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Wednesday 17th September 2025
Perth, Western Australia
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Coming to Perth in 2025, EduFest WA will empower West Australian educators develop a culture of innovation in their school communities, fostering a new generation of creative problem solvers and critical thinkers who are ready to tackle the challenges of the future.
Find out more about what we have in store for our attendees by exploring the program below!
7:30am - 8:00am
Registration Open
For attendees wanting to beat the traffic, we will be hosting an optional 'Morning Musings' session before the official program. Grab a coffee and a bite to eat as you hear from a thought provoking fireside chat to prepare you up for the day ahead!
8:00am - 8:30am
ATAR vs Adaptability: Rethinking Student Success In A Changing World
Elizabeth Knight | Chief Executive Officer At Fogarty Foundation
Fiona Crowe | CEO At UWA & Curtin At St Catherine's College
Scott Millar | Chief Executive Officer At BOP Industries
Speakers Coming Soon!
For generations, our schooling system has been shaped by a model designed to prepare students for factory-based careers, prioritising structure, uniformity, and academic outcomes. While the world has changed dramatically, many aspects of our education system have remained the same. As we look to the future, the question must be asked: are we preparing students for the world that was, or the world that’s coming?
In this panel, education leaders will explore how we can evolve our systems to better prepare students for the future. We'll be asking what it looks like to balance academic rigour with the development of essential human skills, and how education communities can create learning experiences that reflect the world students are entering, not the one we came from.
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8:30am - 8:45am
Coffee & Networking
After the panel discussion, our attendees will have time to grab a coffee and network with fellow delegates before the main program commences.
7:30am - 8:45am
Registration Open
Registration will remain open for all attendees from 7:30am with coffee and pastries available for attendees once they arrive. Please ensure you have arrived and registered in time for our official welcome at 8:45am.
8:45am - 9:00am
Official Welcome
Scott Millar | Chief Executive Officer At BOP Industries
EduFest WA Emcee, Scott Millar, will be officially opening the EduFest WA Conference for 2025 as he welcomes attendees, and provides an overview of what to expect in the day ahead.
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9:00am - 9:30am
Innovation & Impact In Action
Caitlin McKeown | Co-Founder And Managing Director At We Spot Turtles
Join Caitlin McKeown, founder of We Spot Turtles, as she shares how a single idea grew into a global tech startup using AI to protect endangered sea turtles.
In this session, educators will discover how real-world innovation, purpose-driven learning, and youth entrepreneurship can be cultivated through science, storytelling and student empowerment.
9:30am - 10:00am
Future Insights: The Industries Shaping The Future Of Western Australia
Alex Jenkins | Director Of The WA Data Science Innovation Hub
Oliver Bazzani | Director Of Perth Biodesign
Jo Hawkins | Innovation Leader At The University Of Western Australia
What are the industries set to transform Western Australia over the next 50 years?
In this fireside chat, we’ll hear from trailblazers working at the forefront of emerging sectors that are shaping the future of our state’s economy and workforce.
As the pace of innovation accelerates, the careers available to today’s students, and the skills required to succeed in them, are shifting dramatically. With evolving business models and new technologies redefining how we create value across the state, this session will explore the industries transforming our future job market in Western Australia, what this means for the next generation.
This fireside chat offers educators a unique opportunity to gain insight into where the world is heading, and how we can start preparing young people to navigate uncertainty, seize opportunity, and thrive in industries that may not even exist yet.
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10:00am - 10:30am
From Watercooler Chats To VR Huddles: Rethinking Work In A Connected World
Dan Baker | Design Director At Accenture Song
Jeroen Van Dalen | Program Director At The Bloom: Centre For Youth Innovation
Not long ago, the workplace was defined by desks, commutes, and casual conversations by the watercooler. Today, it’s not uncommon to see colleagues connecting in virtual reality huddles, with teams collaborating from their kitchen tables, co-working spaces, and beach-side villas from anywhere in the world.
In this fireside chat, industry leaders will explore how shifting expectations, globalisation, and digital transformation are reshaping workplaces across every sector. Unpacking the trends driving change, debunking the myths around the future of work, and exploring how the employer–employee relationship is evolving, this conversation will give educators a window into the workplace realities their students will face as they leave the school gates.
From new models of connection and collaboration to the evolving definitions of career success, this session invites educators to reflect on how we can better prepare students to thrive in a world of work that looks nothing like the one we once knew.
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10:30am - 11:00am
Morning Tea
We'll be breaking for morning tea to give attendees the opportunity to get a bite to eat, network and discuss all the insights gained from our first session.
11:00am - 12:30pm
Hands On Masterclasses
As attendees come back from morning tea, attendees will be treated to a selection of masterclasses delivered by educational innovators as they share their projects, learnings, and experiences. Attendees will have the opportunity to select one stream of masterclasses to attend during this content block. Streams can be found below:
Stream One: Building Innovative Learning Experiences
11:00am - 12:30pm | Venue: JCR Space
Round One | 11:00 - 11:30am
Amplifying Student Voice and Real-World Skills Through Podcasting
Our Lady Of Good Counsel School
Round Two | 11:30am - 12:00pm
Project-Based Learning In STEM: Engaging Students Through Real-World Challenges
Questacon
Round Three | 12:00pm - 12:30pm
The Six Seasons: Exploring Noongar Knowledge Through Big Data
All Saints' College
Stream Two: Leading A Culture Of Innovation
11:00am - 12:30pm | Venue: Conference Room
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Round One | 11:00 - 11:30am
Igniting Purposeful Innovation: Guiding Students To Create with Empathy And Impact
Catholic Education Western Australia
Round Two | 11:30am - 12:00pm
Leaving The Industrial Model Behind; Aquinas myFUTURE
Aquinas College
Round Three | 12:00pm - 12:30pm
Supporting Early Career Teachers: Building Capacity, Confidence and Community
Association Of Independent Schools Western Australia
12:30pm - 1:00pm
Lunch
We'll be breaking for lunch to give attendees the opportunity to get a bite to eat, network and connect with each other.
1:00pm - 3:00pm
The Educators' Design Sprint
As we dive into the afternoon, attendees will be getting hands on with an Educators' Design Sprint that will see them working in teams to develop a tangible resource, learning experience, or initiative to take back to their communities. Attendees will be able to select one of the following streams to participate in for this content block:
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Stream One: Smarter, Not Harder | Designing Workflows That Fuel Innovation
You’ve heard the speakers, explored new ideas, and been inspired by what’s possible. Now it’s time to get practical.
This hands-on design sprint is all about working smarter, not harder. Educators will be guided through a fast-paced and practical innovation process, exploring how they can streamline their workflows, reduce time spent on admin, and free up more space for the creative, impactful work that matters most.
With a showcase of digital tools, artificial intelligence programs, systems, and smart strategies, this session is designed to support the educators who go above and beyond, helping you do more with less and take your ideas further without burning out. Walk away with tangible tools, time-saving systems, and a prototype solution you can take back to your school or community and start using straight away.
Design Sprint Mentors Include:
Lisa Longman - Facilitator | Director Of The Bloom: Centre Of Youth Innovation
Matthew Hall | Director of Innovation and Learning Services At Ursula Frayne Catholic College
Simon Fittock | Education Consultant At Association Of Independent Schools Of Western Australia
Abigail Robinson | Curriculum Consultant At Association Of Independent Schools Of Western Australia
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Stream Two: Level Up Your Learning Experience | Designing The Next Stage Of Your Innovation
You’ve designed something bold. It’s sparked curiosity, created impact, and shifted thinking in your classroom or community, so what’s next?
This hands-on design sprint is for educators looking to take the innovative learning experiences they're delivering in the classroom to the next level. Whether you're refining a program, expanding a project, or evolving an initiative, this session will help you reflect, explore possibilities, and strategically plan for what’s next.
Guided through a practical innovation process, you’ll create a clear plan of action tailored to your context shaped by the insights and inspiration you’ve gathered throughout the day. Leave with tangible next steps, fresh ideas, and a renewed sense of direction to elevate your work back in your school community.
Design Sprint Mentors Include:
Scott Millar - Facilitator | Chief Executive Officer Of BOP Industries
Steven Scott | Director of the Design Hub At All Saints' College
Laura Motherway | Strategic Creative Learning Manager At FORM Building A State Of Creativity
Lynette Hillier | Biological Science Teacher & Co-Founder of The Innovation Academy At Manea Senior College
3:30pm - 5:00pm
EduFest WA Sundowner
As the official conference program concludes, we will be inviting attendees to join us for refreshments and an networking as we share our learnings from the day, and celebrate the hard work being done by innovative educators across the state!
4:00pm - 4:30pm
Beta Tested And Battle-Ready: Innovation Stories From Behind The Scenes
Michele Watson | Innovation & Community Links Coordinator At Manea Senior College
Lara Clarke | Head Of Program For ESTEAM At St Hilda's Anglican School For Girls
Scott Millar | Chief Executive Officer At BOP Industries
More Panellists Coming Soon!
Behind every innovative learning experience is a version that didn’t quite work. Or two. Or five. In this candid conversation, educators pull back the curtain on the creative chaos, trial runs, and “what were we thinking?” moments that helped them design learning experiences that truly landed.
From misjudged prototypes to student feedback that hit a little too close to home, you’ll hear the real stories of how big ideas were stress-tested, scrapped, and ultimately rebuilt into something better. Expect laughter, honesty, and plenty of insights for levelling up your own approach to innovation in the classroom.
We've got an action-packed day planned for attendees at EduFest WA and we hope we can see you there! Tickets are on sale now and selling quickly. Make sure to grab yours now!