This year the conference is designed for both teaching and non-teaching staff, with the theme:
Who are we becoming?
Through the conference theme, delegates will explore the cultural voices that influence the identities of young people, the role of the biblical narrative in shaping (counter-forming) identity and practical strategies and resources for drawing young people into the biblical story.
The SA State Conference will be a one-day event in 2024, and an opportunity for all our school staff across the state to gather for celebration, collaboration, learning, and networking.
There will also be a SA Leaders Dinner:
- 22 July 2024: SA Leaders Dinner, Venue to be confirmed
Program, Theme and Content
Who are we becoming?
Session 1: The Cultural Compass: What’s Shaping Identity? | Stephen McAlpine
In order to effectively speak into the lives of young people with the biblical story, we need to understand how the influences of the broader culture are forming us. This session will explore the pervading ‘cultural stories’ which are shaping us and the young people in our schools. It will ask the questions, ‘What are we being told about who we are and what we should desire, and what impact is this having on identity formation in our cultural moment?’
Session 2: Understanding our formation in the light of the Biblical story | Graham Stanton
Formation occurs within the context of story. Stories help to form our identity, meaning and purpose, and allow us to make sense of our place in the world. They provide a vision of who we are, why we are here, where we are going and what constitutes the good life. The story we live out of becomes the lens through which we see, interpret and engage with the world around us. This session will explore how the biblical story provides a compelling alternative to our culture and how it reshapes our imagination around identity and purpose.
Session 3: From formation to transformation: a practical approach | Mark Ryan
In a culture of competing narratives that seek to shape us, Christian schools have the opportunity to invite students to know, understand, imagine, embody and expand God’s story. This session will introduce a practical, whole school approach to being intentional in the creation of opportunities which enable people to find their own story within the bigger story of God’s kingdom.
How to Register
To register your school for this event, simply follow the steps below by Friday 31 May 2024.
- Create an excel spreadsheet with the details of all staff who will be attending the conference. Please remember to exclude from your spreadsheet any staff who will be on leave or will not be working on the day of the conference (to avoid being charged for staff who are unable to attend). The spreadsheet should have the following columns:
- First Name
- Last Name
- School email address
- Dietary requirements: Gluten free, Dairy Free, Vegetarian or Vegan (or any combination of these).
- Click on the register button, which will open an email for you to attach the completed spreadsheet of information.
- Once received, a confirmation email from our SA office will be sent to you, as well as an invoice for the event costs.
Please note that only the dietary requirements listed above can be catered for. Staff who have any other dietary requirements will need to make arrangements to bring their own food on the day of the event. We are able to provide a discount for the event for these specific staff members.
The conference is suitable for all staff (teaching and non-teaching)
The registration cost (includes catering, sessions materials and information) per person for the conference is:
- $10 +GST for CSA Members
- $75 +GST for non CSA Members
Please reach out to Amanda Jusaitis on [email protected] if you have any queries.
Speakers
Stephen McAlpine
Stephen McAlpine has been involved in pastoral ministry and church planting for three decades in Perth, with long-term involvement at board level in Christian schools in Western Australia. He has a background in journalism and writing, and is a blogger and author, focusing on the cultural pressures facing the church and Christian institutions in the increasingly secular West. His latest book, Being the Bad Guys was 2021 Australian Christian Book of the Year.
Graham Stanton
Graham is Lecturer in Practical Theology at Ridley College, Melbourne, and Director of the Ridley Centre for Children’s and Youth Ministry. Graham is a member of the teaching faculty for the Compass Student Leaders Conference, was the founding Principal of Youthworks College, Sydney, and served as a project officer for the Anglican Education Commission in Sydney. Graham has published research articles in youth ministry, Christian education, and leadership. He is the author of Wide-awake in God’s World, which explores the implications of the aesthetic pedagogy of Maxine Greene for practices of Bible engagement for spiritual formation of teenagers in an expressivist culture. His latest research is exploring how young Australians experience and understand God and the stories of how those beliefs have been formed.
Graham and his wife Kate live in Melbourne and are members of St Jude’s Anglican Church, Parkville. They have three young adult children and one son-in-law. Apart from Jesus, his personal heroes include Bruce Springsteen and Leslie Knope.
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 has degrees in both education and theology. He has also 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.
Qualify for CPD Hours
At the conclusion of this event, a certificate of professional learning, for self-accreditation, will be made available to participants, via your member dashboard. The event will address the following AITSL standards and Christian Distinctive Focus areas:
AITSL Professional Teacher and Leadership Standards:
» 6.2 Engage in Professional Learning and Improve Practice
» 6.3 Engage with colleagues and improve practice
» 6.4 - Apply professional learning and improve student learning
» 7.4 Engage with professional teaching networks and broader communities
Christian Distinctive Focus Areas:
» 6A Engage in professional learning which aids the development of a philosophy of Christian Education based in Biblical principles
» 7A Knowledge about and engagement with the school, its Christian ethos and vision
» 7B Contributes to the development of distinctive Christian practice in the school, profession and wider community
Want to learn more about the CSA Christian Distinctive Focus areas? Click here.
Cancellation Policy
All cancellations must be made in writing to the Event Organiser. Unfortunately, no refunds will be issued after 7 days out from the event. Any cancellations made after this date will be charged the full registration fee. 'No Shows' to the event will be charged the full registration fee.
Please note that registration fees do not include insurance to cover loss of any fees/deposit through cancellation of your participation in the event or through cancellation of the event itself. A full refund will be issued if the event is cancelled by the organiser (CSA) due to any reasons out of the organisers control.
The event program is subject to change and we may not be able to provide prior notice.
This event is proudly sponsored by:
Platinum Sponsors:
Premium Sponsor:
