All Staff Edition, Week 2, Term 1, 2025
Dear Colleagues,
Welcome to the 2025 school year.
As we begin the year, we acknowledge the significant challenges facing our world, from cost-of-living pressures to global conflicts, racial and religious intolerance, and the impact of natural disasters. These challenges impact our communities, our classrooms, and the lives of our students and families, making our role as Catholic educators even more essential.
As a community of Catholic schools, we are called to respond to these challenges with faith, wisdom, and hope. In this Jubilee Year, “Pilgrims of Hope”, Pope Francis reminds us that “hope does not disappoint”. He urges us to look for signs of hope in the world around us and to work for peace and justice. As bearers of Christ’s love, this has always been our calling and let us keep this focus central to who we are and the work we accomplish together. We offer a vision that nurtures faith, fosters learning, and empowers students to thrive in communities where they are known, valued, and loved both as person and learner.
Continuing our shared pilgrimage
As we begin another year, we continue our improvement journey—our shared pilgrimage—to fulfil the aspirations outlined in Lighting The Way. By pursuing our five focus areas, we will ensure our schools are places where students can explore complex questions, develop critical thinking, and grow in faith, preparing them to apply a Catholic worldview as agents of positive change in the world. Our strategic priorities require persistent and conscientious effort and relentless determination, because the problems they represent are likely to have resisted previous efforts to solve them.
Each of you, through your school’s Annual Improvement Plan (AIP), will play a crucial role in bringing Lighting The Way to life in your local context. AIPs are more than just a process or a box to be ticked. A clear AIP provides the focus we need to ensure we are pulling in the same direction and our collective efforts have the greatest possible impact. If you are not familiar with your school’s AIP, I encourage you to reach out to your principal or a member of the school leadership team.
Catholic Education Office 2025 Objectives
Our Connected Autonomy strategy acknowledges that the best way to realise our mission is for schools to lead the improvement process, because it is ultimately in the day-to-day—often unseen—actions of teachers, support staff, principals, and school leaders that our mission rises or falls.
The Catholic Education Office (CEO) has a crucial responsibility in this, to do all we can to provide the time, resources, and support you need. In our 2025 CEO Objectives, we have outlined three major priorities that will further this aim: (1) Using data more effectively, (2) Embedding connected autonomy, and (3) Driving growth and sustainability.
While schools continue to drive improvement through School Strategic Improvement Plans (SSIPs) and AIPs, the CEO's strategic objectives are our way of contributing to the aim and ambitions of Lighting The Way. I invite you to take a moment to explore the objectives, and the supporting initiatives, in more detail here.
Click the image below to expand and view.
I never fail to be inspired by the dedication on display in our schools and the CEO. The work we do in Catholic education is truly noble, for we "write not on inanimate material, but on the very spirits of human beings”. I feel privileged to journey alongside you as Pilgrims of Hope as we carry out this noble work, and I look forward to achieving great things together for our students, staff, and school communities.
Welcome back, and God bless.
Sincerely,
Peter Hill
Director of Schools
Pope Francis has provided many thoughts to ponder throughout this jubilee year. From this selection, take time with each one and reflect on the implication for you personally and within your professional role.
“Help each other discover this encounter with Christ who gives us life, and let’s set out on a journey as pilgrims of hope to celebrate that life. . . . Day by day, let us fill our lives with the gift of hope that God gives us, and through us, let us allow it to reach everyone who is looking for it.” (Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network, 12.12.2024)
How do you experience the gift of hope and how might you give expression to it with those you encounter?
No matter what the world throws at us, Christians should have the courage to press forward in hope. At the end of his video message, Pope Francis closed with a gentle reminder: “Don’t forget—hope never disappoints” (see Rom. 5:5). The God who made heaven and earth is a God who keeps his promises—this is the clear message of Scripture. (Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network, 12.12.2024)
How have you experienced God’s promises in your life?
Pilgrims of Hope, Builders of Peace
“Our life finds fulfilment when we discover who we are, what our gifts are, where we can make them bear fruit, and what path we can follow in order to become signs and instruments of love, generous acceptance, beauty, and peace, wherever we find ourselves.” (Pope Francis, 61st World Day of Prayer for Vocations)
What have you discovered about who you are and how you live your life abundantly?
Turning to the heart of his message, Pope Francis recalled that Christian pilgrimage means keeping our eyes, minds, and hearts fixed on our goal—which is Christ—and to set out every day anew.
“Our pilgrimage on this earth is far from a pointless journey or aimless wandering. On the contrary, each day, by responding to God’s call, we try to take every step needed to advance towards a new world where people can live in peace, justice, and love.” Christ’s Resurrection, noted Pope Francis, is the force that drives our Christian hope and allows us to face the challenges our world presents us. (Pope Francis, 61st World Day of Prayer for Vocations)
What invitation is God offering you to be a bearer of Christ’s love in our world today?
On behalf of the Director of Schools, I wish to announce the following:
Following a recruitment process, Anna Jones is the successful applicant for the substantive position of Team Leader - Leadership and Professional Growth commencing 10 February 2025.
Anna comes with extensive leadership experience in Catholic education. Working with Sydney Catholic Schools for some time, Anna is currently a School Leadership Development Specialist and was previously an ONCE K-12 Student Information Specialist. Prior to this, she was a Leader of Teaching and Learning at Aquinas Catholic College, as well as Leader of Innovation Teaching and Learning at OLSH, Kensington. Anna is accredited as a Genos coach.
Anna has completed a Bachelor of Education with University of Sydney, as well as a Certificate of Religious Education with Australian Catholic University. In 2024, Anna completed a Masters in Educational Leadership at the University of Technology, Sydney.
I take this opportunity to congratulate Anna and wish her every success and fulfillment in this new appointment. I look forward to welcoming Anna to her new role on 10 February.
Natasha O’Donoghue
Assistant Director - People and Culture
Benedictine Abbey – Mother Hilda Scott OSB
Please see the memorandum from Bishop Brian Mascord regarding the Benedictine Abbey and Mother Hilda Scott OSB.
Announcement – Fr Joseph Pothenparampil
Please see the memorandum from Bishop Brian Mascord regarding Fr Joseph Pothenparampil. Currently, the Parish Priest of Nowra, Fr Joseph has accepted a transfer to serve as the full-time Chaplain for Wollongong Public and Private Hospitals.
Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong
Payroll Officer
Primary
Good Samaritan Catholic Primary School, Fairy Meadow
School Support Officer (11 hours per fortnight)
St Michael’s Catholic Parish Primary School, Mittagong
School Support Officer – Administration (22 hours per fortnight)
St Clare’s Catholic Parish Primary School, Narellan Vale
Indentured Casual Teacher
St Pius X Catholic Parish Primary School, Unanderra
Classroom Teacher
Secondary
Corpus Christi Catholic High School, Oak Flats
Mathematics Teacher
You are welcome to join us for our annual Education Mass as we celebrate the Jubilee Year – Pilgrims of Hope.
Tuesday 25 February 2025
Mass at 6 pm, followed by light refreshments
St John Vianney Co-Cathedral
1 Cabbage Tree Lane, Fairy Meadow NSW 2519
No RSVP is required; however, we recommend arriving early.
(Principals will be asked to confirm the attendance numbers from their school closer to the event.)
2025 Education Mass – Expression of Interest for Choir, Musicians, and Percussionists
Due: Friday 14 February 2025
Calling all spirit-filled vocalists, musicians and percussionists!
Expressions of interest to support the music ministry at this year's Education Mass are now open.
Newcomers are welcome and participation is simple. Music is supplied in advance to assist with preparation and a short rehearsal prior to the Mass will tie everything together.
- Date: Tuesday 25 February 2025
- Time: 6 pm - 7.30 pm
- Venue: St John Vianney Co-Cathedral, 1 Cabbage Tree Lane Fairy Meadow
Please complete this Google form by Friday 14 February if you are interested in sharing your talents for this Spirit-filled event.
Feast Day of the Patron Saint of Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking, St Josephine Bakhita
Please see some general information on St Josephine Bakhita. You can also find a prayer card for use.
St Josephine Bakhita is the Patron Saint of Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking, and her feast day is celebrated on 8 February.
The resources have been provided by CEDoW's Modern Slavery compliance advisors and The Australian Catholic Anti-Slavery Network (ACAN).
ACAN recommends these resources be circulated to schools to support acknowledging St Josephine Bakhita.
Attendance Policy and Procedure
A reminder that the revised Attendance Policy and Attendance Procedure will come into effect on 31 January 2025.
The Attendance macro team and broader Wellbeing Student and Support team will continue to support schools during this implementation phase.
A summary of the key changes is set out in ‘Attendance Policy and Procedure: What’s changed?’.
Please implement the revised policy and procedure from 31 January 2025. For any general questions, contact student.attendance@dow.catholic.edu.au.
Minor amendments to New Arrival Student Identification and Assessment Procedure
Minor amendments have been made to the New Arrival Student Identification and Assessment Procedure to reflect updated processes regarding student Visa checks and the Whole School Profile of English Language Proficiency (WSPELP).
Please contact Crystal Ash at 0437 173 976 (Primary) or Sharon Gilbert at 0408 904 183 (Secondary) for further information.
Invitation to provide feedback – DRAFT Return to Work Program
The Workplace Safety and Wellbeing team has recently reviewed CEDoW’s Return To Work Program (RTW Program) and a period of consultation with all staff is now open.
Feedback is welcomed and can be provided up until 14 February 2025, via whs@dow.catholic.edu.au. All feedback should be addressed to Susan Phillipson, Team Leader - Workplace Safety and Wellbeing.
Access to the revised draft CEDoW RTW Program by clicking here.
The draft CEDoW Return to Work Program (RTW Program) outlines CEDoW’s injury management and return to work process and is relevant for all CEDoW staff who have sustained an injury or illness at work allowing them an entitlement to worker’s compensation benefits.
The purpose of this document is to set out the operational processes and actions that give effect to CEDoW’s commitment to achieving a prompt and durable return to and recovery at work for staff who experience a work-related injury or illness.
The overall aim of the RTW Program is to ensure the prompt and durable recovery and return to work of staff following an injury or illness. In line with evidence-based practice, CEDoW believes that returning to work early or staying at work is the most effective way to recover from a work-related injury/illness. CEDoW is committed to promoting a positive attitude toward staff recovering at work and the health benefits of meaningful work.
Key elements of the draft CEDoW RTW Program include:
- Early Intervention: Initiating the process as soon as possible after an injury/illness occurs.
- Injury Management Plan: Developing a plan that outlines the necessary steps for the injured/ill staff member’s recovery.
- Recover at Work Plan: A structured plan detailing suitable duties and the timeline for returning to pre-injury duties.
- Workplace Support: Providing modifications, adjustments, or assistance to facilitate the return to work.
- Consultation and Communication: Regularly involving the injured/ill staff member, their treating practitioner, treating providers, worker’s compensation insurer, and any other support providers in the process.
- Monitoring and Review: Continuously assessing progress and making adjustments as necessary.
- Compliance with Legal Requirements: Ensuring adherence to all relevant legislation and guidelines.
If you have any questions about the draft CEDoW RTW Program please contact Susan Phillipson, Team Leader - Workplace Safety and Wellbeing, People Culture (0438 528 360) or via whs@dow.catholic.edu.au.
For CEDoW’s full range of workplace, safety, and wellbeing resources please visit the Workplace Safety and Wellbeing Hub on Gateway.
Emergency Planning and Preparedness, Learning Management System E-Learning All Staff Training
The safety of students, staff and school communities is a priority for all CEDoW staff. The Workplace Safety and Wellbeing (WSaW) team has been working closely with schools since a review of Emergency Management in 2023, to support schools in creating clear and comprehensive emergency plans, to effectively respond to potential incidents.
To further support schools in Emergency Management Planning the following eLearning package has been added to CEDoWs Learning Management System:
This short course takes approximately 30 minutes to complete. Training of staff Fire Safety is a legislative requirement and supports a safety culture in school and office sites.
It is expected that this self-directed training will be completed by all staff no later than the end of Term 1, 2025.
If you have any questions regarding the resources or require onsite support, please contact your relative Workplace Safety and Wellbeing Officer at whs@dow.catholic.edu.au.
For CEDoW’s full range of workplace, safety, and wellbeing resources please visit the Workplace Safety and Wellbeing Hub on Gateway.
Access Employee Assistance Program (EAP) 2025 Updates
As we enter the new year, many of us are setting goals and thinking about the path ahead. This may be for personal growth, career development, or our overall health and well-being.
Do you know how you approach your goals can make a big difference in achieving them? Research shows that self-distanced journaling, where you write about your challenges in the third person, can help you gain perspective and reduce stress. It also found that stepping back to view a problem, situation, or plan from a distance gave clarity on providing a solution.
Why not view Access EAP’s Newsletter to set yourself up for success in 2025 or dive into Access EAP’s wealth of easily accessible information to help support you in achieving these aspirations.
If you have any questions regarding the resources, please contact Workplace Safety and Wellbeing on whs@dow.catholic.edu.au.
For CEDoW’s full range of workplace, safety and wellbeing resources please visit the Workplace Safety and Wellbeing Hub on Gateway.
NSW Health School Vaccination Program
NSW Health works with schools to offer free vaccines to students. Local Public Health Units (PHUs) will contact schools to arrange dates for school vaccination clinics. They will also distribute printed student flyers and parent flyers for all students enrolled in Year 7 and Year 10. Printed consent forms will be distributed by the PHUs following discussions with individual schools.
For more details, visit the NSW Health Vaccination Program or download the Program Guide for Schools.
Enrolments Open for CatholicCare’s Parenting Courses
CatholicCare Wollongong offers parenting courses on topics such as:
- Understanding and supporting your child's needs by building a secure attachment
- Childhood brain development and understanding how to meet your child’s growing needs
- Childhood anxiety and stress and how you can support them
If you would like to learn more about our courses visit our website or call 4254 9395.
Student NAPLAN NAP App video tutorial
Looking to help your iPad students learn how to use the NAP App in time for NAPLAN? Use this video tutorial with your class to familiarise your students on the features of the NAP App, and how to navigate seamlessly in the App when using an iPad, so they can succeed in NAPLAN.
NAPLAN 2025 Information
Students in Years 3, 5, 7, and 9 will sit NAPLAN between 12 and 24 March 2025.
NAPLAN assesses literacy and numeracy skills that students are already learning at school. It is not a test that requires preparation, and students are not expected to study for it.
NAPLAN forms part of a school’s assessment and reporting process but does not replace ongoing teacher assessments of student performance. Individual results can be a helpful resource for students and parents to discuss progress with teachers.
For more information, visit the Parents and Carers page on the NAP website and download the NAPLAN Information Brochure for Parents and Carers. You can also visit the Public Demonstration Site page to explore the test format.
Why NAPLAN is now held in March
This is the third year NAPLAN will be conducted in March, having previously taken place in May. The change was introduced to provide schools with results earlier in the year, helping inform teaching and learning plans for the remainder of the school year.
Why NAPLAN is conducted online
Since transitioning from paper-based to online assessment between 2018 and 2022, NAPLAN has offered:
- More precise results through tailored (adaptive) testing, where questions match students' abilities, allowing them to better demonstrate their skills.
- Enhanced accessibility options, enabling students with disability to participate.
- A more engaging experience for students, based on their feedback.
For more information about online assessment, visit the Understanding Online Assessment page on the NAP website.
Schools can access the NAPLAN 2025 Information Resources Kit for further details.
Updated resources for Enterprise Computing and Software Engineering online HSC exams
An Official Notice from NESA released on Friday 31 January 2025, noted the HSC familiarisation questions and screen design tool video for Enterprise Computing and Software Engineering HSC courses have been updated to include new features. The screen design tool video has also been updated to show new ways that the drawing tool can be applied in online HSC exams.
Click the links below to access the updated HSC familiarisation questions:
Click the links below to watch the screen design tool video:
CEDoW 2025 Timeline: NCCD and Personalised Planning
Key dates and activities are noted in the linked CEDoW 2025 Timeline: NCCD and Personalised Planning document. School NCCD teams are invited to make a copy of the document and store it with their NCCD data to guide the 2025 NCCD process.
Changes may be made to the master copy throughout the year. CEDoW will inform schools of these changes via Gateway.
Please note two significant activities in Term 1:
- Schools should communicate the commencement of the 2025 NCCD to the broader school community. A National Fact Sheet is available in the NCCD portal should schools choose to direct parents to this resource and/or use some or part of the content in school newsletters.
- Staff should engage in professional learning related to the Disability Standards for Education (DSE). Every three years, staff should complete the 8 DSE lessons appropriate to their role, located in the Professional Learning section of the NCCD portal. (registration is required) Refresher training is available in LMS for years two and three of the three-year professional learning cycle under the following titles -
- Disability Standards for Education Refresher Module - Teaching Staff
- Disability Standards for Education Refresher Module - Non-teaching Staff
As School NCCD teams commence this year’s process they should also familiarise themselves with the 2025 NCCD Guidelines now available in the NCCD portal.
Now open: Nominations for the NSW Training Awards
The NSW Training Awards recognise outstanding achievement in the vocational education and training sector. 2025 marks the 70th year of the Awards, which honour and celebrate the achievements of students, trainers/teachers, registered training organisations, and employers
Awards Categories
Individual Awards:
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year
- Apprentice of the Year
- School-based Apprentice/Trainee of the Year
- Trainee of the Year
- VET Trainer/Teacher of the Year
- Vocational Student of the Year
- VET in Schools Student of the Year
Organisation Awards
- Large Training Provider of the Year
- Small Training Provider of the Year
- Industry Collaboration Award
- Large Employer of the Year
- Small Employer of the Year
Check your eligibility for the Awards here.
For further information follow the below link. Could you please share it with people within your organisation.
Contact: Christina Desmond at DesmondC01@dow.catholic.edu.au.
Safer Internet Day
Safer Internet Day is a great opportunity to start the year with some quality digital citizenship learning experiences.
Here’s how you can get your students involved in two simple steps:
- Download your toolkit on the hub – You’ll find toolkits for schools which include posters, social media tiles, and activities. Plus, explore resources for parents, carers, and organisations working with families to support safer online spaces in your community.
- Show your support on social media – In your toolkit you’ll find social media tiles, or you can record a quick video sharing how you’ll be contributing to a safer, more positive internet. Remember to tag #SID2025 and @eSafetyOffice.
Want some extra inspiration?
- Run an online safety virtual event at your workplace – use the ready-to-go presentation and new quiz to crown your online safety champion!
- Spread the word with posters in your workplace or community.
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Veterans Commemoration Service Friday
Register now for representatives from your school to attend the 2025 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Veterans Commemoration Service. The ceremony continues to gather momentum since its inception in 2007, uniting Australians to remember and honour the service and sacrifice of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander veterans. The exceptional guest speakers and their remarkable stories continue to inspire our youth, Indigenous and non-Indigenous alike.
Information:
- Date: Friday 30 May 2025
- Location: Anzac Memorial, Hyde Park
- Contact: RSL NSW events@rslnsw.org.au
- Recommended arrival time: by 10:20 AM
- Ceremony time: 10:40 am to 12:00 PM
- Dress: School uniform
Site plan: Click here to view the site plan which outlines seating areas, bathrooms and first aid locations.
School Resource Pack: this pack will be available closer to the event.
Wreath laying: During the service students will be invited to lay a wreath or floral tribute at the base of the Anzac Memorial steps, allowing schools to commemorate the sacrifices made by Australian servicemen and women.
This is optional and the supply/expense of a wreath or floral tribute is the responsibility of each individual school. We encourage schools to make a wreath or floral tribute, as opposed to purchasing them. The connection to your local flora and native plant life is an important element of the service, as they link to the country and this simple activity will help reinforce this message.
If your school is interested in attending, please also contact Karan Taylor at taylork01@dow.catholic.edu.au or Danielle Grados at gradosd01@dow.catholic.edu.au directly for additional support on the day.
ACEN eBook of the Week
This week’s first theme for 2025 is Welcome Back to School.
See the link here to explore the eBook titles for primary, secondary, and staff through the Australian Catholic Education Network (ACEN). Click on each image or use the QR code to access further information.
To sign in to Sora, select "ACEN" as your school. If you have any questions, contact Jim Gallagher at gallagherj01@dow.catholic.edu.au.
This week from the CEDoW Resource Centre
Please click here to view a range of resources to support the RE curriculum for units from Kindergarten to Year 6.
- K.1: Welcome
- 1.1 Baptism
- 2.1 Images of God
- 3.1 Created by God: A Gift to Share
- 4.1 Living the Law of Love
- 5.1 The Reign of God: Reaching Out in Justice
- 6e.1 The Reign of God: Breaking Down The Barriers
For further details, please contact Anne Russell, CEDoW Resource Centre Manager at russella01@dow.catholic.edu.au.
Release of 2024 HSC Analysis and Training Opportunities
Catholic Schools NSW (CSNSW) is pleased to announce that the 2024 HSC Data Analysis by Dr John DeCourcy is complete and available for downloading. This can be accessed via the HSC Data Analysis recipients portal in NetID.
Please read further below for HSC Training and Consultation opportunities in February.
HSC Data Analysis Seminars
CSNSW is hosting several seminars with Dr John DeCourcy in February to explore the 2024 HSC Data Analysis. Please refer to CSNSW's Professional Learning Platform for more information.
HSC Consultations with CSNSW
Meetings can be arranged between CSNSW and diocesan staff or school leaders interested in delving further into specific HSC results for their diocese or school. These consultations can be conducted online or in person and can be arranged from February 2025 onwards by registering interest. After registering, CSNSW will be in contact to discuss your specific needs. Register here.
Wellbeing Webinar with Dr Helen Street – Educating with Resilience
One of the most fundamentally important drivers of student wellbeing, positive behaviour and learning engagement, is the quality of staff: student relationships. The more effectively and meaningfully teachers connect with their students, the more their students feel well, behave well and learn well. Dr Helen Street will deliver this online webinar on Wednesday 12 March from 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm ADST.
It is, however, undeniably difficult for teachers to invest in healthy relationships with their students, if their own wellbeing and capacity for resilience is constantly challenged.
In this online presentation, Helen will explore the notion of what it means to be a resilient educator in Catholic schools, in 2025. In so doing she will offer ideas and strategies to help educators build both their capacity for resilience and their ongoing wellbeing.
Most notably, Helen will propose four key approaches to day-to-day educator life.
These approaches will focus on:
- Developing inner calm and a strong sense of ‘who you are’ as an educator.
- Learning to differentiate daily classroom goals from long-term measures of success.
- Understanding healthy staff: student relationships with boundaries.
- Trusting your ability to teach well in an uncertain world.
Click here to register for this webinar.
Free online staff training to recognise and respond to anaphylaxis
Free online courses for all primary and secondary school staff have been developed to provide nationally consistent training in recognising and responding to anaphylaxis.
We encourage all school communities to participate in this training, developed by the Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA) and endorsed by the Department of Health and Aged Care.
The training aligns with the requirement under the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers, Focus Area 4.4, that teachers maintain student safety within the school system.
Learn more on ASCIA's website.
Free Classroom Management Course to Enhance Teacher Effectiveness
One in three teachers reports losing valuable teaching time due to disruptive behaviour. Research highlights that fostering a positive disciplinary climate enhances student performance in reading literacy.
To address this, the University of Adelaide is offering a free micro-credential course on classroom management. Designed by experts, the course provides strategies for creating safe and orderly learning environments, managing disruptions, and promoting positive classroom practices.
This self-paced online course allows teachers to complete it at their convenience and may serve as a pathway to postgraduate study with the University of Adelaide. There are additional self-paced learning opportunities including Explicit Teaching and Teaching Phonics.
Supported by over $3 million in funding from the Albanese Government, this initiative is part of the National Teacher Workforce Action Plan and the Engaged Classrooms initiative.
This micro-credential will take you on a learning journey exploring proactive, preventative classroom management strategies that can be used to support diverse cohorts of students. There is a strong focus on Tier 1 strategies in Modules 1 and 2. As you move into Modules 3 and 4, you will explore strategies that can be used to support students who are engaging in more challenging behaviours – those that sit in Tiers 2 and 3. In each module, you will engage with the theory and evidence that sits behind the strategies and investigate how the strategies could be implemented in the classroom and as part of a whole-school approach to classroom management.
The 4 modules are a 48-hour course and include the following:
- Module 1 - Creating a safe and orderly classroom culture
- Module 2 - Addressing frequent interruptions to learning
- Module 3 - Building positive and inclusive practices
- Module 4 - Managing escalations in behaviour
Click here for more information.
Click here to enrol.
K-6 Curriculum Support
The K-6 Curriculum Support page contains:
- Important links to external and internal sites
- Professional learning
- Planning and programming support
- Assessment and reporting
- Professional reading
For enquiries please contact learningk-12support@dow.catholic.edu.au.
Literacy Teaching Toolbox
The Literacy Teaching Toolbox contains a range of syllabus aligned information, teaching strategies, curriculum support material, and professional readings to support you in teaching English across K-6.
The following sections of the Literacy Teaching Toolbox were updated during the pupil vacation period:
- Pedagogy - High-Impact Teaching Strategies (Learning and Wellbeing)
- Programming and planning - Information on scope and sequencing; backward by design approach to planning and programming; making connections across focus areas of the K-10 English syllabus, plus a range of curriculum support material
- Creating written text - encompasses information to support planning and programming within and across the focus areas related to creating written texts including oral language, vocabulary, spelling, handwriting and digital transcription and embedded components of grammar and punctuation.
The Literacy Teaching Toolbox will be regularly updated throughout the year. For all K-6 enquiries please contact learningk-12support@dow.catholic.edu.au.
2025+ Programming Resources
A whole school approach maximises learning by providing students with a highly-sequenced, knowledge-rich curriculum that presents new material incrementally, connects new content to what’s come before, and gives students ample opportunities to practice. (Grattan, 2023)
The 2025 programming folders have been released to all schools. These folders contain updated CEDoW Sample Program Templates and CEDoW Sample Scope and Sequence Templates, aligned to the NESA requirements for programming and CEDoW Programming Guidelines.
As schools continue to embed the K-10 English and Mathematics syllabuses, the revised scope and sequence templates are designed to support a coordinated whole-school approach to planning through the design of whole school scope and sequences.
Teachers may modify layouts of sample unit templates or choose to develop their own in line with school agreed practices. It is a teacher’s responsibility to ensure program documentation meets minimum NESA requirements. Schools must have processes in place to support teachers in meeting these requirements.
These resources can also be found on the K-6 Curriculum Support page.
Additional resources to support the development of teaching and learning programs include:
- Sample scope and sequence templates can be found here.
- Sample program templates can be found here.
- CEDoW programming guidelines can be found here.
- CEDoW Religious Education programming guidelines can be found here.
- Class curriculum compliance self-review checklist can be found here.
- NESA’s fact sheet: Curriculum - school registration requirements can be found here.
- NESA's advice on differentiated programming can be found here.
- AERO (2023): How students learn best
- AERO (2024): A knowledge-rich approach to curriculum design
For further information please contact learningk-12support@dow.catholic.edu.au.
2025 Australian Maths Teachers Online Conference
"The best piece of advice I can share about teaching maths in 2025..."
The Numeracy Teachers Academy is offering access to its free online conference. All sessions of the conference are asynchronous and are ready for you to watch at any time between 20 January and 17 February 2025.
Some sessions include:
- Practice makes permanent, Dr Ange Rogers
- You don’t need to differentiate everything - it’s the Big Ideas that make a difference! Emeritus Professor Dianne Siemon
- Establish routines, Dr Paul Swan and Narelle Rice
- Make reasoning part of every lesson!, Dr Aylie Davidson
- Embrace flexible planning approaches to spark interest in every student!, Dr Sara Gaul-McKee
- Supporting students in the transition from primary to secondary maths. It’s all about working together, Stephanie Watts and Nicola Kovacs
Recordings of these sessions are available from 20 January to 17 February 2025 (4 weeks). Register here to access all the videos.
Teaching Phonics: Embed systematic synthetic phonics instruction through online professional learning
The Australian Government Department of Education is funding online micro-credential courses with the University of Adelaide for all Australian teachers. The research-grounded Teaching Phonics course provides insights into the teaching of phonics for both primary and secondary teachers, and identifies the critical evidence-based strategies and practices that support student learning, using the latest research.Duration: 48 hours of self-paced learning
Delivery mode: Online
Start date: 28 January 2025 onwards
Cost: Free
This course forms part of a suite (Classroom Management, Explicit Teaching and Teaching Phonics) of free, evidence-based expert-informed courses provided by the University of Adelaide. Each self-paced, practical course supports schools/teachers build their capability through professional learning on a flexible, digital platform.
To register your interest and for further details, click here.