THE FUTURE’S BRIGHT

8:30

OPENING | Opening remarks from the Chair

Lisa Davies, Editor, The Sydney Morning Herald

8:40

KEYNOTE
Ensuring today’s schools are equipped to produce the citizens of tomorrow

The Hon Robert Stokes MP, Minister for Education, NSW

9:00

KEYNOTE
The Oppositions Address: The Labor Party perspective on the future of education

Mr Jihad Dib MP, Shadow Minister for Education, NSW

9:20

Q&A | Keynote Question and Answer

The Hon Robert Stokes MP, Minister for Education, NSW
Mr Jihad Dib MP, Shadow Minister for Education, NSW
Moderator: Jordan Baker, Education Editor, The Sydney Morning Herald

9:40

Rural & remote education: equal opportunities for all students

—— What is going right in rural and remote education
—— What are the unknown unknowns in rural and remote education
—— Why does it matter that we close the performance gap
—— Should we operate schools in rural and remote Australia differently to metro schools

Prof Adrian Piccoli, Director, Gonski Institute for Education

ENGAGEMENT, ENRICHMENT, EMPOWERMENT

10:00

KEYNOTE | Student engagement: igniting the fire in young learners

—— Strategies & pedagogy to facilitate high retention and engagement levels in students
—— Empowering students to take the reins in their learning
—— Inspiring learners to adopt the role of a ‘partner’ in their education experience

Eddie Woo, Leader, Mathematics Growth, NSW Department of Education

10:30

Networking and refreshment break

10:50

PANEL
Student well-being: implementing a whole of school culture of wellness

—— Fostering student resilience
—— Inclusive education: positive learning environments for students of all backgrounds, sexualities and gender identities
—— Preparing students for future work requirements
—— Combating alarming rises in youth anxiety and depression rates
—— Addressing the diverse needs of students with learning differences

John Goh, Principal, Merrylands East Public School
Dr Briony Scott, Principal, Wenona School
The Hon. Verity Firth, Executive Director Social Justice, Centre for Social Justice and Inclusion, University of Technology Sydney
Murray Kitteringham, Principal, Sir Joseph Banks High School
Moderator: Lisa Davies, Editor, The Sydney Morning Herald

11:25

KEYNOTE
Beyond Gonski – the challenge of education reform

Mark Scott AO, Secretary, NSW Department of Education

TOMORROW’S TEACHER TODAY

11:45

CASE STUDY
What’s happening? Using data and research to inform and improve practice

—— What role does data play in understanding the impact of whole school change?
—— Is it possible to use data to sustain, improve and refine pedagogical models?
—— What research initiatives can be undertaken to help you understand your educational context?

Adam Hendry, Assistant Principal (Learning), Parramatta Marist High School

12:05

PANEL
What are the key skills and attributes the teachers of tomorrow will need?

—— Providing our teachers with essential technological skills
—— Equipping teachers with resilience and the emotional skills they need to thrive
—— Creating a professional growth culture & providing the support needed to foster continuous improvement
—— Preparing educators to cater for all learning differences

Jenny Allum, Principal, Sydney Church of England Grammar School
Christine Taylor, Principal, St Ives North Public
Santo Passarello, Principal, Patrician Brothers’ College Blacktown
Maurie Mulheron, President, NSW Teachers Federation
Moderator: Jordan Baker, Education Editor, The Sydney Morning Herald

12:40

Lunch and networking break

FUTURE CURRICULUM

13:30

KEYNOTE | Improving educational outcomes for every Australian student, no matter where they live

The Hon Dan Tehan MP, Minister for Education, Australia

14:00

Fireside Chat with the Shadow Minister for Education

The Hon Tanya Plibersek MP, Deputy Leader of the Opposition, Shadow Minister for Education and Training, Australia
Moderator: Lisa Davies, Editor, The Sydney Morning Herald

14:20

PANEL
School shopping – is choice a good thing?

—— What choice is there in reality?
—— Does school choice undermine aims of inclusive education?
—— What’s the future of single-sex and co-ed schools?

John Collier, Principal, St Andrew’s Cathedral School
Dr Peter Goss, Director, Grattan Institute
Andrea Connell, Principal, Sydney Girls High School
Chris Presland, President, NSW Secondary Principals Council
Bryce Grant, Principal, Asquith Boys High School
Moderator: Lisa Davies, Editor, The Sydney Morning Herald

15:00

Networking and refreshment break

15:30

PANEL
Creating the curriculum to tackle society’s needs for the next 50 Years

—— Is it still easier to move a cemetery than to change the curriculum?
—— Standardised testing: the future of NAPLAN
—— The future of ATAR and the HSC

Mark Scott AO, Secretary, NSW Department of Education
Dr Jennifer Buckingham, Senior Research Fellow, The Centre for Independent Studies
Ellen Koshland, Founder, Australian Learning Lecture
Tom Alegounarias, Chair, NSW Education Standards Authority
Moderator: Jordan Baker, Education Editor, The Sydney Morning Herald

16:10

AI, Robotics and the Future of Technology in the Classroom

Tonie Amos, Curriculum Development Manager, Saeon Australia

FUTURE SCHOOLS

16:30

PANEL
Innovative school design & delivery

—— Delivering schools under considerable population pressures
—— Designing school environments that foster positive learning outcomes
—— High-rise schools: implications for students
—— Maximising student learning potential

John Collier, Principal, St Andrew’s Cathedral School
Greg Whitby, Executive Director, Catholic Education Diocese of Parramatta
Anthony Manning, Chief Executive, School Infrastructure NSW
Dr Kathleen Seto, Principal, Fairvale High School
Moderator: Lisa Davies, Editor, The Sydney Morning Herald

17:10

CLOSING | Closing remarks from the Chair