Build your knowledge with 2 days of interactive Free Seminars held at the Knowledge Centre, for teachers delivered by experts in teaching and learning.

Attend as many of the free seminars in the Knowledge Centre as you like and collect valuable professional development hours as you go. Register to Visit the Free Expo and choose the Seminars you would like to attend. Get in early as places are limited. Discover more FREE PD Sessions as part of Classroom of the Future

9:15 - 9:45am

Speaker: Jarrod Pye, Workplace Engagement Manager, Aware Super

Top Super Tips for Teachers

Join Jarrod Pye, Aware's super experienced, super professional for top tips on:

• Starting your teaching role, the impact of study and travel breaks, setting up protection for the unexpected

• Good financial health - saving and managing debt (including HECS/HELP) 

• Super - ways to grow your super, easy ways to contribute, saving for your first home with super

Case studies and resources will be included.

10:00 – 10:30am

Speaker: Mark Dowley, Associate Head of the Crowther Centre for Applied Educational Research

Key tools and routines for classroom management success

Perhaps the biggest factor influencing teacher wellbeing and student learning is whether students are calm, focused, and attentive in the classroom. Despite this, most teachers feel that their teacher training allocated far too little time to the fundamental principles and practical strategies that form the foundation of effective classroom management. In this session, Mark Dowley will address this shortfall by revealing key principles and routines that will set you up for classroom management success.

10:45 – 11:15am

Speaker: Dan Brown, Principal and Richie McCann, Deputy Principal, Saints College - BlendED

Delivering an inclusive online school

BlendED have crafted and implemented a visionary approach to delivering online learning grounded in the principles of wrap-around support, inclusivity, and accessible pathways to success for students facing complex social, emotional, and academic challenges. Dan and Richie will share BlendED’s approach to delivering a truly inclusive online school, their strategy for delivering comprehensive support, and the tailored learning experiences designed to engage both students and teachers. Their commitment to creating a flexible, student-centred learning environment is reshaping online education and providing life-changing opportunities for young people who need it most.

11:45am – 12:15pm

Speaker: Kerri Buttery, Founder, Digital Literacy Licence

Exploring the impact of AI and Digital Literacy on Education

Teaching digital literacy is different from teaching digital skills, which has traditionally received more focus. However, the rise of generative artificial intelligence has made it essential for educators to enhance digital literacy among young people, preparing them to navigate the future digital landscape. Join us as we explore strategies for emphasising key areas such as AI and media literacy. We will also share practical resources and ideas that you can implement in the classroom.

1:45 – 2:15pm

Speaker: Peter Buckingham, Managing Director, Spectrum Analysis

Strategic Planning for Schools - Hope is not a Strategy!

We invite senior administrative staff responsible for the long-term future of their school to collaborate during this session. Whether you are the Principal, Business Manager, Advancement Manager, Enrollments Manager, on the Board or any other senior executive, you will learn a great deal about what information is available and how to access it for better business decisions at your school. Most schools have a Strategic Plan, and this session is to explain the information that is available for you to have a data-based plan to assist your school in making good long-term decisions.

2:30 - 3:00pm

Speaker: Jeremy Weinstein, Senior Consultant, NoTosh

Designing Spaces for Growth: Creating Classrooms that Cultivate Meta skills

How can the design of a classroom unlock students’ potential and foster the skills they need to thrive? In this inspiring session, you’ll explore how thoughtfully designed spaces can shape learner attitudes like creativity, resilience, and critical thinking. By focusing on key meta skills, you’ll discover how to create learning environments that truly support growth, engagement, and success.

Together, we’ll reimagine classrooms as even more dynamic spaces that encourage students to develop the skills they need for the future and reflect on the practical elements that bring these ideas to life.

3:15 - 3:45pm

Speaker: Dr Justine Grogan, Senior Advisor - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education, and Sian Petricevich, Senior Policy and Project Officer, Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL)

Moving across the Indigenous Cultural Responsiveness continuum in Teacher Education

In this session, participants will delve into the significance of cultural responsiveness in education, exploring practical strategies to integrate these practices into their teaching. Participants will be introduced to a comprehensive toolkit designed to enhance cultural responsiveness, promote self-reflection, and create supportive, culturally safe environments, particularly for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and staff. By the end of this session, attendees will feel inspired and motivated to actively contribute to fostering cultural safety in Australian schools and beyond, recognising the critical importance of inclusivity and diversity in education.

10:00 - 10:30am

Speaker: Peta Simpson, eSmart Engagement Manager, Alannah & Madeline Foundation

What is positive digital citizenship and how can we build it in our classrooms?

After developing an understanding of what digital citizenship looks like for schools, the eSmart team will share insights from their co-design processes of speaking to children and young people about their experiences online. Hear about how understanding how students are engaging in online spaces, their worries and their comforts and how they prefer to learn about online safety has informed eSmart resources for the whole school, including educators and families.

10:45 - 11:15am

Speaker: Jaclyn Lees, CEO, enrich360

Turning Waste into Wonder: Sustainability and the Food Waste Hierarchy in Schools

This session empowers K-12 educators to integrate sustainability into their teaching by focusing on the food waste hierarchy. Drawing on resources from Sustainability Victoria and ResourceSmart Schools, the session equips educators with practical strategies and research-based approaches to help students reduce food waste. Attendees will leave with actionable steps to apply the food waste hierarchy in their schools, fostering a culture of sustainability and environmental responsibility.

11:45am - 12:15pm

Speaker: Kim Nuske, Teacher & ATAPS Facilitator, Australian Teacher Aide

Australian Teaching Assistant Professional Standards – A performance and professional growth framework for schools

In this session, Kim Nuske will introduce you to the Australian Teaching Assistant Professional Standards (ATAPS), an evidence-based framework that supports the performance and professional growth of teaching assistants in all Australian schools. ATAPS aspires to recognise and value the work of teaching assistants as integral members of teaching teams, and their significant contribution to education and the school community. The ATAPS framework defines the professional knowledge, practice, and engagement teaching assistants require to effectively support learning and teaching. The framework embeds inclusive practices, and is underpinned by research on the effective deployment, preparedness, and practice of teaching assistants to maximise student outcomes.

12:45 - 1:15pm

Speaker: Kris Darmody, Conflict Coach/Mediator, The PARC Program

Reframing conflict in schools with PARC

As dynamic, living and evolving communities made up of a mix of personalities, perspectives, cultures and lived experiences, schools are fertile ground for conflict. Whether it involves teachers, students or parents, unaddressed or ignored conflict can lead to anxiety, disrupt learning and damage relationships undermining a school’s cohesion and community.

In this session, learn how the four pillars of Pause Acknowledge Reflect Connect underpin the PARC framework for shared learning, understanding, strategies and tools to approach conflict with a growth mindset, helpful communication and in a future focused way.

1:45 - 2:15pm

Speaker: Evelyn Field OAM, Psychologist and Author

'Bully Blocking- a new look at an old problem'

According to UNESCO, one in three children are still being bullied at school. It is time for new ways of dealing with this stressful, painful, traumatic experience that injures everyone connected. Bullying can cause a brain injury and must be taken more seriously. Evelyn will offer some new ways to manage bullying for schools, parents and targets.

2:30 - 3:00pm

Speaker: James Adcock, Partnership Impact Director, Future Finances

Australia’s Financial Literacy Epidemic: How Financial Education Can Enhance Student Wellness

In this session, James Adcock will explore the impact of financial literacy on student well-being. With insights from his work at Future Finances, James will discuss how financial education not only empowers students to make informed financial choices but also builds their confidence, reduces stress, and sets them up for a healthier financial future.