Breakout Sessions

Presenters: Dr Tom Brunzell (University of Melbourne)

Description: Today’s secondary students are contending with more distraction than ever. While we can understand the complex reasons why this is so, visionary school leaders are ensuring that both instructional and non-instructional staff are learning and enacting self-regulatory strategies that can make a positive difference to promote focus and on-task learning. In this masterclass, Dr Tom Brunzell from Berry Street will share new research and strategies you can immediately enact within your campus towards a consistent, whole-school approach which empowers students to meet their needs when learning in proactive ways.

Presenters: Dr Chris Dolan (University of South Australia)

Description: This session works from a summary of findings in the 2023-2024 SASPA-sponsored research project ‘Illuminating Principal Practice’. It aims to develop key connections between effective leadership and research findings about the importance of school context, different ways of leading, factors affecting job satisfaction and possibilities for reconceptualising school leadership. While input will be oriented to the broader conference theme about the pairing of equity and excellence, significant time will also be allocated to discussion and interaction that taps into the range of perspectives amongst participants on the practices of leadership.

Presenters: Brodie Cheeseman, Ruby Wilson, Isaya McKenzie, Muriel O’Loughlin & Phil Harrison (Mark Oliphant College)

Description: In this engaging breakout session, participants will delve into the essential strategies needed to cultivate a culturally safe and relevant school community for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander students and families. Recognizing the significance of context in achieving equitable excellence, we will explore a holistic approach encompassing environment, classroom practices, pedagogical approaches, and community engagement.
Through interactive discussions and practical examples, attendees will gain insights into fostering inclusivity and honouring diverse perspectives within educational settings. From embedding Indigenous knowledge into curriculum design to fostering authentic partnerships with local communities, this session equips educators with actionable tools to create environments where all learners thrive. Join us as we embark on a journey towards cultural relevance, fostering meaningful connections and paving the way for inclusive education for all.

Presenters: Dr Tom Brunzell (University of Melbourne)

Description: Today’s secondary students are contending with more distraction than ever. While we can understand the complex reasons why this is so, visionary school leaders are ensuring that both instructional and non-instructional staff are learning and enacting self-regulatory strategies that can make a positive difference to promote focus and on-task learning. In this masterclass, Dr Tom Brunzell from Berry Street will share new research and strategies you can immediately enact within your campus towards a consistent, whole-school approach which empowers students to meet their needs when learning in proactive ways.

Presenters: Professor Scott Eacott (University of New South Wales)

Description: Inequities are baked into Australian school systems. Proposals to overcome them fail to attract sufficient political will to be enacted. But what of the school level? If you honestly reflect on your own school, can you declare that students achieve equitable excellence? Just as importantly, how do you know? What data and evidence do you have to state whether you have equitable outcomes across cohorts while simultaneously maintaining and aspiring to high standards of performance?
More than just a rhetorical game, equitable excellence is not something achieved by chance. It takes deliberate action, processes for monitoring, and building in ways of celebrating, supporting, and sharing experiences and outcomes. This workshop will get you thinking about equity and excellence in your school, what you know, and what you do not. The intended goal is to help you chart a path to embedding the pursuit of equitable excellence in your day-to-day practice.

Presenters: Cez Green, Connie Priolo, Jack Cunningham & Briony Steele (Adelaide High School)

Description: Over the past four years, Adelaide High School has embarked on a whole school literacy journey driven by a commitment to improvement. Initial data collection and analysis revealed a critical need for change, prompting the development of strategic priorities that connect professional learning directly to classroom practice. This session will provide participants with the opportunity to hear about the transformational changes in teaching and learning, the implementation of whole school intervention and the positive outcomes, including a shift in data. This strategic approach has not only enhanced literacy outcomes but also strengthened our culture for continuous improvement.

Presenters: Data4Impact facilitator team

Description: A lever for strategic school improvement is the use of data to evidence and impact learning outcomes. Join us for a panel discussion of how we have approached the strategic collection, analysis and communication of data. Learn how we have used tools such as PowerBi and Daymap to deeply understand our learners, support targeted teaching strategies and inform decision-making.

This session will challenge you to consider how you are using data to analyse, interpret, and act on data to drive meaningful change and improvement in your context.

Presenters: Panel of school leaders.

Description: Panel members will outline how their future focused approach to schooling is supporting students to learn and thrive through enabling different experiences of schooling.

Presenters: Alex Dickinson (Department for Education)

Description: Understanding and applying person centred change leadership is becoming increasing important across the global to not only support our employees to adjust to our evolving landscape but to flex our practices to engage learners and build wellbeing.

To achieve our ambitions in the Department, change leadership through a person-centred lens enables leaders to consider their engagement practices, communication approach and site collaboration within their site context and their specific change.  Using real life examples, Alex will share practical techniques she has adopted across her change career, and how to put your staff at the heart of any change process.