All Staff Edition, Week 8, Term 1, 2025

CRSSFIT

A Spiritual Boot Camp | LENT 2025

“Lent comes providentially to reawaken us, to shake us from our lethargy.”
Pope Francis 2021

Outline

This week in scripture we reflect on the fig tree in the garden that does not seem to be productive. However, what does 'productive' mean? In whose eyes is something, great or valuable or worthy? In our modern, secular world the focus is on money and size and amounts of things. We are called to flip the concept of ‘productive, successful and valuable’ to the currency of God—where we are all priceless, made in God’s image.

• Catholic Social Teaching Focus: Economic Justice 
• Body Part Awareness Exercise – SHOULDER 

The instructions for this week’s session can be found in the 2025 CR+SSFIT School Program Booklet here. 

Courage to Be Overnight Retreat

The Courage to Be Overnight Retreat is a spiritual formation opportunity for CEDoW staff. It seeks to provide an opportunity to slow down and explore some of the wisdom from our tradition which can support us in taking those next courageous steps in life.

It endeavours to create a space for participants to reflect on their lives and will include input, gentle discussion, personal reflection and Christian Meditation.

“The Courage to Be” is an overnight retreat and will be held in the beautiful grounds of The Hermitage in Mittagong on Thursday 29 and Friday 30 May 2025 (Term 2 Week 5). Day One will be funded by the CEO (C15) and Day Two is to be funded by schools. Please register through LMS no later than Friday 9 May 2025. Approval by your principal | Assistant Director | Team Leader is required before registering on LMS. Please see the flyer here.

Due to the nature of this retreat numbers are limited so please register as soon as possible.

For those staff members who have already attended the Courage to Be, the Courage to Continue retreat will be offered in Term 3, 2025. Further information regarding The Courage to Continue will be forwarded at a later date.

Another Cup of Our Life

The Staff Spiritual Formation team would like to inform you of an upcoming personal formation opportunity which is being offered to School Support Officers and CEO Administration Staff.

The retreat is entitled “Another Cup of Our Life” and seeks to provide staff with an opportunity to slow down and reflect on different aspects of their lives. Please note that staff are not required to have attended the previous Cup of Our Life Retreat and that for those who have, it will be a unique experience from the last. 

We will explore some ways to ensure that our cups are replenished and how our loving God longs to walk with us in all that we face. The day will include personal reflection, interactive discussions and meditation. All staff attending the retreat are asked to bring a cup that holds significance for them as this symbol will be central to the day.

“Another Cup of Our Life” is a one day retreat and will be held in the beautiful grounds of The Hermitage in Mittagong on Tuesday 24 or Wednesday 25 June 2025 (Term 3, Week 9). We are offering it twice to provide schools with the opportunity to send staff on different days if necessary. All meals, facilitation and venue expenses will be covered by the CEO. Schools are required to cover the cost for release. Registration is through LMS by Friday 6 June 2025.

Due to the nature of this retreat numbers are limited so we would encourage interested staff to register as soon as possible. All of the details regarding the retreat are on the flyer here.

Primary

St Paul’s Catholic Parish Primary School, Albion Park
Creative Arts Teacher (F.T.E. 0.6)

St Anthony’s Catholic Parish Primary School, Picton
Classroom Teacher

St Thomas More Catholic Parish Primary School, Ruse
School Support Officer – Classroom (36 hours per fortnight)

Secondary

Magdalene Catholic College, Narellan
TAS Teacher
School Support Officer – Diverse Learning Support (65 hours per fortnight)

Corpus Christi Catholic High School, Oak Flats
PD/H/PE and Religious Education Teacher

St Benedict’s Catholic College, Oran Park
Science Teacher
School Support Officer (Classroom) (24 hours per fortnight)

K-12

St Francis Catholic College, Edmondson Park
Classroom Teacher (K-4)

Year 8 Students Lead the Way with the Digital Discipleship Project

Following in the footsteps of the late Carlo Acutis, a digital advocate soon to be recognised as a saint, Year 8 students from Macarthur schools recently gathered to hone their Catholic leadership skills and explore digital evangelisation.

As part of this Jubilee Year: Pilgrims of Hope, students created Digital Discipleship projects to make a meaningful impact in their schools. They explored causes such as fostering positive relationships, strengthening student culture and promoting Project Compassion.

This event was just the beginning—students will continue developing their projects throughout the year, using digital media to share their messages. Some have chosen film, while others are exploring different creative approaches.

Empowering young leaders to take action and inspire change, the initiative highlights student agency and voice. A similar event for Illawarra students was postponed and will be rescheduled soon.

We look forward to seeing these projects unfold and their impact across the diocese.

Watch the video below to see their journey in action.

Minor Amendments to the Financial Policy and Financial Procedure

For: School leaders and CEO staff 

Minor amendments have been made to the Financial Policy - Systemic Schools and CEO and the supporting Financial Procedure - Systemic Schools and CEO as part of this policy’s annual review cycle.

Amendments have been made throughout both documents to clarify requirements as needed and to reflect updates to current practice and position titles.

Notable changes in the policy are included in sections:

1. Financial Delegations
2. Market Testing 
3. Asset Register Requirements
4. Insertion of Fee Concession Applications
5. Bad Debt Write Offs
6. Corporate Credit Cards
7. Use of School Income and Assets
8. Fundraising
9. Internal Controls

Notable changes in the procedure are included in sections:

• Market Testing
• Asset Registers
• Use of School Income and Assets

The amendments will come into effect on 18 March 2025.

Further communications will be issued via the School Support Team Circular to Schools and SSSO Network meetings. 

Please take the time to familiarise yourself with the updated documents and communicate the changes within your team(s) as relevant. 

Questions? Contact Diane Nicolson, Senior Finance Manager – nicolsond01@dow.catholic.edu.au.

Case Collaboration Procedure Update

Last year, the commencement date of the revised Case Collaboration Procedure was paused to allow time to respond to feedback and continue working with schools to plan for implementation. 

We’ve made some amendments to the Procedure in response to your feedback. You can view the updated and approved final Procedure here. 

Much has already been achieved to align schools’ current structures and processes with the requirements of the new Procedure. The Wellbeing and Student Support team will continue to provide ongoing differentiated support as schools continue their transition to the new requirements.  

It’s expected that schools will be ready to fully implement the new Procedure by 21 July 2025.  

The Case Collaboration Procedure FAQ remains available and will be updated as new questions arise.

Case Collaboration Procedure – New compass template released

For: School Leaders, CEO and school staff

On 12 March 2025 a new template was deployed into all schools' compass platforms.

A brief video called, ‘Compass: When to use the Staff Case Collaboration Consultation Record’ is available on the Wellbeing and Student Support (WSS) team Gateway site.

All staff are encouraged to view this video to support familiarisation of the template’s use.

School leaders are asked to ensure that staff supporting and maintaining Compass platforms do not delete this template.

CEDoW Accreditation to Work, Teach and Lead

Is your CEDoW Accreditation to Work, Teach and Lead up to date?

Accreditation to WTL Level/s and any additional requirements are outlined on your contract.

If you still require more information or have any questions, please email: wtlaccreditation@dow.catholic.edu.au. 

For general information on CEDoW Accreditation to Work, Teach and Lead please visit the following website: https://www.dow.catholic.edu.au/employment/accreditation-cedow/. 

CEDoW Scholarship Support

For some areas of Accreditation to Work Teach and Lead, CEDoW offers Scholarship Support.

Please visit the following website for more information and to apply: https://www.dow.catholic.edu.au/employment/cedow-scholarships/.

Australian Catholics: Online Media Internship Program for Students

For: Secondary Principals and RECs/Leaders of Mission

Please share with relevant teaching staff.

Jesuit Communications, the publisher of Australian Catholics, offers an annual online media internship program for students in Years 10, 11, and 12 across Australia.This program provides an exciting introduction to careers in media.

Internship program 2025 guide.

This week-long internship, which will take place via Zoom from 6 to 9 May 2025 (9:00 am—3:30 pm AEST), is a valuable opportunity for students to deepen their understanding of the media industry while contributing to an edition of Australia's largest-circulating Catholic print publication. Additionally, a two-hour introductory session will be held on Monday, 30 April 2025 (4:00 – 6:00 pm).

Applications for the 2025 program close at 5:00 pm on Friday 21 March 2025.

IDO Expo: A Networking Opportunity for NDIS Participants 

The Illawarra Disability Options (IDO) Expo provides an opportunity for families of NDIS participants to familiarise themselves with local disability service providers and registered training organisations. This annual event is of particular relevance to students with disability planning post school pathways.

Schools in the Illawarra are encouraged to include a notice of this event in school newsletters.

When: Thursday 3 April 2025 11.00 am to 3.00 pm

Where: The Fraternity Club, 11 Bourke Street, Fairy Meadow

2025 CSSA Online Trial HSC Examinations offered for the first time

The CSSA, a division of Catholic Schools NSW, creates premium CSSA Trial HSC Examinations by education experts. Our writers and assessors have syllabus expertise and extensive teaching experience to create the CSSA Trial HSC Examinations. 

In 2025, the CSSA is pleased to introduce three online HSC Trial Examinations designed to equip students with essential online examination experience ahead of their HSC assessments. The CSSA Trial online exams will be available in Science Extension, Enterprise Computing, and Software Engineering. These examinations are to be undertaken strictly within the sessions allocated on the CSSA timetable.

Upon ordering the 2025 online examinations via the CSSA website, schools will receive comprehensive guidance and support materials within seven days. This crucial information will be dispatched to the principal and the designated CSSA main contact. The CSSA is committed to supporting and assisting students through this innovative online HSC assessment platform. 

Technological assistance for principals/main CSSA contact: 

• If a principal/main CSSA contact requires technological assistance with sign-in to their registered school account in the CSSA website, please email service@csnsw.catholic.edu.au 
  
  
• There is a CSNSW verification process in place to maintain the privacy and confidentiality of each principal and their registered school account with the CSSA. 

CSSA website and individual school accounts:

• School data in individual School Accounts with the CSSA must be kept up to date by individual schools via the CSSA website | Account Settings
  
  
• Relevant personnel in CSSA registered schools should ensure that school data available and fields of information on the CSSA website is checked, updated and completed as necessary. This will ensure that your school’s address, phone number, email address, and contact details are correct this information is critical for communication with schools and the secure delivery of CSSA Trial HSC Examinations. Finally, remember to click on the “SAVE” button at the end of the process.

For your convenience, the link to the CSSA website is here. 

The Orbispace Initiative and Pitch for the Planet

Last year, we were absolutely blown away by the amazing students from Corpus Christi who took home the top prize. Their innovative ideas and passionate presentation made them worthy winners, and they've since enjoyed some truly unforgettable experiences.

Corpus Christi's victory led to a whirlwind of exciting opportunities, including:

• A Royal Occasion: A delightful High Tea with the Duchess of York!
• Inside Parliament: A special visit to Parliament at the invitation of the Minister for Finance!
• Tech Immersion: An engaging AR/VR workshop at the Startup Hub!

These experiences show just how far your students can go with Pitch for the Planet. This is more than just a competition; it's a chance for students to develop critical thinking, presentation skills, and a passion for making a difference in the world.

The Orbispace Initiative delivers impactful STEM Innovation Programs for high school girls, preparing them to become future change makers and lead the shift toward a sustainable future.

TOI’s 6-month Year 8 Innovation Program, developed by industry leaders together with educational experts, fast-tracks girls in STEM by providing essential skills, industry experience, networks, and mentorship. It teaches best-in-class frameworks, methodologies and models applied and used daily by leading entrepreneurs, corporations and universities.

What is Pitch for the Planet?

Pitch for the Planet, under the Orbispace initiative, encourages students to come up with innovative solutions to environmental challenges. It’s a platform for creativity, collaboration, and real-world impact. We're looking for the next generation of eco-warriors and problem-solvers!

Get Involved in 2025!

We're inviting secondary schools to participate in the Orbispace Initiative. We've linked our 2025 Schools Handbook with all the details you need to get started. 

For further information or if you have any questions, please contact:  

• Mark Woolley at mark.woolley@dow.catholic.edu.au 
• Russ Flannery at russell.flannery@dow.catholic.edu.au
• Ben Woods at benjamin.woods@dow.catholic.edu.au.

Primary School Program: TrackSAFE Foundation

Rail safety is an essential life skill. Most children will encounter trains, trams, light rail, and their tracks at some stage, whether in the city or regional areas. It is important for students to understand why rail safety matters and how to stay safe in rail environments.

The TrackSAFE Foundation Primary School Program includes a suite of free resources for teachers to deliver rail safety education to their students. All resources are linked to five rail safety messages and include a range of digital, creative, and collaborative activities to engage students.

Register to download the free education kit for primary schools. An overview of the kit is available here.

Interactive Video Conference: Visit us at Our House

Understanding how laws are made is a key step in fostering a lifelong interest in civics and the democratic process. If you’re a year 5 or 6 teacher, how do you make the civics and citizenship syllabus inspiring and something that will stick with your students? 

Visit us at Our House is a free, live and interactive educational program from NSW Parliament based on the History K–10 NSW syllabus for the Australian curriculum: Civics and Citizenship.  

Year 5/6 students will discover/ learn about:

• The development of democracy in the early colony of NSW
• Our three levels of government
• How the bicameral system works to make laws.  

Students will laugh and learn as our facilitator brings colour and humour to how the Parliamentary process works.

This program is delivered online during the school term at 9:30 am and 12:00 pm. Multiple dates are available for 2025.  

Book your spot now.

Harmony Day Competition 2025

The annual Harmony Day Competition celebrates Australia’s cultural diversity and social cohesion at a time when it is being challenged. Students can enter the poster, songwriting, or short film categories of the competition. 

One way that schools can continue the good work of Harmony Week is to encourage student participation in the annual Harmony Day Competition.

In 2025 the competition format will be: Poster, Songwriting, and Short Film.

The theme for the 2025 competition is: Harmony – We All Have a Role to Play. 

Entries close on Friday 12 April 2025.

Click on the following links to enter one of the different competition formats: Posters, Songwriting, or Short Film.

Applications Now Open: NSW Premier’s Teacher Scholarships

Applications for the NSW Premier’s Teacher Scholarships are now open. Current temporary or permanent teachers in a NSW Catholic school may be eligible to apply.

Successful applicants will receive $15,000 for a five-week study tour within Australia or abroad, which will inspire positive outcomes for students in NSW schools in an educational focus area.

See here to read more about the 13 NSW Premier’s Teacher Scholarships available and to apply.

Applications close Friday 30 May 2025, 11:59 pm (AEST). 

View the Frequently Asked Questions, or contact the program team at premierscholarships@det.nsw.edu.au or (02) 7814 3820.

CEDoW Library

ACEN eBook of the Week

This week’s Sora eBook theme is Harmony Week. 

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.

ClickView Highlight

This week’s ClickView highlight is Working and Thinking Scientifically. You can view it here.

If you have any questions, please contact Jim Gallagher, Library Services Manager at gallagherj01@dow.catholic.edu.au. 

Studies in Catholic Thought – The Trinitarian God Professional Learning

For: Secondary RECs/Leaders of Mission

Due: Wednesday 26 March 2025

Contact: John Coppola – coppolag01@dow.catholic.edu.au 

Please discuss with your principal or REC/Leader of Mission if you are interested in this professional learning opportunity.

Secondary Religious Education teachers have the opportunity to participate in professional learning designed to deepen their understanding of the Year 11 SICT course content. This session will also explore teaching and learning experiences, assessment strategies, pedagogy, and resources tailored for the Stage 6 classroom.

For more information please see the LMS registration link below.

When: Wednesday 2 April 2025

Where: Emmaus Centre Conference

Registration: LMS by Wednesday 26 March 2025.

Enhancing Educational Excellence: Have You Booked Your 2025 Professional Learning Yet?

Catholic Schools NSW Professional Learning (CSNSW PL) offers dynamic, high-quality professional learning tailored to the sector's evolving needs.

Catholic Schools NSW is excited to present our 2025 Professional Learning Catalogue, filled with a variety of in-person events and online, on-demand courses designed to foster your personal and professional growth.

We look forward to engaging with you both online and in person throughout the year. Due to high demand, our events often reach capacity quickly, so we encourage early registration to secure your spot.

Powering Up Our Future Workforce Webinar

It is with great excitement that The Orbispace Initiative announces the Powering Up Our Future Workforce webinar, a free event aimed at teachers and school leaders, discussing the crucial role teachers play in preparing the next generation of professionals.

Today’s workforce is undergoing major changes, driven by factors such as climate change and renewable energy. Join UNSW’s Digital Grid Futures Institute and The Orbispace Initiative as we explore the future of work and how to equip your students with the skills they need to thrive in this exciting new era, in this afternoon’s webinar.

This event will help you:

• Understand the in-demand skills for a decarbonised economy
• Prepare your students for the jobs of tomorrow
• Leverage your specialist subjects to foster future-ready learners
• Access resources to support students from all backgrounds

Whether you're a careers advisor, curriculum coordinator, school leader, or teacher of any discipline, you won't want to miss this opportunity to shape the future of education.

Date: Tuesday 1 April 2025

Time: 4 - 5:30pm AEDT

Location: Online

Register your attendance here.

For further information or if you have any questions, please contact:  

• Mark Woolley at mark.woolley@dow.catholic.edu.au 
• Russ Flannery at russell.flannery@dow.catholic.edu.au 
• Ben Woods at benjamin.woods@dow.catholic.edu.au.  

K-6 Curriculum Programming

Teachers must demonstrate evidence of alignment between NESA’s syllabuses and their curriculum documentation. This means that the various elements of curriculum documentation align with each other and reflect the relevant syllabus. For example, units of work (outcomes, duration) correlate with those in the scope and sequence and timetable.

This does not mean that teachers cannot change the sequence of unit delivery or duration of time allocated to a unit of work. Adjusting curriculum delivery in response to student needs is good practice. Teachers have the flexibility to decide how such adjustments are made and recorded. Brief electronic or handwritten annotations on the scope and sequence or noting the change through a unit of work are both valid ways of recording such changes.

Detail in programming: Teachers include information in their programs to indicate the syllabus content they plan to teach and how they intend to teach it. A teaching program typically details syllabus outcomes, syllabus content and teaching strategies.

The amount of depth and detail included in a teaching program is a matter for the teacher. Teachers should ensure that the teaching program clearly demonstrates that the syllabus is being delivered and any relevant syllabus requirements are met. Lesson plans and descriptions of repetitive and basic classroom practices are not required in units of work.

CEDoW K-6 Programming Guidelines can be located on the K-6 Curriculum Support site under ‘Planning and Programming Support’.

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. 

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