School Leaders Edition, Week 3, Term 2, 2025
This week, the following leadership vacancies are available:
St Thomas More Catholic Parish Primary School, Ruse
Principal
St Therese Catholic Parish Primary School, West Wollongong
Principal
Registration Open: Catholic Schools NSW Education Law Symposium 2025
For: Principals and SSSOs
Due: Now
Contact: Shinto Sebastian at sebastians03@dow.catholic.edu.au
First notice
Action: Registrations are now open for the Catholic Schools NSW 2025 Education Law Symposium. The Symposium will be held on Monday 14 July 2025 at the Hilton Hotel Sydney.
Catholic Schools NSW invites principals, heads of governance and compliance, finance officers and others designated as ‘responsible persons’ in Catholic education to attend the 2025 Catholic Schools NSW Education Law Symposium.
The theme of this year's symposium is Governing for Mission.
This year’s symposium will include keynotes, panel and workshop sessions:
- Keynote from the NSW Premier, Chris Minns
- Keynote from Paul Martin, CEO of NESA
- Governing for Mission
- Cyberbullying and Student Wellbeing
- AI Governance PJPs - School Authorities and Services Level Agreements
- Reputational Risk
- The Risk Framework and Duty of Care.
Tickets for the Symposium are $295, with payment required upon registration.
CEDoW Stage 3 Public Speaking Competition
For: Primary Principals and Primary Assistant Principals
Due: 26 September 2025
Contact: Kate Jennett at jennettk01@dow.catholic.edu.au
First notice
Stage 3 students are invited to participate in the 2025 CEDoW Public Speaking Competition which is generously supported by the Catholic Development Fund.
Please see below the links to documents containing key information:
Actions:
- Nominate Public Speaking School Contact here.
- Please share the Topics and Information with appropriate members of your school community including Stage 3 teachers and others who may be involved in the process.
2025 CEDoW Employee Engagement Survey – TWO WEEKS LEFT
For: Principals and CEO Leadership Team
Due: Now
Contact: Workplace Safety and Wellbeing Team at whs@dow.catholic.edu.au
Second notice
A big thank you to everyone for actively promoting the survey within your school or service area. Your support plays a critical role in encouraging participation and reinforcing the importance of staff voice.
The feedback received from this survey will help shape future improvements in staff engagement, wellbeing, organisational culture, and overall performance.
The 2025 CEDoW Employee Engagement Survey has now been open for one week, following its launch on Monday 5 May 2025. Eligible* staff have received an email invitation and 2 reminders to complete the survey from Xref Engage.
This research and evidence-based survey was developed in collaboration with Xref Engage and takes around 20 minutes to complete. It remains open for another 2 weeks and will close on Friday 23 May 2025.
Action: KEEP THE MOMENTUM GOING. The current response rate is 28%. We ask for your ongoing support in encouraging all staff to complete the survey.
Your support makes a difference. By actively promoting the survey and encouraging participation, you help ensure that every voice is heard and that the insights we gather genuinely reflect the experiences of our staff.
To help you promote participation and answer any questions, the following resources are available:
- 2025 Engagement Survey: Leaders Talking Points
- 2025 Engagement Survey: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)
- 2025 Engagement Survey: Poster 1
- 2025 Engagement Survey: Poster 2
*Eligible staff: *Permanent, temporary, and eligible casual (casuals who have worked 60 days since November 2023).
If you have any questions regarding the Engagement Survey, please contact Rochelle Borg or Susan Phillipson, Workplace Safety and Wellbeing Team, 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.
Clergy and Principal Day – Thursday 29 May 2025
For: Principals and CEDoW Leadership Team
Due: Friday 16 May 2025
Contact: Tim Gilmour at gilmourt01@dow.catholic.edu.au or Jo Kenny at kennyj02@dow.catholic.edu.au
Third notice
The first Clergy and Principal Day for 2025 will be held on Thursday 29 May 2025 at the Campbelltown Catholic Club (10.00 am - 4.00 pm). Calendar invitations were shared with all principals at the end of last year.
Bishop Brian has invited Richard Rymarz, PhD, EdD, Professor of Education at the University of Notre Dame, to be the guest speaker. Professor Rymarz has a long-standing interest in how Catholic schools situate themselves in secular cultures with a particular focus on religious education.
Action: Professor Rymarz has provided two readings (available here) that clergy and principals are asked to read in preparation for the day.
Morning tea will be made available on arrival between 10.00 and 10.30 am, with registrations being open from 10.15 am. We would greatly appreciate it if all participants would sign in and be seated at the allocated table, ready to commence at 10:30 am.
It is an expectation that principals will prioritise this day and be in attendance. If you are unable to attend for a necessary reason, please contact Tim Gilmour or Jo Kenny.
Action: Please RSVP here by Friday 16 May 2025.
Australian Catholic Youth Festival (ACYF) Update
For: Secondary Principals & RECs/Leaders of Mission
Due: End of May
Contact: Matt Turner at turnerm12@dow.catholic.edu.au, or Claire Cooney at cooneyc02@dow.catholic.edu.au
Second notice
The CLEM team continues to work with Harvest Journeys to determine arrangements for a CEDoW student delegation to ACYF in Melbourne (30 November - 2 December 2025)
Action: Please see the most recent information here, which includes an update regarding the possibility of schools sending a second teacher.
National Sorry Day and Reconciliation Week 2025
For: Principals and RECs
This year National Sorry Day falls on Monday 26 May and is a day when we pause to remember the Stolen Generations of Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
It leads us into the Week of Prayer for Reconciliation and National Reconciliation Week which is held each year between 27 May and 3 June.
The theme for National Reconciliation Week 2025 is, Bridging Now to Next.
See here for a liturgy resource that you might find useful to help your school community acknowledge National Reconciliation Week.
Other helpful resources relating to National Sorry Day and Reconciliation Week can be found at the following websites:
Raising Hope – Laudato Si' Week 2025
Attention: Principals and RECs/Leaders of Mission
Join the global Catholic community in celebrating Laudato Si’ Week, marking the 10th anniversary of Laudato Si’ which Pope Francis signed on the day of Pentecost, 24 May, 2015.
This special week commemorates Pope Francis' landmark encyclical on climate change and care for our common home—rooted in centuries of Church teaching on creation. With this year’s theme "Raising Hope", we come together in faith and action, continuing the legacy of Pope Francis and renewing our commitment to ecological justice and a sustainable future for all.
Please note the global celebration is 24–31 May, but in Australia, many choose to acknowledge Laudato Si’ Week from 16–24 May, so as not to clash with Reconciliation Week.
The following resources may be helpful for you in marking Laudato Si’ Week with your school communities:
- Laudato Si’ Movement Laudato Si’ Week 2025
- Catholic Earthcare Caritas Australia Laudato Si' Week 2025 Resources
- Liturgy for Celebrating Laudato Si’ Week 2025 Word doc and PDF doc.
- Laudato Si’ Week Bookmark and Daily Reflection Posts
- Pope Francis’ Ecological Legacy.
“Let us sing as we go.
May our struggles and our concern for this planet never take away the joy of our hope.”
Laudato Si’ n244
Professional Standards for Middle Leaders – MyPaD
For: Principals, School Leaders, Middle Leaders and Teachers
Contact: Anna Jones at annalouise.jones@dow.catholic.edu.au
Links: https://www.aitsl.edu.au/standards
https://www.aitsl.edu.au/lead-develop/teachers-who-lead/middle-leadership-standards
The AITSL Professional Standards for Middle Leaders are now available for staff to access for their Performance and Development Plan (PDP) on MyPaD. It is encouraged that teachers and middle leaders consult the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (APST) and the Middle Leader Standards (MLS) when formulating their (PDP) goal(s) for the year.
Teaching staff (excluding Principals) are required to have selected at least one or two standard descriptors from the relevant APST career stage. Selection is based upon the individual's professional responsibilities and their identified areas for growth and development.
Middle Leaders are likely to find the Highly Accomplished or Lead descriptor standards most applicable to their planning for goal setting. Please note that these descriptors may be utilised for PDP purposes irrespective of formal accreditation by NESA at that level.
Additionally, the Middle Leader Standards serve as a valuable and excellent resource for delineating the scope of required developmental capabilities and should also be considered when setting leadership goal/s in conjunction with one or more standard descriptors from the APST.
The MLS are also an excellent resource for leadership teams to utilise in alignment with APST to clarify and support the importance of the Middle Leader role in driving school improvement. Middle Leaders may choose to focus on an area from the MLS when designing community goals for collaborative teams.
If you have any questions or would like support, please contact Anna Jones: Team Leader, Leadership and Professional Growth at annalouise.jones@dow.catholic.edu.au.
2025 CSSA Trial HSC Examinations – FINAL Timetable Dates Released
The 2025 CSSA Trial HSC Examinations FINAL Timetable was released to schools on Monday 28 April 2025.
CSSA communications were sent to the registered email address of the Main CSSA Contact, as listed in each school’s account on the CSSA webpage of the Catholic Schools NSW (CSNSW) website.
The FINAL Timetable will be publicly available on the CSSA webpage in Week 2, Term 2. The CSSA webpage can be accessed here.
The 2025 CSSA Trial HSC Examinations are scheduled for:
- Monday 4 August to Monday 18 August.
The 2025 CSSA Trial HSC Examinations Security Period is:
- Up to, and inclusive of, Wednesday 20 August
- Examinations, including examination-related materials and student scripts, can be returned to students from 8.00 am, Thursday 21 August.
CSSA Webpage and Individual School Accounts
School data in individual School Accounts with the CSSA must be kept up to date via the CSSA webpage in the Account Settings section of the CSNSW website.
Relevant personnel at CSSA-registered schools should regularly check, update, and complete all required fields to ensure the accuracy of the information provided.
Accurate school details—such as address, phone number, email address, and contact information—are essential for effective communication and the secure delivery of CSSA Trial HSC Examinations.
Finally, click the “SAVE” button to confirm any updates.
NESA News
NESA News provides the latest updates and information as soon as they become available.
1. HSC Written Exam Timetable
The 2025 HSC written examination timetable will be available on the NESA website from 10:00 am, Friday 2 May.
From 9:00 am, Friday 2 May:
- HSC students can access their personalised exam timetable on Students Online.
- Schools can access the HSC written exam schedule on Schools Online.
- The HSC practical and performance exam timetable and Languages oral exam timetable are available now.
View the 2025 HSC Key Dates here.
2. HSC Science Extension Exam
The sample exam is now open for HSC Science Extension students to start preparing for their online exam.
Schools must nominate their students by going to Schools Online and navigating to > Online Tests > HSC Science Extension.
The Online Exam Handbook and Key Dates are also available in Schools Online > Memos and documents.
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NESA – Official Notice
1. Stage 6 Languages – Information about Korean and Indonesian Korean Continuers Stage 6 will not be discontinued in 2026.
There is a risk of discontinuation for Korean and Literature Stage 6 in 2028 and Indonesian Extension Stage 6 in 2027.
2. Minor update to Construction Curriculum Framework Stage 6 Syllabus
The Construction Curriculum Framework Stage 6 Syllabus has been updated following the release of version 9.1 of the CPC Construction, Plumbing and Services Training Package.
There is no impact on HSC course requirements and no changes to examinable HSC content.
Further details and a summary of updates can be found in the Construction Record of Changes.
Catholicity STUFF (Spending Time Unpacking Faith Foundations) – for Secondary
Attention: Secondary RECs/ Leaders of Mission and Secondary Principals
Due: Tuesday 10 June 2025
Contact: Beth Riolo at riolob01@dow.catholic.edu.au
Professional Learning Opportunity for Middle Leaders (KLA Coordinators/Pastoral Care Coordinators and RE Teachers)
Targeting Secondary Middle Leaders and RE Teachers, this course aims to build foundational knowledge and skills in the area of Catholicity, specifically prayer and liturgy, for application across Secondary School celebrations, gatherings and events.
- Thursday 19 June 2025 (9 am – 3 pm)
- Emmaus Centre - 4 Hyde Parade, Campbelltown, NSW, Australia, 2560
- Funding is available for 3 participants per school
Please consider who on your staff may benefit from this one-day professional learning experience. For more information and registration details please click here.
Please register by Tuesday 10 June 2025.
Blended Online Learning
July PVP Courses are filling fast with limited spaces available.
Enrolment into one course at a time is possible. You may join the waitlist if the course is full.
Register via the LMS or through the link here.
- Understanding Hearing Loss
- Attachment And Trauma Theory
- Supporting Student Wellbeing And Mental Health
Further information on courses can be found in the flyer or on the website here.
PB4L K-12 Training Day
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.
Professional Learning: K-6 Curriculum Implementation
Primary Curriculum Implementation Support: English K-6 English Professional Learning
Facilitators: Alexandra (Lexie) Hingston – hingstona01@dow.catholic.edu.au and Joanne Treffone – treffonej01@dow.catholic.edu.au.
Targeting Instructional Leaders supporting teachers in planning and programming (including Principals, Assistant Principals, Middle Leaders and/or Instructional Coaches).
Week 4, Term 2 – Thursday 22 May 2025
Venue: St Paul’s Catholic Parish Primary School, Albion Park (School Hall), 247-251 Tongarra Road, Albion Park. Parking is available in the parish carpark or on Tongarra Road).
Learning Intention: This professional learning will deepen participants' understanding of evidence-based practices that create dialogic, language rich classrooms, fostering authentic vocabulary acquisition and oral language development. The focus will be on explicit instruction of Tier 2 and 3 vocabulary, using quality literature to support the programming and planning of English in their school context.
In response to your feedback, Day 2 will shift its focus to the application of content and pedagogical knowledge to support English programming and planning at your school. Building on this, we will place a strong emphasis on strategies that support oral language and vocabulary development. The day will be hands-on and practical, offering participants the opportunity to analyse existing planning and programming through the lens of language development.
We will explore how oral language and communication skills can be intentionally and effectively addressed alongside other focus areas by embedding structured opportunities that foster student engagement, encourage authentic communication, and increase the desire to express ideas. Participants will work with mentor texts, explore a variety of classroom strategies, and contextualise a unit of work to ensure oral language and vocabulary development is seamlessly integrated into everyday learning.
We request that all participants select one sequence of learning/unit of work that will be taught in Weeks 5-10 of Term 2. This could be a unit you are teaching or a unit of work from the stage/grade you are leading that will be taught in the second half of this term. Please also bring a hard copy of the mentor text.
| Course | Funding | Code |
| K-10 English Implementation (4 days, Terms 1–4) |
1 & 2 stream schools: 3 & 4 stream schools: |
C21 |
*Additional participants to be funded by the school
Click here to register your attendance. Registrations close on Thursday 15 May 2025.
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Primary Curriculum Implementation Support: K-6 Mathematics Professional Learning
Contact: Kate Thomas – thomask04@dow.catholic.edu.au.
Targeting Instructional Leaders supporting teachers in planning teaching and learning (including Principals, Assistant Principals, Middle Leaders and/or Instructional Coaches)
Week 5, Term 2 – Monday 26 May 2025
Venue: St Therese Parish Centre, 2 Powell Street, West Wollongong.
Day 2: Effective Pedagogical Practices in the Mathematics Classroom
This professional learning day is aimed at enhancing instructional leadership, where participants will be equipped to strategically support teachers to embed the NSW K-10 Mathematics Syllabus. Participants will engage in practical and relevant professional learning that enables them to:
- Explore the elements of effective practice and analyse pedagogical approaches within a Mathematics session.
- Establish the alignment between effective pedagogical approaches and the essential elements of the Faith, Learning and Wellbeing Framework.
- Deepen understanding of syllabus content, its connections, and the continuum of learning.
- Reflect on the application of NESA's Principles of Assessment to effective formative assessment practices across a learning sequence.
| Course | Funding | Code |
|
K-10 Mathematics Implementation (4 days, Terms 1–4) |
1 & 2 stream schools: 3 & 4 stream schools: |
C21 |
*Additional participants to be funded by the school.
Click here to register your attendance. Registrations close on Wednesday 21 May 2025.