program & event guide...program & event guide 2017 acel early childhood conference...

program & event guide

2017 ACEL early childhood conference

LEADERSHIP IN THE F IRST 8 YEARSLEADERSHIP IN THE F IRST 8 YEARS

2 n d - 3 r d a u g u s t 2 0 1 7 a t t h e B r i s b a n e C o n v e n t i o n & E x h i b i t i o n C e n t r e

Australian Council for Educational Leaders

ACEL knows what it means to lead in a time of complex change.

ACEL is the independent voice of educational leaders across all sectors and all phases of learning. Our trusted voice is a result of a strong network of 30,000+ practitioners, policy makers and researchers.

As an ACEL member, you will have immediate opportunities to strengthen and develop your leadership capabilities. At ACEL we are committed to bringing resources, professional learning and networking opportunities to you. ACEL membership is a powerful tool for driving leadership change in the educational community.

In each Australian state and territory there is an active branch of ACEL working to ensure local needs are met, regional contexts are represented and significant networking and professional learning opportunities are driven from the grass-roots level.

ACEL gives you, as a leader in schools, ownership of the future direction of Australian education. That feeling of participation allows you to grow your motivation to continue doing what can at times be a very challenging and difficult job.

– Paul Begg, Southern Cross Catholic College

Exclusive Range of ACEL Membership Benefits

Receive discounted membership rates for:

• National Conferences• Seminars and Workshops• Networking Events• ACEL Bookstore

Receive ACEL’s In-House Journals

• The Australian Education Leader (AEL)

• Leading and Managing (L&M)

• Perspectives on Educational Leadership

• ACEL Monograph

Contribution to Journals and Publications

Members who produce academic papers on topics of interest to the educational community, especially around leadership and change management in the school environment, will be considered for publication in widely respected journals such as the ‘Australian Educational Leader’ and ‘Leading and Managing’.

Eligibility for Awards/Recognition at both State and National Levels

Members have the opportunity to use the post-nominal “MACEL”. Outstanding members who become Fellows can also be conferred with the prestigious “FACEL” title.

Members have the opportunity to nominate and be nominated for ACEL awards, presented both at state-level awards ceremonies and the national awards ceremony annually.

Australian Council for Educational Leaders PO Box 876, Strawberry Hills, NSW 2012 | www.acel.org.au [email protected] | Phone: 1800 680 559

The access that ACEL provides to quality literature on educational leadership is invaluable, enabling me to grow the leadership capacity of myself and members of the school leadership team.

– Murray Bruce, Principal, Gordon Primary School

Contents

Welcome 4

About ACEL 5

About the Conference 7

Keynote Speakers 8

Other Speakers 13

Panels 15

Program at a Glance 18

Host City: Brisbane 20

Site Map 21

Concurrent Session Timetable 22

Concurrent Sessions 24

Sponsors & Exhibitors 32

Download the App - Search “ACEL 2017 Early Childhood Conf“ or Visit acel.org.au/ECC17App

Dear Colleagues,Welcome to the 2017 ACEL Early Childhood Conference – Inform, Create, Realise – Leadership in the First 8 Years, delivered by the Australian Council for Educational Leaders (ACEL). This year’s conference brings together international and national leaders in early childhood education (0 to 8 years).

The 2017 Conference provides delegates with an opportunity to reflect on leadership, management and practice in the various contexts children in the early years are educated and to create their own conference narrative. I encourage you to identify your Moments of Inspiration on the Conference App through #acelecc17MOI.

The ACEL Early Childhood Conference structure is as follows:• Keynotes who are international and national leaders in developing or

implementing leadership in early childhood education;• In Conversation – Reflections from a panel of Early Years experts;• Innovations and Excellence in Early Childhood Show Case selection of highly

successful educators who have made an impact in early childhood education, sharing examples of the importance of leadership in early childhood;

• Concurrent workshops where delegates are informed of current research, innovations or structures in or impacting on early childhood education.

StaffThe dedicated team of ACEL staff members will be on hand at all times. You can identify them by their name tags and they will be happy to assist you with any enquiries.

Speaker SupportWe request that all speakers go to their designated rooms at least three hours prior to their sessions to ensure that the technical aspects of their presentations are properly prepared in a timely manner. There will be support staff on hand should you require assistance.

Catering and ExhibitionDelegates are welcome to enjoy arrival tea and coffee, morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea in the Exhibition Hall. We trust you will enjoy the delightful range of refreshments.

Delegate Name TagsAll registered delegates and registered accompanying persons have received a personalised name tag. For security purposes please wear your name tag to all Conference activities.

Conference Networking Event (Wednesday 2nd August)A complimentary networking event will be held at 5pm. We invite you to attend.

We hope you enjoy the ACEL Early Childhood Conference – Inform, Create, Realise – Leadership in the First 8 Years as much as we have enjoyed delivering it to you. Please immerse yourself in the conference themes discussed over the next two days.

Ms Aasha MurthyCEO ACEL

WELCOME

5

As Australia’s peak professional organisation, ACEL is a forward thinking, relevant and responsive agent of change and innovation. ACEL is a not-for-profit company and a learning organisation that is continuously improving its practices to harness national and global opportunities. As the premier provider of resources and experiences for educational leaders, ACEL’s membership continues to grow with over 7000 members actively connecting and participating in regular professional learning opportunities.

The Early Childhood Education and Care division is responsible for:• driving national early childhood education and care reforms in Queensland• approving, licensing and regulating early childhood education and care

services in Queensland• funding services to support the early childhood education and care of

Queensland children• promoting successful transitions from home to early childhood education

to school, for children and families• investing in evidence-based programs to support early learning and

development.

www.earlychildhood.qld.gov.au

The Department of Education and Training is committed to ensuring Queenslanders have the education and skills they need to contribute to the economic and social development of Queensland. The department delivers world class education and training services for people at every stage of their personal and professional development.

about acel

Department of Education and Training (QLD)

7

The 2017 ACEL Early Childhood Conference provides a national platform to explore the challenges and opportunities faced by leaders involved in early childhood education. The Conference supports educators in their pursuit of excellence in leading changes in early childhood education. It aims to help educators sustain and renew their commitment to early childhood education leadership and the communities they serve.

The 2017 ACEL Early Childhood Conference provides an opportunity for early childhood professionals to discuss, debate and reflect on leading in a wide range of early childhood contexts.

The Conference will provide early childhood professionals opportunities to reflect on and contribute to:

• Lead learning in early childhood settings

• Articulate and promote the importance of leading early childhood pedagogy

• Leading to build and sustain positive relationships with children, families, staff and communities

• Leading connections with services to support children and their families

• Developing a positive professional culture and build professional learning communities

Inform, Create, Realise: Leadership in the First 8 Years

8

Keynote Speakers & Abstracts

Bio

Dr. Michael McAfee is President of PolicyLink and the Co-Director of the Promise Neighborhoods Institute at PolicyLink. He has spent more than 20 years serving as a results-driven leader in the government, philanthropic, and human-service sectors. He has partnered with community leaders to build 3,000 units of affordable housing, create 5,000 jobs, and provide hundreds of thousands of children and their families with the educational and community supports they need to thrive.

Most recently, he played a leadership role in investing $1 billion dollars in neighborhoods across America in order to transform them into communities of opportunity for children and their families. This ground-breaking work resulted in the Promise Neighborhoods program becoming a permanent federal program through the 2015 authorization of the Every Student Succeeds Act.

Session Outline:

Loving Our Children: Building Communities of OpportunityThe evidence is clear. The early years of a child’s life are critical to ensuring that their zip code does not define how long they live or how well they live. Leaders must manifest the heart and skill to accelerate moving from talk to action, while scaling and sustaining results. Dr. McAfee will share approaches that support crafting the right mix of strategies for building communities of opportunity, where all young children are learning, growing, and succeeding.

Michael McAfee

President PolicyLink

9.25 Day 1

US


9

Bio

Deitre is a partner and senior consultant with Clear Impact. She provides coaching, training, facilitation and technical assistance to senior management and professional staff on local community outcomes, performance accountability and improvement. Some of her recent clients include the San Francisco Department of Public Health, Colorado Trust, the Children’s Trust of Miami-Dade County, Benchmarks for Better Vermont, and the U.S. Virgin Islands Children and Families Council.

Ms. Epps was previously the founding director of the Baltimore School Readiness Initiative, a city-wide effort which contributed to an increase in kindergarten readiness from 27% to 58% over four years using the Results-Based Accountability framework. She also provided coaching and facilitation for the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s Leadership in Action Program, a results-based leadership program designed to equip local leaders to produce measurable results.

Session Outline:

Early Childhood Leadership: Shared Accountability for Achieving Results Leaders in the early childhood sector have easily accepted their responsibility for improving the outcomes for the children in their centres, programs or schools. On the other hand, these same leaders seem to hesitate when asked to take responsibility for the well-being of the young children in their community-at-large. It’s understandable that a program manager or agency director would not want to be held solely accountable for community outcomes. Is it reasonable to ask early childhood leaders to accept and hold shared accountability for improving the outcomes for all young children in their community?

Deitre Epps will share how Results Based Accountability has been applied by early childhood leaders to achieve measurable results. Results-Based Accountability™ (also known as RBA) is a disciplined and data-driven way of thinking and taking action that communities can use to improve the lives of children, youth, families, adults and the community as a whole.

Deitre Epps

Author and Senior Consultant at Clear Impact

15.30 Day 2

US

10


Bio

Nathan lectured in Human Development at the University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand and was also a board member and senior trainer with the national body responsible for the dissemination of neuroscientific research to professionals.

Nathan is a regular on Radio and Television shows in New Zealand, sharing his expertise on child development. In 2010 he founded a private training consultancy, X Factor Education Limited, with the goal of facilitating easy to understand professional development training reflecting the latest neuroscience discoveries and their practical implications for everyday practice.

Session Outline:

How the Brain Works and How Neuro-Science can Better Inform our Day to Day Interactions with ChildrenInformation about the human brain (and how it grows to reach full potential), has exploded into our awareness over the past twenty years. The 1990s were called the ‘decade of the brain’ and advances in scanning technologies allowed us to understand the workings of the brain like never before, showing us the huge significance of the early years and the critical role this period plays in defining later outcomes.

Nathan Wallis

Neuroscience Educator

NZ


9.10 Day 2

11

Bio

James Nottingham has been a teaching assistant, teacher and leader in Early Childhood settings and schools across the UK. Now he is the founding director of Challenging Learning, a group of 6 educational companies in 6 countries, including Australia.

James is best known for having created The Learning Challenge, the renowned model that guides learners through the Learning Pit. His new book about this popular approach, The Learning Challenge (2017) is now available through Corwin. He is also the author of 5 other books, including Challenging Early Learning – a book written specifically for Early Childhood teams (in press, due Q4, 2017)

At university, he gained a first class honours degree in education. He then worked as a teacher and leader before co-founding an award-winning, multi-million pound social regeneration project supporting education, public and voluntary organisations across north east England.

In 2009, James was listed among the Future 500 - a “definitive list of the UK’s most forward-thinking and brightest innovators.”

Session Outline:

Love Challenge; Love LearningGiving young children control over their own learning leads to improve learning outcomes. Or so conventional wisdom tells us.

However, analysis of 65 studies that focused on the benefits of giving young children control over their own learning showed that although motivation tends to increase, learning outcomes tend to decrease! Too often, too many young children pick the easier option; they gravitate towards activities they are most confident in, in the hope of receiving praise upon completion.

This keynote will explore some of the factors influencing these decisions and recommend the steps we can take as leaders to help all our children choose learning every time. (Spoiler alert: this does not mean removing choice from children!)

James Nottingham

Author and Founding Director of Challenging Learning

14.10 Day 1

UK

12



Bio

Born in Melbourne, grew up in Africa, went to drama school in England, and came back to Australia in 1970, aged 22. She became a teacher of drama and then a university lecturer in drama and literacy. In 1996 she retired as an Associate Professor of Literacy Studies from Flinders University, South Australia, where she taught teachers for 24 years.

In 1983 she became Australia’s best-selling writer. Possum Magic, her first book, is still available in hardback after 34 years and has become an icon of children’s literature for millions of Australian families. She claims that growing up outside the country and returning in her early twenties gave her a unique perspective on Australia, and a passionate love for it.

She has written over 40 books for children, many of which have become international best-sellers including Time for Bed, Where Is the Green Sheep? and Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes, a copy of which was Australia’s official gift to Prince George, the royal baby. Mem has also written several non-fiction books for adults, including her renowned book for parents, about how children learn to read: Reading Magic. Her books have been translated into twenty-one languages. Any retirement from writing seems unlikely at present.

Session Outline:

From the Cocoon to the Butterfly: How Readers, Writers and Good Citizens are Made, not BornThis presentation will explore the differences between learning to read through school readers and learning to read with literature written for children.

The implications of these differences, in relation to children’s futures as readers, writers and good citizens, will be discussed.Mem Fox

Australian Author

AU

16.00 Day 1

13

Bio

From his first job as a teacher in a remote Indigenous classroom to the helm of one of the Queensland’s biggest employers, Dr Jim Watterston brings more than 30 years’ experience across all levels of education as Director-General of the Department of Education, Training and Employment.

From building blocks of knowledge with Year Ones, teaching science and overseeing results as a principal and regional director, he has led a suite of significant reforms to make schools better through senior executive positions including Deputy Secretary of the School Education Group in Victoria’s Department of Education and Early Childhood Development and Director-General of the Department of Education and Training in the Australian Capital Territory.

Dr Jim Watterston has also had a long-running involvement in the Australian Rules football industry with past positions including President of the West Australian Swan Districts Football Club, Chairman of the WAFL (West Australian Football League) Council of Presidents and most recently on the AFL Victoria Board of Directors.

Jim Watterston

Director-General, QLD Department of Education and Training

AU

conference opening:

Bio

Aasha is the CEO of the Australian Council for Educational Leaders (ACEL). She is an Indian by birth, a New Zealander by nationality, an Australian by domicile and a world citizen by choice. She has lived and worked in several countries including the USA, Europe, UK, and the Middle East. She has been the Executive in Residence for the Business School in Auckland University and visiting faculty at the Waikato Management School, Waikato University. She lectures on Leadership, Strategic Planning, Strategic Innovation, and Reaching Global Markets. She is an active Council Member on the GLG Research Management Platform and a member of the Stanford’s Who’s Who list of key influencers in Australia.

Aasha has a passion for leadership and developing early career and mature professionals by providing them with exciting learning opportunities through formal education as well as experiential learning. She delivers the suite of ACEL Executive Leadership programs aimed at high-performing school and system leaders. She regularly speaks at conferences and seminars across the Asia-Pacific on topics that include leveraging diversity, challenges of female leadership and leading multi-cultural teams.

Aasha Murthy

ACEL CEO

AU

YOU WILL ALSO HEAR FROM:

14

conference host

Bio

His film credits include Nim’s Island and Star Wars, and television credits on Home and Away, Bed of Roses, Legend of the Seeker, Xena Warrior Princess and of course, Play School! He has played Mufasa in The Lion King, The Wizard in Wicked The Musical, and most recently performed in Children of the Sun with Sydney Theatre Company. A gifted musician Jay has written and recorded four children’s albums with ABC for Kids and toured his live show throughout Australia.

So far this year Jay appeared in I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here on Network Ten, with the third series of his children’s television show, Jay’s Jungle, currently airing on 7TWO. Jay is the Queensland Government’s ‘The Early Years Count’ ambassador and is a passionate advocate for early childhood education and early literacy. Jay is a proud father of 8.

Jay Lag’aia

Actor and Children’s Entertainer

AU


15

In Conversation – The Early Years

Panellists discuss the following question, How do we keep ourselves and lead others to be Informed, Creative and Realise goals?

Participants will be:

Gabrielle SinclairCEO, ACECQA

Jane BourneCEO, The Gowrie (QLD) Inc.

Michael McAfeePresident, PolicyLink

Sharon SchimmingDeputy Director-General, Early Childhood and Community Engagement, Department of Education and Training (Queensland)

Innovations and Excellence in Early Childhood

Leadership in early childhood comes in many forms: from the innovator and leader in the learning environment, to the leader of a childcare centre and the leader or principal of a school. The speakers in this session are leading developments to improve outcomes in their contexts.

Participants will be:

Alexandra Gibbs

Kerry Howells and Megan Gibson

Sandi Lascelles and Anita Mills

Janene Yuke

PANELS

Advertisement

The Queensland Government has signed up Sally and Possum to star in another four seasons of Australia’s first television series designed for deaf and hard of hearing children.

Sally and Possum is a one-of-a-kind teaching resource, funded by the Queensland Department of Education and Training, for children who use Australian Sign Language (Auslan) as their first language.

Deaf and hard of hearing children can face major obstacles when developing early literacy, numeracy and communication skills.

Sally and Possum’s adventures, told in Auslan with Australian English voice over, have proven to be educational and entertaining for all children, supporting the Queensland Government’s commitment to quality, inclusive early learning.

Authorised by the Queensland Government, William St, Brisbane

Spread the word and keep an eye out for the new series of Sally and Possum

on ABC KIDS and ABC KIDS iview or check out the department’s website at

www.sallyandpossum.edu.au

sign on for more adventures


3-5 years

3 years

6-9 months

2-6 months

Ante-natal

Play Care Talk & listen Read & count Encouragewww.qld.gov.au/earlyyearscount

Brain timeline6-9 months

By nine months your child’s brain can form connections between what they see, hear, feel and taste. Key learning opportunities for early

development are provided through interactions with parents and close family members.

2-6 monthsYour baby’s brain is developing as a result of the experiences

and relationships they are exposed to each day.

3 yearsBy three years of age a child’s brain has around 1000 trillion brain connections (synapses).

3-5yearsBy school, a child’s brain

development is built upon the now solid foundation created in

the first five years.

Ante-natalYour child’s brain has

already started developing.

All five senses begin to function before birth.

Advertisement


Advertisement

The Queensland Government has signed up Sally and Possum to star in another four seasons of Australia’s first television series designed for deaf and hard of hearing children.

Sally and Possum is a one-of-a-kind teaching resource, funded by the Queensland Department of Education and Training, for children who use Australian Sign Language (Auslan) as their first language.

Deaf and hard of hearing children can face major obstacles when developing early literacy, numeracy and communication skills.

Sally and Possum’s adventures, told in Auslan with Australian English voice over, have proven to be educational and entertaining for all children, supporting the Queensland Government’s commitment to quality, inclusive early learning.


Spread the word and keep an eye out for the new series of Sally and Possum

on ABC KIDS and ABC KIDS iview or check out the department’s website at

www.sallyandpossum.edu.au



18

PROGRAM AT A GLANCE

13.20

12.20

10.00

14.10

10.30

15.00

9.10

11.30

In Conversation – Reflections from a Panel of Early Childhood Experts

Lunch

Afternoon Tea

Welcome to Day 2 and Performance

Reflection and Collaboration Session

Concurrent Sessions

8.50

Concurrent Sessions

DAY 2 - AUG 03DAY 1 - AUG 02

Keynote 4:Nathan Wallis Neuroscience Educator

Official Opening of Conference Jim Watterston, Director General, Department of Education and Training, Queensland

Concurrent Sessions

Innovations and Excellence in Early Childhood - Show Case

Reflection and Collaboration Session

Afternoon Tea

Day 1 Close

Networking Event Mem Fox & James Nottingham - Book Signing

Lunch James Nottingham - Book Signing

Morning Tea

Welcome to Country Sharron Lindh - Performance

8.45

9.05

11.45

12.35

9.25

10.15

8.30

10.45

14.10

15.20

13.25

15.00

16.00

16.50

17.00

Keynote 2:James NottinghamAuthor and Founding Director of Challenging Learning

Keynote 1:Michael McAfeePresident of PolicyLink

Keynote 3:Mem FoxAustralian Author

Morning Tea

15.30

16.20Conference Close and Theme SummaryAasha Murthy,CEO ACEL

Keynote 5: Deitre Epps Author and Senior Consultant at Clear Impact

Concurrent Sessions

Introduction to Conference Theme and NarrativeAasha Murthy, CEO ACEL

Weekly management strategies for the classroom

Weekly management strategies for school leadership

Monthly wisdom for successful school leadership and management

Monthly updates on classroom curriculum and school-management technology

Monthly tips and ideas on learning in the early years

Australian Council for Educational Leaders | PO Box 876, Strawberry Hills, NSW 2012 www.acel.org.au | [email protected] | Phone: 1800 680 559 | Fax: 1800 680 561

$65

$85

$55

$65

$65

SUBSCRIBE AT ACEL.ORG.AU

Our e-Publications are tailored to keep educational leaders abreast of the latest trends, techniques and technologies throughout all of 2017. The content included in each of the five e-Publications is concise, providing you with easily-digestible advice that you can apply to optimize your leading, managing and/or teaching journey.

Subscribe today and gain access to current, relevant and thought-provoking content delivered regularly to your inbox.

PUBLICATIONS 2017

A weekly fix of practical and effective strategies for the busy teacher’s immediate use. Spanning the breadth of teaching dilemmas from classroom management to how to write and assess for maximum impact. This feed of ready-to-go techniques will inject inspiration and fun into the modern classroom.

For those emerging school leaders who are dedicated in fostering excellence in their organisation, this weekly feed contains a wide range of management tools to keep the cohesion in your community. Vital management solutions and a step-by-step guide will assist passionate school leaders like you to inspire and maintain innovation for the future.

For school principals, members of the school executive committee and school leaders, this monthly feed uses anecdotes, hints and humour to highlight techniques for effective information transmission to your audience. To accommodate for the busy schedules of those in the executive roles, e-Shortcuts arrive in bite-size monthly chunks.

This e-Publication gives school leaders, classroom teachers and IT managers a hands-on guide on how technologies are being implemented to optimise student learning and achievement. These articles are stimulating, provocative and challenging and will deal with topics that effect the day-to-day learning of students and the functioning of schools.

e-Early Learning provides teachers, educators and leaders in Early Learning with hands-on ideas and practical tips. Researched and written for ACEL by an acknowledged expert in the field, each issue will engage, stimulate and motivate readers to reflect on what they can do and how they can best support children aged 0-7 years to learn and develop.

Topics include:• NAPLAN data understanding and analysis• Behaviour management • Student engagement• Goal setting for teachers• Dealing with Aspergers, Dyslexia, etc

Topics include:• Staff induction• Succession planning• Appraisal & recognition• Difficult employees• Leadership styles• School Governance

Topics include:• Business Continuity Planning• Legal issues• Succession planning• Parent relationships• Marketing your school

Topics include:• Latest Research & Developments• Social Media• Leading & managing technology in a

school• Legal issues

Topics include:• Making observational documentation a

collaborative activity• Respectfully challenging and giving feedback• Maintaining momentum with new practices• Even richer conversations with children

Details: • 2 pages of management

strategies for the classroom• 40 issues per year• 1 Year Subscription

Details: • 2 pages of management • strategies for school

leadership• 40 issues per year• 1 Year Subscription

Details: • 4 pages of wisdom for

successful school leadership and management

• 10 issues per year• 1 Year Subscription

Details: • 4 pages of updates on

classroom curriculum and school-management technology

• 10 issues per year• 1 Year Subscription

Details: • 4 pages of practical tips and

thoughts on early learning• 10 issues per year• 1 year subscription

2017

Brisbane, the capital of Queensland, is a big, modern city set on the Brisbane River. Clustered in its South Bank cultural precinct are tourist attractions including Queensland Museum and the Queensland Gallery of Modern Art, among Australia’s major contemporary art museums. Looming over the city is Mt. Coot-tha, site of sprawling Brisbane Botanic Gardens, with panoramic views from its summit.

With a population of over 2.3 million, the city is a popular tourist destination, serving as a gateway for visitors to the state of Queensland, particularly to the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast, popular resort towns immediately south and north of Brisbane.

HOST CITY: BRISBANE

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SITE MAP

FOYER LEVEL

MEZZANINE LEVEL

PLAZA LEVEL

Brisbanne Convention & Exhibition Centre Brisbane QLD

Early Childhood Summit 2016 – BCEC Proposal

7 September 2015 Commercial in Confidence 7

3.9 BCEC Merivale Street floor plan

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Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre




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Room KeyGH – Great HallM1 – Mezzanine Level Room 1M2 – Mezzanine Level Room 2M3 – Mezzanine Level Room 3M4 – Mezzanine Level Room 4

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concurrent session TIMETABLE

Day One 11.45 - 12.35Day One 10.45 - 11.35

Great HallMegan Gibson & Alison Evans

“Alone: Great, Together: Exceptional”: Education and Nutrition Inter-Professional Collaboration for Better Childhoods

Great HallJudy Kynaston & Erica Gardner

Leadership for Learning, Diversity and Complexity in Early Childhood

Mezzanine Level Room 1 Sarah Louise Gandolfo

Distributed & Catalytic Leadership in Early Childhood

Mezzanine Level Room 1 Carrie Rose

Collaborative Leadership - Inter Disciplinary Approach to Learning

Mezzanine Level Room 2 Sandra Cheeseman

Engaging with Data to Foster Young Children’s Learning

Mezzanine Level Room 2 Lisa Sonter & Sue Southey

Self-regulated Mathematical Learners: Counting the Steps from Kindergarten to Prep

Mezzanine Level Room 3 Rachel Roebuck & Allison Lutton

Soar into Bribie: Ensuring Successful Transitions to Prep

Mezzanine Level Room 3 Marie White

Leadership in Early Childhood: Contemporary Narratives from the Field

Mezzanine Level Room 4 Jo Minto, Rebecca Johnson & Carita Birch

Strong Start Strong Learner: Culture in Our Community

Mezzanine Level Room 4 Rebecca Wells & David Wells

Just Ask Them! Empowering Students to Direct their Own Learning

23

Day Two 11.30 - 12.20 Day Two 13.20 - 14.10

Great HallClaire Campbell, Kerri Giebel & April Schipke

Growing Strong Early Childhood Leaders in the North

Great HallRacquel Bushell, Lauren Kealey & Vicki Caldow

Strong Start, Strong Learner - Communities of Practice & Schools Leading from the Middle

Mezzanine Level Room 1 Regina Thompson & Mardi Haselton

A Unique Approach to Early Learning with Community Voice

Mezzanine Level Room 1 Geneva Clayton & Jeanine Kobylinski

Never Underestimate a 4 Year Old

Mezzanine Level Room 2 Kerri Wilson & Corinne Bohan

Innovations in Early Literacy

Mezzanine Level Room 2 Kerryn Jones & Marina Elliott

Honouring South Australian Children: Finding the Extraordinary in the Ordinary

Mezzanine Level Room 3 Megan Gibson, Amanda McFadden & Abbe Winter

Measuring Early Childhood Graduate Career Aspirations and Outcomes in Australia

Mezzanine Level Room 3 Pedagogical Leaders

It is Rocket Science – Early Childhood through the Eyes of Indigenous Pedagogical Leaders

Mezzanine Level Room 4 Karen McLean

Playgroups-In-Schools and Parental Capabilities about Play

Mezzanine Level Room 4 Michelle Reber, Melissa Taylor Hansford & Carrie Smith

Adult and Child Interaction - The Abecedarian Approach in Action

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concurrent sessions

DAY 1session 110.45 - 11:35

Dr Megan Gibson

Co-Presenter:Mrs Alison Evans

Queensland University of Technology

“Alone: Great, Together: Exceptional”: Education and Nutrition Inter-Professional Collaboration for Better Childhoods

With the increasing negative impacts of poor diet, inadequate exercise and high levels of screen time experienced by children, families and communities around Australia, early childhood settings have become crucial places to provide support for children’s health and wellbeing. This complex issue was addressed through an innovative professional experience project which demonstrated inter-professional work and authentic collaboration between the disciplines of Early Childhood Education and Nutrition and Dietetics at the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) and the Creche and Kindergarten (C&K) Association. Results from two student placement models will outline the transdisciplinary professional experiences for Education and Health students who completed paired placements in early education and care settings. This action research project will demonstrate how students benefited from practical, real world, community-integrated learning; and how academic staff across the two Faculties worked collaboratively with C&K within a real-world context. Delegates will workshop case studies from the projects and work collaboratively to identify future opportunities for inter-professional partnerships and how these can contribute to Early Childhood Leadership in addressing multifaceted health related issues.

M1

VIC

Miss Sarah Louise Gandolfo

Clarendon Children’s Centre

Distributed & Catalytic Leadership in Early Childhood

Distributed leadership is not a new concept, but its filtration into the early childhood scene is certainly gaining momentum. I want to challenge the way distributed leadership is actually enacted in early childhood, the limitations placed on this model through our National Quality Framework, and examine where power actually lies in its implementation. I want to offer participants an alternate view to distributed leadership by suggesting the adoption of a more rounded theory: catalytic leadership. I want to take participants on a theoretical and practical journey of reflection to consider the influence catalytic leadership theory can have on early childhood services in their effort for quality improvement.This presentation will aim to provide participants with new and innovative ideas for addressing leadership, and leadership distribution, within their early childhood setting. By incorporating theory and practical examples from my own early childhood experiences I hope to emphasize the relevance of these concepts and how they can not only support educators’ professional growth, but also increase children’s learning outcomes and overall service quality. The presentation will leave participants with further questions and hopefully provoke critical reflection within early childhood teams.

Please note: See page 21 for room locations and room key.

*Session times are subject to change


GH

QLD

25

M2

NSW

Ms Sandra Cheeseman

Department of Educational Studies, Macquarie University

Engaging with Data to Foster Young Children’s Learning

There has been a rapid growth in the availability of research data that are informing early childhood education policy and practice. In particular, data sets such as the Australian Early Development Index (AEDC) have revealed concerning vulnerabilities for a number of children as they move into compulsory schooling.This paper invites early childhood educators to learn more about the AEDC and how they might reflect on its potential to inform intentional teaching and play based pedagogies. The session focuses educators’ attention on how they might apply what they can learn from the AEDC in their local contexts. Moving from big data sets to more localised practitioner inquiry projects may offer educators a way to address concerning trends in children’s learning and development trajectories. Educational Leaders can play a key role in introducing practical, evidenced based thinking to their educator teams.

Ms Jo Minto

Co-Presenter:Ms Rebecca Johnson & Ms Carita Birch

Department of Education

Strong Start Strong Learner: Culture in Our Community

The Strong Start Strong Learner Approach to lifting the participation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in Kindergarten is an evidence based framework that brings together perspectives about the critical importance of the First 1,000 days with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural perspectives, the crucial importance of early childhood development and the ecological model of the child in creating a strong start to life. Through place-based data, positioning the child firmly in the centre of the story, we draw on the five evidenced based leadership pillars of Purposeful use of data, Collaborative, Procedural, Inclusive and Pedagogical Leadership to build a community data story to inform an action plan to improve outcomes for all children, while utilising the collaborative reciprocal relationships across the 0-8 service system paying respect to the rights of the child and the importance of cultural identity.Participants are invited to become Early Years champions and will engage with current data and research to encourage deep reflection on the unique cultural context of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and identify actions for building cultural capacity, embedding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives and strengthening connections with community.

M4

QLD

Mrs Rachel Roebuck

Co-Presenter:Mrs Allison Lutton

Bribie Island State School

Soar into Bribie: Ensuring Successful Transitions to Prep

Effective transitions to Primary School provide students with increased opportunities for learning success. Valuing the importance of education in the early years, Bribie Island State School is committed to building effective partnerships with local early education providers, parents and the wider community. The Soar into Bribie transition program is multifaceted, providing future students a variety of opportunities to experience ‘school life’ and familiarise themselves with the school setting. The program includes; Pre-Prep Playgroup, regular communication between the school and feeder kindergartens/centres, Launch Day, 10 weekly school visits, opportunities for ongoing parent training, invitations to school events, transition meetings, shared professional development opportunities and enrolment interviews.Responding to enrolment, attendance, School Opinion Survey and academic achievement data, the Soar into Bribie Program was developed to increase community engagement and support successful transitions to prep. Bribie Island SS is located in close proximity to four Early Education Providers. Our explicit efforts have allowed us to form strong relationships with these educators resulting in smoother transitions, and a collaborative responsibility for students’ learning. Now in its fourth year of operation, Soar into Bribie has been trialled, reviewed and enhanced.

M3

QLD

26

concurrent sessions

M1

QLD

Miss Carrie Rose

Rosie’s Early learning

Collaborative Leadership - Inter Disciplinary Approach to Learning

Learn: Collaborative leadership gives meaning to everyone’s work. The integration of the Inter-Disciplinary Team approach into Rosie’s has created dialogue with ‘Experts’ of associated fields to stretch the reflective thinking of the Educators. The engagement in professional conversation with our team of Experts such as Speech Pathologist, Mindfulness Coach, Leadership Coach, Horticulturist, Visual Artist and Performing Artists is providing alternative perspectives for Educators to consider.Reflect: Carrie will reflect on her own participation in leadership development through the Leadership Coaching she has gained over the past 10 years and share her insights of change. This personal development has enabled Carrie to look beyond just leading the quality of the Pedagogy and given her an understanding of the importance of developing each team member personally and professionally.Apply: The presentation will share the development and implementation of the ‘The Culture Document’ & ‘Inter Disciplinary Team Structure’ ensuring the current team and future educators have a very clear understanding of the vision and expectations when working at Rosie’s Early Learning. It will share research conducted in 2016 by Masters of Education (Early Childhood) student Jasmine Dyball on the effectiveness of this CULTURE Document in the performance and professionalism of the Educators.

Ms Judy Kynaston

Co-Presenter:Ms Erica Gardner

Early Childhood Australia

Leadership for Learning, Diversity and Complexity in Early Childhood

The requirement for leadership in early childhood education and care (ECEC) settings is a priority because of the link between high calibre leadership and better outcomes for young children. High quality education and care is delivered by skilled practitioners who are supported in their practice by strong leaders. The Early Childhood Australia (ECA) Leadership Capability Framework has been created to help fulfil the ECEC sectors desire to articulate a nuanced view of leadership. It was put together in conjunction with stakeholders in Australian States and Territories who work in the Early Years sector. It is a peer reviewed, peer resourced Framework to develop and support leaders in our sector.The Framework ensures that constructions of leadership are not static but evolve over time through conversations, learning, reflection and changes to practices. Understandings gained through using the Framework can be applied to: lead self, lead with and for others and lead an organisation. The Capability Framework provides a structure and language to talk about leadership and to build a shared understanding about leadership practices for the Early Years.

GH

ACT

DAY 1session 211.45 - 12:35Please note: See page 21 for room locations and room key.



27

Mrs Rebecca Wells

Co-Presenter:Mr David Wells

Canterbury Primary School

Just Ask Them! Empowering Students to Direct their Own Learning

In this presentation participants are encouraged to re-imagine the role of the student and teacher in Early Years classrooms. They will be asked to consider the child as a capable contributor to their own learning experience, and identify how students can be consulted about what, how and when they want to learn. They will explore the depth of learning and engagement that can be achieved when teachers take students’ ideas and passions onboard, and link them to real world learning using digital technology and social media to connect with experts. This presentation will also discuss the role of school leadership in challenging and empowering teachers to be creative and innovative, while maintaining rigor and accountability. Through examples and stories of authentic learning in Early Years classrooms, participants will be encouraged to reflect on the current teaching and learning experiences of their students, and challenged to consider how they can increase student agency in their learning in their own settings.

M3

QLD

Miss Marie White


Leadership in Early Childhood: Contemporary Narratives from the Field

Leadership is emerging as an important issue in early childhood education and care as the sector continues to develop within a rapidly changing space. Leadership has received increasing attention, being called upon to drive reforms instigated by early childhood policy shifts. An emerging body of research within the early childhood sector seeks to extend upon and challenge early childhood leadership concepts borrowed from other fields as well as develop nuanced and relevant leadership concepts for this field. In this session, delegates will be introduced to an innovative research project which adopts a post structural framework to open new ways of thinking about leadership in ECEC. The project examines memories of leadership, gathered using the methodology of Collective Biography, to explore how leadership is being produced at this point in time. A Foucauldian analysis enables new readings of leadership, examining the power/knowledge discourses that produce leadership in a particular way at this point in time. Findings from the research data, will engage the audience to consider leadership in new ways and ask new questions about leadership in this sector.

M4

VIC

Dr Lisa Sonter

Co-Presenter:Ms Sue Southey

University of New England

Self-regulated Mathematical Learners: Counting the Steps from Kindergarten to Prep

How does a focus on executive functioning in kindergarten prepare children for the Australian Curriculum? Acquiring executive function skills (working memory, self-regulation and cognitive flexibility) is recognised as crucial for young children’s academic success (Centre for the Developing Child, Harvard University, 2011). Skills and dispositions such as inquisitiveness, mental flexibility, persistence and the readiness to try something new “promote, and are enhanced by critical and creative thinking” (ACARA, 2016). The development of creative and critical thinking skills is recognised as a primary purpose of education in the ACARA documents. This session explores and showcases practical examples of intentional teaching in action, with a specific focus on the development of math proficiencies of understanding, fluency, problem-solving and reasoning in the kindergarten setting. ECEC and prep teachers and school leaders will be encouraged to reflect on their own critical and creative thinking skills as they broaden their understanding of math skills and proficiencies in the EYLF and Foundation year of the Australian Curriculum. Delegates will learn and explore strategies for promoting executive function skills to support children’s mathematical and thinking skills in their own contexts.

M2

QLD

28

concurrent sessions

Ms Regina Thompson

Co-Presenter:Mrs Mardi Haselton


A Unique Approach to Early Learning with Community Voice

Participants in this presentation will learn about Families as First Teachers (FaFT) is a quality early childhood program in the NT which recognises that families are the primary and greatest influence on child development. Positive early childhood experiences significantly improve child health, development and educational achievement, particularly for vulnerable disadvantaged children. FaFT is a high quality, holistic program that is culturally competent, involves families and the local community. It provides a highly effective avenue for changing the circumstances of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families.The presentation will showcase the relationships, structure, core elements and strategies of the program. It will discuss how responsive flexible delivery enhances community voice. Showcase Aboriginal parents and staff working together to identify place-based approaches, including unique community resources in first language and English.A primary aim of the program is nurturing responsive parent child relationships that build parent capacity. FaFT assists parents to provide early learning experiences for their children through the evidence-based Abecedarian Approach Australia (3a). This programs approach is unique in its collaboration with community in identifying local needs. FaFT continues to deliver positive outcomes for Aboriginal families and communities and has contributed to increased attendance and positive transitioning to school.

M1

NT




Dr Claire Campbell

Co-Presenter:Ms Kerri Giebel & Ms April Schipke

James Cook University

Growing Strong Early Childhood Leaders in the North

It is well-established that leadership and service quality in the early years are intrinsically linked (Rodd, 2009; Wanaganyake, et al., 2013). Whilst much research has been conducted into leadership in the early years, it could be argued that the ‘how to’ of further developing leadership knowledge and skills is a ‘missing ingredient’ in the literature (Rodd, 2009). This workshop will showcase the journey of leadership development in North and Far North Queensland, facilitated through a partnership between JCU and two DET regions. This partnership commenced with JCU conducting research into the leadership needs of Nominated Supervisors of early childhood education and care (ECEC) services in both regions with subsequent development of a customized professional learning program delivered to up to 28 Nominated Supervisors of services across both regions. This project is an Australian first in attempting to address the ‘missing ingredient’ in improving the quality of ECEC services. In this workshop, participants will learn findings from the research, examine key concepts of Kouzes and Posner’s (2012) leadership framework, and reflect on their own leadership journeys, through the sharing of leadership stories and experiences of the ECEC services. Knowledge gained from this workshop could be applied in any organization, large or small.

GH

QLD

29

Mrs Kerri Wilson

Co-Presenter:Mrs Corinne Bohan

Read Write Ready

Innovations in Early Literacy

The presentation begins by examining what children’s brains need to become literate. We look at the skills required and focus on phonemic awareness and oral language as the most essential areas. We will elaborate on ways we lead change across communities in Queensland and new approaches to developing phonemic awareness in children. This can create positive early year’s development for children with a range of diverse learning needs in your communities. We have been engaged in leading projects in the community which improve results for children’s literacy in early years and school settings. Children’s literacy outcomes are assessed, and then scaffolded to ensure strong foundations in phonemic awareness and oral language. Delegates will be encouraged to reflect on ways they support children’s early literacy development and consider new techniques they can apply in their own contexts. Delegates will be assisted to learn ways in which children’s brains can be wired for literacy. Children with a range of diverse learning needs can be supported and encouraged through puppets, games and innovative strategies.

Dr Karen McLean

Australian Catholic University

Playgroups-In-Schools and Parental Capabilities about Play

Playgroup participation is known to build caregiver capabilities about children’s play. Caregiver capabilities include knowledge, skills and confidence in providing play experiences at home and in community. Building caregiver capabilities about play is important because the quality of play in early childhood influences children’s later educational outcomes. In our work in playgroups-in-schools we have used the social capital concepts of bonding and bridging to understand caregivers’ perspectives of their participation in playgroups-in-schools. We have found that bonding and bridging relationships are core to enhancing parental capabilities about play. However, our research has also shown that playgroups-in-schools are characterized by strong bonding relation ships between playgroup families and weak bridging relationships between playgroup families and the school community, including school staff. This represents a missed opportunity for working with families, caregivers and education systems to build capacity and improve wellbeing to produce just and sustainable student outcomes. In this presentation, we theorize that strong bonding and bridging relationships in playgroups-in-schools provides a powerful resource for enhancing parental capabilities about children’s play to support sustainable educational outcomes. We draw on examples from our research to show how schools can contribute to improvement, innovation and change to ensure education prepares students for the future.

M2 M4

QLD NSW

M3

QLD

Dr Megan Gibson

Co-Presenter:Dr Abbe Winter


Measuring Early Childhood Graduate Career Aspirations and Outcomes in Australia

Research in fields from neuroscience to economics recognise the importance of early years education, driving current government policy which calls for degree-qualified early childhood teachers to work in prior-to-school contexts (DEEWR, 2009; DET, 2016). Despite policy demand for increasing the number of early childhood teachers in these contexts there is a significant mismatch between policy and early childhood teacher graduate destinations. Learn about data indicating the majority of early childhood teachers seek and gain employment in primary schools (QUT, 2015). Reflect that a deeper understanding of the career aspirations and trajectories of the early childhood workforce, in particular early childhood teacher graduate destination impact on policy imperatives, is urgently needed if policy makers and teacher educators are to prepare the future early childhood workforce to be employed across a range of early childhood contexts. This paper reports on application in a current research project that creates a tool to measure early childhood graduate career aspirations and graduate destinations longitudinally, in order to understand where early childhood graduate teachers choose to work and why.

30

concurrent sessions

Ms Geneva Clayton

Co-Presenter:Miss Jeanine Kobylinski

Methodist Ladies College School

Never Underestimate a 4 Year Old

Collaborative Learning Projects at MLC School have emerged from our rich understanding of the Reggio Emilia Approach. The CLP is an in-depth study of a topic. It has become a strategy that embraces learning across several disciplines for students. Its authentic integration is built upon a set of relationships between learning in the arts and other Key Learning Areas. During the CLP, students are encouraged to explore, investigate, research and respond to learning through several languages.The link between early childhood and STEAM is indisputable. Young children are natural scientists and engineers, inquisitive learners who understand STEAM concepts through play. This natural trial and error in play supports and develops critical thinking, reasoning skills and a natural inclination to explore, to build and to question. Let us share with you our journey of our ‘Impossible Pets and Planets’ where our Prekindergarten students’ interest led to an immersion into the world of living things and physical phenomena. They imagined, designed and created their own impossible pets and planets. Building these started a journey that provoked an in-depth investigation of phenomena and the world around them worthy of showcasing their enormous capacity for deeper knowledge and understanding.

M1

NSW




Mrs Racquel Bushell

Co-Presenters:Miss Lauren Kealey & Miss Vicki Caldow


Strong Start, Strong Learner - Communities of Practice & Schools Leading from the Middle

In this session participants will learn about practices that can be reflected upon and applied to their own context to support children to experience a strong start to school. Strong Start Strong Learner is an approach developed in partnership between State Schooling and Early Childhood Education and Care within the Metropolitan region of the Department of Education and Training in Queensland. Our approach draws perspectives from both the Darling Downs South regional Great Start, Great Futures approach evaluated over a 2 year period by Professor Bob Perry and Lyn Sharratt who advocates for empowering excellence through collaborative learning. It is purposefully designed with a strong evidence base, to influence and strengthen relationships between schools, early childhood education and care (ECEC) providers and community-based services to enhance the learning outcomes for all children. Sometimes the agendas and beliefs driving the push for improved student learning can create barriers between education sectors, rather than facilitating collaboration. Close links with the themes of Inspire, Realise and Create will be woven into the presentation accumulating in a story of early years leadership from a local Principal who has stepped up to the power of collaboration to ensure all children have a strong start to school.

GH

QLD

31

Ms Kerryn Jones

Co-Presenter:Ms Marina Elliott

Department for Education and Child Development

Honouring South Australian Children: Finding the Extraordinary in the Ordinary

Through the “Collaborative inquiry towards Excellent” early childhood leaders have engaged in a process of finding the extraordinary within the ordinary – of identifying the leadership, teaching and learning practices that are significant and contribute to the development of the early childhood sector. They have closely examined the theories that underpin their practices and have critically reflected on their existing continuous improvement processes. This educational research is underpinned by critically reflective practices where leaders, with their teams, uncover the values, policies and theories that inform their practices with children and families. This project positions educators as researchers with each other, children and the community more broadly to critically examine the nexus between theory and practice leading to innovation.In uncovering and exploring their extraordinary practices leaders mapped these against the ACECQA excellent criteria and have used this to support their application for the excellent rating within the National Quality Framework.Participants attending this presentation will learn about South Australia’s collaborative inquiry and the process used to support leaders through this research. There will be opportunity for participants to reflect on their existing continuous improvement practices and strategies to support educators to apply these approaches within their service.

M2

SA

Mrs Michelle Reber

Co-Presenters:Ms Melissa Taylor Hansford & Ms Carrie Smith

Department of Education and Training

Adult and Child Interaction - The Abecedarian Approach in Action

The Department of Education and Training (DET), over a 2 year period, made a significant investment in training staff across Queensland in a structured approach to developing learning capacity in young children. This approach, the Abecedarian Approach, (a set of learning and teaching strategies), is designed to support the interaction between adults and children; particularly families who are under-resourced, as well as enhancing transitions to school.This presentation will examine the strategic visioning, including the initial training with its founder Professor Joseph Sparling, alongside the evaluation and partnership between DET and the University of Melbourne and the subsequent rollout throughout the state.Three of the 7 regions will explore in greater detail the actions taken, strategies used and the key success factors including relationship building, community connections and coaching within the ECEC services.

M4

QLD

M3

QLD

Pedagogical Leaders

Department Education and Training, Queensland

It is Rocket Science – Early Childhood through the Eyes of Indigenous Pedagogical Leaders

This presentation focuses on the collective research of a group of expert Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander early childhood education leaders from urban, rural and remote Australia who have generated interest nationally. Evolving through their journey as pedagogical leaders for the Remote Indigenous Professional Development project it critically examines research evidence and presents unique insights into teaching and learning for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and their families. Participants will learn in a presentation that draws on 60,000 years of observation and experience, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of knowing, being and doing; using art, and story to present the research findings. The twelve research projects which were conducted in early years services and contexts in rural, remote and urban areas of Queensland, the Northern Territory and South Australia make visible the deep cultural and pedagogical knowledge of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander educators and families. The projects focus on families as educators, the importance of home language, strength-based policy, play-based and age-appropriate pedagogies, wellbeing, identity and culture, and propose policy and practice solutions. Participants are invited to reflect on their contexts and engage with us in our commitment to lead, affect change and make the invisible, visible.

32

sponsor abstracts

Corwin

The Creche and Kindergarten Association

At Corwin, we have one objective and one objective only: to help educators like you make the greatest impact on teaching and learning. We build long-term relationships with experts, educators, clients, and associations who partner with us to develop and continuouslyimprove the best, evidence-based practices that establish and support lifelong learning. We offer a host of independent and integrated professional learning options that conform with

your budget, your timeline, and your objectives: from books and resources to on-site consulting. Corwin is a global organisation with the exclusive rights to provide Visible Learningplus professional development, based on John Hattie’s research, in Australia. We are proud to be your partner in creating school and system-wide impact.

au.corwin.com

C&K (The Creche and Kindergarten Association) has been educating and caring for children for 110 years and currently operates more than 360 kindergarten and childcare services across Queensland. Children at C&K services learn

through play and through engagement with the natural environment in preparation for school and their life-long learning journey.

candk.asn.au

HESTA

We’re a specialist industry super fund dedicated to people who provide some of the best health and community services in the world.With more than 820,000 members and $37 billion invested globally on their behalf, we’ve learned a thing or two about looking after our members.

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working in your sector. And, more broadly, women and First Australians.

As an industry super fund we work for members – not shareholders. We keep our fees down, costs low, and provide commission-free advice. It’s all part of the service. That way more money stays in our members’ super accounts working for their future.

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33

Dancefever Multisport

Dancefever Multisport offer a range of programs suitable for early childhood centres to provide children with opportunities to explore various types of movement and equipment focusing on:

- Building confidence- Increasing spatial awareness- Creative movement and fun- Structured and play based activities Programs align with the EYLF and NQS.

dancefevermultisport.com

EXHIBITOR abstracts

Early Childhood Australia (ECA)

Early Childhood Australia (ECA) has been a voice for young children since 1938. We are the peak early childhood advocacy organisation, acting in the interests of young children, their families and those in the early childhood field. ECA advocates to ensure quality, social justice

and equity in all issues relating to the education and care of children aged birth to eight years.

earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au

Early Childhood Training and Resource Centre

The Early Childhood Training and Resource Centre (ECTARC) is a leading Australian registered training organisation that specialises in early childhood training and professional development. For over 18 years, passionate educators, progressive managers and people commencing an early childhood career have chosen ECTARC to deliver their training, professional development and consultancy.

ECTARC is committed to excellence in the delivery of training that fosters educators that

can provide high quality education and care to young children. Our Training Officers are all early childhood trained and deliver their training with experience and passion. The core of our business is better outcomes for children. ECTARC supports students not in isolation, but within the context of children, families and the community. Empowering students to be advocates for children and influential community members through learning.

ectarc.com.au

Education and Care Workforce

ECW is the Professional Body for the Education and Care Workforce. Our mission is to Connect, Inform and Elevate the Education and Care workforce with a view to growing the professional footprint of the Education and Care workforce.

Through the provision of ongoing quality subsidised professional development and support, coupled with active advocacy to raise

awareness of the expertise, complexities and contributions of the workforce. We recognise the significant role education and care practitioners have in the provision of quality early learning opportunities for children and the ongoing need for research and investment in the individual with in the profession.

aecwpb.com

34

JitBug

Jitbug is a mobile app that centralises and communiciates with your casual relieving pool. Calling around for relievers is frustrating, let Jitbug work for you.

KU Inclusion Support QLD

KU believes that every family should be able to access affordable, high quality early childhood education and care for their children. Since 1895 we have enriched the lives of thousands of children, making us Australia’s most experienced not for profit, community based provider.

KU centres are welcoming, child-focused, natural environments and our play-based learning programs are delivered by highly trained, qualified and experienced staff.

We are proudly a not for profit organisation.

ku.com.au

ACECQA

The Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) oversees the implementation of the National Quality Framework (NQF) and works with the state and

territory regulatory authorities to implement and administer the NQF.

acecqa.gov.au

Early Childhood Australia – Queensland

ECA’s vision is that every young child is thriving and learning. Our role in achieving this is to promote the rights and interests of all young children and to support the delivery of high-quality early childhood education and care.

ECA has enjoyed a long and celebrated history with more than 75 years of continuous advocacy for young children and those who educate and nurture them..

[email protected]

SPEAKER BIOPasi Sahlberg is a Finnish educator, author and scholar. He has worked as a schoolteacher, teacher educator, researcher and policy advisor in Finland and has studied education systems and reforms around the world.

In his long career in education he has served the World Bank in Washington, DC, the European Commission in Torino, Italy, and the OECD as education specialist. He currently advises several governments about education policies and reforms. He is an active contributor to global education dialogue through writings that have appeared in the Washington Post, The Guardian, The Conversation and CNN.

He is a former Director General of CIMO (Centre for International Mobility and Cooperation) at the Finland’s Ministry of Education and Culture in Helsinki, and visiting Professor of Practice at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Education. He is currently Professor of Practice at the University of Helsinki and a visiting Professor of Practice at the Arizona State University.

PASI SAHLBERG

PASI SAHLBERG

Australian Council for Educational Leaders PO Box 876, Strawberry Hills, NSW 2012 | [email protected] | Phone: 1800 680 559

LOCATION & DATES

FURTHER DETAILS

Time: 5pm – 7.30pm

FACTS AND MYTHS ABOUT FINLAND’S SCHOOLS FOR AUSTRALIAN EDUCATIONAL LEADERS

LECTURE FOCUS

Finland’s consistent performance in international student assessments has caused much curiosity in recent years. Educators around the world are exploring what Finland does well and how they remain at the top.

Pasi Sahlberg has hosted multiple delegations of educators in Finland seeking ideas and tools to apply to their home districts, and has determined real change can begin with four uncomplicated ideas. Focusing on leading learners, this book considers topics like:

• Physical activity is crucial for substantial learning• Enhancing equity is an essential component of success• Embedding ideas into your current leadership practices

takes perseverance

Finland’s particular brand of leadership culture in education is an ideal model for improving educational performance anywhere

Register at acel.org.au

Canberra - 13th Oct University House 1 Balmain Cres Acton

Melbourne - 12th Oct Rydges Melbourne 186 Exhibition Street, Melbourne

Brisbane - 9th Oct Rydges Southbank, Cnr Grey & Glenelg Streets South Bank

Adelaide - 11th Oct Playford 120 North Terrace, Adelaide

VIC

QLD

ACT

SA

EXHIBITOR abstracts

PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY:

SPEAKER BIOPasi Sahlberg is a Finnish educator, author and scholar. He has worked as a schoolteacher, teacher educator, researcher and policy advisor in Finland and has studied education systems and reforms around the world.

In his long career in education he has served the World Bank in Washington, DC, the European Commission in Torino, Italy, and the OECD as education specialist. He currently advises several governments about education policies and reforms. He is an active contributor to global education dialogue through writings that have appeared in the Washington Post, The Guardian, The Conversation and CNN.

He is a former Director General of CIMO (Centre for International Mobility and Cooperation) at the Finland’s Ministry of Education and Culture in Helsinki, and visiting Professor of Practice at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Education. He is currently Professor of Practice at the University of Helsinki and a visiting Professor of Practice at the Arizona State University.

PASI SAHLBERG

PASI SAHLBERG

Australian Council for Educational Leaders PO Box 876, Strawberry Hills, NSW 2012 | [email protected] | Phone: 1800 680 559

LOCATION & DATES

FURTHER DETAILS

Time: 5pm – 7.30pm

FACTS AND MYTHS ABOUT FINLAND’S SCHOOLS FOR AUSTRALIAN EDUCATIONAL LEADERS

LECTURE FOCUS

Finland’s consistent performance in international student assessments has caused much curiosity in recent years. Educators around the world are exploring what Finland does well and how they remain at the top.

Pasi Sahlberg has hosted multiple delegations of educators in Finland seeking ideas and tools to apply to their home districts, and has determined real change can begin with four uncomplicated ideas. Focusing on leading learners, this book considers topics like:

• Physical activity is crucial for substantial learning• Enhancing equity is an essential component of success• Embedding ideas into your current leadership practices

takes perseverance

Finland’s particular brand of leadership culture in education is an ideal model for improving educational performance anywhere

Register at acel.org.au

Canberra - 13th Oct University House 1 Balmain Cres Acton

Melbourne - 12th Oct Rydges Melbourne 186 Exhibition Street, Melbourne

Brisbane - 9th Oct Rydges Southbank, Cnr Grey & Glenelg Streets South Bank

Adelaide - 11th Oct Playford 120 North Terrace, Adelaide

VIC

QLD

ACT

SA

1 6 T H O C T O B E R 2 0 1 7 ,a t t h e P e r t h C o n v e n t i o n & E x h i b i t i o n C e n t r e

2 0 1 7 A C E L S Y M P O S I U M

GEOFF GALLOP ACEmeritus Professor, the University of Sydney

PASI SAHLBERG Finnish Educator, Author and Scholar, Visiting Professor of Practice at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Education

MATHEW WHITEDirector of Wellbeing & Positive Education, St Peter’s College - Adelaide

Register at acel.org.auAustralian Council for Educational Leaders: PO Box 876, Strawberry Hills, NSW 2012

1800 680 559 | F 1800 680 561 | [email protected]

S Y M P O S I U M

The 2017 ACEL Book Catalogue features over 230 new titles specifically selected to address the unique needs of educational leaders from leading Australian and international authors, researchers, thinkers, educators, parents, school administrators and other professionals in education and allied fields. The ACEL Bookshop contains over 1500 titles with new resources added regularly.

Titles are broken down into 13 categories which includes Assessment & Evaluation, Coaching & Psychology, Curriculum, Early Childhood, Educational Research, Gifted Education, Leadership & Management, Learning Support & Intervention, Teaching & Pedagogy, Technology, Tertiary Education and two newly added themes are Brain Development and School Improvement. Titles cover all the latest research so that you are always equipped with up-to-date information and techniques for daily teaching and management.

Visit acel.org.au for the new catalogue >>

[email protected] 1800 680 559

Australian Council for Educational Leaders

2017

BOOKCATALOGUE

1 6 T H O C T O B E R 2 0 1 7 ,a t t h e P e r t h C o n v e n t i o n & E x h i b i t i o n C e n t r e

2 0 1 7 A C E L S Y M P O S I U M

GEOFF GALLOP ACEmeritus Professor, the University of Sydney

PASI SAHLBERG Finnish Educator, Author and Scholar, Visiting Professor of Practice at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Education

MATHEW WHITEDirector of Wellbeing & Positive Education, St Peter’s College - Adelaide

Register at acel.org.auAustralian Council for Educational Leaders: PO Box 876, Strawberry Hills, NSW 2012


S Y M P O S I U M

You can purchase some of these practical resources today!

1. C&K Collaborative Teaching and Learning ournalThe journal will save you time and improve your teaching practice by incorporating the essential elements of pedagogical documentation in the one place.

2. C&K Reflective Practices CardsThe C&K Reflective Cards are a resource to support educators and services to continue on a journey of reflective practice. The cards can be used in multiple ways to support educators develop skills in critical reflection.

For more information visit us at stands 2&4.

C&K o�ers a range of resources to support

educators in their work with children

and families

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2016

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To talk about a personalised PL&D pathway, visit au.corwin.com or call (03) 8612 2000.

Corwin is a global provider of professional learning resources that equip you with the tools you need to improve teaching and learning. We offer a host of independent and integrated professional learning options, including professional books, events, and on-site workshops on important topics like instructional coaching, literacy, and Professor Hattie’s Visible Learning.

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Register at acel.org.au/conf17Australian Council for Educational Leaders: PO Box 876, Strawberry Hills, NSW 2012


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DAVID HOPKINS MARIAM ISSA HON. GLADYS BEREJIKLIAN MP

TONY MACKAYBEN WALDENKIRSTI LONKA

DAVID MARQUET RUSSELL QUAGLIATANIA MAJORPASI SAHLBERGBARBARA BLACKBURN

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program & event guide...program & event guide 2017 acel early childhood conference...

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