Agenda | Thursday 23rd March 2023

All times are in Australian Eastern Daylight Time (AEDT)

7:45

Registration and Morning Coffee

8:20

OPENING | Opening remarks from the Editor

Patrick Elligett, Editor, The Age

8:30

MINISTERIAL ADDRESS

The Hon Natalie Hutchins MP, Minister for Education and Women, Victoria State Government
Moderator: Mathew Dunckley, Deputy Editor, The Age

8:50

SECRETARIAL ADDRESS

Jenny Atta, Secretary, Department of Education Victoria
Moderator: Adam Carey, Education Editor, The Age

9:10

PANEL | Sector reflection and response

Meredith Peace, Branch President, Australian Education Union Victoria
Derek Scott, CEO and Principal, Haileybury
Dr Matthew Bach MP, Shadow Minister for Education, Victoria State Government
Professor Joanna Barbousas, Dean of Education, La Trobe University
Moderator: Adam Carey, Education Editor, The Age

9:40

PANEL | Addressing staffing supply challenges

Joanne Camozzato, Principal, Edgars Creek Secondary College
Andrew Dalgleish, President, Victoria Principals Association
Andrea Del Monaco, Deputy Secretary, Schools Workforce Group, The Department of Education Victoria
David Brear, Deputy Secretary, Independent Education Union Victoria Tasmania
Moderator: Madeleine Heffernan, Education Reporter, The Age

10:10

Networking and refreshment break

10:40

PANEL | Restoring a school’s reputation

• Addressing low attendance and student behaviour
• Enhancing student engagement
• Improving community perceptions

Wayne Haworth, Principal, Hampton Park Secondary College
Dr Lisa Vinnicombe, Executive Principal, John Fawkner College
Gail Major, Executive Principal, Scoresby Secondary College
Andrew Schneider, Principal, Mahogany Rise Primary School
Moderator: Adam Carey, Education Editor, The Age

11:10

PANEL | Teacher education

• Attracting new teachers to the profession
• Ensuring those who enrol stay to complete their qualifications
• Equipping new teachers with the skills for tomorrow

Professor Pamela Snow, Professor of Cognitive Psychology, School of Education, La Trobe University
Professor Jim Watterston, Dean, Melbourne Graduate School of Education
Dr Marcia Devlin, Chief Executive Officer, Victorian Academy of Teaching and Leadership
Moderator: Madeleine Heffernan, Education Reporter, The Age

11:40

PANEL | Teaching writing – in need of an overhaul?

• Addressing the decline in writing skills
• Direct instruction vs student-led learning
• Prioritising Primary-level skills as the foundation for future academic success

Dr Jenny Donovan, CEO, Australian Education Research Organisation
Dr Lucinda McKnight, ARC DECRA Fellow, Deakin University
Margaret Vingerhoets, Team Leader Literacy, Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools
Moderator: Adam Carey, Education Editor, The Age

12:10

PANEL | Curriculum planning  

• Implementing new curriculums
• Lesson planning approaches
• Improving student outcomes

Dr Jordana Hunter, Education Program Director, Grattan Institute
Sharon Foster, Executive Director of Curriculum, Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting
Authority (ACARA)
Annabelle Marinelli, Deputy Principal, Learning and Teaching Leader, Trinity Primary School, Richmond
Stephen Gniel, Chief Executive Officer, Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority
Moderator: Reid Smith, Teacher, Curriculum, and Instructional Design

12:40

Lunch and networking break

13:40

PANEL | Successfully integrating Senior Secondary Schooling Pathways

• Key challenges to introducing the VCE Vocational Major
• Improving access to VET courses
• Supporting School-Based Apprenticeships and Traineeships

Scott Widmer, Assistant Deputy Secretary, Senior Secondary Pathways Reform Taskforce, The Department of Education Victoria
Ashley Beeby, Diesel Mechanic and Victorian VET Champion
Meagan Cook, Principal, Cranbourne East Secondary College
Rebecca Ballan, Manager – VCE VM and VPC, Box Hill Institute
Moderator: Craig Butt, National Data Editor, The Age

14:10

PANEL | The future of the classroom

• New schools
• Future-proof classroom design
• Enhancing student learning

Jess Trinder, Asset Management and Strategy, Victorian School Building Authority
Alisha Campbell, Principal, Barrawang Primary School
Wesley Imms, PhD., Associate Professor, Melbourne Graduate School of Education, University of Melbourne
Steven Cook, Principal, Albert Park College
Moderator: Madeleine Heffernan, Education Reporter, The Age

14:40

Teacher safety

According to the findings of the 2022 Monash University Teachers’ Perceptions of their Work Survey, 24.5% of teacher reported they did not feel safe at work. Of the reasons cited, student behaviour, parent abuse and poor relationships with colleagues were the primary reasons. As the teacher shortage continues, gain insights to the path forward.

Dr Fiona Longmuir, School of Education, Culture & Society, Monash University
Moderator: Adam Carey, Education Editor, The Age

15:00

Networking and refreshment break

15:30

PANEL | Managing workplace safety

Addressing negative workplace experiences whether it be poor student behaviour or parent, and colleague interactions.

Helen Quiney, Employee Health, Safety and Wellbeing, The Department of Education Victoria
Yvonne Harvey, Principal, Heathdale Christian College (Primary, Werribee) 
Peter Langham, Principal, Monterey Secondary College
Moderator: Adam Carey, Education Editor, The Age

16:00

Student voice

Hear from representatives of the Victorian Student Representative Council on how teachers can support students work toward the priority advocacy areas of 2023.

Moderator: Madeleine Heffernan, Education Reporter, The Age

16:30

PANEL | Inclusive Education Policies

• The practical lens – what does inclusion mean for schools?
• Structuring schools to be more inclusive – the challenges and how to overcome them
• School-wide positive behaviour support.
• Ensuring all staff members have the capacity to help all students

Sharon Barry, Executive Director, Inclusive Education, The Department of Education Victoria
Brendan Kenna, Assistant Principal, Wilmot Road Primary School
Meg Parker, Principal, Clifton Springs Primary School
Dr Kate de Bruin, Senior Lecturer Inclusive Education, Monash University
Amanda Purcell, Principal, St Mary’s College for the deaf
Moderator: Nicole Precel, Education Reporter, The Age

17:00

Closing remarks

Adam Carey, Education Editor, The Age

17:10

End of Conference and Networking Drinks