Independent Schools NSW

04/09/2026

This week is National Literacy and Numeracy Week, a chance to celebrate the foundational skills that help students thrive at school and beyond.

Reading comprehension is often misunderstood as a standalone skill developed through practice alone. This article explores four common misconceptions and explains why knowledge, language and reading processes must work together to help students understand increasingly complex texts.

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Reading comprehension is often misunderstood as a standalone skill developed through practice alone. This article explores four common misconceptions and explains why knowledge, language and reading processes must work together to help students understand increasingly complex texts.

03/09/2026

Congratulations to the learning support team at Allegra School Coffs Harbour for being named 2026 Australian Teacher Aide Team of the Year. Congratulations also to Reggie Frost from the team who was selected as a state finalist in the Teacher Aide of the Year category.

The awards coincide with Australian Teacher Aide Appreciation Week this week, which celebrates the incredible contribution of teacher aides and learning support staff in our schools.

Find out more about this week and the awards: https://www.australianteacheraide.com.au/Awards/Australian-Teacher-Aide-of-the-Year-Awards

31/08/2026

Schools are being urged to strengthen ICT budget planning and review policies for sharing images and emerging technologies, as AI-driven cost pressures, deepfake risks and wearable devices create new operational, privacy and safeguarding challenges.

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Schools are urged to strengthen ICT budget planning, as AI-driven cost pressures, deepfake risks and wearable devices create new challenges.

28/08/2026

A little over a week after the Curriculum Conference and we're still excited about all the possibilities for schools following the learning, collaboration and connections over the three days.

The AI agent gallery was a particular highlight for many delegates, who left with their heads full of ideas for their own students' learning.

26/08/2026

This week, 160 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and accompanying staff from 29 NSW Independent schools gathered at Western Sydney University for dhurali warrunggad: the 2026 Wingara Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student Leadership Event. Students had the opportunity to tour the university and yarn with career pathway stalls, participate in workshops run by NRL , GWS Giants, Country As Teacher and Western Sydney University and celebrate the evening with special guest, singer songwriter Budjerah who shared the power of family and Culture through song.

This was the fifth time the event has been run in partnership with Western Sydney University, celebrating leadership through Culture and post-school aspirations. This year, we welcomed support from TAFE NSW alongside ongoing support from the Australian Independent Schools Foundation to ensure that this event continues to celebrate and support First Nations’ students’ sense of identity and aspirations through Culture.

Thank you to Western, TAFE NSW and to the incredible students and teachers for another wonderful event!

25/08/2026

Independent Schools NSW’s 2026 Cyber Security Symposium highlighted the need for stronger cyber resilience across schools, with experts emphasising incident preparedness, staff awareness, AI-related risks and practical strategies to improve cyber maturity and recovery capability.

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Independent Schools NSW’s 2026 Cyber Security Symposium highlighted the need for stronger cyber resilience across schools, with experts emphasising incident preparedness, staff awareness, AI-related risks and practical strategies to improve cyber maturity and recovery capability.

21/08/2026

Over three inspiring days at our Curriculum Conference, educators from across the Independent school sector came together to share ideas, strengthen their practice and explore practical approaches to curriculum design, learning and assessment.

A highlight of the event was the opportunity for educators to connect with peers, learn from each other's experiences and take away strategies they can put into action in their own schools.

Thank you to our speakers and facilitators, including Dr Simon Breakspear, Danny Liu, Miriam Tanti and Dr Shyam Barr, for sharing their expertise and helping make the conference such a valuable experience.

16/08/2026

A fantastic day of learning, collaboration and innovation at the Independent Schools NSW Mathematics Conference on Friday.

Teachers and leaders explored the new Stage 6 syllabuses, heard from inspiring keynote speakers and shared practical strategies to support student success in Mathematics.

Thank you to everyone who joined us as we continue nurturing mathematical minds across our sector.

14/08/2026

A great start to our Aspiring and Early Leaders program this week at Independent Schools NSW.

Designed for educators considering their first leadership role or newly appointed to one, Day 1 focused on leadership as a daily practice that shapes school culture. Participants explored leadership theory, self-awareness, purpose-driven leadership and communication for influence.

We look forward to welcoming everyone back for Day 2 and continuing their leadership journey.

13/08/2026

Congratulations to Fiona Radford (Pymble Ladies' College ), Katie Jackson (Pittwater House ) and Melissa Tindall (MidCoast Christian College ) on receiving NSW Premier’s Teaching Scholarships.

These outstanding Independent school educators have been recognised for their expertise, innovation and commitment to improving outcomes for students. Their scholarship projects will explore history education, quality teaching and the use of AI in primary STEM learning, with insights to be shared across the wider education community.

As Independent Schools NSW CEO Margery Evans said, “Fiona, Katie and Melissa are outstanding ambassadors for their profession and their schools. The knowledge and experience gained through these scholarships will strengthen teaching and learning in their schools and create lasting benefits for students and colleagues alike.”

Well done to Fiona, Katie and Melissa on this well-deserved achievement and we look forward to seeing the impact of their work across the sector.