As soon as school resumes, conference season is upon us. Run your eye over the many chances there are to learn and interact with other people in Religious Education/ Development of Faith in 'What's On'. Let us know if you come across a great new site or resource for RE that you would like to recommend (or any glitches on our site). 

RECs and FDCs are invited to their Annual Conference to be held at Moonee Valley Racecourse on 22nd and 23rd July. Hear Dr Donna Orsuto and Maureen O'Rourke. Take part in two sessions of a choice of four workshops, Mass and dinner. Inspect the displays of resources and network with colleagues. Book through IPLS. 

Faith and Positive Psychology Conference will be held at Geelong Grammar on 27th July. St Peter's Primary School East Bentleigh will feature in one of the workshops:  Introducing Meditation to the Whole School Community. Information and registration here. 

Educating for a Purposeful Life Kingswood College box Hill 5-6 August. Register online here. 

Leadership that is 'Good News' including the unique mission of the Catholic educator. Bishop Gerald Kicanis of Tucson. Monday August 16, 5.00-6.30 at Treacy Centre Parkville. Info: Geraldine Martin  Book online.  

Spirituality is a key interest for many 21st century Australians young and old, but sometimes it is difficult to know what is involved and how to open up to the life of God who lives in each heart, especially in the classroom. This introduction to Christian Meditation may help, or check out the unit on Lectio Divina.

Have you seen the RE section of the English Topmarks search engine. Well worth exploration especially for primary and junior secondary interactive resources. This Sacred Stories animation is one example of what's on offer.

REFuel's Film and Faith site provides a guide as to how film may be used in RE, while a review of Toy Story 3 indicates that it may be a popular and topical film to help explore some key themes in the RE classroom.

Primary and Junior Secondary teachers should find something to help them on the very attractive Benziger site Blest are We. It includes a good interactive Liturgical Calendar.

People often ask about sites that introduce the other faith traditions. Have you seen People of Faith?  It provides a basic introduction to each of the main faiths and also offers a facility to enable online interaction with people of different religious traditions.

Senior scripture students or their teachers might be inspired by Howard Wallace's advice on Biblical exegesis.

Green groups have accused VicForests of logging old growth forests in Victoria. However forest industries defend regulated harvesting of Victoria's timbers. 

Will the new Prime Minister Julia Gillard, the daughter of immigrant battlers, be able to address some of the imbalances in Australia's distribution of resources?

How will the leadership of Julia Gillard affect the plight of people seeking asylum in Australia?