A note from Steve
I want to start this month’s newsletter with a huge THANKS to everyone to who came along to QTiP24. The conference is always the highlight of my year and QTiP24 did not disappoint. I am inspired by the stories from so many passionate teachers and school leaders, and was enthralled by the interesting and compelling research presented. It is a thrill to be part of such a vibrant community where research and practice merge.
The conference got off to an amazing start with a powerful Acknowledgement of Country, song, and dance performance by the very impressive Aurielle Smith from Newtown School of the Performing Arts. Her rendition of Cold Chisel’s ‘Flame Trees’, with the chorus sung in Indigenous language, and her original dance composition created to Walanbaa, will stay with me for some time. Delegates were then treated to a compelling opening keynote from Laureate Professor Jenny Gore AM highlighting the system-wide impact that QT and QTR could have on some of the biggest challenges facing education which launched the conference.
It was a packed and fascinating program, with 50 presentations from schools, researchers and system leaders. The keynote from Dr Michele Bruniges AM, “Changing the equity outcome”, and Dr Drew Miller’s deep examination of the QT Model in his presentation, “Where the magic happens”, were two of my personal highlights. You can read more about the conference below, as well as a range of other interesting and exciting happenings at the QT Academy this past month.
It would be remiss of me to not include a big shout out to our team who started organising this conference in May 2023. Many hours have been spent working through the hundreds of big and small details that must be planned, timed and executed to perfection for these two days to come together flawlessly. The QT Academy and TTRC are a special bunch of people, and it is a pleasure to work alongside such a fantastic team.
Steve Hannan
Executive Director, Quality Teaching Academy
QTiP24: Evidence for impact wrap-up
What an event! As you are more than likely aware, we hosted the third annual Quality Teaching in Practice conference at the Novotel, Sydney Olympic Park on Monday and Tuesday of this week.
The conference was opened with a powerful Acknowledgement of Country and vocal and dance performance by Aurielle Smith from Newtown High School of Performing Arts. Thank you to Aurielle and The Arts Unit for organising such an inspiring performance.
Our keynote speakers also provided inspiration in their enlightening presentations. Laureate Professor Jenny Gore AM delivered a compelling address interrogating some of the thorniest challenges in education and, using a decade of evidence, made the case that the QT Model and QTR are systemic solutions that should be adopted to deliver improved outcomes for all. Dr Michele Bruniges AM walked us through data on the entrenched disadvantage in our segregated school system, but how, with the right conditions, education can change lives, provide choice and opportunities, and strengthen communities.
The panel discussions were a highlight of the conference. Our evidence panel, featuring Associate Professor Mark Rickinson, Peter Riley and Belinda Cooper (Cessnock High School), and Dr Drew Miller, argued that ensuring research-based interventions are appropriate for your school context is the most important consideration and that teachers and leaders should be supported to develop their research literacy.
The second panel, “Rethinking induction”, featured Kaitlin Heggen (Hambledon Public School), Mary Ryan (Catholic Schools NSW), Dr Fiona Longmuir and Dr Sally Patfield. The discussion emphasised the critical role of induction in all settings for all teachers and the need for more support for schools to get it right.
Our invited speakers, Distinguished Professor Kathryn Holmes, Steve Grant, Mark Grant, Linda Langton and Meg Couvee provided rich and diverse perspectives on all things from generative AI in the classroom, national education policy, STEM attitudes and leadership perspectives.
Plenary speaker, Anthony Ackroyd, had the audience in stitches with his intriguing insights into the science of laughter and his five-point plan for reducing stress and making humour part of every day.
We were also privileged to have more than 30 teachers and school leaders present their experiences and in-school research from schools such as, Lauriston Girls’ School in Victoria, Lismore Heights Primary School in far north New South Wales, Cessnock High School and Sydney Children’s Hospital School.
Our research presentations were diverse and fascinating, covering everything from storytelling and movement in classrooms, history tours and mask wearing, to decodable vs levelled texts, QT in initial teacher education and new research on QT Assessment Rounds.
Finally, we extend our deepest gratitude to all attendees. Your participation and engagement made QTiP24 the success it was. We could not have done it without you. Until next year!
Who attended QTiP24?
Our delegates came from far and wide, representing a diverse range of schools, universities, and other educational institutions. Primary and secondary school delegates made up over 50 per cent of our audience, with combined schools and special schools making up another 21 per cent. University-based delegates, representatives of other education organisations and non-school based attendees made up the final 25 per cent.
Given QTiP24 was held in Sydney, it’s not surprising that more than 80 per cent of delegates are based in NSW. However, every state and territory, with the exception of Tasmania, was represented at the conference. Excitingly, we also had a contingent of international delegates attend QTiP, demonstrating the universal appeal of QT and its evidence base.
Finally, we had really positive representation from all school sectors. The majority of delegates were from the government sector (60 per cent), while Catholic schools and independent schools made up over 16 per cent.
Beth’s Darwin workshop recap
One of the best parts of my job as a QT Adviser, is working with, and learning from, other teachers from all different contexts. Last week I was lucky enough to head where no other QTR Adviser has been before, the Northern Territory!
I ran a two-day QTR workshop in Darwin with some incredible teachers from three diverse and dynamic schools. These schools are all part of our Strengthening Induction project, supporting their early career and experienced teachers alike through participation in Quality Teaching Rounds.
All of the teachers I met are passionate educators, genuinely invested in improving outcomes for some of the most vulnerable students in Australia. They were inspired by the work we have done with Cessnock High School and all agreed that QT is something they will use moving forward.
I learned so much. I cannot wait to continue working with these teachers and schools throughout their journey. Oh, and I also got to see the most amazing sunsets over the ocean in Darwin… a real novelty for someone from the east coast!
School stories revisited: Tullamore Central School
You may think that implementing QTR in a rural school would be impossible in the midst of a national teacher shortage. Kelly Jesser is here to prove you wrong.
Kelly has advertised a Head Teacher English position several times at her small, remote school. On more than one occasion she has received zero applicants. This is not surprising – it’s emblematic of the dire need for more teachers in rural and regional Australia.
Despite the challenges, Kelly, who has been the principal of Tullamore Central School since 2021, is running Quality Teaching Rounds (QTR) across her school for all her staff.
“The team see that QTR is something we can implement quite comfortably through our hybrid model. Whilst we’re already under strain from staffing shortages, we can see the implementation of Rounds will only build more resilience and trust in each other.”
Upcoming workshops and webinars
Recent publications & media
Publications
- Translating Longitudinal Research: From Large Datasets to Insights for Professional Practice – Dr Sally Patfield, Dr Leanne Fray, and Laureate Professor Jenny Gore AM
Media
- Teacher transformation scores top marks – Madelaine Love; Hippocampus
- The ‘value’ of teachers – Moana Hope and Laureate Professor Jenny Gore AM; Disrupt Radio
