Professional learning calendar
Courses for education and social work professionals
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View our wide range of short courses, workshops and conferences, which are delivered online, at your school or workplace, or on campus at the University of Sydney.
As a leading NESA Recognised Provider, we are committed to providing quality professional learning opportunities for the education community.
Mode of delivery: self-paced online Professional Learning
Further details: Visit the webpage
Course enquiries: Contact nina.goodwin@sydney.edu.au
Cost: $330 per module
Description: The Centre for Educational Measurement and Assessment, in the Sydney School of Education and Social Work, has developed a suite of fully online PL modules focusing on Assessment Literacy for Teachers. Any number of modules may be studied, in any order. Each module can be completed in 4–6 hours and provides Teacher Professional Development, addressing Proficient Teacher Standard Descriptors from the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers. The modules have been designed for primary and secondary teachers and will soon be complemented by a suite of modules on Data Literacy, which are currently being designed by the Centre Director, Professor Jim Tognolini. As well, the centre is planning to develop modules for teachers in middle and senior leadership roles. The Assessment Literacy modules support teachers’ engagement with, and understanding of, assessment and the use of data to inform teaching and learning. After successfully completing all six modules, teachers will be eligible to undertake an extension assessment module for an additional fee. Successful completion of the complete program is equivalent to the University of Sydney postgraduate unit of study Assessment Literacy for School Teachers (EDPZ6011); your statement of completion may be used to apply for credit toward a Master of Education program.
The modules in this series are not individual higher-education awards and not qualifications recognised under the Australian Qualifications Framework.
Dates: Arranged on consultation.
Venue: Provided by the requesting school
Presenters: Bronwyn Reid O’Connor and Ben Zunica
Further details: Download the flyer (pdf, 539kB)
Seminar enquiries: Contact nina.goodwin@sydney.edu.au
Cost: $1000 plus GST per seminar
Description: Math anxiety can arise for students at any stage of their learning. This anxiety can affect a young learner’s ability to achieve their mathematical potential, negatively impacting many subject areas, so it’s crucial to identify affected students as early as possible. The Maths Anxiety Seminar for Schools will be beneficial for teachers and parents/caregivers in supporting students to achieve their potential in mathematics. Participants will learn to identify signs of maths anxiety and how it might present in students in a variety of settings. The seminar will give participants some diagnostic clues about what to look for in student attitude, testing, classwork and homework in mathematics to help detect maths anxiety in young learners. Recommended resources and practical strategies for addressing and relieving maths anxiety will be shared, with opportunities for questions and discussion with colleagues and the presenters. Completing Maths Anxiety Seminar for Schools will contribute one hour of NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) Accredited PD in the priority area of Student/Child Mental Health, addressing Standard Descriptor(s) 1.1.2 from the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers towards maintaining Proficient Teacher Accreditation in NSW.
Dates: Modules will be offered and delivered on demand upon enquiry.
Venue: Online by Zoom
Presenter: Deb Talbot
Further details: Download the flyer (pdf, 265KB) or visit the webpage
Course enquiries: Contact rachel.payne@sydney.edu.au
Cost: $770 per module
Description: The Action Research modules have been designed to meet the needs of teachers seeking to learn about and conduct their own action research project in their local context. They are professional learning for teachers seeking to maintain the level of Proficient Teacher as described in the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers, as well as for teachers who wish to build an evidence base before applying to be recognised at the Highly Accomplished level. The Highly Accomplished Teacher level requires that teachers assemble evidence that they can support and assist less experienced colleagues with all aspects of professional knowledge, practice and professional engagement. Compiling evidence of these skills is a component of this course. Each module will provide 20 hours of professional development at the Highly Accomplished Teacher level, comprising 5 x two-hour workshops plus 10 hours of project time developing a portfolio and conducting a professional learning project. The module requires that participants must attend all online synchronous sessions and successfully complete all assigned tasks. Completion of Action Research Module 1 is a prerequisite for enrolment in Action Research Module 2.
Dates: Modules will be offered and delivered on demand upon enquiry.
Venue: Online by Zoom or in school
Presenter: Kathy Rushton
Further details: Download the flyer (pdf, 450kB) or visit the webpage
Course enquiries: Contact rachel.payne@sydney.edu.au
Cost: $770 per module
Description: Develop the skills to teach grammar in a way that allows your students to gain an understanding of the basics and learn practical ways to implement their knowledge. The focus of Conversations About Texts is on teaching grammar in the context of imaginative, informative and persuasive texts in primary school and the middle years. During the workshops, you will explore the teaching of texts as the context in which grammar is taught to support meaning. Knowledge about grammar is only useful if students use it to read and write and recognise how authors, including themselves, can use language to make meaning. Presenter Kathy Rushton has worked as a TESOL teacher and consultant in classrooms and recognises a growing need in the teaching of grammar to support implementation. At the same time, the course presents participants with the opportunity to review their own grammatical knowledge or address grammar for the first time.
Professional learning for facilitators
Dates (all Thursdays and Fridays, Feb–Jul 2025, 9 am to 4 pm)
Intensive 1: February 13 & 14
Intensive 2: April 10 & 11
Intensive 3: May 15 & 16
Intensive 4: June 19 & 20
Times: Intensive workshops – 9 am to 4 pm (four x 2-day blocks) | Supervisory sessions – 40-60 minutes each (10 given and eight received)
Venue: Compulsory intensive workshops (eight days) in Camperdown (Sydney University) plus additional online training and resources. Supervisory sessions venues/times/modes negotiable.
Academic lead: Michael Anderson
Presenters: Geoff Broughton and Mary Ann Hunter
Further details: Download the flyer (pdf, 313KB) or visit the webpage
Cost: $6600
Description: Reflective Supervision provides one-on-one professional and confidential conversations (peer and group reflective supervision also exist) over several sessions to support leaders in education, including school principals and executive members, as they navigate their professional roles. The sessions encourage supervisees to understand and respond reflectively to challenges and opportunities for their leadership practice.
Develop your leadership skills in your central role as a middle leader and support teachers and students in your school in pedagogy and wellbeing.
Date: Friday, 16 May 2025
Time: 9 am–4 pm
Venue: Online by Zoom
Presenters: Christine Grice and Fiona Davies
Further details: Download the flyer (pdf, 372.7 KB)
Cost: $330
Description: Middle leaders in schools have the capacity to directly influence pedagogical approaches and practises that enhance student outcomes whilst supporting the well-being of students and colleagues. At the same time, the role of middle leaders in schools is not always certain or consistent. Presenters Christine Grice and Fiona Davies have worked alongside middle leaders and recognise a growing need to connect middle leadership and pedagogy with well-being for the benefit of student outcomes. At the same time, they are aware that there are enablers and constraints in schools for developing these leadership skills in order for middle leaders to play a central role in leading pedagogy and well-being effectively.
Date: Monday, 30 June 2025
Time: 9 am–4.30 pm
Venue: Hybrid (In-person and online by Zoom)
Academic convenor: David Evans, Professor of Special Education, The University of Sydney, The University of Sydney, and Cathy Little, Associate Professor, Special Education, and Deputy Head of School (Education), The University of Sydney
Keynote presenter: Sean Joseph Smith, Professor, Department of Special Education, School of Education and Human Science, The University of Kansas, US
Further details: Download the flyer (pdf, 313kB) or visit the webpage
Registration: Visit the table on the webpage
Description: This annual conference focuses on issues and developments in the provision of quality education for students K–12, in particular, for students for whom teachers are providing adjustments.
Presentations and workshops will be given by teachers, consultants, community-based personnel and academics, from metropolitan and rural locations in NSW, interstate and overseas.
Participants may attend the conference as a stand-alone event or as part of the Educational Studies (Learning Support) Program, which comprises attendance at the conference, as well as the SLC Masterclass on Tuesday, July 1, and five additional workshops held on Thursday evenings (4.30–7.30pm) in Semester Two 2025.
Dates and Times: June 30 and July 1 (SLC both days) + 5 evening workshops 4.30–7.30pm (July 31, August 14 & 28, and September 11 & 25)
Venue: Online by Zoom
Presenter: Professor David Evans
Further details: Download the flyer (pdf, 433kB), or visit the Program webpage
Cost: $1500
Registration: Register via the conference webpage
Description: These workshops will examine in detail the theories, policies and practices that promote quality literacy and numeracy learning outcomes for students identified as experiencing difficulties learning in a mainstream classroom environment, across a range of Key Learning Areas.
Specific focus will be placed on teachers working as part of teams to promote individualised programs and processes that assist students with additional learning needs to achieve collaboratively established learning outcomes. Workshop activities and individual learning tasks will promote the integration of theory and practice across a range of settings including early childhood, primary and secondary.
Date: Tuesday, 1 July 2025
Time: 9 am–3 pm
Venue: Online by Zoom
Presenter: Sean Joseph Smith, Professor, Department of Special Education, School of Education and Human Science, The University of Kansas, US
Further details: Download the flyer (pdf, 501kB)
Cost: $330
Description: Discover how Universal Design for Learning (UDL) combined with innovative technologies, including AI, can empower educators to design flexible, engaging learning experiences that meet the needs of all students. Explore practical strategies to support a variety of learners and apply emerging tools to enhance access, engagement and success across K–12 classrooms.
In this masterclass, teachers will gain a deep understanding of UDL and how AI-driven tools can enhance instructional design, assessment, and student engagement. Educators will explore practical strategies for making learning more accessible, including using AI to create varied materials, scaffold instruction and support learners across literacy, numeracy, and social-emotional development.
Teachers will leave with practical techniques to:
By implementing these strategies, teachers can create responsive, innovative classrooms that empower students to reach their full potential, while also influencing school-wide policies to ensure sustainable, inclusive practices.
Date: Thursday, 12 August 2025
Time: 9.30 am – 3.30 pm
Venue: Education Building A35, Manning Rd, The University of Sydney
Presenter: Mary Jo McVeigh
Further details: Download the flyer (pdf, 437.7 KB)
Cost: $330
Description: This in-person workshop invites participants to build on their conversational style when talking to parents and carers. It is underpinned by the work of educationalists Gilligan and Nodding’s paradigm of the ‘ethic of care.’ Participants will be introduced to an ethic-informed conversational style designed to promote confidence and skills in turning complex interactions into opportunities for communication to deepen the working relationship between schools, parents and carers.
The information and discussions in this workshop will be valuable for all teachers, school leaders and principals from Kindergarten to Year 12.
This workshop will enable you to:
Date: Tuesday, 2 September 2025
Time: 9.30am–3.30pm
Venue: Online by Zoom
Presenter: Mary Jo McVeigh
Further details: Download the flyer (pdf, 421.3 KB)
Cost: $330
Description: Children bring their lived experience with them into their classrooms: the emotions, reactions and, sometimes, trauma, from their homes and communities, as well as wider society. “Complex trauma” in children results from repeated exposure to traumatic events over weeks, months, or years. Examples include sexual, physical, and psychological abuse, as well as experiencing or witnessing domestic and family violence or neglect. Research shows that children most often disclose traumas to school friends or teachers and that the classroom consequences of complex trauma can profoundly affect children’s behaviour and learning.
In this workshop, teachers will learn how to support students experiencing trauma by adopting strategies that allow them to respond ‘in the moment’, and which, collectively, create a “trauma-informed classroom” that benefits all their students. The information and discussions in this workshop will be valuable for any teacher from Kindergarten to Year 12.
Teachers will learn to:
Project coordinator
Phone
Address
Professional Learning Sydney School of Education and Social Work Education Building A35 The University of Sydney NSW 2006
Project coordinator
Phone
Address
Professional Learning Sydney School of Education and Social Work Education Building A35 The University of Sydney NSW 2006
