Updates

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.