School Leaders Edition, Week 4, Term 3, 2025
This week, the following leadership vacancies are available:
Our Lady Help of Christians Catholic Parish Primary School, Rosemeadow
Acting Middle Leader (2pt)
Religious Education Coordinator (Secondary)
Bishop Brian’s Mass and Lunch with 2025 Year 12 Captains and Vice Captains
For: Secondary Principals
Due: Friday 29 August 2025
Contact: Claire Cooney (cooneyc02@dow.catholic.edu.au)
First notice
On Tuesday 9 September 2025, Bishop Brian Mascord will celebrate a special Mass at St Francis Xavier Cathedral, followed by lunch at the Xavier Centre for the 2025 Year 12 Captains and Vice Captains.
Bishop Brian’s dedication to, and support of, our student leaders has played a vital role in helping form them into exemplary Catholic leaders. With the mission of being Bearers of Christ’s Love, our student leaders are encouraged to influence, shape and serve their communities in meaningful ways.
This event serves as an opportunity to recognise and celebrate their commitment to these values over the past twelve months.
Date: Tuesday 9 September 2025 (Week 8, Term 3)
Time: 10 am to 2 pm
Location: St Francis Xavier Cathedral and Xavier Centre
School Captains, Vice Captains, principals and the staff member who has been most connected with the student leaders are invited to attend this celebration.
Action: Please provide details of all staff (a maximum of two per school) and students attending here by Friday 29 August 2025.
Students are required to be in full school uniform. Any questions regarding the mass and lunch should be directed to Claire Cooney at cooneyc02@dow.catholic.edu.au.
2026 Enrolment Campaign Marketing Support | Principal Selection Form
For: Principals (or delegate)
Due: Friday 15 August 2025
Contact: Strategy and Communications team (communications@dow.catholic.edu.au)
Second notice
Action: Building on the success of recent enrolment marketing campaigns, the Strategy and Communications team is once again inviting schools to opt in to centralised marketing support for the 2026 enrolment period by Friday 15 August 2025.
What you need to know:
- Every school will receive a tailored poster, flyer, and social media tile
- The Strategy and Communications team will fund paid ads for every school
- Principals have the option of contributing further funds and (if applicable to your school) selecting additional marketing products
2025 enrolment marketing campaign highlights:
- Digital ads appeared 4.8 million times and were seen by 1.157 million people
- Enrolment social media posts were liked, commented on, or clicked 40,173 times
- Visits to school websites increased by 10% compared to 2024
- We received 6,745 applications and made 3,755 offers of enrolment
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact communications@dow.catholic.edu.au.
Social Justice Statement 2025–26: The SEE | JUDGE | ACT Workshop
For: Secondary Religious Education Coordinators and Leaders of Mission
Due: Wednesday 3 September 2025
Contact: David Gearin (gearind01@dow.catholic.edu.au)
Second notice
Action: Please share with your Youth Ministry Coordinators.
Each year, the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference releases a Social Justice Statement that addresses a significant social concern and explores our collective and personal response to it.
The Statement theme for 2025-26 is Signs of Hope on the Edge: Serving homeless people with mental ill-health.
Our Diocese has a rich tradition of celebrating the release of this document by gathering as a group of secondary students and teachers to unpack the Statement.
This will take place on Friday 12 September 2025 at Holy Spirit College, 2 Bond Street, Bellambi.
Action: Youth Ministry Coordinators are required to RSVP by Wednesday 3 September 2025 here. Four students from each secondary school are invited to attend.
Resources for the 2025-26 Statement will be released following the launch on Wednesday 13 August 2025. A reminder that you can register for the launch via this link.
A link to the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference is provided here.
Please contact David Gearin at gearind01@dow.catholic.edu.au for further information.
Diocesan Launch of Catholic Mission Month 2025
For: Principals
Due: Monday 1 September 2025
Contact: Helen Moon (moonh01@dow.catholic.edu.au)
Second notice
Principals and representatives of their school community are invited to attend the 2025 Diocesan Launch of Catholic Mission Month.
Date: Thursday 11 September 2025
Time: 10 am to 12 pm
Location: Magdalene Catholic College, 101 Smeaton Grange Road, Narellan
Action: Please access the invitation here and RSVP via the link provided.
Please contact Helen Moon at moonh01@dow.catholic.edu.au for further information.
Fundraising for Catholic Mission Month
Attention: Principals, Religious Education Coordinators, and Leaders of Mission
This year, during the Mission Month of October, schools and parishes are asked to raise money to support families in rural Zambia who are grappling with malnutrition and food insecurity.
Please read more about Catholic Mission’s Socktober fundraising initiative for schools here.
World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation and Season of Creation 2025
Attention: Religious Education Coordinators
Resources are available to assist schools in celebrating the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation (1 September 2025) and the Season of Creation (1 September–4 October 2025).
This year’s theme is Peace With Creation.
Liturgy World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation 2025
Season of Creation Resources 2025
For K-2 teachers, there is also the Creation Corner episode WDOP for the Care of Creation from Pray School that can be utilised with students.
Reminder: Invitation to School Leadership Retreats
CEO and School Leadership Retreats will be held this term at The Hermitage, Mittagong (843 Old South Road, Mittagong).
This year’s retreats are titled "Pilgrims of Hope" and will be facilitated by the Spiritual Formation team.
During the retreat, there will be opportunities to explore your understanding and experience of hope within our Catholic context, reflect on your life as a pilgrim through prayer and shared conversations, and consider how hope is given expression in your life.
Principals, Assistant Principals, Religious Education Coordinators and Assistant Religious Education Coordinators, please read the flyer here and register through LMS as soon as possible.
If you require further information, please contact Gary Quinn at quinng01@dow.catholic.edu.au.
Early Years Symposium
The Catholic Schools NSW Early Years Symposium is a key professional learning event for early childhood educators, teachers, and leaders supporting children aged 0–8. Catholic Schools NSW welcomes Commissioner Anne Hollonds, Australia’s National Children’s Commissioner, who will share vital insights on reforms in early childhood care, safety, and policy.
Date and time: Thursday 4 September 2025 · 9:00 am – 3:00 pm.
Featured speakers include:
-
Br David Hall fms
Dean of La Salle Academy, Australian Catholic University
Br David Hall will offer an insightful Catholic perspective on the day’s theme, thoughtfully aligning it with the spiritual significance of the Jubilee Year of Hope. -
Dr Amie Fabry
Director of Early Childhood, The Learning Future
Dr Fabry will explore the critical role of early childhood leadership in shaping school cultures that support children’s transitions and lifelong learning. Drawing on her groundbreaking PhD research and pioneering framework Lead with Intention, she will challenge us to rethink how we position the early years within the broader school ecosystem.
Topic: Leading Early Years for the Future: The Case for Early Childhood Leadership in Schools -
2024 AEDC NSW results
This session will outline high-level data on the 2024 AEDC NSW results and provide practical guidance on steps schools can take to respond to the data.
Purpose and objectives:
- To explore the intersection of Catholic identity, pedagogy, and child development
- To deepen understanding of children’s rights and their implications for early years education
- To provide a platform for renowned speakers and advocates in early childhood education
- To foster statewide collaboration and networking among Catholic educators and leaders
K–12 NCCD 2026 Resourcing Workshop via Zoom
Audience: Principals and Leaders of Diverse Learning and Pastoral Care K–12
Two sessions will be offered in Week 7, Term 3, to unpack the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data (NCCD) Resourcing Model for 2026.
Leaders are encouraged to prioritise attendance at one of these workshops to ensure a deep understanding of the model and how it can be used to effectively support students with diverse and wellbeing needs.
A calendar invitation will be sent for both sessions to provide flexibility for schools about schedules and needs.
Session Dates and Times
Option 1 – Thursday 4 September 2025 (9:30 am – 11:00 am)
Or
Option 2 – Friday 5 September 2025 (9:30 am – 11:00 am)
Any questions can be directed to Kerryn Barnett at BarnettK01@dow.catholic.edu.au or Katie Carroll at CarrollK02@dow.catholic.edu.au.
Who Am I? Scriptural Foundations for Our Search for Meaning and Purpose
For: Secondary RECs/Leaders of Mission
Date: 19 September 2025
Venue: The Emmaus Centre, 4 Hyde Parade, Campbelltown
Secondary Religious Education Coordinators and Leaders of Mission, please share this information with your relevant staff.
Are you a Secondary RE teacher, Pastoral Care, or Wellbeing leader seeking to deepen your understanding of meaning and purpose within a scriptural framework?
This professional learning day, Who Am I? Scriptural Foundations for Our Search for Meaning and Purpose is designed specifically for you.
We'll explore how foundational scriptures can empower you to:
- Enrich your Religious Education curriculum: Discover new ways to connect biblical narratives with students' personal journeys of self-discovery.
- Enhance pastoral care and wellbeing initiatives: Equip yourself with scripturally-grounded insights to guide students through life's big questions.
- Foster a deeper sense of identity and belonging in your students: Learn how to help students explore their unique purpose through the lens of faith.
Join us for a day of insightful discussion, practical strategies, and renewed inspiration as we collectively explore the profound question, "Who am I?" and its scriptural answers.
Connect and Collaborate: Primary Programming Workshops for Teachers
Are you a primary teacher looking for an excellent opportunity to network and collaborate with colleagues from other CEDoW schools?
The Learning K–12 team is excited to offer a series of voluntary programming workshops designed specifically for you! Imagine working alongside fellow educators to plan and refine your English and Mathematics units, sharing your best ideas, practices, pedagogy, and quality resources from across the Diocese.
Workshop Options
We've designed flexible scheduling to suit your availability, with workshops held across various dates and venues during the second half of Term 3 and throughout the September pupil vacation period.
You can choose from:
- Afternoon Workshops: Four 1.5-hour, one-off sessions available in:
- Macarthur
- Southern Highlands
- Wollongong
- Far South Coast
- Full-Day Workshop Session: Two sessions, delivered over two separate weeks (one day per week) during the September pupil vacation period.
Don't miss this chance to connect, create, and experience the power of shared expertise!
Complete the Google Form here to register your interest.
Blended Online Learning – Semester 2
Audience: All staff
How can Blended Online Learning be used as a response to PB4L data?
If you are interested in a bespoke course, delivered on-site at a time that suits you, please email wssadmin@dow.catholic.edu.au. You might also consider partnering with neighbouring schools that have similar interests or needs.
All courses can be offered as bespoke courses with a minimum participant cohort of eight.
Upcoming courses in Term 3 – Flyer link here.
- Supporting Student Wellbeing and Mental Health [F2F]
Parent courses
Parent courses are also available and can be offered to all staff and families seeking information or support around understanding ADHD and Autism via the OLT website.
Short courses are self-paced (approximately 2 hours) and include:
- The Needs of Students with EAL/D
- Culturally Inclusive Teaching and Learning
- Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
- Learning Theory
- Working in Partnership with Parents
Enrolment in only one course at a time.
See the flyer above for registration links.