Welcome
Welcome to the Victorian Association of State Secondary Principals (VASSP) conference website. Leading for Progress is the theme of this year’s state conference. The program will feature keynote speakers and a series of concurrent sessions addressing three interrelated themes: Leading self, Leading others and Leading learning. Edtalks will also be a feature at the conference and will showcase the work of colleagues who are leading learning in their schools.
We hope you and your team will join us for two days of learning, reflection and collegiality at the Pullman in Albert Park. Take some time away from the busyness of school to think deeply about your leadership and to ponder the question: Am I truly leading for progress?
Program
Keynote Speakers
pasi sahlberg
Pasi Sahlberg is a Finnish educator and author who has worked as schoolteacher, teacher educator, researcher, and policy advisor in Finland and has studied education systems, analysed education policies, and advised education reforms around the world. He has written and spoken widely about these topics, his book “Finnish Lessons 2.0: What Can the World Learn from Educational Change in Finland” won the 2013 Grawemeyer Award for an idea that has potential to change the world. He is also a recipient of the 2012 Education Award in Finland, the 2014 Robert Owen Award in Scotland, the 2016 Lego Prize, and Rockefeller Foundation Bellagio Resident Fellowship in 2017. He is a former senior education specialist at the World Bank, a lead education expert at the European Training Foundation, a director general at the Finland’s Ministry of Education, and a visiting Professor of Practice at Harvard University. He chairs the Open Society Foundations’ Education Board and is a member of the Governing Board of the University of Oulu and the International Council of Education Advisors (ICEA) for the Scottish Government. His recent books are “Hard Questions on Global Educational Change”, “Empowered Educators in Finland” and “FinnishED Leadership: Four Big, Inexpensive Ideas to Transform Education”. He is a professor of education policy at the Gonski Institute for Education, University of New South Wales Sydney, Australia (from 1 March 2018).
Keynote: Leading with Small Data for Big Change in Your School
Schools around the world are being prepared for new digital solutions and smart machines that are about to make teaching and learning better and improve all schools. More and better data promises rapid learning gains and decreasing rates of failure through Big Data solutions. And yes, there are opportunities to improve school leadership by mindful use of these new tools. But educators should also understand what learning analytics, data mining and Big Data cannot do. This presentation explores the key opportunities and limits of datafication in school education and argues that rather than accepting that more data will make schools better, school leaders need to lead with small data and reclaim the professional wisdom and power of human relationships in every school.
Questions and answers will follow this keynote talk.
Recommended pre-reading: Small Data for Big Change: What does it mean for teachers? https://pasisahlberg.com/small-data-for-big-change-what-does-it-mean-for-teachers/
dr simon breakspear
Dr Simon Breakspear is known internationally for helping educational leaders navigate complex change, harness research evidence and drive continuous improvement for better learning. Simon is the Founder and Executive Director of Agile Schools, which equips educator teams with the research, routines and tools they need to drive improvement and innovation. He is also a Visiting Fellow at the University of New South Wales and Research Fellow of the Asia Pacific Centre for Leadership and Change at The Education University of Hong Kong. Simon holds Bachelors degrees in Psychology and Teaching, a Masters of International and Comparative Education from the University of Oxford and a PhD in education from the University of Cambridge. Simon began his work in education as a high school teacher in Sydney.
Agile Leadership: Creating impact despite complexity and resistance
Changing times call for great leaders who can create progress in learning despite complexity, ambiguity and resistance. Around the world, schools are under pressure to deliver on new and broader outcomes; utilise evidence-based practices; and create innovative new learning designs. Agile leadership provides a dynamic approach to leading change that will enable leaders to adapt quickly, continuously learn and iterate towards an effective solution.
rachael robertson
Rachael Robertson (CSP, MBA) is an Antarctic expedition leader, Chief Ranger and leader with 20 years of ‘extreme’ leadership experience. She is a best-selling author and leadership guru whose talents are in great demand from leading organisations around the globe.
As only the second female to lead a team to Davis Station in Antarctica she managed a diverse group of up to 120 people, through total isolation, months of darkness, with no way in and no way out. It was a leadership laboratory in the most extreme and hostile environment on Earth, where most of the theory doesn’t apply.
It was a ‘leadership laboratory’ in the most extreme workplace on Earth. In Antarctica she built a resilient and highly successful team based on the foundation that ‘respect trumps harmony’. Prior to leading the expedition Rachael had 16 years experience in a variety of senior operational roles in complex and challenging environments.
Since returning to Australia, Rachael has completed her MBA, written a best-selling book on her experience, Leading on the Edge, and has presented at over 700 conferences and events around the world. Rachael presents with great humour, humility and passion. No matter the event, Rachael will leave your audience inspired, challenged and equipped to take the next step in their leadership journey.
tracy ezard
“One of us is never as smart as all of us. “ Tracey Ezard
In a fast-moving world, teams need to form, storm & norm fast to connect and collaborate for extraordinary outcomes. Galvanising teams quickly & creating a BUZZ is Tracey’s forte.
Tracey has worked with over 20,000 people globally through facilitation and culture building in teams going through mergers, restructures or intact teams reconnecting to purpose, culture, strategy & values.
She is a Professional Triber.
Like a Hollywood director, Tracey understands the challenges of bringing multiple teams together to move collectively with impact. Leaders use Tracey to set the frameworks for collaboration and to create cultures where people come together to achieve amazing things.
She transforms Teams to become Tribes and Leaders to become Tribers. This momentum future-proofs organisations, retains talent, explodes engagement, reduces complacency and the status quo.
Tracey has been featured in the media extensively & is the author of “The Buzz, Creating a Thriving & Collaborative Learning Culture”. She is also Fellow of the Australian Council for Educational Leaders.
Prof jenny gore
Prof Jenny Gore is a Laureate Professor in the School of Education at the University of Newcastle. Jenny's sustained program of research on Quality Teaching, a pedagogical model, and Quality Teaching Rounds, an innovative approach to teacher professional development, has had significant impact in government, Catholic and independent schools throughout Australia, especially in NWS and the ACT. Quality Teaching Rounds is an evidence based model that enables teachers to draw on their own strengths and the advice of peers to find creative ways of improving their practice.
Making a difference through Quality Teaching Rounds: Evidence from a sustained program of research
Through rigorous forms of research, including a randomised controlled trial, Quality Teaching Rounds (QTR) has been shown to make a positive difference to the quality of teaching, teacher morale and school culture. This presentation will draw on both quantitative and qualitative evidence to demonstrate the impact of QTR, outlining its effects across a range of NSW primary and secondary schools and for teachers at very different stages of their careers. The essential components of QTR will be elaborated with analysis of the underlying mechanisms that contribute to the effectiveness of this form of professional development in improving teaching practice. As a relatively low-cost, short-term intervention with applicability across all subjects, stages of learning and schooling sectors, the multi-faceted evidence provided has significant implications for teacher development policy and practice. Importantly, the approach is founded in respect for the capacities of the teaching workforce in Australia, which is in stark contrast to some initiatives, here and around the world, that emphasise accountability at the expense of teacher growth and well-being.
Registration
The only method of registration is online using link below.
(
group and day registrations should use alternative form further down page)
Full registration includes:
Attendance at two days of professional learning and collegiality
Tea breaks and buffet lunch both days
One ticket to the conference dinner
Access to the exhibition area
Conference handbook and satchel
Early bird closes 27 July 2018
EB Member $600
EB Non-member $700
Standard Member $650
Standard Non Member $750
Group $550 (see group registration below)
Day Registration $350 (excluding dinner) (see separate link below)
Group Registration
A discounted registration is available for groups of three or more delegates $550 per person.
Please note the following:
- One delegate must be a VASSP member
- A minimum of THREE delegates must be registered at one time
- One invoice will be issued for all delegates, this cannot be separated
- Reduced rate is available only during the early bird period
Groups must be registered via the form below.
Day Registrations
A limited number of day registrations are available for $350 for one day atendance, no dinner.
Sponsorship and Exhibition
A range of sponsorship and exhibition packages are available for the conference.
VASSP Partners
Conference Gold Sponsors
Conference Silver Sponsors
Accommodation
Accommodation is available onsite at the Pullman and may be booked via the registration form.
Please note that both Pullman Rooms and Mercure Rooms are located at the hotel. Rates include breakfast in hotel restaurant.
pullman room
$240 per room, per night including breakfast
mercure room
$190.00 per room, per night including breakfast
General Information and Contact
Special Requirements
If you have any special requirements, please speak to the staff at the registration desk so that arrangements can be made on your behalf.
Disclaimer
The Conference Manager and VASSP will not accept liability for the damages of any nature sustained by participants or their accompanying persons for loss or damage to their personal property as a result of the conference, exhibition or related events.
Privacy Statement
Information gathered from registration and other conference forms will be used to administer the conference, including accommodation, catering and sponsorship. Data obtained will remain the property of VASSP and The Conference Manager.
Intention to photograph and record
Attendees are advised that photographs and recordings of presentations may be taken during the conference and reproduced for promotional purposes.
Prizes
The Organising Committee remind all delegates that prizes won during the conference may be subject to the DEECD gift policy. Please ensure that you follow appropriate procedures if you receive a prize. No responsibility will be taken for unclaimed prizes or prizes that are left unattended.
Cancellation
Registration and accommodation cancellations must be in writing to the conference organiser.
Conference Registration cancellations received up to 30 days prior to the conference receive a full refund of the registration cost less $50.00 handling fee. Conference registration cancellations received between 29 and 14 days prior to the conference will receive a 50% refund of the registration cost. No refund will be given for cancellations received within 14 days of the conference (full payment will be required).
Accommodation cancellations will be subject to a minimum fee of one nights accommodation. Cancellations received within 30 days of arrival will forfeit all monies paid (full payment will be required).
info@theconferencemanager.com.au
VASSP www.vassp.org.au