• The Age Schools Summit

    Disruption, resilience and new possibilities

    11 June 2025 |  The Rendezvous Hotel, Melbourne

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    Overview

    The Age Schools Summit 2025 – The premier event returns to Melbourne this 3rd June.

    Shaping the Future of Education in Victoria

    Join leading educators, policymakers, and thought leaders at The Age Schools Summit 2025, where we tackle the most pressing challenges and opportunities in Victoria’s education landscape.

    Through insightful keynotes, expert panels, and dynamic discussions, this summit provides a platform to unite Australia’s top educators and explore innovative solutions, policy updates, and evidence-backed approaches to enhance student outcomes.

    Why Attend?

    ✔ Gain exclusive insights from top education leaders
    ✔ Engage in forward-thinking discussions on curriculum, technology, and student wellbeing
    ✔ Network with key decision-makers and peers shaping Victoria’s education sector

    Register your interest to be amongst the first to receive early bird discounts, speaker announcements and the official agenda release!

    2024 Sponsors

    Gold and Networking Mixer Sponsor

    Speakers


    The Hon Ben Carroll MP
    Deputy Premier and Minister for Education


    David Howes
    Acting CEO, Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority


    Dr Edward Simons
    Executive Director, Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools


    A/Prof Lisa McKay Brown
    Associate Dean Diversity and Inclusion, Faculty of Education, The University of Melbourne


    Bronwyn Ryrie Jones
    Director, Bronwyn Ryrie Jones


    Sarah Asome
    Principal, Bentleigh West Primary School


    Chloe Painter
    Deputy Principal, St Roberts Primary School


    Dr Tim McDonald
    CEO, the Y WA; Subject Matter Expert, The Engaged Classroom Initiative, AERO


    Charlotte Peverett
    Head of Teaching and Learning and Inclusion Outreach Coach, Lake Colac School


    Penny Wade
    Junior School English Coordinator, MLC


    Karina Stocker
    Learning Specialist and Instructional Coach, Docklands Primary School


    Sonia Loudon
    Assistant Principal for Excellence in Teaching and Learning, Elevation Secondary School


    Dr Ben Jensen
    CEO, Learning First


    Katie Roberts-Hull
    CEO, Think Forward Educators


    Justin Roberts
    ReLate National Program Director, The Mackillop Institute


    Shane Elevato
    Principal, Surf Coast Secondary College

    Agenda | Thursday 13 June 2024

    All times are in Australian Eastern Daylight Time (AEDT)

    7:50

    Registration and Morning Coffee

    8:20

    Welcome | Welcome remarks from the Conference Chair

    Robyn Grace, Education Editor, The AGE

    8:25

    Opening Remarks from the Deputy Editor

    Matthew Dunckley, Deputy Editor, The Age

    THE FUTURE OF SCHOOLING IN VICTORIA

    8:30

    Keynote Ministerial Address and Fireside chat |

    The Hon Ben Carroll MP, Deputy Premier and Minister for Education

    9:00

    Departmental Address |

    Dr David Howes, Deputy Secretary, Schools and Regional Services, Department of Education

    9:30

    Panel Discussion | Principals’ Panel – Addressing the key challenges in running a school today.             

    • Addressing teacher supply issues
    • Are we expecting too much of teachers?
    • Adapting to the new curriculum and a changing world
    • Engagement, Wellbeing, and behavioural management issues

    Kimberley Tempest, Principal, Cobram Secondary College
    Damian McKew, Foundation Principal, Iona College Geelong
    Dr Toni Meath, Principal, Melbourne Girls Grammar School
    Moderated by Alex Crowe, Reporter, The Age

    10:00

    Keynote address | The pathway to a better and fairer education system

    • The recommendations of the National Schools Reform Agreement to inform a better and fairer education system.
    • How evidence-based approaches can help drive genuine and sustained improvement in student outcomes.
    • The need for a systemic approach to offer tiered and targeted support for complex needs students and those who are falling behind.
    • The most effective use of money to deliver the improvements needed in critical areas such as learning, equity, teacher workforce and wellbeing.

    Dr Lisa O’Brien AM, Chair, Expert Panel to Inform a Better and Fairer Education System; Chair, Australian Education Research Organisation

    10:30

    Morning tea

    CURRICULUM REFORM AND PLANNING

    11:00

    Curriculum design & implementation in schools

    • Curriculum that improves outcomes
    • Research and international best-practice
    • Translating research into tangible improvement steps
    • Decision-making & actions in schools
    • Common difficulties in schools

    Ben Jensen, CEO, Learning First

    11:20

    Panel Discussion | Curriculum management in practice

    • Whole of school or one subject at a time?
    • Implementation war stories
    • Challenges faced. Hurdles overcome.
    • Achieving buy-in from teachers, students, and parents
    • Results to date. Future plans

    Nick Rose, Founder and Chair, Curriculum Writers Association Australia
    Shauna-Maree Sykes, General Manager Improved Learning Outcomes, Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools
    Robert Boucher, Principal, Swifts Creek P-12
    Hayley Dureau, Assistant Principal, Mentone Girls’ Secondary College
    Moderated by Ben Jensen, CEO, Learning First

    EVIDENCE-BASED TEACHING

    11:50

    The science of teaching

    • A brief introduction to cognitive load theory
    • Explicit teaching and the enquiring mind
    • Implementing the science of learning

    Trisha Jha, Research Fellow, The Centre for Independent Studies

    12:10

    Panel Discussion | Whole-school shifts to evidence-based teaching

    • Impact on student learning from using evidence-based practices /Explicit teaching models in different school contexts.
    • Applying cognitive load theory to practice
    • Leading change through complexity and building teacher knowledge.
    • Lessons learnt on the EBT trail.

    Katie Roberts-Hull, CEO, Think Forward Educators
    Lachlan Yeates, Principal, Cranbourne Primary School
    Kitty Hancock, Principal, St Mary’s Primary School, Myrtleford
    Kathryn D’Elia, Director of Learning, Goulburn Valley Grammar School
    Moderated by Robyn Grace, Education Editor, The Age

    GENERATIVE AI IN LEARNING AND TEACHING

    12:40

    Empowering Educators: Leveraging Innovations for Classroom Enhancement

    • Uncover the transformative potential of recent advancements in generative AI and technology, paving the way for highly personalised, inclusive and future-oriented educational experiences.
    • How the implementation of an AI strategy can streamline educational processes, optimise resource allocation, and empower educators to have a profound and lasting impact on student success.
    • See how Toddle AI 2.0 is tailored for school leaders to effectively leverage AI, liberating teachers from administrative burdens and allowing them to focus wholeheartedly on their core mission of teaching.
    • Experience firsthand a state-of-the-art communication platform powered by artificial intelligence.
    • Dive deep into the evolution of assessment methods seamlessly woven into everyday classroom routines.

    Nick Morgan, Regional Director, Toddle ANZ

    1:00

    Lunch

    SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT

    2:00

    The case for trialling multi-school organisations in Victoria

    • How effective multi school organisations (MSOs) work in England and New York
    • How MSOs can provide greater support to Principals and teachers and boost student outcomes
    • The broader benefits MSOs bring to the system.

    Dr Jordana Hunter, Education Program Director, Grattan Institute

    2:20

    Panel Discussion| School improvement and turnaround

    • What were we trying to address and how did we go about it?
    • Generating teacher, student, and parent buy-in
    • What we learnt along the way
    • Plans to maintain this success and for further elevation.

    Elaine Hazim, Principal, Victoria University Secondary College
    Jacquie Burrows, Principal, Churchill Primary School
    Dan Steele, Former Assistant Principal, Aldercourt Primary School
    Moderated by Dr Jordana Hunter, Education Program Director, Grattan Institute

    2:50

    Afternoon Tea

    BEHAVIOURAL MANAGEMENT

    3:10

    Evidence-based strategies for engaged classrooms.

    • Maximising students’ on-task learning time and minimising disengagement and disruptive behaviour
    • Fostering a positive classroom culture
    • Nurturing teacher-student relationships for a safe learning environment
    • Adopting a whole school approach and supporting individual needs

    Dr Jenny Donovan, CEO, Australian Education Research Organisation

    3:30

    Panel Discussion| Behavioural Management

    • Paths to calm, orderly classrooms
    • The link between successful classroom management, effective wellbeing, and attainment
    • Inclusivity and the future of special schools
    • Teacher safety and wellbeing

    Lisa Holt, Principal, Rosebud Secondary College
    Robert Pyers, Executive Principal – Project Manager, School Performance Division, Department of Education
    Dr Mark Merry, Principal, Yarra Valley Grammar School
    Moderated by Robyn Grace, Education Editor, The Age

    4:00

    Closing remarks and networking mixer hosted by Toddle

    Pricing

    Early bird rate expires 16 May 20245

    Packages Early Bird Rate Full Rate
    FACE TO FACE – Schools/Govt/NFP Rate $895 + GST $995 + GST
    FACE TO FACE – Supplier Rate $1,995 + GST $2,295 + GST
    VIRTUAL PASS $795 + GST $887 + GST

    Past Event Photos

    The AGE Schools Summit 2023

    Sponsorship & Exhibition

    The Age Schools Schools Summit brings together Australia’s education sector to network and learn. Our event attracts the decision-makers in schools, associations and government, and we place a great emphasis on providing our sponsors and exhibitors with a highly targeted, quality audience.

    Event sponsorship or exhibiting will allow your organisation to:

    • Generate leads from a high-level, targeted audience
    • Close sales in a more personal manner than via phone
    • Build relationships with potential & existing clients
    • Demonstrate your product in person
    • Network with the industry extensively in our pre-event marketing campaign

    This year presents a unique opportunity to connect with buyers and sector leadership both face-to-face and virtually

    Form meaningful connections, generate quality leads and build brand awareness at the premier meeting place for VIC’s education sector.

    Testimonial

    A great opportunity to discuss policy changes and the rationale for policy change in Victorian schools with other like-minded school leaders – 2024 Past delegate

    It was a privilege and honor to present at the AGE School Summit. I was particularly impressed with the range of speakers and their ability to learn best practices occurring in schools. It was also interesting to hear from various speakers about how they are grappling with related topics and how each speaker is addressing the concerns of their individual situations – creating the opportunity to gain better insight from other’s perspectives.

    An aspiration of mine is to improve the authentic connection between policymakers, University, current teachers and researchers to improve educational outcomes and reduce stress in schools – The AGE School summit is attempting to make this a reality.

    ConnectMe

    ConnectMe • Networking enhanced

    All of our events utilise a bespoke dynamic smartphone app, ConnectMe – which guarantees attendees a premium event experience. Logins are sent prior to the conference commencement allowing you to check who’s attending, schedule in meetings and catch ups, participate in live Q+A and interactive polls, and much more. ConnectMe ensures you never miss a beat prior, during and post event.

    Sustainability

    Our Commitment to Sustainability

    In Australia, we are committed to running our events in an environmentally and socially responsible way. Across Informa Connect we are focusing on the short and long-term sustainability impacts we have on customers and colleagues alongside the communities we work in.

    We recognise that it’s not just about the way we produce our events and products but recognising that we have a role to play in providing a space to work in partnership together with our markets to inspire the sustainable development of the industries we serve.

    To read more on our latest sustainability reports and Faster Forward initiatives – click here.

    Venue

    Rendezvous Hotel Melbourne
    328 Flinders St
    Melbourne VIC 3000
    +61 (03) 9250 1888

    Contact Us

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    Sponsorship & Exhibition Opportunities
    Andrew Sinkovich
    +61 2 9080 4008
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    Speaking Enquiries
    Keith Barks
    0412 642 124
    Keith.Barks@informa.com.au
    Marketing & Media Enquiries
    Libbie Sinclair
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