AHEAD OF THE CURVE: NATIONAL EDUCATION SUMMIT

EVENTS & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

THIS year’s Summit offers a range conferences on a range of key topics with educators able to choose the areas they’d like to develop their skills, knowledge and capabilities in.

“As a former educator, I am delighted at what the National Education Summit in 2018 has on offer,” International Exhibition and Conference Group chief executive Marie Kinsella said.

“Based on feedback from past delegates, this year we are offering the Special Needs Symposium where educators can develop their knowledge around Special Needs, including Anxiety, Dyslexia, Autism Spectrum Disorder and ADHD.”

With the introduction of the new Digital Technologies curriculum to Victorian schools, the K-12 Digital Classroom Practice Conference could be beneficial for staff looking to brush up on the latest learning techniques in the classroom.

“Another addition to the program is the Legal & Risk Management Frameworks where school leaders can be guided on complex legal and risk issues within schools by experienced lawyers from law firm Piper Alderman,” Ms Kinsella said.

“My vision is for this event is to assist our educators so they can return to their students feeling inspired to implement the new skills and ideas they have developed; whether that be a new strategy to assist a student with Special Needs or ways to address risk management and legal issues,” she said.

Navigating potential legal risks is definitely in the spotlight this year, with Piper Alderman National Employment Relations team principal Chris Hartigan speaking at the event.

“School leaders have responsibility for managing the increasing legal (including criminal) obligations in relation to keeping children safe,” Mr Hartigan said.

“There is an increasing range of laws that require that schools do not employ anyone who would constitute a risk to children.

“They must also report where they reasonably believe that a child is being abused either by a parent or a staff member.”

Mr Hartigan also said that schools

need to be aware of student issues, such as sexting and issues with images, social media and privacy online which are now regulated by criminal law.

Principals also need to be aware of how to navigate staffing issues and dismissals to avoid discrimination claims and potentially damaging fallout.

“They [schools] need to understand what constitutes unlawful discrimination and also adopt appropriate processes to avoid legal action, including being clear about the reason for the termination of a staff member so that it can’t be subsequently suggested that there was a discriminatory reason for a termination,” Mr Hartigan said.

The Masterclass for Principals is also recommended attendance for school leaders.

“It’s delivered by experienced educational consultants from G9 Education who will explore best strategies to implement a whole school improvement program,” Ms Kinsella said.

“The content has a school-wide focus and will outline proven practices for getting whole-school curriculum right; getting staff performance right; and getting

whole-school teaching right,” she said.

“Principals will come away with practical strategies to implement an improvement strategy for their own schools.”

While all the conferences affordably cover topical issues in education, visitors can also attend the Free Education Show which features more than 100 exhibitors showcasing school resources, services, products and technology.

“Visitors can explore the latest in education products, programs and technology from Green Hat’s STEAM focused workshops to digital literacy support from The Learning Staircase; it’s a one stop shop for your classroom,” Ms Kinsella said.

“Not to mention the Free Education Program where visitors can attend sessions on Cyber Safety, how to address body image issues in a school setting, and how to implement an effective wellbeing program.”

The National Education Summit and the Education Show will run Friday 31 August and Saturday 1 September at Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.

“Principals will come away with practical strategies to implement an improvement strategy for their own schools.”