Cultivating Joy
The 2026 WA Conference which will be held in person, invites all staff in member schools to explore joy as a distinctive mark of life with God and a foundation for flourishing together. Grounded in Scripture, this conference will consider joy as both a divine gift and a daily practice that shapes our work, relationships, and wellbeing. Together, we will explore practical ways to build school communities where joy is woven through every interaction, celebration, and act of service.
PLEASE NOTE: Registration is now full. For those schools unable to attend in-person, there is an On-Demand State Conference Package available. The 2026 CSA On Demand State Conference package is a comprehensive program which is suitable for all staff and can be used adaptively and creatively by schools - run over 3 sessions on a day or used over time in staff PD time, a retreat session or in any way that suits your context. The package provides all the materials required (short stimulus videos, workshop materials, discussion guides, PowerPoint slides, detailed Facilitator’s Guide, follow up readings etc) to run a full day program (or can be spread over several days) in your own school. More information can be found here.
Session Outlines
Sessions include the following topics:
Session 1: Joy as a Gift
This session explores joy as a deep and enduring gift grounded in God’s character and promises, rather than a fleeting feeling or surface happiness. Drawing on Scripture, participants will consider joy as central to biblical flourishing and to the mission and identity of Christian education, even in seasons of challenge.
Session 2: Joy as Personal Practice
Joy is sustained through intentional rhythms and practices that shape our daily lives and leadership. This session invites participants to reflect on spiritual disciplines and wellbeing practices that nurture joy, resilience, and hope, encouraging staff to embody joy as part of their personal and professional witness.
Session 3: Joy in Community
This session focuses on building whole-school cultures where joy, belonging, and flourishing are intentionally cultivated. Participants will explore practical strategies, and the science that supports them, for building the kinds of genuine human connections that make those qualities not just possible, but inevitable.
How to Register
To register your school for this event, simply follow the steps below by Friday, 12 June 2026.
- To register for this event, download the Conference Registration Template, complete the details, and email Friday Kasteni, the Executive Assistant for WA, via [email protected]
- Dietary requirements: Gluten free, Dairy Free, Vegetarian or Vegan (or any combination of these). Please ensure your staffing dietary information is up to date.
- Once received, a confirmation email from our WA office will be sent to you, as well as an invoice for the event costs from our accountant.
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 (contact the WA office for details).
The conference is suitable for all staff (teaching and non-teaching), and the registration cost will include catering for the day, as well as all session materials and information.
Please reach out to Friday Kasteni on [email protected] if you have any queries.
Please note that some sessions of this event may be filmed or photographed and there is potential for you to be in the vision of the camera. Your registration is consent that your image may be used for promotional or editorial purposes. If you have any concerns with this, please connect with a CSA staff member.
Speakers
Matt Destry: Senior Minister, Discovery Church
Matt Destry is a pastor, preacher, and creative leader passionate about helping people rediscover God’s story in their own lives. As Senior Minister of Discovery Church in Victoria, Australia, Matt is known for blending biblical depth, cultural insight, and honest storytelling. His work sits at the crossroads of theology, leadership, creativity, and mission, calling people to live with courage, spiritual depth, and a renewed imagination for what Jesus is doing in the world.
Rev. Dr. Shannon Hood, Executive Director of Wellbeing Services, Empatia
Shannon is the Executive Director of Wellbeing Services for Empatia. Empatia is Australia’s largest Christian EAP serving over 100 organisations including more than 75 Christian Schools. Shannon is a Clinical Counsellor & Supervisor with the Australian Counselling Association, a Clinical member of the Christian Counselling Association of Australia and an ordained Anglican Deacon. Shannon read theology for 12 months at the University of Cambridge as part of his Bachelor of Theology and holds Masters Degrees in Commerce, Education and Counselling. In 2019 he presented a summary of his PhD thesis on the use of Spiritual and Religious Interventions by Professional Counsellors at University of Oxford. He lives in Melbourne with his wife, 4 children and Pepper the Labrador.
Mark Collard
Mark Collard is an experiential trainer, speaker & author. He is best known for developing playmeo.com, the ultimate toolkit of icebreakers, energisers and team-building activities, trusted by facilitators worldwide.
Over a career spanning more than 36 years, Mark has worked with tens of thousands of people using group games & activities to help them play, interact, build trust and connect.
He has written 5 top-selling books and leverages a massive repertoire of 800+ fun group games & activities to exceed his clients' expectations. He has produced 380+ video tutorials (which have attracted more than 15 million views), worn out 3 rubber chickens, formed over 5,000 circles and spent 5 months of his life in an aeroplane crisscrossing the globe to travel and work with his groups.
Jess Kapitola, CSA Social Media Content Coordinator and nutritionist
Jess Kapitola serves CSA in the National Communications team, highlighting the brilliant work of Christian Schools around Australia on social media.
Her background is in psychology, social work, nutrition and school sustainability, and she has a long history of working with organisations that strive to protect the vulnerable and highlight education. Her passion is for building wellbeing, strengthening relationships, and promoting sustainability in all things.
In her spare time, Jess runs a small nutrition business, Itchin’ Kitchen, consulting with individuals, school groups and canteens.
Jess serves with her husband at Kallaroo Anglican Church in Perth, studies at Trinity Theological College and is a mother to 4, including 3 very big teenagers. She is delighted to have been responsible for the introduction of chocolate chickpeas to the CSA team!
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 14 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.
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