Australian Catholics Professional Learning Sessions are for religious education practitioners to deepen their knowledge about key topics related to faith education and formation. Participants will have the opportunity to listen to our guest speakers, as well as pose questions and share their own experiences in a collaborative environment.
Next Professional Learning session: Real retreats
In this session, two experts on delivering retreats for adults and students share their tips for planning a successful retreat.
Speakers: Francis Tilly (JISA) and Michael Todd (St Ignatius College, Geelong)
Frances Tilly works in leadership with Jesuit and Ignatian Spirituality Australia (JISA), a work of the Australian Jesuits, and is based in Sydney. She is a formator and practitioner, and gives the spiritual exercises, spiritual direction, and professional supervision, and also develops and facilitates practical spiritual formation programs for leadership, staff, and volunteers in diverse pastoral contexts including education. Passionate about the rich tradition of the Ignatian charism, with its contemporary possibilities and inherently deep and life-giving way, Frances offers contemplative accompaniment with safe, encouraging, and creative space.
Michael Todd has been teaching in schools for over 20 years and is currently the Director of Ignatian Ethos and Identity at Saint Ignatius College, Geelong. This current role encompasses the always exciting challenge of creating meaningful formation experiences for both staff and students.
Teaching idea: Mindful reflection using stimulus questions written by Chat GPT
Date: Tuesday, 20 August.
Time: 4.30-5.30pm AEST
Accreditation
Accreditation is available in the dioceses of Melbourne, Sale, Sandhurst, Ballarat, and in Armidale and Lismore.
Teachers in Victorian dioceses wishing to receive accreditation for this event will need to supply your VIT Registration Number and School as part of your booking.
Attendance will be checked on the day, so only those attending the live session will receive accreditation.
If you are in a Diocese that is not listed above (but have an AC+ subscription), please check with your Catholic Education Office to see if it can be accredited with them also.
Upcoming Professional Learning sessions in 2024
TERM 3
Catholic movie festival – How to choose and use films for the RE classroom
Date: 10 September, 4.30 -5.30 pm AEST
Speakers: Peter Malone, Michael McVeigh and Laura Kings (more speakers to be confirmed).
Peter Malone is a longtime film reviewer and author of a number of books, especially on themes of religion and spirituality in films. He is a Missionary of the Sacred Heart and has lectured in theology and Scripture at the Yarra Theological Union and the Heart of Life Centre and was head of the international Catholic organisations for Film and for Communications, currently SIGNIS.
Michael McVeigh is a master of writing aboout how to view popular culture through a Catholic lens and is responsible for some of our most engaging articles. The editor of Australian Catholics for more than 15 years, Michael was appointed director of publishing in 2021. He has worked across digital and print publications Eureka Street, Madonna and Pray.com.au. He is a former president of the Australasian Catholic Press Association and member of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference Media Council.
Laura Kings is an experienced teacher, with a background in English, Media Studies and Religious Education. She has a keen interest in creating quality teacher resources and engaging students, beginning her teaching career as coordinator of Film and Television at Saint Stephen's College on the Gold Coast. She is also an experienced journalist who has worked in radio and print.
Teaching idea: novel active viewing activities
TERM 4
The great teaching ideas swap meet!
Suggested date: 22 October
Join us and bring along some of your favourite classroom ideas to swap with your colleagues. Our assistant editor education and youth, Laura Kings will also bring along some of ours.
If you have feedback or ideas around these sesisons then please drop us a line
If you are not an AC+ subscriber send us an email to [email protected] and we can tell you more about how it works.