26-29 July 2008
Melbourne Convention Centre - Cnr Spencer and Flinders Streets
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia 3005
Presenters Papers Now Available, click here to view the papers available for download
Committee
Anna Bennett
Anna Bennett is currently an educational consultant with the Centre for Strategic Education. Previous to this she was the College Head of Professional Development at a multi campus independent school. Over the last 20 years Anna has held a variety of teaching and curriculum positions at both the Primary and Secondary level. Recently she has been working with a variety of schools in the development of their curriculum and the implementation of VELS. Her professional areas of expertise are curriculum development, professional learning and gifted education.
Susan Cooper
Managing Director of Paragon United Artists, a project management consultancy specialising in events, marketing and business development For over twenty years, Susan has developed, coordinated, managed, marketed and promoted major festivals and events for corporate, educational, private and local government organisations as well as directed and produced major theatrical productions and events. For nine years, Susan managed Kingston Arts Centre leading the business to achieve a 242% increase in revenue plus four consecutive Australian Achiever Awards with a consistent 100% rating for Customer Care & Attention. With extensive experience in preparing business and operational plans, financial planning, budgeting, monitoring and reporting, Susan's skills have been utilised by clients to grow successful businesses. As part of her portfolio, Susan is also the Director of Development at Port Phillip Specialist School and Kingswood College, Box Hill.
Bella Irlicht AM
Principal of Port Phillip Specialist School. Throughout her career she has gained the reputation as innovative teacher, excellent counsellor and an outstanding educator. In 1988 she was appointed principal at South Melbourne Special Developmental School and in 1997 helped transform the school into what is now known as Port Phillip Specialist School. Through her leadership the school has gained the reputation as being one of Australia's leading schools catering for students with special needs.
Bella has been the recipient of numerous awards for outstanding achievement and contribution to the profession, including: Equity Trustees National Not for Profit CEO of the Year Award (2005); Order of Australia (2003); Paul Harris Fellow awarded by Rotary International (2000); Professor John Miller Medal (2000); Churchill Fellow (1996); and a Queens Trust Award (1993). She is a Fellow of the Australian College of Education (1988) and a Fellow of the Australian Principals Centre. She has also been a finalist in the Telstra's Business Women's Award and is extensively involved in the broader community where she is on various committees and project teams.
Robert Newall
Robert is currently the Assistant Principal at Port Phillip Specialist School. Prior to this role Rob had worked as an educational consultant providing curriculum advice to a variety of schools through his association with the Independent Association of Registered Teachers of Victoria (IARTV). Before this Rob had been Deputy Head at Geelong Grammar – Glamorgan and before that he was also Deputy Head, at Carey Baptist Grammar Junior School. In amongst these roles Rob completed a Master of Education at the University of Melbourne.
John O'Toole
John O'Toole is Inaugural Chair of Arts Education at the University of Melbourne. Prior to that he was Director of Applied Theatre at Griffith University. John has been working in drama and arts education for forty years, with all age groups and on all continents. He has written many books, text-books and scholarly works, that are standard and translated internationally. He was formerly Director of Publications for IDEA, the International Drama/Theatre and Education Association, and Co-convenor of IDEA'95 World Congress. In 2001 he received the American Alliance for Theater and Education lifetime research award.
Pam Russell
Pam has had extensive teaching, consulting and research experience in primary, secondary and tertiary settings. She has been a Director of Curriculum and Vice Principal (Learning and Teaching) in prominent private schools. She is the Immediate Past President (Victorian Branch) of The Australian College of Educators, and the National Director of Tournament of Minds. Pam is a Fellow in the Department of Learning & Educational Development at The University of Melbourne, and a Fellow of The Australian College of Educators. She is also Chairperson of the Education Committee for Churchill Fellowships (Victoria). In her management of projects there is a strong emphasis on change management using a participatory approach that facilitates commitment.
Committee contact details
| First Name | Surname | Organisation | Telephone | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anna | Bennett | Centre for Strategic Education | 0407 560 051 | annab@cse.edu.au |
| Susan | Cooper | Port Phillip Specialist School Paragon United Artists |
9646 0855 (Fri only) 0417 776 830 |
cooper.susan.s@edumail.vic.gov.au |
| Bella | Irlicht | Port Phillip Specialist School | 0414 909 030 9646 0855 |
irlicht.bella.b@edumail.vic.gov.au |
| Robert | Newall | Port Phillip Specialist School | 9646 0855 | newall.robert.w@edumail.vic.gov.au |
| John | O'Toole | University of Melbourne | 0412 882 816 8344 8339 |
j.otoole@unimelb.edu.au |
| Pam | Russell | Independent Education Consultant | 0412 312 950 | pamruss@bigpond.net |
| Damien | Marshall | DET |