The program will be updated as planning proceeds. Please check this page regularly.
| 8:30 – 17:00 | Impact Canberra: Strengthening Civics and Citizenship through School Leadership
Experience a full day of professional immersion and cultural exploration across Canberra. Our carefully timed itinerary ensures a seamless transition from leadership insights in schools to themed site visits across the capital. Extend your professional development beyond the conference walls and immerse yourself in the rich cultural and educational landscape of the nation’s capital. The day begins with a guided school tour for real-world leadership insights, followed by your choice of one of three curated, themed experiences. |
| 17:00 – 19:00 | Welcome Reception Exhibition Hall, National Convention Centre Canberra |
School Performance![]() Jazz Ensemble by ACT Instrumental Music Program |
| 07:30 – 17:00 | Conference Registration |
| 08:30 – 08:45 | School Performance: Canberra Girls Grammar School![]() Cantantes (Years 5–6) NCCC Main Foyer |
| 08:50 – 09:15 | Conference Opening![]() Bradman Theatrette Virginia Haussegger AM Welcome to Country Ngunnawal Elder, Bradley Djirabidj Bell Official Welcome Address |
| 09:20 – 10:20 | Opening Keynote Kindness: A Species Survival SkillHugh Mackay AO, Australian Psychologist and Social Researcher |
| 10:20 – 10:50 | Fireside Chat – Minister for Education
APPA President Angela Falkenberg will be joined by Minister for Education, The Hon Jason Clare MP, for an interactive fireside chat exploring key issues in the sector. |
| 10:50 – 11:00 | Conference Partner Address – advancedlife ![]() |
| 11:00 – 11:30 | Morning Tea & Exhibition |
| 11:30 – 12:30 | eSafety Commissioner![]() From playground to platform: building socially and emotionally safer schools and online communities Kellie Britnell, Manager, Awareness and Capability |
| 12:30 – 13:30 | Lunch & Exhibition |
| 13:30 – 14:30 | Evolving online safety education for today’s digital world Lucy Thomas, Co-Founder and CEO of PROJECT ROCKIT |
| 14:30 – 14:35 | Gold Sponsor Address – The School Photographer![]() |
| 14:35 – 15:15 | Afternoon Tea & Exhibition |
| 15:15 – 16:15 | Strengths at Work to Activate Agency Professor Lea Waters AM, Australian Psychologist ![]() |
| 16:15 – 17:00 | Networking Drinks & Exhibition Session
Wind down the day and catch up with colleagues in a relaxed environment while exploring the latest products and services from our sponsors and exhibitors. It is the perfect opportunity to build new connections and see the newest industry innovations firsthand within the exhibition space. |
| 17:00 | Mass
Saint Christopher’s Cathedral, Manuka All delegates are warmly invited to gather for Mass at the historic Saint Christopher’s Cathedral. Located in the heart of Manuka, this service offers a peaceful opportunity for reflection and fellowship with colleagues. |
| 17:30 | Sector Networking Functions
Join your colleagues from the Government, Catholic, and Independent sectors for an evening of dedicated networking designed to foster collegiality and share unique leadership insights across the primary education landscape. |
| 08:00 – 08:30 | Conference Registration |
|||
| 08:30 – 08:45 | School Performance![]() ACT Instrumental Music Program Young Voices Choir NCCC Main Foyer |
|||
| 08:50 – 09:05 | Welcome Day 2 Bradman Theatrette |
|||
| 09:05 – 09:45 | Activating students to learn and thrive Martin Westwell, Chief Executive of the South Australian Department for Education ![]() |
|||
| 09:45 – 09:50 | Gold Sponsor Address – Education Services Australia ![]() |
|||
| 09:50 – 10:00 | Movement to workshop rooms | |||
| 10:00 – 11:00 | Workshops A | |||
| Location | Bradman Theatrette | Menzies Theatrette | Nichollas Theatrette | Sutherland Theatrette |
Turning Vision and Voice into Agency – Connected, Protected, Respected |
![]() Digital or Distracted? Rethinking Technology to Transform Learning Alice Leung STEM education leader, Alice shares innovative approaches to teaching, learning, and leadership in STEM, inspiring schools to foster curiosity, creativity, and future-ready skills. |
![]() From Burnout to Breakthrough Brad Gaynor Experienced educator and consultant, Brad focuses on building resilient school communities, effective team collaboration, and strengthening student outcomes. |
![]() Parenting, Technology, and Rites of Passage in the 21st Century Dr Arne Rubinstein International education expert, Arne brings insights into school improvement, leadership practices, and pedagogical innovation that drive lasting change. |
|
| 11:15 – 11:45 | Morning Tea & Exhibition | |||
| 11:45 – 12:45 | Workshops B Workshops in this session repeat the same workshops as above, allowing delegates to attend a second presenter. |
|||
| Location | Bradman Theatrette | Menzies Theatrette | Nichollas Theatrette | Sutherland Theatrette |
Turning Vision and Voice into Agency – Connected, Protected, Respected |
![]() Digital or Distracted? Rethinking Technology to Transform Learning Alice Leung STEM education leader, Alice shares innovative approaches to teaching, learning, and leadership in STEM, inspiring schools to foster curiosity, creativity, and future-ready skills. |
![]() From Burnout to Breakthrough Brad Gaynor Experienced educator and consultant, Brad focuses on building resilient school communities, effective team collaboration, and strengthening student outcomes. |
![]() Parenting, Technology, and Rites of Passage in the 21st Century Dr Arne Rubinstein International education expert, Arne brings insights into school improvement, leadership practices, and pedagogical innovation that drive lasting change. |
|
| 13:00 – 14:00 | Lunch & Exhibition | |||
| 13:00 – 16:30 | Self-Care Wellness Activities Optional Take a moment to pause and reset with our dedicated wellness afternoon, designed to support your wellbeing alongside the formal conference program. These optional, hands-on sessions offer a fun and informal way to re-energise and reconnect while exploring Canberra’s unique offerings in a relaxed setting with colleagues. Focused entirely on relaxation and enjoyment, these activities provide the perfect opportunity to recharge during a busy conference week. |
|||
| 18:30 – 22:30 | Conference Dinner The Great Hall, Australian Parliament House Dress code: Business Casual Experience the rare privilege of dining in the heart of Australian democracy with a seat in the Great Hall at Parliament House. This stunning space, known for its soaring ceilings and the world-famous Arthur Boyd tapestry, offers a backdrop that is as historic as it is grand. It is a truly unique setting to relax and connect with colleagues in one of the nation’s most famous landmarks. |
|||
| 8:30 – 12:15 | Conference Registration |
| 08:50 – 09:00 | Welcome Day 3 Bradman Theatrette |
| 09:00 – 10:00 | What should students understand about the past? Prof. Frank Bongiorno AM, University of Canberra ![]() |
| 10:00 – 10:30 | Australian Primary Principals Association Update![]() Angela Falkenberg, APPA President |
| 10:30 – 10:40 | New Zealand Principals’ Federation![]() Jason Miles, National President |
| 10:40 – 10:45 | Sponsor Delegate Address – School Yard Heroes![]() |
| 10:45 – 11:15 | Morning Tea & Exhibition |
| 11:15 – 12:15 | Closing Keynote Powered-Up Performers: The neuroscience of performance in a digital ageDr Kristy Goodwin, Neuro-performance Scientist |
| 12:15 – 13:00 | Conference Close and Prize Announcements Launch 2027 APPA Conference |
| 13:00 – 14:00 | Exhibition & Farewell Lunch |
This site uses cookies. Find out more about cookies and how you can refuse them.