Updates

2025 National Excellence in Teaching Awards 

For: Principals, school leaders and teachers

The 2025 National Excellence in Teaching Awards (NEiTA) are now open for nominations. The National Excellence in Teaching Awards is a community-centred awards program, started by NEiTA Foundation in 1994. Supported by Futurity Investment Group, the awards honour exemplary teaching in Australia and New Zealand.

Parents, students, principals and teachers are encouraged to nominate CEDoW’s exceptional educators who are deserving of this recognition – see award categories below. Schools are encouraged to share this information with their school community and promote the awards program.

How do I nominate? Use the link to register and to complete the nomination form—it only takes 3–4 minutes. Nominations close on 27 June 2025.  

Categories

Seed Teams Award
Awards early childhood teams from Australia and New Zealand for foundational teaching, providing $10,000 for a professional development grant.

Apple Award
Recognises Australian and New Zealand primary and secondary teachers who exceed expectations, with the winners receiving a $5,000 professional development grant.

Leadership Award
Honours outstanding leadership by a principal or school leader, awarding a $10,000 grant for advancing educational excellence.

The Terry O’Connell Regional and Remote Teachers’ Award
In memory of former NEiTA Foundation Chairman, this award is given to those who go the extra mile for their students in remote and regional areas of Australia.

NEiTA Trustees’ Alumni Award
An opportunity for a NEiTA past winner to win a further $10,000 professional development grant.

Powering Potential Award
In partnership with The Smith Family, awards teachers from The Smith Family partner schools who aide students experiencing disadvantage. A prize of $10,000 is awarded to the winner.

Please contact Anna Jones, Team Leader – Leadership and Professional Growth, at annalouise.jones@dow.catholic.edu.au if you have any questions regarding the program or how to nominate. 

Parli-Flicks Short Film Award 2025 – Entries Now Open

NSW Parliament invites students across the state to create a one-minute film exploring democracy and the role of parliament.

Australia’s democratic system is based on the UK’s Westminster system, where elected representatives make decisions on behalf of citizens. It relies on active participation, not just voting.

This competition encourages students to reflect on the importance of democracy and what it means to them.

For the 2025 award, students are asked to answer: What do I value about democracy?

Entries close 8 August 2025.

Finalists will be invited to an awards night at NSW Parliament House in Sydney, where the overall winner will receive the Parli-Flicks 2025 trophy.

Click here to learn more and submit your entry.

Catholic Business Connections – June Luncheon

We’re pleased to share details of the upcoming Catholic Business Connections (CBC) luncheon.

Please see below:

Please feel free to share this in your school newsletters and communications.

Catholic Business Connections provides an opportunity for professional and business women and men, both active and retired, who share common values to network and engage with one another and leaders across our Diocese. The group meets three times a year for lunch and to hear from guest speakers who share inspiring stories and reflect on the connection between their work, faith, and life in today’s world.

2025 CSSA Trial HSC Examinations – Information to Assist School Preparation

The 2025 CSSA Trial HSC Examinations FINAL Timetable was made available to schools on Monday 28 April 2025 (Week 1, Term 2).

The FINAL Timetable is available on the CSSA webpage of the CSNSW website is available here.

The 2025 CSSA Trial HSC Examinations Timetable is scheduled for:

• Monday 4 August 2025 to Monday 18 August 2025.

The 2025 CSSA Trial HSC Examinations Security Period is:

• Up to, and inclusive of, Wednesday 20 August 2025
• Examinations, including examination-related materials and student scripts, can be returned to students from 8.00 am, Thursday 21 August 2025.

Delivery Rounds

First Round Deliveries

a) Schools that have ordered examinations per cohort (1 exam per student, per subject) and using the 2025 CSSA Trial HSC Examination Timetable

b) Delivered to schools from Tuesday 22 July 2025 to Friday 25 July 2025 (Week 1, Term 3)

c) Electronic signature is required from the school representative receiving the delivery

d) The Courier Company will electronically record the successful delivery of delivery boxes, including location, date, and time

e) Ensure secure storage of boxes immediately upon delivery 

f) Contact the CSSA on cssa.exams@csnsw.catholic.edu.au if your delivery has not been received by Friday 25 July 2025, no sooner.

Second Round Deliveries

a) Schools that have purchased a minimum order of examinations (5 exams per subject, NOT 1 exam per student, per subject)

b) Orders will be delivered to schools from Monday 8 September 2025 to Friday 12 September 2025 (Week 8, Term 3)

c) Electronic signature is required from the school representative receiving the delivery

d) The Courier Company will electronically record the successful delivery of delivery boxes, including location, date, and time)

e) Contact the CSSA on cssa.exams@csnsw.catholic.edu.au if your delivery has not been received by Friday 12 September 2025, no sooner.

CSSA Terms and Conditions

Principals are reminded to ensure the CSSA Terms and Conditions are adhered to by school executives, teachers, and other staff members.

Details in School Accounts on the CSSA Webpage of the CSNSW Website

Each school is responsible for updating its school account details on the CSSA webpage of the CSNSW website. This information was outlined in the 2025 CSSA Trial HSC Examinations Principal Information Package.

CEDoW Library – Resource of the Week

ACEN eBook 

This week’s Sora eBook edition is Building Knowledge.

Use the link here to explore the eBook titles for primary, secondary, and staff through the Australian Catholic Education Network (ACEN). To sign in to Sora, select "ACEN" as your school.

ClickView Highlight

This week’s ClickView highlight is the Research Skills Series. Access the series using the link here. 

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