10:45 - 11:15am

Speaker: Lea Waters, Director, Visible Wellbeing

The recharging power of mini wellbeing moments: Replenishing students, staff and leader wellbeing

Running on empty - an apt phrase for educators right now. How can we revitalise our students in ways that also recharge us? Order of Australia recipient, Professor Lea Waters, PhD, will draw on Positive Psychology research and Neuroscience to show how mini moments of wellbeing (less than 2 minutes) can undo stress and uplift us. Practical ways to build micro moments into daily life at school will be discussed.

11:45 – 12:15am

Speaker: Jean Yates, Director of Education, Cybernetic Shield

Saving Minds, Saving Lives: What needs to be done to arrest the rate of student suicide in response to online trauma.

In the modern world students are required to have access to devices to enhance their education. Yet in doing so, we are inadvertently arming them with a potentially lethal weapon. Unlike previous generations, today’s children are regularly exposed to cyber bullying, sexting, doxing, identity theft, deep fakes, radicalisation and sextortion, without the knowledge and support to deal with them. Jean Yates, Director of Education Cybernetic Shield, will provide an insight into some of the key issues experienced by young people online, and the impact these are having on their mental health. The session will outline what you need to know, how to deal with traumatic situations and how to access the support needed to arrest the devastating harm to our children and its tragic consequences.

12:45 - 1:15pm

Speaker: Ros Lugg, CEO, StepsWeb

Technology or teachers?

There is a well-recognised conflict between those who advocate that technology can take over much of the teaching in our classrooms, and those who feel that replacing teachers with computers is just plain wrong.  The feeling seems to be that explicit teaching is fundamentally inconsistent with using technology.

However, there’s a different way of looking at this.  This session will use StepsWeb, a leading online literacy program, to illustrate how technology can free a teacher up and enhance the ability of a teacher to genuinely meet the individual needs of their students within a busy classroom.  It will show how technology can be utilised to do things a teacher literally cannot do, even if they had all the time (and energy!) in the world.

The session will be of interest to literacy specialists – and any class teachers concerned about meeting individual needs within their primary or secondary schools.

2:30 - 3:00pm

Speaker: Thomas O'Donahoo, Co-founder & Co-CEO, Atomi

The Science of student success: Lessons from a million learners

Drawing on data from over a million students using Atomi, this talk dives into how Australian students learn and retain information. By analysing patterns in engagement and outcomes, we’ll uncover surprising insights into classroom behaviour and learning efficacy. Most importantly, we’ll explore how simple, evidence-backed tweaks can lead to dramatic improvements in student engagement and academic success.

3:15 - 3:45pm

Speaker: Matt Pitman, Head of Senior School, Catholic Regional College, Caroline Springs

This is the Connection You're Looking for: Building the Classroom of the Future through Sustainable Whole School Connection.

The classroom of the future isn't just about technology, it’s about creating a learning environment rooted in sustainable connections that foster student growth, engagement, and well-being. In this session, Matt will explore how future classrooms can thrive through a focus on whole school connection. Drawing on The Connection Curriculum framework and its practical application in building relationships, fostering belonging, and creating meaning, Matt will share strategies to enhance student learning outcomes while promoting teacher well-being. Attendees will leave with actionable insights to create learning spaces that bridge the gap between academic excellence and deep human connection, preparing students for a future where collaboration, creativity, and community matter more than ever.

10:00 – 10:30am

Speaker: Paul Campbell, Director, The School of Play

Playful Learning: Unlocking Engagement and Well-Being in Future Classrooms

Join Paul Campbell, Director of The School of Play, for a transformative experience on the future of education!

In this energising talk, Paul invites educators and school leaders to imagine what classrooms could and should look like, where play, fun, and human connection shape the foundation of learning. The future of student engagement and well-being starts here!

Why Play is the Future of Learning: In tomorrow's classrooms, play will be more than just a break from academics – it will be an integral part of how students learn, grow, and connect. Play fosters resilience, boosts creativity, and enhances social bonds. This talk will highlight how fun and connection can unlock a new era in education, promoting well-being and engagement that lasts.

11:45am - 12:15pm

Speaker: Dr Ian Hunter, Company Founder, Writer’s Toolbox

Now I can Write! How AI, Neuroscience, and the Science of Writing can Transform Student Performance

What happens when you connect Educational AI, Neuroscience, and the Science of Writing? Using the world’s largest case study on writing intervention using Educational AI, former university professor and AI patent holder Dr Ian Hunter explores the profound impact on student performance, joy, confidence, and self-belief that is possible. For any school or school leader concerned about school underperformance in writing, or low student engagement or self-belief around writing, this session is a must see. For those wanting to understand the evidence-backed impact of Educational AI in the classroom and what an effective digital journey in education might look like, this session provides compelling insights and practical applications.

1:45 - 2:15pm

Speaker: Dr Anat Wilson, Research & Evaluation Manager, Mental Health First Aid Australia

Mental Health First Aid Training for the Whole School Community: A Holistic Approach

The classroom plays an important part in a child’s learning and development, but schools are also workplaces, where fostering a safe, inclusive, and mentally healthy environment is vital. Educators and education leaders have a professional commitment and a responsibility to support students’ wellbeing. It is equally important that adults who work in schools support one another professionally and mentally. This presentation introduces a comprehensive suite of Mental Health First Aid training courses designed for the entire school community, emphasising the importance of collegial support as an early intervention, aiming to create a culture of well-being that supports adults in their pivotal role. Innovative pedagogical approaches will be presented, showcasing technological advancements for mental health training in educational settings.

3:15 - 3:45pm

Speaker: Steven Trotter, Principal, Ashby Primary School

The Art of Skimming Stones: Leading Sustained Improvement in Schools

In today’s fast-paced and complex educational landscape, the future success of our schools and system leaders depends on reshaping the narrative and approach to leadership. Steven is deeply passionate about designing, trialling, and refining adult learning frameworks for educators and leaders, ensuring a focus on sustained and continuous improvement.

With over 15 years of experience in school and system leadership, Steven combines innovative thinking with research-driven, dynamic approaches to leadership development. His work is transforming how we lead for sustained improvement, equipping education systems with the tools and strategies needed to thrive in an ever-changing environment. In this hybrid workshop we will cover 3 key concepts in leading improvement in schools. I will encourage discussion and reflection about your own influence, with particular focus on:

1.       Self-reflection on - why do I lead the way I do?

2.       Others - why do others respond in particular ways that supports or challenges my leadership

3.       Context - what are the contextual factors that influence our leadership and what are the contextual factors that we do not need to invest excess energy into.