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 & Acknowledgement of Country Protocols & Pedagogy for the Day Summer Howarth, Conference MC
John Cleary, Conference MC
Andy Mison, President, ASPA
Summer Howarth John Cleary Andy Mison
9:15 AMSESSION 1   
9:15 AM - 10:00 AMNational Education Policy Meg Brighton, Deputy Secretary Schools and Youth Group, 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 Briefing Prof 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 Wilkinson Dr Jane Wilkinson, Professor, Monash UniversityJane Wilkinson
12:15 PM - 12:45 PMPathways to the Principalship: Expert Activation Dr Chris Dolan, Researcher, University of South Australia
Dr Pat Thompson, Professor, University of South Australia
Chris Dolan Pat Thompson
12:45 PM - 1:15 PMNational Education Policy 2: In Conversation Tim 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) John Cleary, Conference MC
Summer Howarth, Conference MC
Andy Mison, President, ASPA
John Cleary Summer Howarth Andy Mison
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) John Cleary, Conference MC
Summer Howarth, Conference MC
Andy Mison, President, ASPA
John Cleary Summer Howarth Andy Mison
4:10 PM - 4:40 PMSummit Preparation – Bringing it all together for Day 2 Andy Mison, President, ASPA
John Cleary, Conference MC
Summer Howarth, Conference MC
Andy Mison John Cleary Summer Howarth
4:40 PMNETWORKING RECEPTION   
4:45 PM - 5:00 PMNetworking Function Keynote - Dr Jenny Gore Prof Jenny Gore, Director, Teachers and Teaching Research Centre, University of NewcastleJenny Gore
5:00 PM - 7:00 PMNetworking Function   

*Program subject to change