School Leaders Edition, Week 7, Term 2, 2025
2025 System-Wide Strategic Professional Learning – Registrations Close Today
Action: Registrations are closing for the 2025 System-Wide Strategic Professional Learning. The two dynamic days of collaborative professional learning will be held on Monday 16 June and Monday 11 August 2025 at St Paul’s Catholic Parish Primary School, Albion Park. The days will focus on instructional leadership, complex collaborative problem solving, and will be led by guest facilitator Dr Jacqui Patuawa.
Action: Please ensure your additional staff members have also registered in LMS by today.
Pre-Reading
Action: Visit the System-Wide Strategic Professional Learning site for details on essential pre-reading.
What to Expect
This is an intensive, hands-on experience that requires active engagement, deep collaboration, and reflective discussion.
What to Bring
- A device – a laptop or an iPad.
- Your current SSIP and AIP goals.
- Key challenge/s or problem/s of practice aligned with your SSIP/AIP that you aim to address by deeper investigation into OCI using the complex problem solving methodology.
- Relevant school data that informs your understanding of the identified challenge(s) and supports data-driven decision-making. Please ensure you have downloaded any data required to ensure reliability of access.
For more information and to register, please go to the System-Wide Strategic Professional Learning site linked above and contact Anna Jones, Team Leader, Leadership and Professional Growth, with any inquiries.
World Refugee Day – 20 June 2025
For: Principals, RECs, and Leaders of Mission
Finding Freedom: Diversity in Community
Each year on 20 June, the world celebrates World Refugee Day (WRD). The day is designated by the United Nations to honour refugees who have been forced to flee their homes and to promote solidarity with them for a “world where refugees are welcomed.”
The Catholic Church encourages us to welcome, promote, accompany, and integrate those who knock on our doors.
Information and prayer resources for WRD are available on the Australian Catholic Migrant and Refugee Office website.
Review of CEDoW's Instructional Coaching – Survey
The Improvement, Learning and Wellbeing (ILW) service area of Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong (CEDoW), has announced an evaluation of its current model of instructional coaching within its primary, secondary and K-12 schools.
CEDoW recognises the dedicated efforts of Instructional Coaches (ICs) and remains committed to the methodology of contextualised peer-coaching in pedagogy. It is envisaged that feedback resulting from our evaluation will provide further strength and purpose to the role of the IC and their continued support.
The review of the instructional coaching model will commence in the final weeks of Term 4, 2024 and conclude at the end of Term 2, 2025 to capture the feedback of past and present ICs and broader CEDoW personnel.
All stakeholders now have an opportunity to contribute to our inquiry through a range of processes, including this survey.
In an effort to establish a thorough understanding of our model of instructional coaching, we welcome honest and transparent feedback. For this reason, we are not collecting respondents' email addresses.
Contact: Sharon Gilbert, K-12 Instructional Coach Lead at gilberts02@dow.catholic.edu.au.
Improvement, Learning and Wellbeing (ILW) Staff Notification
Daniel Delmage, Head of Continuous Catholic School Improvement (Network 3) will be taking leave from 10-27 June 2025 (inclusive). During Daniel’s absence, members of the Faith, Learning and Wellbeing Leaders group (Deputy Director-ILW, Assistant Director-CLEM, Heads of CCSI (Network 1 and 2), Head of LK-12, Head of WSS) will be the main point of contact for Principals in Network 3.
Closure of the Lismore Diocese Online Education Centre
Secondary school leaders are advised that the Diocese of Lismore will cease operations of its Online Education Centre at the end of 2026. Currently enrolled Preliminary and HSC students will continue to be supported through to the HSC of 2026, however, no further enrolments will be accepted (official notice of closure attached for your reference).
Please make any necessary changes to your Subject Selection processes for students of Year 10, 2025.
Russell Newman
Head of Learning K-12
Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong
Catholic Social Teaching – Scriptural and Theological Foundations
Please register via the LMS link by Friday 18 July 2025.
Date: Wednesday 30 July 2025
Time: 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Venue: Xavier Centre, 36 Harbour Street, Wollongong
Targeted Audience: K-12 Religious Education Coordinators, K-12 Classroom Teachers, Team Leaders (e.g., Stage Leaders, Subject Leaders), CEO Staff, School Leadership, Middle Leaders, Student Wellbeing/Pastoral Care.
Facilitator: Professor Gerard Moore, Broken Bay Institute.
Outline
This professional learning day explores the Christian call to cooperate with all people in promoting human flourishing, right relationships, and the common good—key themes that connect deeply with the study of God, religion, and life. Central to the day are the guiding questions: Who ought I be? and How must I respond?
Participants will gain a deeper understanding of the scriptural and theological foundations of Catholic Social Teaching. The day will also offer a solid introduction to the Life to the Full Framework, supporting those seeking to integrate it into curriculum design and pastoral care initiatives.
Additionally, this professional learning experience will enrich the teaching of Religious Education Strand E across Stages 4 and 5, while also providing valuable insights and practical support for those involved in social justice initiatives and youth ministry coordination.
Contact: John Coppola, Education Officer – Secondary at coppolag01@dow.catholic.edu.au.
The World Indigenous Peoples' Conference on Education (WIPCE) will be held in Auckland from 16 to 20 November 2025.
CEDoW is offering sponsorship of six (6) staff members working in CEDoW to attend and participate at the World Indigenous Peoples Conference on Education.
The CEDoW sponsorship proposal is set out below:
- Participants interested in submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI) must have their principal’s approval before submitting the EOI.
- Financial commitment must be accepted by the school where the participant is allocated a place to attend. Sponsorship contribution is outlined below:
- CEDoW will sponsor 50% of the final costing that includes conference registration, airfares, accommodation, travel insurance and some meals. The estimated final overall costing of $5,500.00 per participant.
- School financial contribution will be 40%.
- Individual participants’ financial commitment will be 10% up to and no more than $1,000.00 personal contribution.
- CEDoW will sponsor 50% of the final costing that includes conference registration, airfares, accommodation, travel insurance and some meals. The estimated final overall costing of $5,500.00 per participant.
- Participants offered a place must meet the criteria to be covered by travel insurance before final approval is given. No more than 2 places per school will be sponsored.
- EOI applications will be judged by CEDoW's Leadership Team.
Closing Date for Expressions of Interest: Friday 4 July 2025 (Term 2, Week 10).
Please forward your Expression of Interest directly to Lyndal Murphy, Executive Assistant – Learning Improvement, Learning & Wellbeing, at murphyl11@dow.catholic.edu.au.
An example of sponsorship and school commitment is outlined below:
Based on an estimated final overall costing of $5,500.00 per participant:
- CEO Contribution (50%) = $2,750.00
- School Contribution (40%) = $2,200.00
- Participant Individual Contribution (10%) = $550.00.
More Information provided below on WIPCE:
WIPCE is the largest and most diverse Indigenous education forum in the world – representatives from across the globe will meet in Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland from 16-20 November 2025.
Celebrating Indigenous Excellence
Aotearoa extends a warm welcome to our global Indigenous whānau to the World Indigenous Peoples’ Conference on Education (WIPCE) 2025, in Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland from 16-20 November. A pōwhiri (traditional welcome) by mana whenua (local tribe) of central Auckland, Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei will welcome our manuhiri (visitors) to start the conference which features national and international keynote speakers, academic and community presentations, networking sessions, symposiums, panel discussions, seminars, workshops, cultural excursions, a village marketplace, parade of nations and concludes with a closing ceremony.
WIPCE 2025 Themes
The eight themes of WIPCE 2025 reflect the diverse spaces in which Indigenous peoples live, learn, and lead. These themes will guide the knowledge that will be shared at the gathering, while also acknowledging the connections and synergies between them.
The themes for WIPCE 2025 provide context for Indigenous knowledge as a way of living, while also platforming them as fundamental parts of education as a whole.
K-6 Curriculum Support
This page includes:
- Important links to external and internal sites
- Professional learning
- Planning and programming support
- Assessment and reporting
- Professional reading
For enquiries, please contact Learning K-12 support at learningk-12support@dow.catholic.edu.au.
Preparing to implement the new K-6 CHPS syllabuses
NSW curriculum reform and the introduction of reformed syllabuses offer leaders an opportunity to support effective curriculum implementation in their schools to ensure teachers feel confident in teaching the reformed K-6 syllabuses.
Developing a Curriculum Implementation Plan is designed to support schools in developing a coherent and comprehensive plan for implementation of the NSW curriculum based on the needs of their school staff that ensures consistent teaching and learning expectations and embeds evidence-based teaching, learning, and assessment practices.
Phases of curriculum implementation – In 2025, K-6 teachers will 'familiarise' and begin to 'Prepare' for the PDHPE and Science & Technology syllabuses.
Schools are strongly advised to identify and plan for professional learning during Semester 2 2025 and early Semester 1 2026.
Teachers will implement the PDHPE and Science and Technology syllabuses in 2026. Reports to parents will reflect the new PDHPE and Science and Technology syllabuses from Semester 1, 2026.
NESA has released five online professional learning courses to support teachers and school leaders in familiarising themselves with the new CHPS syllabuses, for their implementation from 2026 and 2027. Schools are strongly advised to engage with these courses as part of their professional learning plan by supporting staff to:
- Complete the Primary Curriculum Overview, PDHPE K-6 and Science and Technology K-6 courses during Semester 2 2025, in readiness for implementation in 2026
- Complete the Creative Arts K-6 and HSIE K-6 courses during Semester 2 2026 in preparation for implementation in 2027.
CEDoW Improvement Learning and Wellbeing (ILW) – Learning K-12 will support schools in their preparation for implementation of Personal Development, Health and Physical Education and Science and Technology through professional learning opportunities in 2025 and 2026, including in situ support.
Introduction to the syllabus and support material (2 hours) – Face to Face and Zoom options.
School instructional leaders will have the opportunity to engage in professional learning which will provide an introduction to the syllabus, NESA support material, and CEDoW support material.
Please complete this form to register your interest in the PDHPE and Science and Technology introductions to the syllabus and support materials sessions by 27 August 2025, Week 6, Term 3.
In situ Support Request - Schools can arrange in situ support (e.g., staff meetings, SDD, collaborative planning) for the preparation to implement the new PDHPE and Science & Technology syllabuses. To ensure all schools receive adequate support to prepare and implement the new PDHPE Science and Technology syllabuses, please complete this form by 25 July 2025, Week 1 Term 3.
For further information, please contact Learning K-12 support at learningk-12support@dow.catholic.edu.au.
Save the Date: Primary Curriculum Review Process
As part of CEDoW's responsibility in meeting and maintaining the regulatory and accountability requirements of NESA registration, Curriculum Focus Days will take place during Term 3, 2025. This collaborative process involves school personnel with the support of representatives of the Improvement Learning and Wellbeing (ILW) team, as a shared responsibility for accountability in the compliance of educational programs in and across schools.
Schools may elect to send a teacher alongside a leader on their nominated day. CEO will fund one representative per school (C30).
Option 1: Tuesday 5 August 2025 – Our Lady Help of Christians, Rosemeadow
Option 2: Wednesday 20 August 2025 – Nazareth, Shellharbour City
Option 3: Friday 19 September 2025 – Marian Centre, 280 Keira Street, Wollongong
Schools are required to nominate the preferred date and venue for the school representative(s) to participate in the Curriculum Focus Day using this form.
Resources to support program supervision and Curriculum Focus Days can be found here.