in High Potential and Gifted Education: What the Evidence Tells Us, is core to the theme of the Symposium. 
Attendees will also be able to engage in a breakout session with Dr Townsend:  Classroom strategies that best support high potential, gifted and twice-exceptional students.

Along with being Curriculum Manager at NESA, the second keynote speaker Marisa Zadro, is a Lecturer and Doctoral Candidate at U������. Her presentation, Spotlight on Curriculum - Designing for excellence – how the ������ curriculum supports gifted learners and talent development, will explore how the ������ Curriculum is designed to be flexible and responsive to the needs of gifted learners, while supporting talent development across diverse domains.

Along with our keynote speakers there will be 12 breakouts sessions, a panel and plenary. Don't miss out on this exceptional professional learning opportunity!

Join the conversation

When: Monday 19 October 
Where: Amora Hotel Jamison, Sydney
Early access: Registrations are opening soon and places are strictly limited. To gain early access to tickets,click here.

Why attend?

Participants will engage with well‑designed, research‑informed strategies that bridge the gap between theory and classroom practice, empowering educators to nurture the full potential of every learner.

• Expert Insights: Hear from leading voices in high potential gifted education on identifying and nurturing talent in diverse settings.
• Collaborative Spirit: Connect with peers committed to elevating the educational experience for high potential and gifted learners.
• Practical Strategies: Gain actionable tools to promote equity and excellence, ensuring no high potential or gifted student is left behind.

Integrating the Live Life to the Full Program: A Whole School Approach (Ref: 164/26)

Live Life to the Full has recently launched across CS������, giving schools a Catholic-informed program to teach consent and respectful relationships, but rolling it out well takes more than platform access it takes a clear plan for staff professional learning, sequencing and support.

Join Karen Doyle, Founder of Live Life to the Full, for a practical, hands-on session for school and system leaders. Karen will walk through how to introduce the program to different stakeholder groups, from teachers and wellbeing staff to school executive, and share simple ways to sequence the rollout so it doesn't overwhelm staff.

The session will focus heavily on the practical: how to prepare teachers to deliver sensitive content with confidence, what to put in place before lessons begin, and the key tips and common pitfalls picked up from schools already using the platform.
Ideal for Principals, Assistant Principals, Wellbeing Leaders, PDHPE and Religious Education Coordinators and other system leaders, this session will leave you with a clear, workable starting point for embedding Live Life to the Full in your school.

Date: Thursday, August 27

Time: 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm

Delivery: Online

To register,  

School’s in – on the Great Barrier Reef (Ref: 163/26)

The Great Barrier Reef is a classroom like no other. Now a new national program is offering more Australian school students the learning experience of a lifetime by subsidising school excursions to the Reef.

The $6 million ‘Kids for the Reef’ program is making rebates available from the Australian Government for eligible Year 4 to Year 12 students.

Pupils can boat through amazing ecosystems, take part in snorkel surveys of vibrant sea life, study marine science and conservation, or embark on many other approved educational activities.

The program is open to public, private, independent and Catholic schools, as well as registered home educators, across the country. Rebates generally range from $20-$400 per student, based on distance. However, payments may rise to around $1,600 per student for very remote schools with low ICSEA (socio-educational) scores.

The Kids for the Reef School Excursion Rebate Program runs until June 2028, but it helps to apply early. Applications are assessed in order of receipt until all funds are allocated.

Read more about Kids for the Reef: