THE WAY (Term 2 Week 2 - 26 April 2021)
-
Good News Story
-
An Exciting Opportunity: Pathways to Leadership: Leading with Impact Program 2021
-
Lyn Sharratt Learning Collaborative
-
K-2 English and Mathematics consultation closing soon
-
The Arts: Stage 5 NORPA Theatre ‘Into the Forest’
-
WriteOn 2021 now open
-
Update to PLAN2
-
Sun Safe at School - Stage 3 teaching resources
-
CSSA Trial HSC Examinations 2021
-
68th Annual RSL and Schools Remember ANZAC Commemoration
-
Crooked Science Workshops for Primary and Secondary Teachers and HSC Students
-
Learning Support Staff Primary and Secondary
-
Staff Details Update
-
Dealing with Autism
-
My Learning
Proclaim Lismore LEAD Conference 2021
This annual conference for senior students was held at McAuley Catholic College, Grafton in March. A report for school newsletters, photos, snippets from keynote speakers and post-event student interviews can be found in this report.
In recognising the need to support the ongoing growth and development of aspiring leaders, the Diocese of Lismore will offer the Pathways to School Leadership: Leading with Impact Program for commencement in Semester 2, 2021. The Program is designed and facilitated by Dr Stephen Brown (Director: The Brown Collective).
The Pathways Program involves five distinct but interrelated phases. These include self-reflection; peer collaboration; coaching examination of a leadership challenge; action research; coaching/mentoring and access to expert knowledge.
The letter of invitation, program summary and the application process can be accessed through the following link.
This program confirms the Diocese recognition of the centrality of excellence in leadership to the sustainability of a quality Catholic education.
We look forward to hearing from you!
Cohort 1 Case Studies: St Joseph’s Primary School Wauchope, Our Lady Help of Christians Primary School South Lismore and St Joseph’s Primary School Coraki
Congratulations to the staff at all 3 schools for sharing their experience and insight around this important work. As documented in each study, the impact of ‘Clarity- what matters most in learning, teaching and leading,’ is gaining momentum.
The studies document the first year in the Learning Collaborative and how the staff engaged with Lyn Sharratt’s 14 Parameters for school improvement.The studies will be of interest to all 29 schools in Cohorts 1 and 2 as well as other schools who wish to learn more about the work.
The case studies are available on the Lyn Sharratt Learning Collaborative site, located on the intranet. https://sites.google.com/lism.catholic.edu.au/lyn-sharratt-collaborative/home
For further details please refer to the following link.
Congratulations to the following schools who have been successful in securing an ‘Into the Forest’ NORPA Theatre and Workshop tour during 2021.
- MacKillop College Port Macquarie
- McAuley Catholic College Grafton
- Mount St Patrick College, Murwillumbah
- St John Paul College Coffs Harbour
- St Joseph’s College Banora Point
- St Joseph's Regional College Port Macquarie
- St Paul’s College Kempsey
- Xavier Catholic College Ballina
‘Into the Forest’ is a contemporary Australian twist on classic fairy tales, that venture deep Into The Forest to discover a personal journey of friendship and fantasy. See the NORPA website and the Creative Arts Site for further details or opportunities to engage in Theatre for Schools and On-Demand Workshops.
WriteOn provides students with the opportunity to become published authors. It can be used as a whole class teaching activity or an individual project. To maximise the purpose of the competition, teachers are encouraged to refer to the NSW English K–6 Syllabus outcomes. Outstanding entries from the 2020 competition have been published in The Best of WriteOn 2020 anthology. Entries close on the last day of Term 2, 2021 – Friday 25 June. Please refer to the link for further information.
We have been advised DoE have updated PLAN2 with supporting release notes.
What’s included in this release?
Refer to the ALAN helpdesk for more details about these new features and enhancements:
- New feature: Class observations analysis
- New feature: Saving user default selections
- Enhancements to ‘Manage groups’ and ‘Areas of focus’
A change for Non-government schools is in how to “Manage students”
“Add new student” is now only available via the staging environment, so that newly added students undergo a validation process (checking for duplicates) before entering production.
An updated article about adding students is available on Freshdesk.
(Ref: 100/21)
The NSW Government has released new teacher resources for stage 3 (Years 5 and 6) that incorporate sun safety content and outcomes across the PDHPE and Science & Technology curriculum.
Resources are free and can be found here.
Schools are reminded that CSSA Trial HSC Examinations is a division of Catholic Schools NSW.
Registered schools with CSSA should have received the 2021 Principal Information Package.
- 2021 CSSA Trial HSC Examinations ordering online became available as of Week 4, Term 1.
- The 2021 Draft CSSA Trial HSC Examination Timetable is now available on the CSSA website.
- The 2021 Final CSSA Trial HSC Examination Timetable will be available on the CSSA website in Week 1, Term 2.
- The processes and procedures for the creation and distribution of the CSSA Trial HSC Examinations will remain in place for 2021.
- Please note the process for invoicing has been updated. This has been noted on the CSSA website Notice Board for all registered schools and in the 2021 Principal Information Package.
- Ordering is available until Friday 30 April 2021, 5.00pm (Week 2, Term 2). If ordering, please kindly complete one order (only) inclusive of all required subjects.
- School data can be changed by individual schools via the CSSA website | Account Settings.
- https://www.cssa.com.au/
Relevant personnel in CSSA registered schools should ensure that school data available on the CSSA website is checked and updated, as necessary. This will ensure that your School’s address, phone number, email address and contact details are correct – this information is critical for the delivery of CSSA Trial HSC Examinations. Remember to click on “SAVE” at the end of the process.
If you have not received the 2021 Principal Information Package, please contact monica.obrien@csnsw.catholic.edu.au for assistance.
(Ref: 106/21)
Thank you to those schools who registered to participate in the RSL and Schools Remember ANZAC Commemoration, a service run by students for students, and a way to honour the service and sacrifice of our servicemen and women.
Below you will find all the information you require to watch and participate in this service at your school:
- Determine when you will be “attending” the service, this can be done any day from 19 April through to 26 April.
- Determine how students will “attend”, via school assembly, in class etc.
- Download the video from this link in preparation. It is not recommended to stream the video on the day.
- Download and print the Order of Service, which can be found here.
- During the wreath laying portion of the service, you can pause the video to lay a floral tribute locally.
- Select a student from your school to recite The Ode live when “attending” the service.
During the service, when the video says The Ode you should pause the video, have the selected student stand up and face their fellow students and recite The Ode. The words can be found on the screen of the video or in the Order of Service.
As outlined in the Order of Service, students should respond accordingly at the end with:
We Will Remember Them
Lest We Forget
Students are able to sing along to the hymn Abide with Me and also the Australian National Anthem during the service.
Please share images or video of the students “attending” the 68th Annual RSL and Schools Remember ANZAC Commemoration with us to: events@rslnsw.org.au.
By sharing these images and video, you are giving RSL NSW, Department of Education, Catholic Schools NSW and Association of Independent Schools NSW permission to use on websites, social media and for marketing purposes.
(Ref: 102/21)
Crooked Science and Dr Simon Crook are offering Catholic school teachers across NSW the opportunity to participate in a variety of collaborative workshops. Simon’s work with CrookED Science has provided him with the opportunity to collaborate with regional and remote schools, as well as metropolitan schools, particularly when leveraging online technologies. To this end, CrookED Science is offering the following program of PD to teachers in NSW Catholic schools at a reduced rate.
Primary
Science Experiments for Primary Teachers
NESA Interim accreditation
Developed to be delivered via Zoom
Register HERE
4-hour workshops for teachers of Stage 1, Stage 2 and Stage 3 Science. These are hands on Workshops that help teachers to devise and deliver science and technology activities safely and age appropriately. Teachers will be conducting experiments and activities for Living World, Material World, Physical World, Earth & Space and Digital Technologies. In the process, teachers will also consider the many aspects of Working Scientifically, including risk assessment practices.
- Science Experiments for Stage 1 Teachers – Tue 25 May
- Science Experiments for Stage 2 Teachers – Wed 2 June
- Science Experiments for Stage 3 Teachers – Thu 17 June
- $190+GST per teacher per workshop
Secondary HSC – For Teachers
Preparing for the 2021 HSC Science Workshops
NESA Elective PD
Register HERE
4-hour workshops for science teachers delivering HSC Biology, Chemistry and Physics run by subject experts with HSC marking experience and more. The workshops have been well received previously and have been redesigned to be delivered via zoom.
Teachers will be:
- leveraging 2020 RAP Analyses to benefit teaching and learning
- scrutinising the 2020 exam for emerging themes and commonplace mistakes
- pilot marking brand new bespoke questions and sample answers
- unpacking and attempting a brand new 9-mark question
- understanding and developing marking criteria
- developing strategies for cross-module questions
All teachers will receive a variety of resources.
- Preparing for the 2021 HSC Biology Exam – Sat 29 May
- Preparing for the 2021 HSC Chemistry Exam – TBC
- Preparing for the 2021 HSC Physics Exam – Fri 28 May
- $190+GST per teacher per workshop
Secondary HSC – For Students
2021 Science ‘HSC Student Revision’ Workshops
Teachers will need to register on behalf of students contact will be made to confirm student numbers.
Register HERE
2-hour workshops run by subject experts with HSC marking experience. These workshops have been well received in the past and have been redeveloped to be delivered via Zoom. The workshops will cover the content and skills from Modules 6 & 7, paying particular attention to difficult material and common mistakes.
All students will walk away with a range of resources and strategies.
- Biology Revision (Modules 6 & 7) – Thu 17 Jun
- Chemistry Revision (Modules 6 & 7) – TBC
- Physics Revision (Modules 6 & 7) – Tue 22 Jun
- at $30 (inc GST) per student per workshop
- 3-5pm via Zoom
About Dr Simon Crook
Dr Simon Crook has been working in science education for 27 years. In 2015, after 12 years working for Sydney Catholic Schools, he founded CrookED Science and has since been collaborating with many Catholic schools and dioceses around K-6 Science & Technology, HSC Physics and the other HSC sciences. He has been involved in various consultations about the new science syllabuses and received his PhD in science education research at the University of Sydney in 2017. In his capacity as Honorary Associate, Simon assists the University of Sydney with their liaison with NESA and schools in NSW.
The NSW Council of Catholic School Parents recognises that families of children with differing abilities require targeted advocacy and support and has developed a valuable resource to assist parents of children with diverse learning needs. When working with these families, we ask that Learning Support Staff encourage parents and carers to access this digital resource at
https://www.ccsp.catholic.edu.au/students-with-diverse-learning-needs
Each year the Catholic Schools Office asks each staff member to review and if required, update their personal details so that we continue to have accurate staff information.
From Tuesday 27 April (Term 2, Week 2) each staff member who logs on to a Catholic Schools Office service will be prompted to review and update their personal details. This should only take a few minutes. Staff are able to defer this until the next log in if required.
As part of the process staff will be asked to provide either a personal email or a personal mobile phone number. If a mobile phone number is entered it will be required to be verified. This occurs by sending the staff member an SMS code which will need to be entered to confirm validation of the mobile phone number.
The personal email or mobile phone number, if provided, will be used for both school and diocese emergency warnings and for account security and recovery purposes.
All personal information collected will be used in accordance with the Catholic Schools Office Privacy Policy.
Should you have any immediate queries, please contact Andrew Burgess.
Content FREE presentation by Randa Habelrih - author, speaker, advocate and advisor at the Casino RSM Club on Tuesday 4 May at 6-7pm. Randa's talk will have a focus on raising a child with autism as well as social inclusion.
Feel free to invite families from your school that you feel may benefit from this event.
Registration is via the link below.
Staff are reminded to register for all professional learning courses through the My Learning site. The site has the facility to recommend courses to others. This will be potentially useful for Principals and Assistant Principals who wish to recommend staff to register for particular courses.
Staff are reminded that the closing date for courses is five working days prior to the course.
To register, please visit My Learning.
Read and Write - Basic Tools 1 Workshop 21CSO-RAWBT1
A 1 hour workshop via Zoom that introduces participants to the Read and Write toolbar from Texthelp (assistive technology). Teachers and Aides are able to attend the session.
Read and Write - Tools 2 Workshop 21CSO-RAWT2W
*You must have participated in 'Read and Write basic tools 1' before enrolling in this workshop.* This is a follow on workshop. A 1 hour workshop via Zoom that builds on previous skills acquired in the 'Read and Write Basic Tools 1' workshop. Teachers and Aides are able to attend the session.
Introduction to EquatIO - Making Maths Digital 21CSO-ITEMMD
A 1 hour workshop via Zoom that gives participants an introduction to EquatIO, a digital tool from Texthelp to support the inclusion of students who have difficulty in Numeracy or work better with digital resources. This workshop will show participants an overview of the extension and its features and possibilities in supporting teaching and learning through quality differentiation. All teachers, support staff and students in the diocese have access to Texthelp and EquatIO.
Virtual Clevertouch Panel Training
Virtual Clevertouch Panel Training - register here.
Lismore Diocesan Primary Sports Council Meeting 2021 21CSO-LDPSCM
This meeting is by invitation only and will be held via Zoom. These meetings are held each term with two Zone representatives, Diocesan Principal representative and the Diocesan Sports Coordinator.
- 25 May 2021 via Zoom
7-12 Leader of Curriculum Video Conference Term 2 2021 21CSO-71LOCZ1
This workshop will provide Leaders of Curriculum with the opportunity to discuss important issues including changes to curriculum, data and whole-school initiatives. The agenda will be co-constructed by the Leaders of Curriculum.
- 20 May 2021 via Zoom
7-12 English Collaborative Network 21CSO-71ECN2
The 2021 English Network is an opportunity for Leaders of English to engage with peers to investigate contemporary pedagogy and the implications of the NSW Curriculum Review. Teachers will share approaches to formative assessment in Stage 4, and also engage in work relating to literacy progressions and multi-modal examples.
- 18 May 2021 via Zoom