CSA National Leaders' Summit

The CSA National Leaders’ Summit is an annual gathering of senior Christian school leaders from across Australia and, in recent years, attracts international participants. This event provides a great opportunity to network and upskill. Plan now to join us in August.

In 2024, the  summit will be held in Brisbane. Brisbane, also known as the river city, is a vibrant city, renowned for its inviting atmosphere, stunning river views, and a rich blend of cultural experiences.

We look forward to welcoming you and your team to this year's National Leaders' Summit.

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Registration closes 25 July 2024

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Summit Theme 2024

Formation: At the heart of education is an education of the heart

Central to Christian schooling is the formation of young people: who know their true identity and can be of impact in the world. The Bible often speaks of this as discipleship, of training up a young person, and as transformation into the likeness of Christ. But this forming is becoming increasingly complex in a world that is seeking to shape people into its likeness.  Furthermore, churches and families are struggling to be of impact in the formational processes of young people, each feeling dislocated from the other. In this environment, Christian schools have a significant opportunity to: communicate the biblical imperative of being formed well; critique and assess the cultural forces at play in society; as well as, build an approach to support, guide and prepare young people to not only take their place in society, but more significantly within His plan for their lives.  

Registration Types

Registration types and prices are listed below and include 10% GST

• Early Bird: $820 (until 12 April)
• Full Event: $849 (after 12 April)
• Full Event (for 2 or more): $820 p/p
• Single Day: $275 per day
• Spouse Pass (Day Catering): $330
• Dinner Additional Ticket: $140
• Cultural Tour: $49 or $179
• Educational Tour: $49

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2024 NLS Speakers and Session Information

Dr. Karen Swallow Prior

Karen Swallow Prior, Ph. D., is a reader, writer, speaker, and professor. She is the author of The Evangelical Imagination: How Stories, Images, and Metaphors Created a Culture in Crisis (Brazos, 2023); On Reading Well: Finding the Good Life through Great Books (Brazos 2018); Fierce Convictions: The Extraordinary Life of Hannah More—Poet, Reformer, Abolitionist (Thomas Nelson, 2014); and Booked: Literature in the Soul of Me (T. S. Poetry Press, 2012). She is co-editor of Cultural Engagement: A Crash Course in Contemporary Issues (Zondervan 2019) and has contributed to numerous other books. She has a monthly column for Religion News Service. Her writing has appeared at Christianity Today, New York Times, The Atlantic, The Washington Post, First Things, Vox, Think Christian, The Gospel Coalition, and various other places. She hosted the podcast Jane and Jesus. She is a Contributing Editor for Comment, a founding member of The Pelican Project, and a Senior Fellow at the Trinity Forum. She and her husband live on a 100-year-old homestead in central Virginia with dogs, chickens, and lots of books

Sessions:

Our Current Cultural Moment
Metaphors, assumptions and stories that have cultivated evangelical culture
Being an instrument of grace

Katie Iles

Katie is the Associate Pastor at Journey Church in Adelaide. Katie is also a communications specialist, speaker and leadership coach who brings a wealth of wisdom in multi-generational leadership, team building, change and culture. With qualifications in journalism, and well over a decade’s experience in strategic communications, culture change and leadership development.

Sessions:

Morning Devotions

'Underground School Leader'

We are privileged to welcome an underground Christian school leader from Asia as a NLS Celebration Dinner speaker. Our speaker will share the challenges of working in Christian education over the last 18 years in a nation where the persecution of Christians is a lived, daily experience. We will learn from his personal story as well as find ways we can best support Christian education in persecuted countries.

Session:

Celebration Dinner

Professor Trevor Cairney OAM

Trevor Cairney OAM is an Honorary Professor of Education (USYD) and Life Professorial Fellow (UNSW). He has been researching and writing about language and literacy for 40 years. His educational career began as a Primary School teacher in Sydney’s Western Suburbs. After completing a degree, Masters and PhD while teaching, he accepted his first university post after 10 years of teaching. He then served as a Lecturer, Professor, Department Head, Dean of Education, Pro Vice-chancellor Research and Visiting Professor at varied universities in Europe, North America and the UK. He is a past President of ALEA. He has influenced policy and practice in Australia in various roles for State and Federal Governments. He has also been a frequent Keynote and Plenary speaker in the USA, Canada, UK, Asia, South America & Europe and an adviser to governments in Australia and overseas. He has written over 200 publications and papers and 13 books in the fields of Education, Language, Literacy and Learning

Sessions:

Is there such a thing as Christian Pedagogy?
Education and Life: Story telling, imagination and the classroom

Mark Ryan

Mark Ryan has been part of the CSA team since 2019 in the role of Executive Officer, SA. Mark has previous experience in leadership roles at Temple Christian College and, with degrees in both education and theology, held pastoral roles in a number of churches. Mark serves as a Director on the Board of Compass and with such an excellent grasp of biblical literacy, worldview and its application to culture, learning and vocation, is well-placed to lead CSA's national portfolio of, Christian Formation.

Sessions:

Mark will present a series of Interactive Sessions unpacking the CSA Formation Framework

Kylie Meredith

Kylie has been the Principal of remote indigenous school, Christian Aboriginal Parent-Directed (CAPS) School, in Kurrawang W.A., since 2016. A Sunday School teacher before she became a teacher and educational leader, Kylie says that she learnt to be Principal ‘on the job’. This is a unique opportunity to hear from an indigenous leader making a significant difference in her school community.

Session:

Celebration Dinner

Workshop 1B: Cultivating a Culture of Leadership Development

Presented by CSA's Director of Innovation and Research, Dr. Darren Iselin, and VIC/TAS State Executive Officer, Dr. Maria Varlet with special guest, Andy Wolfe

Effective leadership development focuses on increasing the quantity, quality and diversity of current and future leaders for all school leadership roles. This workshop will explore the key capabilities needed for leadership in the Christian school context along with practical strategies for developing current and future leaders.

Workshop 1C: The Journey of School Improvement

Presented by CSA's QLD State Executive Officer, Andrew Taylor, and NSW/ACT State Executive Officer, Ian Liney

In 2021, CSA launched the CSA Architecture School Improvement Tool. This tool, and accompanying review process, was designed to support schools in their school improvement journey. School improvement is important in Christian schooling to fulfil the mission of Christian education, be good stewards of resources, be a witness to the world, and to ensure positive student outcomes. In this session, we will explore the tool and school improvement process, hear from schools who have taken advantage of the tool, and discover how CSA can assist you and your school through its improvement journey.

Workshop 2C: Attitude, Answerability and Architecture

Presented by Shayne Evans of Stanton Dahl Architects

Attitude, Answerability and Architecture: How does your attitude and your desire for obedience impact the spaces you use and create? Do you need to go deeper in your behaviour and thinking?

Cultural Tour (Explore the River City)

We will spend time seeing the sights and some historical elements of Brisbane’s River City. The day will commence with your choice of two options: the Story Bridge Climb or a walk through the city.

Bridge Climb: This part of the tour will take approx. 2 hours and will allow you to see Brisbane from the top of the city’s most iconic structure, the Story Bridge. The climb is a guided walk (with a lot of stairs) with knowledgeable guides. The climb includes a safety demonstration, harness equipment and jumpsuit for the walk. Comfortable, enclosed, preferably rubber soled shoes (running/sport/hiking shoes) and comfortable clothing is encouraged.

City Walk: This part of the tour will see you explore Brisbane by foot with a route that includes Queen Street Mall, Parliament House, Qld University of Technology, Botanical Gardens and the famous RiverWalk, finishing up at Howard Smith Wharves. 

Both groups will meet at the Howard Smith Wharves, where, after lunch, we will catch a river cat winding its way upstream. We will make a short visit to City Hall and its museum, and finish the tour with a stop at one of the city’s oldest churches.

Duration: Approx. 9:30am to 4pm

Program Outline:

• 9:30am Meet in the Lobby and separate into Bridge Climb and City Walk groups
• 9:45am City Walk Group: walk towards Queen Street Mall 
• 9:45am Bridge Climb Group: walk from Sofitel to climb entrance
• 12:00pm Both group activities conclude with everyone meeting at Felons Brewing for lunch (food provided, however drinks at own expense)
• 1:30pm Walk to Howard Smith Wharves Terminal and take RiverCat upriver to the North Quay jetty
• 2:10pm Visit to the Brisbane Town Hall, including the Museum of Brisbane History, and King George Square
• 3:10pm Visit to the historic Albert St Uniting Church
• 4:00pm Return to Sofitel Hotel
  

Cost: $179 per person (Bridge Climb)  |  $49 per person (City Walk)

Qualify for CPD Hours

Attendees may qualify for up to 15 hours of structured CPD against the AITSL Professional Standard for Principals or Professional Standards for Teachers, as well as the newly revised Professional Standards for Christian Teachers.

Cancellation Policy

Please refer to the Terms and Conditions outlined in the registration process.

Register Now

Registration closes 25 July 2024