Secondary Religious Education
Monday, 24 March - Completed
(PHRIS Activity Code: 2001-2344-1)
For teachers of Stage 6 Studies of Religion, this Professional Development day will explore the nature of the Studies of Religion course and how to teach it in a way that enables students to experience evangelisation whilst remaining faithful to the objectivity of the course. Conscious of the diversity of learners in the classroom, participants will explore contemporary pedagogical practices and useful tools to equip students for success in all elements of this course.
Venue: SCS World Square Office (Level 23, 680 George Street, Sydney).
Time: 8.45 a.m. (for 9.00 a.m. start) - 3.30 p.m.
Registration: Please register via PHRIS (login to your PHRIS account > Self Service > Learning and Development > Learning > Search Catalog > Advanced Search).
Funding: One day release funding is available for one participant per school.
Cost: All event costs are covered by Sydney Catholic Schools.
Accreditation: Completing this professional development day will contribute 5 hours for RE Currency under the requirements of the ‘Accreditation to Work, Teach and Lead in Sydney Catholic Schools’ policy.
Professional Standards Addressed:
1.3.2 - Design and implement teaching strategies that are responsive to the learning strengths and needs of students from diverse linguistic, cultural, religious and socio-economic backgrounds.
2.3.2 - Design and implement learning and teaching programs using knowledge of curriculum, assessment and reporting requirements
6.3.2 - Contribute to collegial discussions and apply constructive feedback from colleagues to improve professional knowledge and practice
Limit: 30 participants
Contact: Anthony Munro on 0407 843 976 or anthony.munro@syd.catholic.edu.au.
*Cancellation Fees: Participants withdrawing from this event must provide at least 7 days notice prior to the start of the event, otherwise schools will be liable to pay the related event costs in full.
Friday, 23 May - Completed
The Church celebrates the Solemnity of Our Lady, Help of Christians each year on 24 May. This special celebration Mass will be held in St Mary’s Cathedral for the Seconday schools of the Archdiocese this year. Parish Priests and school chaplains are welcome to attend and concelebrate the Mass.
Further information regarding this Mass will be sent to secondary schools closer to the date of the event.
Venues: St Mary's Cathedral, Sydney.
Time: 10.30 a.m. - 11.30 a.m. [Arrival from 9.30 a.m. onwards for participating schools].
Registration: via Google form which will be shared with Secondary schools closer to the date of the event.
Funding: System release funding is not available for this event.
Cost: All event costs are covered by Sydney Catholic Schools.*
Limit: 4 students & 2 accompanying teachers from each Secondary school.
Contact: Anthony Munro on 0407 843 976 or anthony.munro@syd.catholic.edu.au.
Friday, 16 May - Completed
(PHRIS Activity Code: 2001-2354-1)
This professional development will explore contemporary approaches to designing, resourcing and conducting Senior Student Residential retreats. This day is ideal for RECs, Assistant RECs or teachers who are responsible for, or involved in, conducting Senior Student Residential Retreats.
Venue: SCS World Square Office (Level 23, 680 George Street, Sydney).
Time: 9.00 a.m. - 3.00 p.m.
Registration: Please register via PHRIS (login to your PHRIS account > Self Service > Learning and Development > Learning > Search Catalog > Advanced Search).
Funding: One day release funding is available for one participant per school.
Cost: All event costs are covered by Sydney Catholic Schools.
Accreditation: Completing this professional development day will contribute 5 hours for RE Currency under the requirements of the ‘Accreditation to Work, Teach and Lead in Sydney Catholic Schools’ policy.
Professional Standards Addressed:
6.2.2 - Participate in learning to update knowledge and practice targeted to professional needs and school and/or system priorities.
7.4.2 - Participate in professional and community networks and forums to broaden knowledge and improve practice.
Limit: 30 participants
Contact: Anthony Munro on 0407 843 976 or anthony.munro@syd.catholic.edu.au.
*Cancellation Fees: Participants withdrawing from this event must provide at least 7 days notice prior to the start of the event, otherwise schools will be liable to pay the related event costs in full.
Term 1 - Friday, 28 February - Completed
(PHRIS Activity Code: 2001-1980-2)
Term 2 - Tuesday, 20 May - Completed
(PHRIS Activity Code: 2001-1980-6 = Group A | 2001-1980-7 = Group B)
Term 3 - Friday, 25 July - Completed
(PHRIS Activity Code: 2001-1980-4)
Term 4 - Wednesday, 22 October - Cancelled as of 15/09/2025
(PHRIS Activity Code: 2001-1980-5)
The REC’s Professional Learning Communities (Secondary) is based on research by Hord (1997) indicating that for “staff, being part of a professional learning community reduces teacher isolation, increases commitment to the mission and goals of the school, creates shared responsibility for the total development of students, creates powerful learning that defines good teaching and classroom practice, and enhances understanding of course content and teacher roles”. Research by Thompson, Gregg and Niska (2015) indicate a correlation between effective professional learning communities and development of leadership capabilities for those holding such positions in schools. As such, the RECs’ PLCs will provide RECs with the opportunity to participate in professional learning and dialogue targeted to their specific professional needs in the area of religious education and evangelisation.
Venues:
Terms 1, 3 and 4 - Clancy/Gilroy at the WSO (Level 23, 680 George Street, Sydney).
Term 2 - Group A: St Ursula's Kingsgrove, 69 Caroline Street, Kingsgrove NSW 2208 | Group B: Good Samaritan Catholic College, Hinchinbrook, 401 Hoxton Park Road, Hinchinbrook NSW 2168.
Time: 8.45 a.m. (for 9.00 a.m. start) - 3.30 p.m.
Registration: Please register via PHRIS (login to your PHRIS account > Self Service > Learning and Development > Learning > Search Catalog > Advanced Search).
Funding: System release funding is not available for this event.
Cost: All event costs are covered by Sydney Catholic Schools.*
Accreditation: Each PLC day will contribute 5 hours for RE Currency under the requirements of the ‘Accreditation to Work, Teach and Lead in Sydney Catholic Schools’ policy.
Professional Standards Addressed:
6.3.2 - Contribute to collegial discussions and apply constructive feedback from colleagues to improve professional knowledge and practice.
7.4.2 - Participate in professional and community networks and forums to broaden knowledge and improve practice.
Contact: Anthony Munro 0407 843 976 or anthony.munro@syd.catholic.edu.au.
*Cancellation Fees: Participants withdrawing from this event must provide at least 7 days notice prior to the start of the event, otherwise schools will be liable to pay the related event costs in full.
Monday, 11 August - Completed
(PHRIS Activity Code: 2001-2125-2)
This workshop is for Year 12, Stage 6 Studies of Religion teachers. It will allow teachers to understand and participate in assessment moderation activities to support consistent and comparable judgements of student learning using CSSA HSC Trial Examination scripts.
The marking session will be led by experienced HSC markers. Actual CSSA trial scripts will be used to moderate and collaboratively explore consistent and comparable judgements of students’ work.
Through a collaborative process of marking student scripts, each teacher will develop an improved understanding of what constitutes an exemplar script and be able to give constructive and effective feedback to their students about their achievement relative to their learning goals.
Venue: Dooley's - Regent St Pavilion (67 Regent Street, Regents Park NSW 2143)
Time: 9.00 a.m. - 3.00 p.m.
Registration: Please register via PHRIS (login to your PHRIS account > Self Service > Learning and Development > Learning > Search Catalog > Advanced Search).
Funding: Limited system release funding is available for this event. Requests for funding must be made in writing prior to the day.
Cost: All event costs are covered by Sydney Catholic Schools.
Accreditation: Completing this professional development day will contribute 5 hours for RE Currency under the requirements of the ‘Accreditation to Work, Teach and Lead in Sydney Catholic Schools’ policy.
Professional Standards Addressed:
5.2.2 - Provide timely, effective and appropriate feedback to students about their achievement relative to their learning goals.
5.3.2 - Understand and participate in assessment moderation activities to support consistent and comparable judgements of student learning.
Limit: 50 participants
Contact: Anthony Munro on 0407 843 976 or anthony.munro@syd.catholic.edu.au.
*Cancellation Fees: Participants withdrawing from this event must provide at least 7 days notice prior to the start of the event, otherwise schools will be liable to pay the related event costs in full.
Strand A: Tuesday, 18 March - Completed
(PHRIS Activity Code: 2001-2345-1)
Strand B: Wednesday, 4 June - Completed
(PHRIS Activity Code: 2001-2345-2)
Strand C: Wednesday, 3 September
(PHRIS Activity Code: 2001-2345-3)
Strand D: Wednesday, 29 October
(PHRIS Activity Code: 2001-2345-4)
Strand E: Wednesday, 26 November
(PHRIS Activity Code: 2001-2345-5)
The Strand Days will explore both theology and pedagogy in the Year 7 and 8 Religious Education Curriculum. Participants will receive an overview of the Liberal Arts; its educational purpose and role in SCS. They will also understand the importance of Truth and Beauty within the RE Curriculum. The day will also support teachers in practically teaching Critical Thinking in both understanding and articulating virtue. Through the course of this day, participants will create and embed teaching and learning strategies in their respective programs.
Participants will need to have access to their school’s teaching and learning programs for the respective Strand Day.
It is an expectation that each school sends one participant to each Strand Day.
Venue: SCS World Square Office (Level 23, 680 George Street, Sydney).
Time: 8.45 a.m. (for 9.00 a.m. start) - 3.30 p.m.
Registration: Please register via PHRIS (login to your PHRIS account > Self Service > Learning and Development > Learning > Search Catalog > Advanced Search).
Funding: One day release funding is available for one participant per school.
Cost: All event costs are covered by Sydney Catholic Schools.
Accreditation: Completing this professional development day will contribute 5 hours for RE Currency under the requirements of the ‘Accreditation to Work, Teach and Lead in Sydney Catholic Schools’ policy.
Professional Standards Addressed:
3.3.2 - Select and use relevant teaching strategies to develop knowledge, skills, problem-solving, and critical and creative thinking.
6.2.2 - Participate in learning to update knowledge and practice targeted to professional needs and school and/or system priorities.
6.3.2 - Contribute to collegial discussions and apply constructive feedback from colleagues to improve professional knowledge and practice
Limit: 50 participants
Contact: Anthony Munro on 0407 843 976 or anthony.munro@syd.catholic.edu.au.
*Cancellation Fees: Participants withdrawing from this event must provide at least 7 days notice prior to the start of the event, otherwise schools will be liable to pay the related event costs in full.
*This event is open to teachers new or returning to Secondary Religious Education.
(PHRIS Activity Code: 2001-2346-1)
Tuesday, 25 February - Completed
This twilight session is designed to equip practitioners new or returning to the subject area with an understanding of the Sydney Catholic Schools Religious Education Curriculum in Stages 4 and 5. Participants will become familiar with the design of the Archdiocesan Religious Education curriculum and be equipped to further engage with this curriculum within the context of their schools. The Australian Professional Standard 2.1.2 for teachers will be addressed in this event.
There will be an opportunity to hear from experts in RE curriculum, participate in discussion and workshop activities designed to enhance content knowledge and broaden teaching strategies to more fully engage students in the area of Religious Education. Participants will also work with the syllabus documents and their school-based teaching and learning programs to embed new strategies into their own programs and lesson plans.
Venue: Webinar workshop.
Time: 3.45 p.m. - 5.15 p.m.
Registration: Please register via PHRIS (login to your PHRIS account > Self Service > Learning and Development > Learning > Search Catalog > Advanced Search).*
Funding: System release funding is not available for this event.
Accreditation: Completing this professional development day will contribute 1.5 hours for RE Currency under the requirements of the ‘Accreditation to Work, Teach and Lead in Sydney Catholic Schools’ policy.
Professional Standards Addressed:
2.1.2 - Apply knowledge of the content and teaching strategies of the teaching area to develop engaging teaching activities.
Limit: None
Contact: Anthony Munro on 0407 843 976 or anthony.munro@syd.catholic.edu.au.
*Cancellation Fees: Participants withdrawing from this event must provide at least 7 days notice prior to the start of the event, otherwise schools will be liable to pay the related event costs in full.
Tuesday, 18 February - Completed
(PHRIS Activity Code: 2001-2347-1)
The SiCT Intensive Professional Learning Twilight will introduce teachers new to teaching the endorsed course, Studies in Catholic Thought to the course content and methodology. A key theoretical underpinning of the course is provided by the Congregation for Catholic Education in the document, Educating Today and Tomorrow: A Renewing Passion - Instrumentum Laboris, 2014. This document highlights that learning through research and problem solving is essential for students to develop significant cognitive and mental abilities. In this twilight, participants will receive an overview of the course, its rationale, differentiation according to the candidature, the role of the SiCT teacher and an exploration of suitable pedagogical approaches to maximise learning outcomes.
Venue: Webinar workshop.
Time: 3.45 p.m. - 5.15 p.m.
Registration: Please register via PHRIS (login to your PHRIS account > Self Service > Learning and Development > Learning > Search Catalog > Advanced Search).*
Funding: System release funding is not available for this event.
Accreditation: Completing this professional development day will contribute 1.5 hours for RE Currency under the requirements of the ‘Accreditation to Work, Teach and Lead in Sydney Catholic Schools’ policy.
Professional Standards Addressed:
2.1.2 - Apply knowledge of the content and teaching strategies of the teaching area to develop engaging teaching activities.
6.2.2 - Participate in learning to update knowledge and practice targeted to professional needs and school and/or system priorities.
Limit: None
Contact: Anthony Munro on 0407 843 976 or anthony.munro@syd.catholic.edu.au.
*Cancellation Fees: Participants withdrawing from this event must provide at least 7 days notice prior to the start of the event, otherwise schools will be liable to pay the related event costs in full.
Monday, 25 August
(PHRIS Activity Code: 2001-2343-1)
Our population is changing and many of our schools have declining Catholic enrolments. Data shows that many students identifying as Catholic are not regularly attending Mass. Recognising that the Religious Education classroom has students with a spectrum of beliefs and a mixture of Religious Traditions, this day will explore how we can continue to honour the mission of Catholic education in diverse environments. Through a Catholic context, participants will workshop ways to differentiate teaching and learning programs and their strategies to ensure that the Religious Education curriculum is relevant to all learners.
Venue: SCS World Square Office (Level 23, 680 George Street, Sydney)
Time: 9.00a.m. - 3.00p.m.
Registration: Please register via PHRIS (login to your PHRIS account > Self Service > Learning and Development > Learning > Search Catalog > Advanced Search).
Funding: Limited system release funding is available for this event. Requests for funding must be made in writing prior to the day.
Cost: All event costs are covered by Sydney Catholic Schools.
Accreditation: Completing this professional development day will contribute 5 hours for RE Currency under the requirements of the ‘Accreditation to Work, Teach and Lead in Sydney Catholic Schools’ policy.
Professional Standards Addressed:
1.3.2 - Design and implement teaching strategies that are responsive to the learning strengths and needs of students from diverse linguistic, cultural, religious and socio-economic backgrounds
4.1.2 - Establish and implement inclusive and positive interactions to engage and support all students in classroom activities.
6.2.2 - Participate in learning to update knowledge and practice targeted to professional needs and school and/or system priorities.
Limit: 40 participants
Contact: Anthony Munro on 007 843 976 or anthony.munro@syd.catholic.edu.au.
(PHRIS Activity Code: 2001-2348-1)
Wednesday, 12 February - Completed
The analysis of data gives ‘principals and teachers an external point of reference for discussion about pedagogy and for attempts to improve both pedagogy and student achievement.’ (DeCourcy 2005 pp 97). This day will explore the importance of using both NESA RAP and the CSNSW HSC Data Analysis Package (DeCourcy) data to improve learning outcomes in Studies of Religion. Participants will explore HSC data from their local contexts to analyse performance and promote learning gain in Studies of Religion.
Venue: Assisi Centre (3 Keating Street, Lidcombe).
Time: 8.45 a.m. - 3.10 p.m.
Registration: Please register via PHRIS (login to your PHRIS account > Self Service > Learning and Development > Learning > Search Catalog > Advanced Search).
RSVP: Wednesday, 5 February
Funding: One day release funding is available for one participant per school.
Accreditation: Completing this professional development day will contribute 5 hours for RE Currency under the requirements of the ‘Accreditation to Work, Teach and Lead in Sydney Catholic Schools’ policy.
Professional Standards Addressed:
5.4.2 - Use student assessment data to analyse and evaluate student understanding of subject/content, identifying interventions and modifying teaching practice.
6.2.2 - Participate in learning to update knowledge and practice targeted to professional needs and school and/or system priorities.
Limit: 35 Participants
Contact: Anthony Munro on 0407 843 976 or anthony.munro@syd.catholic.edu.au.
*Cancellation Fees: Participants withdrawing from this event must provide at least 7 days notice prior to the start of the event, otherwise schools will be liable to pay the related event costs in full.