Day 1: The National Education Forum

A day of evidence-based learning and collegial dialogue, bringing together leading researchers, policymakers, and school leaders.

Tuesday, March 24, 2026
8:45 AM - 9:15 AMSUMMIT OPENING | Welcome to Country, Protocols & Pedagogy for the DayAunty Violet Sheridan, Welcome to Country
Mr Andy Mison, President, ASPA
Mr John Cleary, MC, Conference MC
Ms Summer Howarth, Conference MC,
Aunty Violet Sheridan Andy Mison John Cleary Summer Howarth 
9:15 AMSESSION 1   
9:15 AM - 10:00 AMNational Education PolicyMeg Brighton, Deputy Secretary Schools and Youth Group, Commonwealth Department of EducationMeg Brighton 
10:00 AM - 10:40 AMAustralian Student Achievement: What is the Evidence?Dr Sally Larson, University of New EnglandSally Larson 
10:45 AM - 11:15 AMMORNING TEA & SPONSOR NETWORKING   
11:15 AMSESSION 2   
11:15 AM - 11:45 AMPrincipals’ Occupational Health & Wellbeing Survey Results BriefingProf Theresa Dicke, Professor, Australian Catholic UniversityTheresa Dicke 
11:45 AM - 12:15 PMSafe Schools, Supported Leaders: Foundations for a National Response: In Conversation with Dr Jane WilkinsonProf Jane Wilkinson, Professor, Monash UniversityJane Wilkinson 
12:15 PM - 12:45 PMPathways to the Principalship: Expert ActivationDr Chris Dolan, Researcher, University of South Australia
Dr Pat Thomson, Professor, University of South Australia
Chris Dolan Pat Thomson 
12:45 PM - 1:15 PMNational Education Policy 2: In ConversationTim Bullard, CEO, AITSLTim Bullard 
1:15 PM - 2:00 PMLUNCH & SPONSOR NETWORKING   
2:00 PMSESSION 3   
2:10 PM - 3:20 PMPrincipals' Council | Flourishing Students and Strengthening Leadership – Facilitated Discussion of Key Issues, Ideas and Development (all attendees welcome)Mr Andy Mison, President, ASPA
Mr John Cleary, MC, Conference MC
Ms Summer Howarth, Conference MC,
Andy Mison John Cleary Summer Howarth 
3:20 PM - 3:40 PMAFTERNOON TEA & SPONSOR NETWORKING   
3:40 PM - 4:10 PMPrincipals' Council | Transforming Systems - Facilitated Discussion of Key Issues, Ideas and Developments (all attendees welcome)Mr John Cleary, MC, Conference MC
Ms Summer Howarth, Conference MC,
Mr Andy Mison, President, ASPA
John Cleary Summer Howarth Andy Mison 
4:10 PM - 4:40 PMSummit Preparation – Bringing it all together for Day 2Mr Andy Mison, President, ASPA
Mr John Cleary, MC, Conference MC
Ms Summer Howarth, Conference MC,
Andy Mison John Cleary Summer Howarth 
4:45 PM - 5:00 PMNetworking Function Keynote - Dr Jenny GoreProf Jenny Gore, Director, Teachers and Teaching Research Centre, University of NewcastleJenny Gore 
5:00 PMNETWORKING RECEPTION   
5:00 PM - 7:00 PMNetworking Function   

*Program subject to change