08:20

OPENING | Opening remarks from the Chair

Adam Carey, Education Editor, The Age

08:25

Welcome message from the Editor of The Age

Gay Alcorn, Editor, The Age

08:30

MINISTERIAL ADDRESS

The Hon James Merlino MP, Acting Premier, Minister for Education and Minister for Mental Health, Victoria

COVID AND EDUCATIONAL CONTINUITY

09:00

CASE STUDY | The 2021 Victorian Tutor Learning Initiative

• The Victorian Tutor Learning Initiative is a government response to remote learning in Terms 2 and 3 in 2020, recruiting approximately 4100 tutors to support students
• A cog in the wheel of excellence in differentiated practice
• A rapidly implemented, co-designed initiative in order to meet specific learning needs after 16 weeks of remote learning,

Karen Money, Director, Tutor Learning Initiative, Department of Education and Training and Substantive Principal, Melbourne Girls’ College

09:20

PANEL | The impact of extended period of remote learning

• Quantifying lost learning and the impact of closures and disruption on students
• How can schools, teachers and students make up for this equitably?
• Why did some students thrive while others struggled, and what lessons can we extrapolate?
• What aspects of remote learning will stay?
• The 2021 Victorian Tutor Learning Initiative: early assessment of roll-out, differentiated practice and longer-term implications

Panellists
Donna Wright, Principal, Bandiana Primary School
Jenny Atta, Secretary, Department of Education and Training
Aakriti Malhotra, VicSRC Student Executive Advisory Committee member, Suzanne Cory High School
Brendan J Watson OAM, Principal, Catholic Regional College Sydenham
Year 10 Student
Moderator: Michael Bachelard, Deputy Editor, The Age

THE FUTURE OF EDUCATION

10:00

KEYNOTE | Explore, evolve, transform… the future of education

Holding strong to the belief that educational change comes from finding the green shoots of innovation, sharing experiences, and collaborating to amplify the impact of initiatives, this Keynote takes you on a journey, a voyage around the world, an adventure. Jen’s courage to immerse herself into different cultures, take on the challenges and learn from the experience brings a fresh view to the discussion on the future of education. Each new environment offering a new perspective, new way of seeing the world, new way of learning. Walk away with a new appreciation for different cultures, an excitement for the future of education and a renewed passion for our young people.

Jen Buchanan, Convenor, Future Schools Alliance

10:20

PANEL | School performance and improving educational outcomes

• What are the proven ways of improving school performance, academically and in other important areas?
• What should we be measuring when we talk about educational outcomes?
• A look what works: direct instruction, school-level planning and differentiated teaching
• Improving school attendance and educational outcomes for vulnerable youth
• Should we be approaching assessment differently? How so, and why are these approaches better?
• How can we better integrate community, family and cross-curricular interaction?

Panellists
Professor John Hattie, Emeritus Laureate Professor, University of Melbourne
Greg Ashman, Senior Teacher, Ballarat Clarendon College and Author, The Power of Explicit Teaching and Direct Instruction
Shan Christensen, Deputy Principal, Huntingtower School
Andrew McConchie, Assistant Principal, Geelong High School and Former Director of Literacy, Mordialloc College
Moderator: Adam Carey, Education Editor, The Age

10:55

Networking and refreshment break

EMPOWERING OUR TEACHERS

11:25

PANEL | Progressing the profession: skilling teachers, wellbeing and enabling leadership

• What are the key pressures and challenges for teachers in the next 10 years?
• Are current professional networks and pathways supporting teachers and equipping them with the skills to thrive?
• Preventing teacher burnout and improving staff wellbeing through reduced workloads
• Strengthening the initial teacher education accreditation system
• Pathways, programs and networks to build individual and collective expertise, and overall leadership capacity
• Practical examples of how principals and staff can support each other
• Collaboration between principals and examples of what is happening behind the scenes

Panellists
Lorna Beegan, Deputy Principal: Learning and Teaching, Genazzano FCJ College
Mark Grant, CEO, AITSL
Tina King, Principal, Watsonia North Primary School and Acting President, Australian Principals Federation
Meredith Peace, Branch President, Australian Education Union Victoria (AEU Victoria)
Moderator: Anna Prytz, Education Reporter, The Age

12:00

Teacher time: a precious resource

• Teachers roles have become more complex and over-burdened
• We must make better use of teacher time
• Grattan Institute seeks your input in this session to influence change

Jordana Hunter, Program Director, School Education, Grattan Institute

12:20

MINISTERIAL ADDRESS

The Hon Alan Tudge MP, Minister for Education and Youth
Moderated by: Adam Carey, Education Editor, The Age

12:35

PISA for Schools

David Caspari, Chief Executive Officer, Janison
Sara Ratner, Group Executive – OECD PISA for Schools, Janison

12:40

Lunch and networking break sponsored by Janison

SKILLING OUR STUDENTS

13:40

The How Work Works Report

Youth-led research into jobs in growing industries, how to get them, and how governments can help.

Emma Linton, Student and Research Intern, How Work Works report
Grace Hosking, Student and Research Intern, How Work Works report

13:45

PANEL | Beyond ATAR: Pathways after school

• Is the education system enabling students to become job-ready upon graduation?
• What skills do employers, and society value, and how should we be measuring them?
• Exploring alternative methods to the ATAR, based on new research for post-school pathways such as Learner Profiles, Big Picture Schools and micro-credentialing
• Unscored VCE and entry into university without an ATAR, and pathways for students who choose not to go to university
• Best practice for schools to develop strong relationships with industry

Panellists
Trent McCarthy, Chair, Victorian Local Learning and Employment Network
Nick Try, Campus Principal, Latrobe Valley Flexible Learning Option (LV FLO)
Professor Sandra Milligan, Enterprise Professor and Director Assessment Research Centre, University of Melbourne
Peter Ellis, Principal, Templestowe College
Moderator: Anna Prytz, Education Reporter, The Age

CULTURAL COMPETENCY IN ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLAND EDUCATION

14:20

CASE STUDY | Language, culture and community

Leon Bell, Principal, Thornbury Primary School

CURRICULUM CHANGES

14:40

PANEL | VCAL and VCE integration

• How will the VCAL and VCE merge, which is commencing in 2023, work in practise?
• How can schools prepare, particularly schools that have never offered applied learning before?

Panellists
Helene Rooks, Chief Executive, Victorian Applied Learning Association
Stephen Gniel, Chief Executive Officer, Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority
Jane Davey, Principal, Prace College
Linda Maxwell, Principal Keilor Downs College
Moderator: Adam Carey, Education Editor, The Age

15:15

The new Australian Curriculum

• Overview from ACARA of the proposed changes to the Australian Curriculum
• The consultation window commencing 29 April and the importance of stakeholder feedback

David de Carvalho, CEO, ACARA

15:30

Networking and refreshment break

SCHOOL MANAGEMENT

16:00

CASE STUDY | Innovative approaches to timetabling and staffing

• Reviewing timetable structures to support school improvement
• Maintaining well-being culture whilst engaging with academic emphasis

Marianne Lee, Principal, Koonung Secondary College

WELLBEING

16:20

CASE STUDY | Wellbeing at Mooroopna Park Primary School

• How we developed and implemented an extensive, award-winning Wellbeing Program including a Koorie Education Support Officer, oral language program, paediatric clinic, healthy food program and more
• Providing support for students as well as their families and simultaneously developing strong community relationships
• Creating a village effect where students and families feel safe and supported

Hayden Beaton, Principal, Mooroopna Park Primary School

TECHNOLOGY IN SCHOOLS

16:40

CASE STUDY | Effective implementation of Digital Technologies

• Creative approaches to digital technologies in primary schools across urban, rural and remote settings
• Innovative ways to implement the curriculum with limited resources, by utilising and connecting with the local context and community

Kim Vernon, Curriculum Specialist Digital Technologies, ACARA

17:00

PANEL | Best practice for technology in schools

• Access and equity in technology
• What are the true educational benefits of technology such as iPads in the classroom, particularly at younger year levels?
• What is the right balance and how can schools achieve it?
• How are teacher using technology to create, make and innovate?
• Healthy habits – Impact on wellbeing, social interactions, relationships and mental health
• Impact on cognition, especially handwriting and memory
• The blurred lines between entertainment and education
• Engaging parents in the conversation
• Addressing the shortage of technology teachers in schools

Panellists
Monique Dalli, Director of Professional Learning, Caroline Chisholm Catholic College and President, DATTA (Design and Technology Teachers Association)
Gail McHardy, Executive Officer, Parents Victoria
Rebecca Cody, Principal, Geelong Grammar
Grenville Green, Deputy Principal (Junior School), Haileybury
Moderator: Madeleine Heffernan, Education Reporter, The Age

17:35

CLOSING | Closing remarks from the Chair

Adam Carey, Education Editor, The Age

17:40

END OF SUMMIT

27 April 2021

All attendees for The Age Schools Summit will need to access the MCEC through 2 Clarendon Street. Delegates will need to provide to MCEC staff proof of their attendance to the event – by showing their confirmation letter or confirmation email at the time of entering the building.

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