NES Brisbane 2026 Speaker Portal

Snapshot of Events

You will see each event colour coded in its own track in the table below. All sessions are clickable showing the content and speaker for each.

For information on all events happening at the National Education Summit Brisbane please visit our website - https://www.nationaleducationsummit.com.au/brisbane/about

Thursday, May 14, 2026

	AI in the Classroom	Capacity Building School Libraries	Diverse Learners Symposium
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM	AI in the Classroom	Capacity Building School Libraries	Diverse Learners Symposium
9:10 AM - 9:40 AM	Curiosity in the age of AI In a world increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence, curiosity remains our most powerful human trait. This keynote explores how curiosity fuels innovation, drives ethical decision-making, and empowers lifelong learning in an AI-driven era. Dan will unpack the evolving relationship between human curiosity and machine intelligence—highlighting how educators, leaders, and technologists can harness AI not just as a tool, but as a catalyst for deeper inquiry, creativity, and transformation. From classrooms to boardrooms, this session will challenge conventional thinking, showcase real-world examples, and offer actionable insights on how to cultivate curiosity in systems, pedagogy, and leadership. Whether you're navigating AI in education, policy, or enterprise, this keynote will inspire you to lead with questions, embrace uncertainty, and design futures where curiosity and technology co-evolve for the greater good.	Constellations of Practice: Recentering the School Library with Purpose and Possibility School libraries are constellations of practice: linking people, ideas and possibilities across the shifting landscape of education. In a time of uncertainty, where school leadership support is uneven, the pressure to do more is unrelenting, and recognition is often absent, the school library and its staff continue to bring coherence, connection and care for both students, teachers and the school community. This presentation invites participants to recentre their professional vision—not through reinvention, but by recognising the power of what already exists. Using the Know–Do–Be model as a reflective lens, we will explore how school library professionals already hold the knowledge, lead the practices and embody the values that sustain inclusive, future-focused and community-connected learning. Rather than calling for more effort, this session surfaces practical, achievable shifts—through thoughtful learning design, ethical technology use, and responsive programming—that build capacity without burnout. Anchored in research and real-world examples, the presentation reminds us that school library staff are stars - present, persistent, and guiding the way forward even when they go unnoticed. Attendees will leave with fresh clarity, restored energy and renewed confidence in their role—not as outliers, but as essential connectors in the learning constellation of their school.	Converting Neurodiversity Into Neuro-advantage Students with neurodiversity include students who are gifted, those who are oppositional or have dyslexia, or experience attention issues such as ADHD, or have experienced trauma as well as those who are on the spectrums. Each of these groups have strengths as well as vulnerabilities that can be catered for. Teachers are equipped with strategies as well as the most recent tech that overcomes learning disadvantages for neurodiverse students.
9:40 AM - 10:10 AM	Empowering Classrooms with Copilot 13+: Leading AI Integration at Claver Discover how Claver is pioneering the integration of Copilot 13+ to transform teaching and learning across secondary classrooms. This presentation will explore leadership strategies for implementation, practical classroom applications, and the cultural shift required to embrace AI as a collaborative partner in education. Shane Tooley shares insights from Claver’s journey, including staff development, student engagement, and curriculum alignment, offering a roadmap for other schools ready to lead the future of learning.	It Takes a Village: Building Student Capability Through Cross-Sector Library Partnerships In an era where information literacy and community engagement are more vital than ever, collaboration between school, public, and state libraries offers a powerful catalyst for building student capability and confidence. This presentation explores a dynamic partnership between Kepnock State High School, Bundaberg Regional Council Library, and the State Library of Queensland, showcasing how cross-sector collaboration can transform teaching and learning. This session will share case studies, student feedback, and curriculum examples that demonstrate the impact of integrated library partnerships. Attendees will gain practical strategies for initiating and sustaining similar partnerships in their own regions, with a focus on aligning library programs with curriculum goals and building enduring community connections. Ultimately, It Takes a Village celebrates the collective power of school, public, and state libraries working together to empower the next generation of learners.	Differentiation Rewired: Neuroscience, Wellbeing and the Future of Diverse Learning In an era where classrooms are more diverse—and more digitally complex—than ever before, traditional models of differentiation are no longer enough. Today’s learners bring a spectrum of neurological, emotional, and environmental differences into the classroom. Understanding how the brain learns is now as essential as what we teach. We will explore how educators can use brain-based principles to: • reduce cognitive overload • support neurodivergent and gifted students • balance digital and emotional wellbeing • design learning that engages all students through targeted scaffolds and stretch. This session bridges the gap between science and strategy, offering tangible classroom applications for teachers, leaders, and learning support staff. Participants will leave with a renewed understanding of how to create emotionally safe, high-impact learning environments that honour every learner’s unique neurological fingerprint.
10:10 AM - 10:40 AM	Australia's Educator-Led AI Revolution: Sovereignty, Pedagogy, and the Future of Learning Christina introduces the RocketEducation AI Suite (TeachersRocket, LearnersRocket, SchoolsRocket, LibraryRocket) and the AI TRACK Assessment - Australia's first integrated AI ecosystem built by educators, with Australian information sovereignty as non-negotiable. Through her groundbreaking AI-6 Strategic Framework for Educational Leadership, she addresses six critical pillars: Assessment Integrity, Personalised Learning at Scale, Teacher Empowerment, Skill Development Protection, Ethical Implementation and Digital Equity. This educator-designed approach delivers meaningful improvements in teacher workload, personalised learning outcomes and complete confidence in security, something no international platform guarantees. Through compelling case studies from early adopter Australian schools, Christina shares how educator-designed AI with built-in sovereignty combined with professional learning delivered by educational experts is reshaping educational practice: teachers reclaiming time for pedagogy, students developing sophisticated AI literacy, leaders implementing comprehensive policies and schools building sustainable AI practices.		Narratives That Connect: One Approach, Many Outcomes Oral narratives are more than just stories, they’re a powerful, multi-purpose tool that can unlock language, connection, and learning for students with Language Disorder, Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) and language difficulties, and can simultaneously support diverse learning needs, promote inclusion, and foster social and emotional wellbeing. Grounded in a strengths-based and culturally responsive lens, this session will explore how oral narratives can: • Support neurodivergent learners (including students with DLD, autism and other diverse language profiles) through flexible, scaffolded language intervention • Enhance social-emotional learning by using narrative to build skills, emotional vocabulary, and regulation through safe and structured storytelling and shared experiences • Promote inclusion and identity by creating space for diverse learners, to share their stories in affirming, meaningful ways
11:30 AM - 12:00 PM	Setting Our Students and Ourselves up for 2040 It is estimated that we have experienced 0.1% of the technological changes we will see by 2040. This means we will all essentially be newbies as we begin to understand the enormity of the changes facing our world. The world is poised at the point of one of the greatest changes in history and if our students are not able to capitalise on those opportunities, their ability to succeed will be lessened. This presentation outlines the major digital innovations and revolutions foreseeable and considers the skills that will be needed in 2040. Three of the basic skills that are outlined are- show up (ready to learn and perform), opt in (rather than avoid) and be curious.	When the Internet Eats Itself: Teaching Truth in the Age of AI Slop As AI reshapes how information is created, shared, and trusted, the need for critical information literacy has never been greater. This session examines the pivotal role of teacher librarians in helping schools navigate a world of AI slop, misinformation, and disinformation. Participants will explore practical strategies for teaching lateral reading, source verification, and critical AI literacy—skills that empower students to question, evaluate, and create information responsibly. Together we’ll consider how the foundations of truth, credibility, and authorship are under pressure—and what it means to prepare students for informed participation in an AI-mediated world.	From Diagnosis to Discovery: A Teacher’s Journey into Dyscalculia The session will begin with an overview of the indicators and characteristics of Dyscalculia, followed by techniques and supports that benefit learners experiencing Dyscalculia, maths difficulties, and maths anxiety. In addition to academic strategies, the session will explore teaching and learning frameworks that support cognitive and emotional development and examine the role of executive functioning in shaping both educational and personal outcomes for dyscalculic learners.
12:00 PM - 12:30 PM		AI Agents and the Lone Librarian Working solo in a school library can be isolating, but it doesn’t have to be. This session explores how AI agents can become powerful collaborators for library staff, who often work independently. Discover practical ways AI can support planning, resource curation, communication, and innovation, helping you do more with less and transform your library into a dynamic, responsive hub for your school community.
12:00 PM - 12:40 PM	Cyborgs in schools - where to next? Classrooms are no longer just human spaces. From lesson planning to student support, AI is slipping into the daily rhythms of teaching and learning. But are schools ready for this “cyborg moment,” where human expertise and machine intelligence fuse? This session explores what’s possible, what’s risky, and what’s next. Expect provocations, practical examples, and a peek into the near-future of education where teachers, students, and AI learn to co-evolve.		Teach the Nervous System First This session helps principals and school leaders turn trauma-aware practice and emotion regulation into everyday routines that lift learning time. We begin with a short primary classroom story. In table groups, we quickly spot the trauma-related signs. Then we move to the leadership work: how to make calm, predictable routines standard across classrooms—without adding heavy paperwork.
2:00 PM - 2:30 PM	No AI Budget? No Problem: A Practical Framework for Systemic School Success How can we move our staff beyond simply policing AI and start building a culture of effective and ethical use? This session details the journey of a successful Digital Literacy Coach pilot program within a systemic Catholic high school. I will share a low-cost model for embedding AI literacy across the curriculum, from a Year 7 "AI Bootcamp" to redesigning senior assessment tasks to be AI-aware. This presentation will offer a transparent look at what works, sharing some practical strategies that translate diocesan-level policy into tangible classroom practice. Attendees will learn about pioneering initiatives that use AI to increase teacher capacity, provide authentic learning experiences, and even leverage data. This session provides a replicable, grassroots framework for schools seeking to implement a meaningful AI strategy without an independent school budget. Key Takeaways for Participants: • A Demonstrated Framework: Learn how to implement a cohesive, whole-school strategy for AI literacy and academic integrity, moving from a "piecemeal" approach to a structured model. • Practical Classroom Applications: Overview and demonstration of developed strategies for redesigning assessments, developing student-led ethical guidelines, and using AI as an "educational data expert" to guide teaching. • Teacher & Staff Empowerment: Discover how a dedicated coaching role can reduce teacher workload, build staff capacity, and achieve exceptionally high engagement in professional learning.	Reigniting Passion, Renewing Purpose: The Power of Personal Inspiration in Building Stronger School Libraries.” Building capacity in school libraries begins with the people who bring them to life. For many long-serving librarians, sustaining passion and purpose over decades can be both a privilege and a challenge. This presentation explores how non-teaching librarians contribute to the heart of school life through academic support, reading advocacy, and community engagement, and how rediscovering joy in the role can revitalise both individual practice and the library’s wider impact. Drawing on real examples from my experience - including organising guest author visits with Markus Zusak, Tristan Bancks, Morris Gleitzman; hosting Breakfast with Books, Great Book Swap, and Write a Book in a Day events; supporting student wellbeing and life skills programs; and curating inclusive collections - I will illustrate how non-teaching librarians quietly build the learning capacity of entire school communities. Participants will leave with practical strategies and reflective prompts to: • Recognise their own role in capacity building within the school library ecosystem. • Identify sources of inspiration and renewal to sustain long-term professional wellbeing. • Reignite their enthusiasm for library work after many years in the same environment.
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM			From Cognitive Science to the Classroom: Practical Strategies to Support Neurodivergent Learners Executive function challenges can significantly impact learning, especially for neurodivergent students. This workshop explores how research on executive function can be translated into inclusive classroom strategies that support planning, organisation, attention and emotional regulation. Drawing on practice-based insights from The Sycamore School, a specialist setting for autistic learners, we will unpack what executive functioning looks like in real classrooms and share practical supports that benefit all students. Participants will leave with evidence-informed tools, case examples and insights into how a cognitive science lens can enhance engagement and independence for diverse learners.
2:30 PM - 3:10 PM	Vibe Coding in Educators: Rapid Problem-Solving with AI What if every school could solve its own digital problems without needing a team of developers? This interactive workshop introduces participants to vibe coding: the creative process of using conversational AI to collaboratively design and build custom tools, workflows, and prototypes. Our team uses vibe coding to identify pain points across teaching, administration, and student services, then co-create quick, AI-assisted solutions directly in our systems using tools like Claude AI. These projects have ranged from micro-apps that automate repetitive admin tasks to interactive learning tools. Participants will first explore examples of what’s possible, then work in small groups to map their own school’s “friction points” and learn how to frame prompts and project briefs that AI can turn into usable prototypes. Participants will: • Understand the concept of vibe coding and its educational potential • Learn a practical workflow for identifying and framing school challenges AI can solve • See real examples of AI-generated school tools and systems • Leave with a draft blueprint for their own AI-driven improvement project	The Power of A Podcast in Building a PLN In a fast-moving educational landscape, staying connected and inspired can be a challenge, especially for school library professionals working in specialised or isolated roles. This session explores how podcasts can serve as powerful tools for professional learning, reflection, and community building. Drawing on over 20 years of experience as a teacher and library leader, Lily will share insights into how educators are using podcasts not just to consume information, but to create meaningful networks of practice. Participants will leave with practical strategies for curating and integrating podcasts into their own professional learning, as well as ideas for contributing their voices to the conversation.
3:10 PM - 3:45 PM			Ask the Audience - Delegates share the one idea they will take-away

	Wellbeing for Future Focused Schools
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM	Wellbeing for Future Focused Schools
9:10 AM - 9:40 AM	Creating the Conditions to Thrive: Rethinking How We Work in Schools This workshop is about reimagining what it takes for educators and staff to truly thrive at work. Together, we’ll explore how the right conditions, clarity, structure, alignment, and support, create the foundation for wellbeing, performance, and sustainable success. Through practical reflection and strategy, participants will identify what helps (and hinders) thriving in their context, uncover the invisible barriers built into everyday systems, and learn how to intentionally design a culture where people can do their best work and feel their best doing it.
9:40 AM - 10:10 AM	Character Education: The Who Is Our Why What is good character and how is it formed? How should we educate people to build the character they need for lives that are both worthwhile and well-lived? How might we lead for and with the character required to thrive in our world? Now, perhaps more than ever, we need the influence of strong, positive character. This presentation explores how we can put the "Who?" at the forefront of a school's educational purpose and practice in pursuit of future focused graduate outcomes. Drawing on over 15 years of research by CIRCLE Education that has led to the establishment of the Sydney Character Initiative at the University of Sydney, Prof Phil Cummins will share a story of character and the formation of the whole child in communities of inquiry and practice that that are responding to the compelling call for the values and value proposition of an education for character, competency and wellness.
10:10 AM - 10:40 AM
11:30 AM - 12:00 PM	Cultivating mental health literacy through data informed approaches In today's educational landscape, fostering a culture of respect and wellbeing is paramount for the holistic development of students and educators alike. Our session aims to explore how the integration of social and emotional literacy, a wellbeing framework and data-informed strategies can cultivate environments where respect for the environment, oneself, and the community thrives. We will delve into two key themes: Cultivating Respect Through Social and Emotional Literacy; and Data-Informed Strategies for Developing Flourishing Learners. The session is designed for educators, administrators, and policymakers eager to implement evidence-based practices that promote respect, positive mental health, and flourishing among students and staff alike. Join us as we explore transformative strategies that empower individuals to become their best selves while nurturing thriving educational communities.
12:00 PM - 12:30 PM	The Global Joy Mission: Empowering Educators and Students to Thrive, Not Just Survive What if joy wasn’t a reward at the end of a busy school term, but a daily strategy for wellbeing and performance? In this inspiring and science-backed session, Organisational Psychologist and author of Productivity Joy, Simi Rayat, shares the Global Joy Mission, a movement to equip 5 million people including Educators and students with the tools to thrive by 2030. Discover the 5Qs Formula, a simple, evidence-based, science-backed daily practice to build emotional regulation, focus and resilience in just five minutes a day. Learn how schools across Australia are embedding these tools into classrooms and how your school can join the national pilot programme to make wellbeing a daily mental fitness habit, not an occasional lesson. You’ll walk away inspired, equipped and ready to create a culture of calm, confidence and connection in your school community.
12:00 PM - 12:40 PM
2:00 PM - 2:30 PM	Leadership for whole school and teacher wellbeing - rural contexts, the perfect setting! Ensuring collective well-being across the whole school for teachers, students, and parent community is not rocket science. It is about ensuring we all work together through a collaborative approach identifying our core philosophy to inform our priorities as an educational institution. This is informed by our local community connections and environmental context. Andrew will draw on his experience leading Ōropi School, where the local context and environment has been utilised to ensure our children are motivated to come to school and immersed in real life experiences to motivate them in their learning, on a daily basis. He will outline how this has brought staff and parents together for the wellbeing of our community, while also optimising the mental health of our children. It is relatively simply; connecting kids to the real world and natural environment, which does wonders. Links will be made to the work of the New Zealand Rural Schools Association, where an important element of our work is to highlight the strengths and opportunities a rural context can provide.
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
2:30 PM - 3:10 PM	The Anti 5am Club The Anti 5am Club challenges the myths that tie success to early starts, perfect mornings, and relentless output. Instead, it equips teachers with practical tools they can use to protect their energy, design days that work for them, and model sustainable wellbeing. The workshop is grounded in lived experience and research, offering realistic strategies to help educators and school leaders flourish across the whole day. We will also explore "Moral Trauma", something that many teachers have but do not know they have.
3:10 PM - 3:45 PM

	AI in the Classroom	Capacity Building School Libraries
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM	AI in the Classroom	Capacity Building School Libraries
9:10 AM - 9:40 AM	Curiosity in the age of AI In a world increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence, curiosity remains our most powerful human trait. This keynote explores how curiosity fuels innovation, drives ethical decision-making, and empowers lifelong learning in an AI-driven era. Dan will unpack the evolving relationship between human curiosity and machine intelligence—highlighting how educators, leaders, and technologists can harness AI not just as a tool, but as a catalyst for deeper inquiry, creativity, and transformation. From classrooms to boardrooms, this session will challenge conventional thinking, showcase real-world examples, and offer actionable insights on how to cultivate curiosity in systems, pedagogy, and leadership. Whether you're navigating AI in education, policy, or enterprise, this keynote will inspire you to lead with questions, embrace uncertainty, and design futures where curiosity and technology co-evolve for the greater good.	Constellations of Practice: Recentering the School Library with Purpose and Possibility School libraries are constellations of practice: linking people, ideas and possibilities across the shifting landscape of education. In a time of uncertainty, where school leadership support is uneven, the pressure to do more is unrelenting, and recognition is often absent, the school library and its staff continue to bring coherence, connection and care for both students, teachers and the school community. This presentation invites participants to recentre their professional vision—not through reinvention, but by recognising the power of what already exists. Using the Know–Do–Be model as a reflective lens, we will explore how school library professionals already hold the knowledge, lead the practices and embody the values that sustain inclusive, future-focused and community-connected learning. Rather than calling for more effort, this session surfaces practical, achievable shifts—through thoughtful learning design, ethical technology use, and responsive programming—that build capacity without burnout. Anchored in research and real-world examples, the presentation reminds us that school library staff are stars - present, persistent, and guiding the way forward even when they go unnoticed. Attendees will leave with fresh clarity, restored energy and renewed confidence in their role—not as outliers, but as essential connectors in the learning constellation of their school.
9:40 AM - 10:10 AM	Empowering Classrooms with Copilot 13+: Leading AI Integration at Claver Discover how Claver is pioneering the integration of Copilot 13+ to transform teaching and learning across secondary classrooms. This presentation will explore leadership strategies for implementation, practical classroom applications, and the cultural shift required to embrace AI as a collaborative partner in education. Shane Tooley shares insights from Claver’s journey, including staff development, student engagement, and curriculum alignment, offering a roadmap for other schools ready to lead the future of learning.	It Takes a Village: Building Student Capability Through Cross-Sector Library Partnerships In an era where information literacy and community engagement are more vital than ever, collaboration between school, public, and state libraries offers a powerful catalyst for building student capability and confidence. This presentation explores a dynamic partnership between Kepnock State High School, Bundaberg Regional Council Library, and the State Library of Queensland, showcasing how cross-sector collaboration can transform teaching and learning. This session will share case studies, student feedback, and curriculum examples that demonstrate the impact of integrated library partnerships. Attendees will gain practical strategies for initiating and sustaining similar partnerships in their own regions, with a focus on aligning library programs with curriculum goals and building enduring community connections. Ultimately, It Takes a Village celebrates the collective power of school, public, and state libraries working together to empower the next generation of learners.
10:10 AM - 10:40 AM	Australia's Educator-Led AI Revolution: Sovereignty, Pedagogy, and the Future of Learning Christina introduces the RocketEducation AI Suite (TeachersRocket, LearnersRocket, SchoolsRocket, LibraryRocket) and the AI TRACK Assessment - Australia's first integrated AI ecosystem built by educators, with Australian information sovereignty as non-negotiable. Through her groundbreaking AI-6 Strategic Framework for Educational Leadership, she addresses six critical pillars: Assessment Integrity, Personalised Learning at Scale, Teacher Empowerment, Skill Development Protection, Ethical Implementation and Digital Equity. This educator-designed approach delivers meaningful improvements in teacher workload, personalised learning outcomes and complete confidence in security, something no international platform guarantees. Through compelling case studies from early adopter Australian schools, Christina shares how educator-designed AI with built-in sovereignty combined with professional learning delivered by educational experts is reshaping educational practice: teachers reclaiming time for pedagogy, students developing sophisticated AI literacy, leaders implementing comprehensive policies and schools building sustainable AI practices.
11:30 AM - 12:00 PM	Setting Our Students and Ourselves up for 2040 It is estimated that we have experienced 0.1% of the technological changes we will see by 2040. This means we will all essentially be newbies as we begin to understand the enormity of the changes facing our world. The world is poised at the point of one of the greatest changes in history and if our students are not able to capitalise on those opportunities, their ability to succeed will be lessened. This presentation outlines the major digital innovations and revolutions foreseeable and considers the skills that will be needed in 2040. Three of the basic skills that are outlined are- show up (ready to learn and perform), opt in (rather than avoid) and be curious.	When the Internet Eats Itself: Teaching Truth in the Age of AI Slop As AI reshapes how information is created, shared, and trusted, the need for critical information literacy has never been greater. This session examines the pivotal role of teacher librarians in helping schools navigate a world of AI slop, misinformation, and disinformation. Participants will explore practical strategies for teaching lateral reading, source verification, and critical AI literacy—skills that empower students to question, evaluate, and create information responsibly. Together we’ll consider how the foundations of truth, credibility, and authorship are under pressure—and what it means to prepare students for informed participation in an AI-mediated world.
12:00 PM - 12:30 PM		AI Agents and the Lone Librarian Working solo in a school library can be isolating, but it doesn’t have to be. This session explores how AI agents can become powerful collaborators for library staff, who often work independently. Discover practical ways AI can support planning, resource curation, communication, and innovation, helping you do more with less and transform your library into a dynamic, responsive hub for your school community.
12:00 PM - 12:40 PM	Cyborgs in schools - where to next? Classrooms are no longer just human spaces. From lesson planning to student support, AI is slipping into the daily rhythms of teaching and learning. But are schools ready for this “cyborg moment,” where human expertise and machine intelligence fuse? This session explores what’s possible, what’s risky, and what’s next. Expect provocations, practical examples, and a peek into the near-future of education where teachers, students, and AI learn to co-evolve.
2:00 PM - 2:30 PM	No AI Budget? No Problem: A Practical Framework for Systemic School Success How can we move our staff beyond simply policing AI and start building a culture of effective and ethical use? This session details the journey of a successful Digital Literacy Coach pilot program within a systemic Catholic high school. I will share a low-cost model for embedding AI literacy across the curriculum, from a Year 7 "AI Bootcamp" to redesigning senior assessment tasks to be AI-aware. This presentation will offer a transparent look at what works, sharing some practical strategies that translate diocesan-level policy into tangible classroom practice. Attendees will learn about pioneering initiatives that use AI to increase teacher capacity, provide authentic learning experiences, and even leverage data. This session provides a replicable, grassroots framework for schools seeking to implement a meaningful AI strategy without an independent school budget. Key Takeaways for Participants: • A Demonstrated Framework: Learn how to implement a cohesive, whole-school strategy for AI literacy and academic integrity, moving from a "piecemeal" approach to a structured model. • Practical Classroom Applications: Overview and demonstration of developed strategies for redesigning assessments, developing student-led ethical guidelines, and using AI as an "educational data expert" to guide teaching. • Teacher & Staff Empowerment: Discover how a dedicated coaching role can reduce teacher workload, build staff capacity, and achieve exceptionally high engagement in professional learning.	Reigniting Passion, Renewing Purpose: The Power of Personal Inspiration in Building Stronger School Libraries.” Building capacity in school libraries begins with the people who bring them to life. For many long-serving librarians, sustaining passion and purpose over decades can be both a privilege and a challenge. This presentation explores how non-teaching librarians contribute to the heart of school life through academic support, reading advocacy, and community engagement, and how rediscovering joy in the role can revitalise both individual practice and the library’s wider impact. Drawing on real examples from my experience - including organising guest author visits with Markus Zusak, Tristan Bancks, Morris Gleitzman; hosting Breakfast with Books, Great Book Swap, and Write a Book in a Day events; supporting student wellbeing and life skills programs; and curating inclusive collections - I will illustrate how non-teaching librarians quietly build the learning capacity of entire school communities. Participants will leave with practical strategies and reflective prompts to: • Recognise their own role in capacity building within the school library ecosystem. • Identify sources of inspiration and renewal to sustain long-term professional wellbeing. • Reignite their enthusiasm for library work after many years in the same environment.
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
2:30 PM - 3:10 PM	Vibe Coding in Educators: Rapid Problem-Solving with AI What if every school could solve its own digital problems without needing a team of developers? This interactive workshop introduces participants to vibe coding: the creative process of using conversational AI to collaboratively design and build custom tools, workflows, and prototypes. Our team uses vibe coding to identify pain points across teaching, administration, and student services, then co-create quick, AI-assisted solutions directly in our systems using tools like Claude AI. These projects have ranged from micro-apps that automate repetitive admin tasks to interactive learning tools. Participants will first explore examples of what’s possible, then work in small groups to map their own school’s “friction points” and learn how to frame prompts and project briefs that AI can turn into usable prototypes. Participants will: • Understand the concept of vibe coding and its educational potential • Learn a practical workflow for identifying and framing school challenges AI can solve • See real examples of AI-generated school tools and systems • Leave with a draft blueprint for their own AI-driven improvement project	The Power of A Podcast in Building a PLN In a fast-moving educational landscape, staying connected and inspired can be a challenge, especially for school library professionals working in specialised or isolated roles. This session explores how podcasts can serve as powerful tools for professional learning, reflection, and community building. Drawing on over 20 years of experience as a teacher and library leader, Lily will share insights into how educators are using podcasts not just to consume information, but to create meaningful networks of practice. Participants will leave with practical strategies for curating and integrating podcasts into their own professional learning, as well as ideas for contributing their voices to the conversation.
3:10 PM - 3:45 PM

	Diverse Learners Symposium	Wellbeing for Future Focused Schools
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM	Diverse Learners Symposium	Wellbeing for Future Focused Schools
9:10 AM - 9:40 AM	Converting Neurodiversity Into Neuro-advantage Students with neurodiversity include students who are gifted, those who are oppositional or have dyslexia, or experience attention issues such as ADHD, or have experienced trauma as well as those who are on the spectrums. Each of these groups have strengths as well as vulnerabilities that can be catered for. Teachers are equipped with strategies as well as the most recent tech that overcomes learning disadvantages for neurodiverse students.	Creating the Conditions to Thrive: Rethinking How We Work in Schools This workshop is about reimagining what it takes for educators and staff to truly thrive at work. Together, we’ll explore how the right conditions, clarity, structure, alignment, and support, create the foundation for wellbeing, performance, and sustainable success. Through practical reflection and strategy, participants will identify what helps (and hinders) thriving in their context, uncover the invisible barriers built into everyday systems, and learn how to intentionally design a culture where people can do their best work and feel their best doing it.
9:40 AM - 10:10 AM	Differentiation Rewired: Neuroscience, Wellbeing and the Future of Diverse Learning In an era where classrooms are more diverse—and more digitally complex—than ever before, traditional models of differentiation are no longer enough. Today’s learners bring a spectrum of neurological, emotional, and environmental differences into the classroom. Understanding how the brain learns is now as essential as what we teach. We will explore how educators can use brain-based principles to: • reduce cognitive overload • support neurodivergent and gifted students • balance digital and emotional wellbeing • design learning that engages all students through targeted scaffolds and stretch. This session bridges the gap between science and strategy, offering tangible classroom applications for teachers, leaders, and learning support staff. Participants will leave with a renewed understanding of how to create emotionally safe, high-impact learning environments that honour every learner’s unique neurological fingerprint.	Character Education: The Who Is Our Why What is good character and how is it formed? How should we educate people to build the character they need for lives that are both worthwhile and well-lived? How might we lead for and with the character required to thrive in our world? Now, perhaps more than ever, we need the influence of strong, positive character. This presentation explores how we can put the "Who?" at the forefront of a school's educational purpose and practice in pursuit of future focused graduate outcomes. Drawing on over 15 years of research by CIRCLE Education that has led to the establishment of the Sydney Character Initiative at the University of Sydney, Prof Phil Cummins will share a story of character and the formation of the whole child in communities of inquiry and practice that that are responding to the compelling call for the values and value proposition of an education for character, competency and wellness.
10:10 AM - 10:40 AM	Narratives That Connect: One Approach, Many Outcomes Oral narratives are more than just stories, they’re a powerful, multi-purpose tool that can unlock language, connection, and learning for students with Language Disorder, Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) and language difficulties, and can simultaneously support diverse learning needs, promote inclusion, and foster social and emotional wellbeing. Grounded in a strengths-based and culturally responsive lens, this session will explore how oral narratives can: • Support neurodivergent learners (including students with DLD, autism and other diverse language profiles) through flexible, scaffolded language intervention • Enhance social-emotional learning by using narrative to build skills, emotional vocabulary, and regulation through safe and structured storytelling and shared experiences • Promote inclusion and identity by creating space for diverse learners, to share their stories in affirming, meaningful ways
11:30 AM - 12:00 PM	From Diagnosis to Discovery: A Teacher’s Journey into Dyscalculia The session will begin with an overview of the indicators and characteristics of Dyscalculia, followed by techniques and supports that benefit learners experiencing Dyscalculia, maths difficulties, and maths anxiety. In addition to academic strategies, the session will explore teaching and learning frameworks that support cognitive and emotional development and examine the role of executive functioning in shaping both educational and personal outcomes for dyscalculic learners.	Cultivating mental health literacy through data informed approaches In today's educational landscape, fostering a culture of respect and wellbeing is paramount for the holistic development of students and educators alike. Our session aims to explore how the integration of social and emotional literacy, a wellbeing framework and data-informed strategies can cultivate environments where respect for the environment, oneself, and the community thrives. We will delve into two key themes: Cultivating Respect Through Social and Emotional Literacy; and Data-Informed Strategies for Developing Flourishing Learners. The session is designed for educators, administrators, and policymakers eager to implement evidence-based practices that promote respect, positive mental health, and flourishing among students and staff alike. Join us as we explore transformative strategies that empower individuals to become their best selves while nurturing thriving educational communities.
12:00 PM - 12:30 PM		The Global Joy Mission: Empowering Educators and Students to Thrive, Not Just Survive What if joy wasn’t a reward at the end of a busy school term, but a daily strategy for wellbeing and performance? In this inspiring and science-backed session, Organisational Psychologist and author of Productivity Joy, Simi Rayat, shares the Global Joy Mission, a movement to equip 5 million people including Educators and students with the tools to thrive by 2030. Discover the 5Qs Formula, a simple, evidence-based, science-backed daily practice to build emotional regulation, focus and resilience in just five minutes a day. Learn how schools across Australia are embedding these tools into classrooms and how your school can join the national pilot programme to make wellbeing a daily mental fitness habit, not an occasional lesson. You’ll walk away inspired, equipped and ready to create a culture of calm, confidence and connection in your school community.
12:00 PM - 12:40 PM	Teach the Nervous System First This session helps principals and school leaders turn trauma-aware practice and emotion regulation into everyday routines that lift learning time. We begin with a short primary classroom story. In table groups, we quickly spot the trauma-related signs. Then we move to the leadership work: how to make calm, predictable routines standard across classrooms—without adding heavy paperwork.
2:00 PM - 2:30 PM		Leadership for whole school and teacher wellbeing - rural contexts, the perfect setting! Ensuring collective well-being across the whole school for teachers, students, and parent community is not rocket science. It is about ensuring we all work together through a collaborative approach identifying our core philosophy to inform our priorities as an educational institution. This is informed by our local community connections and environmental context. Andrew will draw on his experience leading Ōropi School, where the local context and environment has been utilised to ensure our children are motivated to come to school and immersed in real life experiences to motivate them in their learning, on a daily basis. He will outline how this has brought staff and parents together for the wellbeing of our community, while also optimising the mental health of our children. It is relatively simply; connecting kids to the real world and natural environment, which does wonders. Links will be made to the work of the New Zealand Rural Schools Association, where an important element of our work is to highlight the strengths and opportunities a rural context can provide.
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM	From Cognitive Science to the Classroom: Practical Strategies to Support Neurodivergent Learners Executive function challenges can significantly impact learning, especially for neurodivergent students. This workshop explores how research on executive function can be translated into inclusive classroom strategies that support planning, organisation, attention and emotional regulation. Drawing on practice-based insights from The Sycamore School, a specialist setting for autistic learners, we will unpack what executive functioning looks like in real classrooms and share practical supports that benefit all students. Participants will leave with evidence-informed tools, case examples and insights into how a cognitive science lens can enhance engagement and independence for diverse learners.
2:30 PM - 3:10 PM		The Anti 5am Club The Anti 5am Club challenges the myths that tie success to early starts, perfect mornings, and relentless output. Instead, it equips teachers with practical tools they can use to protect their energy, design days that work for them, and model sustainable wellbeing. The workshop is grounded in lived experience and research, offering realistic strategies to help educators and school leaders flourish across the whole day. We will also explore "Moral Trauma", something that many teachers have but do not know they have.
3:10 PM - 3:45 PM	Ask the Audience - Delegates share the one idea they will take-away

	AI in the Classroom
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM	AI in the Classroom
9:10 AM - 9:40 AM	Curiosity in the age of AI In a world increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence, curiosity remains our most powerful human trait. This keynote explores how curiosity fuels innovation, drives ethical decision-making, and empowers lifelong learning in an AI-driven era. Dan will unpack the evolving relationship between human curiosity and machine intelligence—highlighting how educators, leaders, and technologists can harness AI not just as a tool, but as a catalyst for deeper inquiry, creativity, and transformation. From classrooms to boardrooms, this session will challenge conventional thinking, showcase real-world examples, and offer actionable insights on how to cultivate curiosity in systems, pedagogy, and leadership. Whether you're navigating AI in education, policy, or enterprise, this keynote will inspire you to lead with questions, embrace uncertainty, and design futures where curiosity and technology co-evolve for the greater good.
9:40 AM - 10:10 AM	Empowering Classrooms with Copilot 13+: Leading AI Integration at Claver Discover how Claver is pioneering the integration of Copilot 13+ to transform teaching and learning across secondary classrooms. This presentation will explore leadership strategies for implementation, practical classroom applications, and the cultural shift required to embrace AI as a collaborative partner in education. Shane Tooley shares insights from Claver’s journey, including staff development, student engagement, and curriculum alignment, offering a roadmap for other schools ready to lead the future of learning.
10:10 AM - 10:40 AM	Australia's Educator-Led AI Revolution: Sovereignty, Pedagogy, and the Future of Learning Christina introduces the RocketEducation AI Suite (TeachersRocket, LearnersRocket, SchoolsRocket, LibraryRocket) and the AI TRACK Assessment - Australia's first integrated AI ecosystem built by educators, with Australian information sovereignty as non-negotiable. Through her groundbreaking AI-6 Strategic Framework for Educational Leadership, she addresses six critical pillars: Assessment Integrity, Personalised Learning at Scale, Teacher Empowerment, Skill Development Protection, Ethical Implementation and Digital Equity. This educator-designed approach delivers meaningful improvements in teacher workload, personalised learning outcomes and complete confidence in security, something no international platform guarantees. Through compelling case studies from early adopter Australian schools, Christina shares how educator-designed AI with built-in sovereignty combined with professional learning delivered by educational experts is reshaping educational practice: teachers reclaiming time for pedagogy, students developing sophisticated AI literacy, leaders implementing comprehensive policies and schools building sustainable AI practices.
11:30 AM - 12:00 PM	Setting Our Students and Ourselves up for 2040 It is estimated that we have experienced 0.1% of the technological changes we will see by 2040. This means we will all essentially be newbies as we begin to understand the enormity of the changes facing our world. The world is poised at the point of one of the greatest changes in history and if our students are not able to capitalise on those opportunities, their ability to succeed will be lessened. This presentation outlines the major digital innovations and revolutions foreseeable and considers the skills that will be needed in 2040. Three of the basic skills that are outlined are- show up (ready to learn and perform), opt in (rather than avoid) and be curious.
12:00 PM - 12:30 PM
12:00 PM - 12:40 PM	Cyborgs in schools - where to next? Classrooms are no longer just human spaces. From lesson planning to student support, AI is slipping into the daily rhythms of teaching and learning. But are schools ready for this “cyborg moment,” where human expertise and machine intelligence fuse? This session explores what’s possible, what’s risky, and what’s next. Expect provocations, practical examples, and a peek into the near-future of education where teachers, students, and AI learn to co-evolve.
2:00 PM - 2:30 PM	No AI Budget? No Problem: A Practical Framework for Systemic School Success How can we move our staff beyond simply policing AI and start building a culture of effective and ethical use? This session details the journey of a successful Digital Literacy Coach pilot program within a systemic Catholic high school. I will share a low-cost model for embedding AI literacy across the curriculum, from a Year 7 "AI Bootcamp" to redesigning senior assessment tasks to be AI-aware. This presentation will offer a transparent look at what works, sharing some practical strategies that translate diocesan-level policy into tangible classroom practice. Attendees will learn about pioneering initiatives that use AI to increase teacher capacity, provide authentic learning experiences, and even leverage data. This session provides a replicable, grassroots framework for schools seeking to implement a meaningful AI strategy without an independent school budget. Key Takeaways for Participants: • A Demonstrated Framework: Learn how to implement a cohesive, whole-school strategy for AI literacy and academic integrity, moving from a "piecemeal" approach to a structured model. • Practical Classroom Applications: Overview and demonstration of developed strategies for redesigning assessments, developing student-led ethical guidelines, and using AI as an "educational data expert" to guide teaching. • Teacher & Staff Empowerment: Discover how a dedicated coaching role can reduce teacher workload, build staff capacity, and achieve exceptionally high engagement in professional learning.
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
2:30 PM - 3:10 PM	Vibe Coding in Educators: Rapid Problem-Solving with AI What if every school could solve its own digital problems without needing a team of developers? This interactive workshop introduces participants to vibe coding: the creative process of using conversational AI to collaboratively design and build custom tools, workflows, and prototypes. Our team uses vibe coding to identify pain points across teaching, administration, and student services, then co-create quick, AI-assisted solutions directly in our systems using tools like Claude AI. These projects have ranged from micro-apps that automate repetitive admin tasks to interactive learning tools. Participants will first explore examples of what’s possible, then work in small groups to map their own school’s “friction points” and learn how to frame prompts and project briefs that AI can turn into usable prototypes. Participants will: • Understand the concept of vibe coding and its educational potential • Learn a practical workflow for identifying and framing school challenges AI can solve • See real examples of AI-generated school tools and systems • Leave with a draft blueprint for their own AI-driven improvement project
3:10 PM - 3:45 PM

	Capacity Building School Libraries
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM	Capacity Building School Libraries
9:10 AM - 9:40 AM	Constellations of Practice: Recentering the School Library with Purpose and Possibility School libraries are constellations of practice: linking people, ideas and possibilities across the shifting landscape of education. In a time of uncertainty, where school leadership support is uneven, the pressure to do more is unrelenting, and recognition is often absent, the school library and its staff continue to bring coherence, connection and care for both students, teachers and the school community. This presentation invites participants to recentre their professional vision—not through reinvention, but by recognising the power of what already exists. Using the Know–Do–Be model as a reflective lens, we will explore how school library professionals already hold the knowledge, lead the practices and embody the values that sustain inclusive, future-focused and community-connected learning. Rather than calling for more effort, this session surfaces practical, achievable shifts—through thoughtful learning design, ethical technology use, and responsive programming—that build capacity without burnout. Anchored in research and real-world examples, the presentation reminds us that school library staff are stars - present, persistent, and guiding the way forward even when they go unnoticed. Attendees will leave with fresh clarity, restored energy and renewed confidence in their role—not as outliers, but as essential connectors in the learning constellation of their school.
9:40 AM - 10:10 AM	It Takes a Village: Building Student Capability Through Cross-Sector Library Partnerships In an era where information literacy and community engagement are more vital than ever, collaboration between school, public, and state libraries offers a powerful catalyst for building student capability and confidence. This presentation explores a dynamic partnership between Kepnock State High School, Bundaberg Regional Council Library, and the State Library of Queensland, showcasing how cross-sector collaboration can transform teaching and learning. This session will share case studies, student feedback, and curriculum examples that demonstrate the impact of integrated library partnerships. Attendees will gain practical strategies for initiating and sustaining similar partnerships in their own regions, with a focus on aligning library programs with curriculum goals and building enduring community connections. Ultimately, It Takes a Village celebrates the collective power of school, public, and state libraries working together to empower the next generation of learners.
10:10 AM - 10:40 AM
11:30 AM - 12:00 PM	When the Internet Eats Itself: Teaching Truth in the Age of AI Slop As AI reshapes how information is created, shared, and trusted, the need for critical information literacy has never been greater. This session examines the pivotal role of teacher librarians in helping schools navigate a world of AI slop, misinformation, and disinformation. Participants will explore practical strategies for teaching lateral reading, source verification, and critical AI literacy—skills that empower students to question, evaluate, and create information responsibly. Together we’ll consider how the foundations of truth, credibility, and authorship are under pressure—and what it means to prepare students for informed participation in an AI-mediated world.
12:00 PM - 12:30 PM	AI Agents and the Lone Librarian Working solo in a school library can be isolating, but it doesn’t have to be. This session explores how AI agents can become powerful collaborators for library staff, who often work independently. Discover practical ways AI can support planning, resource curation, communication, and innovation, helping you do more with less and transform your library into a dynamic, responsive hub for your school community.
12:00 PM - 12:40 PM
2:00 PM - 2:30 PM	Reigniting Passion, Renewing Purpose: The Power of Personal Inspiration in Building Stronger School Libraries.” Building capacity in school libraries begins with the people who bring them to life. For many long-serving librarians, sustaining passion and purpose over decades can be both a privilege and a challenge. This presentation explores how non-teaching librarians contribute to the heart of school life through academic support, reading advocacy, and community engagement, and how rediscovering joy in the role can revitalise both individual practice and the library’s wider impact. Drawing on real examples from my experience - including organising guest author visits with Markus Zusak, Tristan Bancks, Morris Gleitzman; hosting Breakfast with Books, Great Book Swap, and Write a Book in a Day events; supporting student wellbeing and life skills programs; and curating inclusive collections - I will illustrate how non-teaching librarians quietly build the learning capacity of entire school communities. Participants will leave with practical strategies and reflective prompts to: • Recognise their own role in capacity building within the school library ecosystem. • Identify sources of inspiration and renewal to sustain long-term professional wellbeing. • Reignite their enthusiasm for library work after many years in the same environment.
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
2:30 PM - 3:10 PM	The Power of A Podcast in Building a PLN In a fast-moving educational landscape, staying connected and inspired can be a challenge, especially for school library professionals working in specialised or isolated roles. This session explores how podcasts can serve as powerful tools for professional learning, reflection, and community building. Drawing on over 20 years of experience as a teacher and library leader, Lily will share insights into how educators are using podcasts not just to consume information, but to create meaningful networks of practice. Participants will leave with practical strategies for curating and integrating podcasts into their own professional learning, as well as ideas for contributing their voices to the conversation.
3:10 PM - 3:45 PM

	Diverse Learners Symposium
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM	Diverse Learners Symposium
9:10 AM - 9:40 AM	Converting Neurodiversity Into Neuro-advantage Students with neurodiversity include students who are gifted, those who are oppositional or have dyslexia, or experience attention issues such as ADHD, or have experienced trauma as well as those who are on the spectrums. Each of these groups have strengths as well as vulnerabilities that can be catered for. Teachers are equipped with strategies as well as the most recent tech that overcomes learning disadvantages for neurodiverse students.
9:40 AM - 10:10 AM	Differentiation Rewired: Neuroscience, Wellbeing and the Future of Diverse Learning In an era where classrooms are more diverse—and more digitally complex—than ever before, traditional models of differentiation are no longer enough. Today’s learners bring a spectrum of neurological, emotional, and environmental differences into the classroom. Understanding how the brain learns is now as essential as what we teach. We will explore how educators can use brain-based principles to: • reduce cognitive overload • support neurodivergent and gifted students • balance digital and emotional wellbeing • design learning that engages all students through targeted scaffolds and stretch. This session bridges the gap between science and strategy, offering tangible classroom applications for teachers, leaders, and learning support staff. Participants will leave with a renewed understanding of how to create emotionally safe, high-impact learning environments that honour every learner’s unique neurological fingerprint.
10:10 AM - 10:40 AM	Narratives That Connect: One Approach, Many Outcomes Oral narratives are more than just stories, they’re a powerful, multi-purpose tool that can unlock language, connection, and learning for students with Language Disorder, Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) and language difficulties, and can simultaneously support diverse learning needs, promote inclusion, and foster social and emotional wellbeing. Grounded in a strengths-based and culturally responsive lens, this session will explore how oral narratives can: • Support neurodivergent learners (including students with DLD, autism and other diverse language profiles) through flexible, scaffolded language intervention • Enhance social-emotional learning by using narrative to build skills, emotional vocabulary, and regulation through safe and structured storytelling and shared experiences • Promote inclusion and identity by creating space for diverse learners, to share their stories in affirming, meaningful ways
11:30 AM - 12:00 PM	From Diagnosis to Discovery: A Teacher’s Journey into Dyscalculia The session will begin with an overview of the indicators and characteristics of Dyscalculia, followed by techniques and supports that benefit learners experiencing Dyscalculia, maths difficulties, and maths anxiety. In addition to academic strategies, the session will explore teaching and learning frameworks that support cognitive and emotional development and examine the role of executive functioning in shaping both educational and personal outcomes for dyscalculic learners.
12:00 PM - 12:30 PM
12:00 PM - 12:40 PM	Teach the Nervous System First This session helps principals and school leaders turn trauma-aware practice and emotion regulation into everyday routines that lift learning time. We begin with a short primary classroom story. In table groups, we quickly spot the trauma-related signs. Then we move to the leadership work: how to make calm, predictable routines standard across classrooms—without adding heavy paperwork.
2:00 PM - 2:30 PM
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM	From Cognitive Science to the Classroom: Practical Strategies to Support Neurodivergent Learners Executive function challenges can significantly impact learning, especially for neurodivergent students. This workshop explores how research on executive function can be translated into inclusive classroom strategies that support planning, organisation, attention and emotional regulation. Drawing on practice-based insights from The Sycamore School, a specialist setting for autistic learners, we will unpack what executive functioning looks like in real classrooms and share practical supports that benefit all students. Participants will leave with evidence-informed tools, case examples and insights into how a cognitive science lens can enhance engagement and independence for diverse learners.
2:30 PM - 3:10 PM
3:10 PM - 3:45 PM	Ask the Audience - Delegates share the one idea they will take-away

	Wellbeing for Future Focused Schools
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM	Wellbeing for Future Focused Schools
9:10 AM - 9:40 AM	Creating the Conditions to Thrive: Rethinking How We Work in Schools This workshop is about reimagining what it takes for educators and staff to truly thrive at work. Together, we’ll explore how the right conditions, clarity, structure, alignment, and support, create the foundation for wellbeing, performance, and sustainable success. Through practical reflection and strategy, participants will identify what helps (and hinders) thriving in their context, uncover the invisible barriers built into everyday systems, and learn how to intentionally design a culture where people can do their best work and feel their best doing it.
9:40 AM - 10:10 AM	Character Education: The Who Is Our Why What is good character and how is it formed? How should we educate people to build the character they need for lives that are both worthwhile and well-lived? How might we lead for and with the character required to thrive in our world? Now, perhaps more than ever, we need the influence of strong, positive character. This presentation explores how we can put the "Who?" at the forefront of a school's educational purpose and practice in pursuit of future focused graduate outcomes. Drawing on over 15 years of research by CIRCLE Education that has led to the establishment of the Sydney Character Initiative at the University of Sydney, Prof Phil Cummins will share a story of character and the formation of the whole child in communities of inquiry and practice that that are responding to the compelling call for the values and value proposition of an education for character, competency and wellness.
10:10 AM - 10:40 AM
11:30 AM - 12:00 PM	Cultivating mental health literacy through data informed approaches In today's educational landscape, fostering a culture of respect and wellbeing is paramount for the holistic development of students and educators alike. Our session aims to explore how the integration of social and emotional literacy, a wellbeing framework and data-informed strategies can cultivate environments where respect for the environment, oneself, and the community thrives. We will delve into two key themes: Cultivating Respect Through Social and Emotional Literacy; and Data-Informed Strategies for Developing Flourishing Learners. The session is designed for educators, administrators, and policymakers eager to implement evidence-based practices that promote respect, positive mental health, and flourishing among students and staff alike. Join us as we explore transformative strategies that empower individuals to become their best selves while nurturing thriving educational communities.
12:00 PM - 12:30 PM	The Global Joy Mission: Empowering Educators and Students to Thrive, Not Just Survive What if joy wasn’t a reward at the end of a busy school term, but a daily strategy for wellbeing and performance? In this inspiring and science-backed session, Organisational Psychologist and author of Productivity Joy, Simi Rayat, shares the Global Joy Mission, a movement to equip 5 million people including Educators and students with the tools to thrive by 2030. Discover the 5Qs Formula, a simple, evidence-based, science-backed daily practice to build emotional regulation, focus and resilience in just five minutes a day. Learn how schools across Australia are embedding these tools into classrooms and how your school can join the national pilot programme to make wellbeing a daily mental fitness habit, not an occasional lesson. You’ll walk away inspired, equipped and ready to create a culture of calm, confidence and connection in your school community.
12:00 PM - 12:40 PM
2:00 PM - 2:30 PM	Leadership for whole school and teacher wellbeing - rural contexts, the perfect setting! Ensuring collective well-being across the whole school for teachers, students, and parent community is not rocket science. It is about ensuring we all work together through a collaborative approach identifying our core philosophy to inform our priorities as an educational institution. This is informed by our local community connections and environmental context. Andrew will draw on his experience leading Ōropi School, where the local context and environment has been utilised to ensure our children are motivated to come to school and immersed in real life experiences to motivate them in their learning, on a daily basis. He will outline how this has brought staff and parents together for the wellbeing of our community, while also optimising the mental health of our children. It is relatively simply; connecting kids to the real world and natural environment, which does wonders. Links will be made to the work of the New Zealand Rural Schools Association, where an important element of our work is to highlight the strengths and opportunities a rural context can provide.
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
2:30 PM - 3:10 PM	The Anti 5am Club The Anti 5am Club challenges the myths that tie success to early starts, perfect mornings, and relentless output. Instead, it equips teachers with practical tools they can use to protect their energy, design days that work for them, and model sustainable wellbeing. The workshop is grounded in lived experience and research, offering realistic strategies to help educators and school leaders flourish across the whole day. We will also explore "Moral Trauma", something that many teachers have but do not know they have.
3:10 PM - 3:45 PM

Friday, May 15, 2026

	AI in the Classroom	Capacity Building School Libraries	Diverse Learners Symposium
9:10 AM - 9:40 AM	The meaningful integration of GenAI in teaching and learning Generative AI is transforming not just what students learn, but how the brain engages with knowledge itself. In this session, we’ll explore the Science of Successful Learning through the lens of GenAI—examining how tools like ChatGPT can both amplify and disrupt human cognition. Drawing on the simple model of memory, cognitive load theory, schema building, and cognitive offloading, we’ll consider how GenAI alters attention, working memory, and long-term understanding. Is AI helping students think more deeply—or think less? How can teachers ensure that cognitive effort remains productive, not outsourced? Through practical, classroom-based examples, participants will learn to design lessons and tasks that use GenAI intentionally reducing cognitive load where appropriate, strengthening schema formation, and enhancing critical and creative thinking. You’ll leave with a research-informed toolkit of pedagogical strategies to lead AI-integrated learning that keeps human intelligence at the centre.	Inclusion and participation through reading as a social practice This session is aimed at information specialists who are seeking to develop an environment that supports reading as a social practice. This session will focus on how information specialists can create environments (services, programs, and spaces) that enhance accessibility and engagement for all readers. Building on the evidence that a shared enjoyment of reading leads to increased engagement with leisure reading, this session will offer practical insights into an embedded teacher librarian approach to whole-school reading culture. Noni and Penny will share suggestions for designing a wider reading program with social reading and collaboration at the forefront, in order to cater to a range of diverse learners with accessibility, inclusion, and participation in mind.	Nurturing the Mind of a 'Livewired' Child! What are the most important things we can do to nurture the development of children’s brains and minds and by association enhance learning experiences? Equally important, what might limit or hinder those opportunities? The first question has an extensive body of research to support it and this will be explored by looking at new understandings of how the brain grows and develops and how experiences shape a child’s life and future. The second question has an equally expansive corpus of research, and key elements of this are important considerations when it comes to raising and educating young minds. This presentation will unpack all of the key points noted above in a user-friendly and interactive way. The aim is to provide food for thought and strategies related to fostering environments that positively contribute to the mind of a ‘livewired’ child.
9:40 AM - 10:10 AM	AI for UDL: Practical Strategies for Inclusion by Design How can educators harness the power of AI to make learning accessible, engaging and challenging for every student without adding to teacher workload? This session explores the intersection of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and artificial intelligence, drawing on real-world examples using the Australian Curriculum version 9. Discover how tools like Copilot can help you revise assessment tasks, unit plans and learning experiences to provide multiple entry points, explicit support and flexible pathways, without compromising academic rigor. Walk away with practical strategies, hands-on resources and the confidence to use AI to support a universal approach to quality differentiated planning and teaching.	The Magic of Reading: Making Reading Fun Working in a school where low literacy levels and numerous barriers make it challenging to inspire a love of reading, promoting reading is a central part of my daily work. I’ve learned that it’s not enough to simply promote individual books; we need to celebrate the joy and habit of reading itself across the whole school community. This has led me to implement a variety of initiatives—ranging from quick and easy activities to more complex and time-intensive projects—all aimed at one goal: encouraging just one more student to pick up one more book and read one more page. In this session, I will share the practical strategies and tools I’ve used to make reading a more engaging and accessible activity for all students.	Neuroinclusivity in Action: What It Feels Like to Learn with a Different Brain Every classroom includes students whose brains process, learn, and behave differently, yet many teachers still feel unsure how to recognise and respond to neurodiverse needs. In this powerful and practical session, Scott B Harris draws on 17 years of lived experience with a traumatic brain injury to give teachers a firsthand understanding of what neurodiversity feels like, and how to create classrooms where every learner can thrive. Combining evidence-based research (developed in collaboration with Professor John Hattie) and practical classroom strategies, this session takes participants through interactive simulations that mirror real neurodiverse experiences such as cognitive dysfunction, disorganisation, and sensory overwhelm. Teachers will walk away with a deeper understanding of executive functioning, simple adjustments that de-escalate behaviour, and classroom tools that make learning more inclusive, not just for neurodivergent students, but for all.
10:10 AM - 10:40 AM	Is AI Bias Creeping into Your School? AI tools promise to save time and boost engagement. But at what cost to equity and inclusion? This workshop reveals uncomfortable truths: from AI grading and reporting systems that penalise students from linguistically diverse backgrounds to search tools that erase or misrepresent Indigenous perspectives. Learn to identify hidden biases and question whose knowledge AI privileges. Discover how to empower both students and colleagues to challenge discriminatory outputs. Walk away with classroom activities that develop critical digital citizenship. This session goes beyond AI literacy basics to tackle data sovereignty, cultural erasure, and the voices missing from mainstream AI models. Grounded in the Australian Framework for Generative AI in Schools		Navigating Education with Adverse Childhood Experiences: A Dual Lens of Parent and Educator Children with adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), particularly those who have been in out of home care, face unique challenges in educational settings. This session, led by an educator and carer with lived experience of neurodivergent children impacted by trauma, will explore the profound impact of ACEs on learning, behaviour, and emotional regulation. Attendees will gain insights into the dual perspective of a parent and educator, with practical strategies to create trauma-informed, supportive environments that foster growth, safety, and resilience for all students.
11:00 AM - 11:30 AM		The Language of Learning: Vocabulary, Literacy, and the Power of the Library Vocabulary is more than just word knowledge—it’s the foundation for deeper thinking, richer comprehension, and academic success across all learning areas. In this session, Trish explores how explicit vocabulary instruction, embedded in student-centred and inquiry-based learning, can significantly enhance reading comprehension and support disciplinary literacy in subjects such as science, health, and the humanities. Grounded in the work of Vygotsky, this session highlights the social nature of learning, and the importance of scaffolding is for student learning. Drawing on Halliday’s theory of language as a social semiotic, Trisha demonstrates how genre-based pedagogy and purposeful vocabulary instruction help students access, interpret, and produce increasingly complex texts. As a teacher librarian, Trisha showcases how libraries play a pivotal role in this process—curating rich, diverse resources; fostering collaborative planning; and creating literacy-rich environments that support vocabulary development across the curriculum. Through classroom evidence and resource-based strategies, attendees will gain practical tools and adaptable approaches to position vocabulary as a cornerstone of both literacy and learning.
11:30 AM - 12:00 PM	Smarter, Not Harder: Reducing Teacher Workload While Elevating Pedagogy This session explores how schools can redesign assessment to embrace AI’s potential while safeguarding academic integrity. Participants will examine practical strategies such as authentic, real-world tasks, oral defenses, process-based assessment, and adaptive feedback. The focus is on ensuring assessment remains rigorous, fair, and future-focused; measuring not just what students know, but how they think, create, and apply their learning in an AI-rich world.	Reigniting Reading Through Student Choice and Teacher–Librarian Collaboration: Literature Circles and Socratic Seminars in a Global Issues Unit Engaging adolescents in reading is not just about fostering literacy, it is about igniting curiosity, critical thinking, and a lifelong love of learning. Adolescent reading engagement remains a key priority in contemporary education, and recent research highlights that when students are provided with voice, choice, and authentic opportunities to connect with texts and one another, their motivation and engagement increase. Literature circles and Socratic discussions are identified as effective strategies that promote deeper comprehension, critical thinking, and intrinsic motivation—key factors that underpin engaged reading and lifelong literacy development (Webber et al., 2023). By implementing these strategies, educators can foster a culture of curiosity and enjoyment while equipping students with the skills to think critically, communicate effectively, and take ownership of their learning.	Spotting Hidden Struggles and Creating Classrooms Where Students Don’t Have to Pretend Masking (when students hide their needs, distress, or differences in order to “fit in” at school) is one of the most overlooked challenges in education. These students often appear quiet, compliant, or high achieving, yet crash at home or in safe spaces. In this interactive session, we will unpack the hidden cost of masking and how educators can learn to spot the subtle red flags. Participants will leave with a clear understanding of how masking affects learning, how to respond compassionately when unmasking looks “messy,” and how to build classrooms where every student feels safe enough to be themselves.
12:00 PM - 12:30 PM		Reading Lounges and Sustained Reading After developing two reading lounges in the past 12 months, it can be seen how a change within a Library Space can alter the reading behaviour of students. Mr Sloth's Rainforest Reading Lounge for Year 3-6 and Sunny's Storyland for K3-Year 2 are examples of a new approach. Utilising Marketplace and a tight budget students are evolving into a new way of reading for pleasure in these spaces. Hear about new ideas within Junior and Senior School Libraries where sustained reading is the priority.
12:00 PM - 12:40 PM	When Students Lead: Teaching AI Literacy Through Caring, Connection and Curiosity This session explores how senior students can take ownership of their learning through AI. Using Fink’s Taxonomy of Significant Learning, it demonstrates how the right scaffolds help students build AI literacy, explore machine learning concepts, and then design their own project objectives, unit plans, and learning guides. By focusing on Caring, Connection, and Curiosity, students move from passive users to creative, ethical thinkers who direct their own learning. Participants will see how AI can transform classrooms into spaces where students lead with confidence, empathy, and purpose.		Creating Buzz for All Learners: Inclusive STEM through Sustainability and Design Discover how to engage diverse learners in critical and creative thinking through authentic, real-world STEM challenges. This hands-on workshop immerses educators in the urgent issue of the Varroa destructor mite and the essential role of European Honey Bees in Australian agriculture and biodiversity. Grounded in Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and inclusive pedagogies, participants will explore adaptable strategies that differentiate learning and support students with a range of abilities and behaviours. The session will also demonstrate how Harvard University’s Project Zero thinking routines can extend classroom practice to deepen thinking and foster transferable skills. By connecting sustainability, agriculture, and STEM design processes, educators will leave equipped with practical tools to create inclusive, engaging, and thought-provoking STEM experiences that empower all learners to thrive.
2:00 PM - 2:30 PM	AI for the Inclusive Classroom In an era where technology is rapidly reshaping the educational landscape, AI tools are at the forefront, empowering educators to enhance their teaching practices. These innovative technologies create the conditions where inclusive classrooms thrive, optimising education for every individual. This session aims to build teacher confidence in using these tools and improve differentiation skills while streamlining processes to save valuable time. Discover how these benefits can significantly enrich the educational experience for both teachers and students, paving the way for a more accessible and engaging learning environment.	Avoiding the Single Story: Including Culturally Diverse Texts in our Libraries and Classrooms This workshop will focus on the importance of curating a library collection with diverse cultural resources. It will explore a range of culturally diverse texts, the reasons for including these texts, and the value this adds to school libraries and curriculum delivery. Throughout this workshop, participants will explore the research supporting the inclusion of culturally diverse texts. Practical examples will be given to support teachers and librarians to integrate these texts into the everyday classroom. A range of resources will be on display as examples and as a starting point for collection development.
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM			Thriving Minds, Thriving Classrooms This session is designed to deepen the understanding of brain development, basic human needs, and the impact these have on behaviour and wellbeing. Using a trauma-informed lens, it highlights the importance of positive relationships and connecting habits to support student engagement and inclusion. We will explore links between brain development, behaviour and wellbeing. It examines strategies to understand behaviour and manage challenging behaviour in the classroom and school environment. We will practice connecting conversations (to unpack behavioral incidents) in small groups, developing co-created student led behaviour plans, profiling staff and student needs and how to use this information to build a needs satisfying classrooms for staff and students. Participants will gain valuable knowledge and understanding around brain development and emotional wellbeing in order to promote positive behaviour and maximum student engagement in an inclusive learning environment. You will leave with practical tools and strategies ready to use in the school environment because Thriving Minds lead to Thriving Classrooms where both staff and students are empowered to succeed.
2:30 PM - 3:10 PM	Canva Magic Join this hands-on professional development session to explore Canva’s Magic AI tools and discover how they can supercharge creativity and efficiency in your teaching practice. In this interactive workshop, educators will experiment with Canva’s Magic suite and Code for Me to design engaging resources and create interactive, student-driven learning experiences. Canva offers a space for learning journeys, where teachers and students can collaborate, explore ideas, and bring concepts to life through creativity and innovation. From auto-generating lesson materials to building student games, quizzes, and custom widgets, participants will gain practical, classroom-ready skills while exploring how to use AI ethically and responsibly. You’ll leave inspired, empowered, and equipped with transformative tools to enhance both your workflow and your students’ learning experiences.

	Wellbeing for Future Focused Schools
9:10 AM - 9:40 AM	Boundaries That Protect: Sustainable Strategies for Teacher Wellbeing The demands of teaching can make it hard to switch off, protect time, and manage the emotional load that comes with supporting students every day. Without intentional strategies, stress and fatigue can quickly accumulate, leaving educators vulnerable to burnout. This session provides teachers with practical, evidence-based tools to manage workload, set healthy boundaries, and sustain their own wellbeing. Participants will explore ways to streamline workflow, protect time for recovery, and use simple reflective practices to reduce emotional fatigue. The session also highlights how to communicate and uphold boundaries in ways that strengthen relationships with colleagues, students, and families. Teachers will leave with a personalised toolkit for sustainable practice — strategies that help them protect their energy, manage stress proactively, and stay well so they can continue to do their best work with students.
9:40 AM - 10:10 AM	High Performing Teams Improve Staff Well-Being, which improves performance Andrew will share his knowledge of 6 Team Conditions of High Performing Teams and apply these conditions to school teams. Providing practical ideas as to how individual staff, in school teams, may work together to maximise their health, performance, diversity and sustainability, this session will be relevant to teachers and school leaders. Andrew will give participants a snapshot of three tools that maybe used to improve psychological safety and well-being (Team Diagnostic Survey; ERGO Analyst; PRAiSE (Psychological Risk Assessment integrated Solutions for Employers). These three tools give school leaders options to analyse the well-being of their staff (and themselves). By creating high performing teams that are a Circle of Trust, high performing teams will have interdependent individuals, working together for their mutual well-being.
10:10 AM - 10:40 AM
11:00 AM - 11:30 AM	Health & Wellbeing on the Menu: Explore QUT’s School Foodies Toolkit Discover QUT’s School Foodies Curriculum Planning Toolkit – an adaptable, research-based resource designed to enhance food and nutrition environments in primary schools. This free website helps teachers to: • Meaningfully integrate food and nutrition education across the curriculum • Save time with ready-to-use, curriculum-aligned planning tools • Engage students through real-world learning contexts • Promote student health, wellbeing, and a strong sense of belonging Co-designed with school leaders and educators, the toolkit will equip you with practical tools and resources to tailor food and nutrition education to your unique school communities.
11:30 AM - 12:00 PM	Empowered Educators: Building Emotional Regulation Through Self-Awareness Teachers are expected to frequently calm dysregulated students — often without foundational knowledge of how to regulate themselves during ongoing stress. This workshop invites educators to develop practical skills in self-awareness, learning to identify their own nervous system states and respond with empowered regulation. Grounded in neuroscience and compassionate practice, we’ll explore how teacher wellbeing directly shapes classroom tone, relational safety, and student engagement. Participants will leave with strategies that support not just the teacher role — but the whole human being behind it.
12:00 PM - 12:30 PM	How Good are School Gardens? School gardens are more than green spaces — they are living classrooms that nurture curiosity, wellbeing, and community. This session will explore how gardens foster student engagement, promote sustainability, and support equity by connecting curriculum with lived experience. Emma will highlight practical examples of how teachers integrate gardens into teaching practice, and discuss how these spaces contribute to whole-school wellbeing — a contribution recognised when she was named a finalist in the 2024 Queensland Wellbeing Awards. Participants will leave with a deeper understanding of how to harness school gardens as powerful tools for learning and inclusion, and with practical strategies for advocating for garden-based initiatives in their own contexts.
12:00 PM - 12:40 PM
2:00 PM - 2:30 PM	Creating a Culture of Care and Psychological Safety in Schools We will explore how supporting teacher wellbeing enhances schools’ capacity to respond to student anxiety, trauma, and mental health challenges. Drawing on research, a staff wellbeing committee, and the WaND initiative, we will share practical strategies to build psychological safety, reduce emotional fatigue, and foster collegial trust. Participants will engage in a collaborative problem-solving activity and contribute to a Teacher Wellbeing Padlet, generating an ongoing repository of ideas. Practical guidance from active school engagement, recognition practices, and promotion of EAP resources ensures attendees leave with actionable tools to embed a culture of care for staff and students.
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
2:30 PM - 3:10 PM	Wellbeing and Emotional Intelligence in a Virtual World How do students develop emotional intelligence skills if they don't see each other face-to-face? Hear from the Head of the Virtual Learning Community about how an online Prep to 12 school can create a sense of wellbeing, belonging and social connections - for students and teachers.

	AI in the Classroom	Capacity Building School Libraries
9:10 AM - 9:40 AM	The meaningful integration of GenAI in teaching and learning Generative AI is transforming not just what students learn, but how the brain engages with knowledge itself. In this session, we’ll explore the Science of Successful Learning through the lens of GenAI—examining how tools like ChatGPT can both amplify and disrupt human cognition. Drawing on the simple model of memory, cognitive load theory, schema building, and cognitive offloading, we’ll consider how GenAI alters attention, working memory, and long-term understanding. Is AI helping students think more deeply—or think less? How can teachers ensure that cognitive effort remains productive, not outsourced? Through practical, classroom-based examples, participants will learn to design lessons and tasks that use GenAI intentionally reducing cognitive load where appropriate, strengthening schema formation, and enhancing critical and creative thinking. You’ll leave with a research-informed toolkit of pedagogical strategies to lead AI-integrated learning that keeps human intelligence at the centre.	Inclusion and participation through reading as a social practice This session is aimed at information specialists who are seeking to develop an environment that supports reading as a social practice. This session will focus on how information specialists can create environments (services, programs, and spaces) that enhance accessibility and engagement for all readers. Building on the evidence that a shared enjoyment of reading leads to increased engagement with leisure reading, this session will offer practical insights into an embedded teacher librarian approach to whole-school reading culture. Noni and Penny will share suggestions for designing a wider reading program with social reading and collaboration at the forefront, in order to cater to a range of diverse learners with accessibility, inclusion, and participation in mind.
9:40 AM - 10:10 AM	AI for UDL: Practical Strategies for Inclusion by Design How can educators harness the power of AI to make learning accessible, engaging and challenging for every student without adding to teacher workload? This session explores the intersection of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and artificial intelligence, drawing on real-world examples using the Australian Curriculum version 9. Discover how tools like Copilot can help you revise assessment tasks, unit plans and learning experiences to provide multiple entry points, explicit support and flexible pathways, without compromising academic rigor. Walk away with practical strategies, hands-on resources and the confidence to use AI to support a universal approach to quality differentiated planning and teaching.	The Magic of Reading: Making Reading Fun Working in a school where low literacy levels and numerous barriers make it challenging to inspire a love of reading, promoting reading is a central part of my daily work. I’ve learned that it’s not enough to simply promote individual books; we need to celebrate the joy and habit of reading itself across the whole school community. This has led me to implement a variety of initiatives—ranging from quick and easy activities to more complex and time-intensive projects—all aimed at one goal: encouraging just one more student to pick up one more book and read one more page. In this session, I will share the practical strategies and tools I’ve used to make reading a more engaging and accessible activity for all students.
10:10 AM - 10:40 AM	Is AI Bias Creeping into Your School? AI tools promise to save time and boost engagement. But at what cost to equity and inclusion? This workshop reveals uncomfortable truths: from AI grading and reporting systems that penalise students from linguistically diverse backgrounds to search tools that erase or misrepresent Indigenous perspectives. Learn to identify hidden biases and question whose knowledge AI privileges. Discover how to empower both students and colleagues to challenge discriminatory outputs. Walk away with classroom activities that develop critical digital citizenship. This session goes beyond AI literacy basics to tackle data sovereignty, cultural erasure, and the voices missing from mainstream AI models. Grounded in the Australian Framework for Generative AI in Schools
11:00 AM - 11:30 AM		The Language of Learning: Vocabulary, Literacy, and the Power of the Library Vocabulary is more than just word knowledge—it’s the foundation for deeper thinking, richer comprehension, and academic success across all learning areas. In this session, Trish explores how explicit vocabulary instruction, embedded in student-centred and inquiry-based learning, can significantly enhance reading comprehension and support disciplinary literacy in subjects such as science, health, and the humanities. Grounded in the work of Vygotsky, this session highlights the social nature of learning, and the importance of scaffolding is for student learning. Drawing on Halliday’s theory of language as a social semiotic, Trisha demonstrates how genre-based pedagogy and purposeful vocabulary instruction help students access, interpret, and produce increasingly complex texts. As a teacher librarian, Trisha showcases how libraries play a pivotal role in this process—curating rich, diverse resources; fostering collaborative planning; and creating literacy-rich environments that support vocabulary development across the curriculum. Through classroom evidence and resource-based strategies, attendees will gain practical tools and adaptable approaches to position vocabulary as a cornerstone of both literacy and learning.
11:30 AM - 12:00 PM	Smarter, Not Harder: Reducing Teacher Workload While Elevating Pedagogy This session explores how schools can redesign assessment to embrace AI’s potential while safeguarding academic integrity. Participants will examine practical strategies such as authentic, real-world tasks, oral defenses, process-based assessment, and adaptive feedback. The focus is on ensuring assessment remains rigorous, fair, and future-focused; measuring not just what students know, but how they think, create, and apply their learning in an AI-rich world.	Reigniting Reading Through Student Choice and Teacher–Librarian Collaboration: Literature Circles and Socratic Seminars in a Global Issues Unit Engaging adolescents in reading is not just about fostering literacy, it is about igniting curiosity, critical thinking, and a lifelong love of learning. Adolescent reading engagement remains a key priority in contemporary education, and recent research highlights that when students are provided with voice, choice, and authentic opportunities to connect with texts and one another, their motivation and engagement increase. Literature circles and Socratic discussions are identified as effective strategies that promote deeper comprehension, critical thinking, and intrinsic motivation—key factors that underpin engaged reading and lifelong literacy development (Webber et al., 2023). By implementing these strategies, educators can foster a culture of curiosity and enjoyment while equipping students with the skills to think critically, communicate effectively, and take ownership of their learning.
12:00 PM - 12:30 PM		Reading Lounges and Sustained Reading After developing two reading lounges in the past 12 months, it can be seen how a change within a Library Space can alter the reading behaviour of students. Mr Sloth's Rainforest Reading Lounge for Year 3-6 and Sunny's Storyland for K3-Year 2 are examples of a new approach. Utilising Marketplace and a tight budget students are evolving into a new way of reading for pleasure in these spaces. Hear about new ideas within Junior and Senior School Libraries where sustained reading is the priority.
12:00 PM - 12:40 PM	When Students Lead: Teaching AI Literacy Through Caring, Connection and Curiosity This session explores how senior students can take ownership of their learning through AI. Using Fink’s Taxonomy of Significant Learning, it demonstrates how the right scaffolds help students build AI literacy, explore machine learning concepts, and then design their own project objectives, unit plans, and learning guides. By focusing on Caring, Connection, and Curiosity, students move from passive users to creative, ethical thinkers who direct their own learning. Participants will see how AI can transform classrooms into spaces where students lead with confidence, empathy, and purpose.
2:00 PM - 2:30 PM	AI for the Inclusive Classroom In an era where technology is rapidly reshaping the educational landscape, AI tools are at the forefront, empowering educators to enhance their teaching practices. These innovative technologies create the conditions where inclusive classrooms thrive, optimising education for every individual. This session aims to build teacher confidence in using these tools and improve differentiation skills while streamlining processes to save valuable time. Discover how these benefits can significantly enrich the educational experience for both teachers and students, paving the way for a more accessible and engaging learning environment.	Avoiding the Single Story: Including Culturally Diverse Texts in our Libraries and Classrooms This workshop will focus on the importance of curating a library collection with diverse cultural resources. It will explore a range of culturally diverse texts, the reasons for including these texts, and the value this adds to school libraries and curriculum delivery. Throughout this workshop, participants will explore the research supporting the inclusion of culturally diverse texts. Practical examples will be given to support teachers and librarians to integrate these texts into the everyday classroom. A range of resources will be on display as examples and as a starting point for collection development.
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
2:30 PM - 3:10 PM	Canva Magic Join this hands-on professional development session to explore Canva’s Magic AI tools and discover how they can supercharge creativity and efficiency in your teaching practice. In this interactive workshop, educators will experiment with Canva’s Magic suite and Code for Me to design engaging resources and create interactive, student-driven learning experiences. Canva offers a space for learning journeys, where teachers and students can collaborate, explore ideas, and bring concepts to life through creativity and innovation. From auto-generating lesson materials to building student games, quizzes, and custom widgets, participants will gain practical, classroom-ready skills while exploring how to use AI ethically and responsibly. You’ll leave inspired, empowered, and equipped with transformative tools to enhance both your workflow and your students’ learning experiences.

	Diverse Learners Symposium	Wellbeing for Future Focused Schools
9:10 AM - 9:40 AM	Nurturing the Mind of a 'Livewired' Child! What are the most important things we can do to nurture the development of children’s brains and minds and by association enhance learning experiences? Equally important, what might limit or hinder those opportunities? The first question has an extensive body of research to support it and this will be explored by looking at new understandings of how the brain grows and develops and how experiences shape a child’s life and future. The second question has an equally expansive corpus of research, and key elements of this are important considerations when it comes to raising and educating young minds. This presentation will unpack all of the key points noted above in a user-friendly and interactive way. The aim is to provide food for thought and strategies related to fostering environments that positively contribute to the mind of a ‘livewired’ child.	Boundaries That Protect: Sustainable Strategies for Teacher Wellbeing The demands of teaching can make it hard to switch off, protect time, and manage the emotional load that comes with supporting students every day. Without intentional strategies, stress and fatigue can quickly accumulate, leaving educators vulnerable to burnout. This session provides teachers with practical, evidence-based tools to manage workload, set healthy boundaries, and sustain their own wellbeing. Participants will explore ways to streamline workflow, protect time for recovery, and use simple reflective practices to reduce emotional fatigue. The session also highlights how to communicate and uphold boundaries in ways that strengthen relationships with colleagues, students, and families. Teachers will leave with a personalised toolkit for sustainable practice — strategies that help them protect their energy, manage stress proactively, and stay well so they can continue to do their best work with students.
9:40 AM - 10:10 AM	Neuroinclusivity in Action: What It Feels Like to Learn with a Different Brain Every classroom includes students whose brains process, learn, and behave differently, yet many teachers still feel unsure how to recognise and respond to neurodiverse needs. In this powerful and practical session, Scott B Harris draws on 17 years of lived experience with a traumatic brain injury to give teachers a firsthand understanding of what neurodiversity feels like, and how to create classrooms where every learner can thrive. Combining evidence-based research (developed in collaboration with Professor John Hattie) and practical classroom strategies, this session takes participants through interactive simulations that mirror real neurodiverse experiences such as cognitive dysfunction, disorganisation, and sensory overwhelm. Teachers will walk away with a deeper understanding of executive functioning, simple adjustments that de-escalate behaviour, and classroom tools that make learning more inclusive, not just for neurodivergent students, but for all.	High Performing Teams Improve Staff Well-Being, which improves performance Andrew will share his knowledge of 6 Team Conditions of High Performing Teams and apply these conditions to school teams. Providing practical ideas as to how individual staff, in school teams, may work together to maximise their health, performance, diversity and sustainability, this session will be relevant to teachers and school leaders. Andrew will give participants a snapshot of three tools that maybe used to improve psychological safety and well-being (Team Diagnostic Survey; ERGO Analyst; PRAiSE (Psychological Risk Assessment integrated Solutions for Employers). These three tools give school leaders options to analyse the well-being of their staff (and themselves). By creating high performing teams that are a Circle of Trust, high performing teams will have interdependent individuals, working together for their mutual well-being.
10:10 AM - 10:40 AM	Navigating Education with Adverse Childhood Experiences: A Dual Lens of Parent and Educator Children with adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), particularly those who have been in out of home care, face unique challenges in educational settings. This session, led by an educator and carer with lived experience of neurodivergent children impacted by trauma, will explore the profound impact of ACEs on learning, behaviour, and emotional regulation. Attendees will gain insights into the dual perspective of a parent and educator, with practical strategies to create trauma-informed, supportive environments that foster growth, safety, and resilience for all students.
11:00 AM - 11:30 AM		Health & Wellbeing on the Menu: Explore QUT’s School Foodies Toolkit Discover QUT’s School Foodies Curriculum Planning Toolkit – an adaptable, research-based resource designed to enhance food and nutrition environments in primary schools. This free website helps teachers to: • Meaningfully integrate food and nutrition education across the curriculum • Save time with ready-to-use, curriculum-aligned planning tools • Engage students through real-world learning contexts • Promote student health, wellbeing, and a strong sense of belonging Co-designed with school leaders and educators, the toolkit will equip you with practical tools and resources to tailor food and nutrition education to your unique school communities.
11:30 AM - 12:00 PM	Spotting Hidden Struggles and Creating Classrooms Where Students Don’t Have to Pretend Masking (when students hide their needs, distress, or differences in order to “fit in” at school) is one of the most overlooked challenges in education. These students often appear quiet, compliant, or high achieving, yet crash at home or in safe spaces. In this interactive session, we will unpack the hidden cost of masking and how educators can learn to spot the subtle red flags. Participants will leave with a clear understanding of how masking affects learning, how to respond compassionately when unmasking looks “messy,” and how to build classrooms where every student feels safe enough to be themselves.	Empowered Educators: Building Emotional Regulation Through Self-Awareness Teachers are expected to frequently calm dysregulated students — often without foundational knowledge of how to regulate themselves during ongoing stress. This workshop invites educators to develop practical skills in self-awareness, learning to identify their own nervous system states and respond with empowered regulation. Grounded in neuroscience and compassionate practice, we’ll explore how teacher wellbeing directly shapes classroom tone, relational safety, and student engagement. Participants will leave with strategies that support not just the teacher role — but the whole human being behind it.
12:00 PM - 12:30 PM		How Good are School Gardens? School gardens are more than green spaces — they are living classrooms that nurture curiosity, wellbeing, and community. This session will explore how gardens foster student engagement, promote sustainability, and support equity by connecting curriculum with lived experience. Emma will highlight practical examples of how teachers integrate gardens into teaching practice, and discuss how these spaces contribute to whole-school wellbeing — a contribution recognised when she was named a finalist in the 2024 Queensland Wellbeing Awards. Participants will leave with a deeper understanding of how to harness school gardens as powerful tools for learning and inclusion, and with practical strategies for advocating for garden-based initiatives in their own contexts.
12:00 PM - 12:40 PM	Creating Buzz for All Learners: Inclusive STEM through Sustainability and Design Discover how to engage diverse learners in critical and creative thinking through authentic, real-world STEM challenges. This hands-on workshop immerses educators in the urgent issue of the Varroa destructor mite and the essential role of European Honey Bees in Australian agriculture and biodiversity. Grounded in Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and inclusive pedagogies, participants will explore adaptable strategies that differentiate learning and support students with a range of abilities and behaviours. The session will also demonstrate how Harvard University’s Project Zero thinking routines can extend classroom practice to deepen thinking and foster transferable skills. By connecting sustainability, agriculture, and STEM design processes, educators will leave equipped with practical tools to create inclusive, engaging, and thought-provoking STEM experiences that empower all learners to thrive.
2:00 PM - 2:30 PM		Creating a Culture of Care and Psychological Safety in Schools We will explore how supporting teacher wellbeing enhances schools’ capacity to respond to student anxiety, trauma, and mental health challenges. Drawing on research, a staff wellbeing committee, and the WaND initiative, we will share practical strategies to build psychological safety, reduce emotional fatigue, and foster collegial trust. Participants will engage in a collaborative problem-solving activity and contribute to a Teacher Wellbeing Padlet, generating an ongoing repository of ideas. Practical guidance from active school engagement, recognition practices, and promotion of EAP resources ensures attendees leave with actionable tools to embed a culture of care for staff and students.
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM	Thriving Minds, Thriving Classrooms This session is designed to deepen the understanding of brain development, basic human needs, and the impact these have on behaviour and wellbeing. Using a trauma-informed lens, it highlights the importance of positive relationships and connecting habits to support student engagement and inclusion. We will explore links between brain development, behaviour and wellbeing. It examines strategies to understand behaviour and manage challenging behaviour in the classroom and school environment. We will practice connecting conversations (to unpack behavioral incidents) in small groups, developing co-created student led behaviour plans, profiling staff and student needs and how to use this information to build a needs satisfying classrooms for staff and students. Participants will gain valuable knowledge and understanding around brain development and emotional wellbeing in order to promote positive behaviour and maximum student engagement in an inclusive learning environment. You will leave with practical tools and strategies ready to use in the school environment because Thriving Minds lead to Thriving Classrooms where both staff and students are empowered to succeed.
2:30 PM - 3:10 PM		Wellbeing and Emotional Intelligence in a Virtual World How do students develop emotional intelligence skills if they don't see each other face-to-face? Hear from the Head of the Virtual Learning Community about how an online Prep to 12 school can create a sense of wellbeing, belonging and social connections - for students and teachers.

	AI in the Classroom
9:10 AM - 9:40 AM	The meaningful integration of GenAI in teaching and learning Generative AI is transforming not just what students learn, but how the brain engages with knowledge itself. In this session, we’ll explore the Science of Successful Learning through the lens of GenAI—examining how tools like ChatGPT can both amplify and disrupt human cognition. Drawing on the simple model of memory, cognitive load theory, schema building, and cognitive offloading, we’ll consider how GenAI alters attention, working memory, and long-term understanding. Is AI helping students think more deeply—or think less? How can teachers ensure that cognitive effort remains productive, not outsourced? Through practical, classroom-based examples, participants will learn to design lessons and tasks that use GenAI intentionally reducing cognitive load where appropriate, strengthening schema formation, and enhancing critical and creative thinking. You’ll leave with a research-informed toolkit of pedagogical strategies to lead AI-integrated learning that keeps human intelligence at the centre.
9:40 AM - 10:10 AM	AI for UDL: Practical Strategies for Inclusion by Design How can educators harness the power of AI to make learning accessible, engaging and challenging for every student without adding to teacher workload? This session explores the intersection of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and artificial intelligence, drawing on real-world examples using the Australian Curriculum version 9. Discover how tools like Copilot can help you revise assessment tasks, unit plans and learning experiences to provide multiple entry points, explicit support and flexible pathways, without compromising academic rigor. Walk away with practical strategies, hands-on resources and the confidence to use AI to support a universal approach to quality differentiated planning and teaching.
10:10 AM - 10:40 AM	Is AI Bias Creeping into Your School? AI tools promise to save time and boost engagement. But at what cost to equity and inclusion? This workshop reveals uncomfortable truths: from AI grading and reporting systems that penalise students from linguistically diverse backgrounds to search tools that erase or misrepresent Indigenous perspectives. Learn to identify hidden biases and question whose knowledge AI privileges. Discover how to empower both students and colleagues to challenge discriminatory outputs. Walk away with classroom activities that develop critical digital citizenship. This session goes beyond AI literacy basics to tackle data sovereignty, cultural erasure, and the voices missing from mainstream AI models. Grounded in the Australian Framework for Generative AI in Schools
11:00 AM - 11:30 AM
11:30 AM - 12:00 PM	Smarter, Not Harder: Reducing Teacher Workload While Elevating Pedagogy This session explores how schools can redesign assessment to embrace AI’s potential while safeguarding academic integrity. Participants will examine practical strategies such as authentic, real-world tasks, oral defenses, process-based assessment, and adaptive feedback. The focus is on ensuring assessment remains rigorous, fair, and future-focused; measuring not just what students know, but how they think, create, and apply their learning in an AI-rich world.
12:00 PM - 12:30 PM
12:00 PM - 12:40 PM	When Students Lead: Teaching AI Literacy Through Caring, Connection and Curiosity This session explores how senior students can take ownership of their learning through AI. Using Fink’s Taxonomy of Significant Learning, it demonstrates how the right scaffolds help students build AI literacy, explore machine learning concepts, and then design their own project objectives, unit plans, and learning guides. By focusing on Caring, Connection, and Curiosity, students move from passive users to creative, ethical thinkers who direct their own learning. Participants will see how AI can transform classrooms into spaces where students lead with confidence, empathy, and purpose.
2:00 PM - 2:30 PM	AI for the Inclusive Classroom In an era where technology is rapidly reshaping the educational landscape, AI tools are at the forefront, empowering educators to enhance their teaching practices. These innovative technologies create the conditions where inclusive classrooms thrive, optimising education for every individual. This session aims to build teacher confidence in using these tools and improve differentiation skills while streamlining processes to save valuable time. Discover how these benefits can significantly enrich the educational experience for both teachers and students, paving the way for a more accessible and engaging learning environment.
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
2:30 PM - 3:10 PM	Canva Magic Join this hands-on professional development session to explore Canva’s Magic AI tools and discover how they can supercharge creativity and efficiency in your teaching practice. In this interactive workshop, educators will experiment with Canva’s Magic suite and Code for Me to design engaging resources and create interactive, student-driven learning experiences. Canva offers a space for learning journeys, where teachers and students can collaborate, explore ideas, and bring concepts to life through creativity and innovation. From auto-generating lesson materials to building student games, quizzes, and custom widgets, participants will gain practical, classroom-ready skills while exploring how to use AI ethically and responsibly. You’ll leave inspired, empowered, and equipped with transformative tools to enhance both your workflow and your students’ learning experiences.

	Capacity Building School Libraries
9:10 AM - 9:40 AM	Inclusion and participation through reading as a social practice This session is aimed at information specialists who are seeking to develop an environment that supports reading as a social practice. This session will focus on how information specialists can create environments (services, programs, and spaces) that enhance accessibility and engagement for all readers. Building on the evidence that a shared enjoyment of reading leads to increased engagement with leisure reading, this session will offer practical insights into an embedded teacher librarian approach to whole-school reading culture. Noni and Penny will share suggestions for designing a wider reading program with social reading and collaboration at the forefront, in order to cater to a range of diverse learners with accessibility, inclusion, and participation in mind.
9:40 AM - 10:10 AM	The Magic of Reading: Making Reading Fun Working in a school where low literacy levels and numerous barriers make it challenging to inspire a love of reading, promoting reading is a central part of my daily work. I’ve learned that it’s not enough to simply promote individual books; we need to celebrate the joy and habit of reading itself across the whole school community. This has led me to implement a variety of initiatives—ranging from quick and easy activities to more complex and time-intensive projects—all aimed at one goal: encouraging just one more student to pick up one more book and read one more page. In this session, I will share the practical strategies and tools I’ve used to make reading a more engaging and accessible activity for all students.
10:10 AM - 10:40 AM
11:00 AM - 11:30 AM	The Language of Learning: Vocabulary, Literacy, and the Power of the Library Vocabulary is more than just word knowledge—it’s the foundation for deeper thinking, richer comprehension, and academic success across all learning areas. In this session, Trish explores how explicit vocabulary instruction, embedded in student-centred and inquiry-based learning, can significantly enhance reading comprehension and support disciplinary literacy in subjects such as science, health, and the humanities. Grounded in the work of Vygotsky, this session highlights the social nature of learning, and the importance of scaffolding is for student learning. Drawing on Halliday’s theory of language as a social semiotic, Trisha demonstrates how genre-based pedagogy and purposeful vocabulary instruction help students access, interpret, and produce increasingly complex texts. As a teacher librarian, Trisha showcases how libraries play a pivotal role in this process—curating rich, diverse resources; fostering collaborative planning; and creating literacy-rich environments that support vocabulary development across the curriculum. Through classroom evidence and resource-based strategies, attendees will gain practical tools and adaptable approaches to position vocabulary as a cornerstone of both literacy and learning.
11:30 AM - 12:00 PM	Reigniting Reading Through Student Choice and Teacher–Librarian Collaboration: Literature Circles and Socratic Seminars in a Global Issues Unit Engaging adolescents in reading is not just about fostering literacy, it is about igniting curiosity, critical thinking, and a lifelong love of learning. Adolescent reading engagement remains a key priority in contemporary education, and recent research highlights that when students are provided with voice, choice, and authentic opportunities to connect with texts and one another, their motivation and engagement increase. Literature circles and Socratic discussions are identified as effective strategies that promote deeper comprehension, critical thinking, and intrinsic motivation—key factors that underpin engaged reading and lifelong literacy development (Webber et al., 2023). By implementing these strategies, educators can foster a culture of curiosity and enjoyment while equipping students with the skills to think critically, communicate effectively, and take ownership of their learning.
12:00 PM - 12:30 PM	Reading Lounges and Sustained Reading After developing two reading lounges in the past 12 months, it can be seen how a change within a Library Space can alter the reading behaviour of students. Mr Sloth's Rainforest Reading Lounge for Year 3-6 and Sunny's Storyland for K3-Year 2 are examples of a new approach. Utilising Marketplace and a tight budget students are evolving into a new way of reading for pleasure in these spaces. Hear about new ideas within Junior and Senior School Libraries where sustained reading is the priority.
12:00 PM - 12:40 PM
2:00 PM - 2:30 PM	Avoiding the Single Story: Including Culturally Diverse Texts in our Libraries and Classrooms This workshop will focus on the importance of curating a library collection with diverse cultural resources. It will explore a range of culturally diverse texts, the reasons for including these texts, and the value this adds to school libraries and curriculum delivery. Throughout this workshop, participants will explore the research supporting the inclusion of culturally diverse texts. Practical examples will be given to support teachers and librarians to integrate these texts into the everyday classroom. A range of resources will be on display as examples and as a starting point for collection development.
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
2:30 PM - 3:10 PM

	Diverse Learners Symposium
9:10 AM - 9:40 AM	Nurturing the Mind of a 'Livewired' Child! What are the most important things we can do to nurture the development of children’s brains and minds and by association enhance learning experiences? Equally important, what might limit or hinder those opportunities? The first question has an extensive body of research to support it and this will be explored by looking at new understandings of how the brain grows and develops and how experiences shape a child’s life and future. The second question has an equally expansive corpus of research, and key elements of this are important considerations when it comes to raising and educating young minds. This presentation will unpack all of the key points noted above in a user-friendly and interactive way. The aim is to provide food for thought and strategies related to fostering environments that positively contribute to the mind of a ‘livewired’ child.
9:40 AM - 10:10 AM	Neuroinclusivity in Action: What It Feels Like to Learn with a Different Brain Every classroom includes students whose brains process, learn, and behave differently, yet many teachers still feel unsure how to recognise and respond to neurodiverse needs. In this powerful and practical session, Scott B Harris draws on 17 years of lived experience with a traumatic brain injury to give teachers a firsthand understanding of what neurodiversity feels like, and how to create classrooms where every learner can thrive. Combining evidence-based research (developed in collaboration with Professor John Hattie) and practical classroom strategies, this session takes participants through interactive simulations that mirror real neurodiverse experiences such as cognitive dysfunction, disorganisation, and sensory overwhelm. Teachers will walk away with a deeper understanding of executive functioning, simple adjustments that de-escalate behaviour, and classroom tools that make learning more inclusive, not just for neurodivergent students, but for all.
10:10 AM - 10:40 AM	Navigating Education with Adverse Childhood Experiences: A Dual Lens of Parent and Educator Children with adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), particularly those who have been in out of home care, face unique challenges in educational settings. This session, led by an educator and carer with lived experience of neurodivergent children impacted by trauma, will explore the profound impact of ACEs on learning, behaviour, and emotional regulation. Attendees will gain insights into the dual perspective of a parent and educator, with practical strategies to create trauma-informed, supportive environments that foster growth, safety, and resilience for all students.
11:00 AM - 11:30 AM
11:30 AM - 12:00 PM	Spotting Hidden Struggles and Creating Classrooms Where Students Don’t Have to Pretend Masking (when students hide their needs, distress, or differences in order to “fit in” at school) is one of the most overlooked challenges in education. These students often appear quiet, compliant, or high achieving, yet crash at home or in safe spaces. In this interactive session, we will unpack the hidden cost of masking and how educators can learn to spot the subtle red flags. Participants will leave with a clear understanding of how masking affects learning, how to respond compassionately when unmasking looks “messy,” and how to build classrooms where every student feels safe enough to be themselves.
12:00 PM - 12:30 PM
12:00 PM - 12:40 PM	Creating Buzz for All Learners: Inclusive STEM through Sustainability and Design Discover how to engage diverse learners in critical and creative thinking through authentic, real-world STEM challenges. This hands-on workshop immerses educators in the urgent issue of the Varroa destructor mite and the essential role of European Honey Bees in Australian agriculture and biodiversity. Grounded in Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and inclusive pedagogies, participants will explore adaptable strategies that differentiate learning and support students with a range of abilities and behaviours. The session will also demonstrate how Harvard University’s Project Zero thinking routines can extend classroom practice to deepen thinking and foster transferable skills. By connecting sustainability, agriculture, and STEM design processes, educators will leave equipped with practical tools to create inclusive, engaging, and thought-provoking STEM experiences that empower all learners to thrive.
2:00 PM - 2:30 PM
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM	Thriving Minds, Thriving Classrooms This session is designed to deepen the understanding of brain development, basic human needs, and the impact these have on behaviour and wellbeing. Using a trauma-informed lens, it highlights the importance of positive relationships and connecting habits to support student engagement and inclusion. We will explore links between brain development, behaviour and wellbeing. It examines strategies to understand behaviour and manage challenging behaviour in the classroom and school environment. We will practice connecting conversations (to unpack behavioral incidents) in small groups, developing co-created student led behaviour plans, profiling staff and student needs and how to use this information to build a needs satisfying classrooms for staff and students. Participants will gain valuable knowledge and understanding around brain development and emotional wellbeing in order to promote positive behaviour and maximum student engagement in an inclusive learning environment. You will leave with practical tools and strategies ready to use in the school environment because Thriving Minds lead to Thriving Classrooms where both staff and students are empowered to succeed.
2:30 PM - 3:10 PM

	Wellbeing for Future Focused Schools
9:10 AM - 9:40 AM	Boundaries That Protect: Sustainable Strategies for Teacher Wellbeing The demands of teaching can make it hard to switch off, protect time, and manage the emotional load that comes with supporting students every day. Without intentional strategies, stress and fatigue can quickly accumulate, leaving educators vulnerable to burnout. This session provides teachers with practical, evidence-based tools to manage workload, set healthy boundaries, and sustain their own wellbeing. Participants will explore ways to streamline workflow, protect time for recovery, and use simple reflective practices to reduce emotional fatigue. The session also highlights how to communicate and uphold boundaries in ways that strengthen relationships with colleagues, students, and families. Teachers will leave with a personalised toolkit for sustainable practice — strategies that help them protect their energy, manage stress proactively, and stay well so they can continue to do their best work with students.
9:40 AM - 10:10 AM	High Performing Teams Improve Staff Well-Being, which improves performance Andrew will share his knowledge of 6 Team Conditions of High Performing Teams and apply these conditions to school teams. Providing practical ideas as to how individual staff, in school teams, may work together to maximise their health, performance, diversity and sustainability, this session will be relevant to teachers and school leaders. Andrew will give participants a snapshot of three tools that maybe used to improve psychological safety and well-being (Team Diagnostic Survey; ERGO Analyst; PRAiSE (Psychological Risk Assessment integrated Solutions for Employers). These three tools give school leaders options to analyse the well-being of their staff (and themselves). By creating high performing teams that are a Circle of Trust, high performing teams will have interdependent individuals, working together for their mutual well-being.
10:10 AM - 10:40 AM
11:00 AM - 11:30 AM	Health & Wellbeing on the Menu: Explore QUT’s School Foodies Toolkit Discover QUT’s School Foodies Curriculum Planning Toolkit – an adaptable, research-based resource designed to enhance food and nutrition environments in primary schools. This free website helps teachers to: • Meaningfully integrate food and nutrition education across the curriculum • Save time with ready-to-use, curriculum-aligned planning tools • Engage students through real-world learning contexts • Promote student health, wellbeing, and a strong sense of belonging Co-designed with school leaders and educators, the toolkit will equip you with practical tools and resources to tailor food and nutrition education to your unique school communities.
11:30 AM - 12:00 PM	Empowered Educators: Building Emotional Regulation Through Self-Awareness Teachers are expected to frequently calm dysregulated students — often without foundational knowledge of how to regulate themselves during ongoing stress. This workshop invites educators to develop practical skills in self-awareness, learning to identify their own nervous system states and respond with empowered regulation. Grounded in neuroscience and compassionate practice, we’ll explore how teacher wellbeing directly shapes classroom tone, relational safety, and student engagement. Participants will leave with strategies that support not just the teacher role — but the whole human being behind it.
12:00 PM - 12:30 PM	How Good are School Gardens? School gardens are more than green spaces — they are living classrooms that nurture curiosity, wellbeing, and community. This session will explore how gardens foster student engagement, promote sustainability, and support equity by connecting curriculum with lived experience. Emma will highlight practical examples of how teachers integrate gardens into teaching practice, and discuss how these spaces contribute to whole-school wellbeing — a contribution recognised when she was named a finalist in the 2024 Queensland Wellbeing Awards. Participants will leave with a deeper understanding of how to harness school gardens as powerful tools for learning and inclusion, and with practical strategies for advocating for garden-based initiatives in their own contexts.
12:00 PM - 12:40 PM
2:00 PM - 2:30 PM	Creating a Culture of Care and Psychological Safety in Schools We will explore how supporting teacher wellbeing enhances schools’ capacity to respond to student anxiety, trauma, and mental health challenges. Drawing on research, a staff wellbeing committee, and the WaND initiative, we will share practical strategies to build psychological safety, reduce emotional fatigue, and foster collegial trust. Participants will engage in a collaborative problem-solving activity and contribute to a Teacher Wellbeing Padlet, generating an ongoing repository of ideas. Practical guidance from active school engagement, recognition practices, and promotion of EAP resources ensures attendees leave with actionable tools to embed a culture of care for staff and students.
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
2:30 PM - 3:10 PM	Wellbeing and Emotional Intelligence in a Virtual World How do students develop emotional intelligence skills if they don't see each other face-to-face? Hear from the Head of the Virtual Learning Community about how an online Prep to 12 school can create a sense of wellbeing, belonging and social connections - for students and teachers.