Event Program

Neurodiversity Representation Matters: How lived experience is used at 12 Buckets to support the transition of Year 6 students into high school and beyond

Larissa Muir:
CEO at 12 Buckets

Neurodiversity is an area that is complex and is still misunderstood in the community due to its perceived “hidden nature”. This presentation will explore what Neurodiversity is, what this may look like for young people both diagnosed and un-diagnosed and how we can each adapt our practices to be neuro-affirming and inclusive when working with young people.

• Hear about an inclusive partnership model established with a secondary high school to support Neurodiverse young people.
• Learn of the importance of lived experience and the wealth of knowledge it brings when working in a Trauma informed approach with young people
• How a school can collaborate and partner with organisations like 12 Buckets to develop a model that can enhance student wellbeing and support all students.
• Positive results and outcomes that 12 Buckets has seen working within a secondary high school setting.

What does it mean to be strengths focused and how do you celebrate diversity.

About the presenter:

Larissa Muir is the CEO at 12 Buckets and has been working within the community services industry for over 15 years. She was diagnosed later in life as neurodivergent and has 3 neurodivergent children. Larissa uses her unique experiences to challenge the status quo as she believes strong communities are built when all diversity is accepted.

Leveraging Online Coaching to Enhance Engagement through High-Impact Teaching Strategies

Dr Susan Main
Senior Lecturer in Education
Edith Cowan University

Coaching is a vital tool for supporting school leadership and classroom teachers in delivering effective and engaging instruction. This presentation explores how online coaching offers enhanced flexibility for targeted self-reflection and access to external expertise, overcoming the constraints of distance and location. Participants will gain insights into the benefits of online coaching, be introduced to the COACHED platform, and learn practical ways to implement this approach in their schools to boost student engagement and instructional effectiveness through high-impact teaching strategies.

About the presenter:

Susan Main Ph.D. is a Senior Lecturer in Education at Edith Cowan University where she has delivered units in Educational Psychology, Special Education, Behaviour Management, Literacy, and Workplace Learning to undergraduate and postgraduate pre-service teachers. She has worked with various schools to support teachers teaching children with diverse abilities, including implementing evidence-based approaches to literacy instruction, managing challenging behaviour, and using technology to facilitate learning.

Dr Main has presented at national and international conferences on the use of online coaching to support pre and in-service teachers in the use of strategies to engage all learners.

Inspiring programmes for student career success

Jordan Wright
Apprenticeship Support Australia

Committed to young people having a great career start, this session will introduce practitioners to the exciting suite of services you can access supporting young people into the workplace. Discover our module-based Career Workshops suitable for Yr 9 – Yr 12 students, the ASA Intake Guide as a career advisory tool, and ASA’s Step into Career taster events bringing students into the workplace.

About the presenter:

Jordan is ASA’s School Engagement Specialist, dedicated to bridging the gap between education and industry. His service as a local Councillor and involvement with multiple school boards in the northern suburbs provides unique insight into the needs of both students and the workforce. He is committed to working with VET practitioners to create meaningful connections that foster student success.

Prepare Aboriginal youth and adults for employment expectations by employers

Annette Garlett
Lisa Collard
Keipa Boodja

Hear insights about the mentoring program for the Main Roads Bunbury Outer Ring Road project. We will highlight the issues that were faced by a newly operating corporation and the learning experiences and challenges of both the mentors and the mentees along with the business provider in the delivery of the program. Hear how throughout the project the stakeholders worked together to overcome difficulties and were able to make it work and gain achievable outcomes.

Secondly, we will workshop the culture awareness/immersion activities that we have developed and will be conducting with children and youth from local schools, community services and school staff. This will also involve local Noongar history from local families with lived experiences.

About the presenter:

Annette Garlett is the Chairperson of Keipa Boodja Aboriginal Corporation which has been operating for many years as a small corporation. Having retired from her position at South Regional TAFE as an Aboriginal Development Officer for 11 years, Annette is currently involved with Gnaarla Karla Aboriginal Corporation as a member of their Cultural Advisory Committee working with community, mining companies and government departments, providing advice on cultural matters pertaining to land practices.

Lisa Collard is a Director on the committee and provides assistance with the administration and consultancy for the corporation. Lisa was a Mental Health Worker with South West Aboriginal Medical Service for a number of years and is currently employed at Bunbury Regional Hospital as an Aboriginal Liaison Officer, overseeing several staff, working closely with the Aboriginal community and being

involved in cultural activities, participating in monitoring and cultural surveys.

Creating Mastery – Supporting our Students to become agents of change.

Liz Parker
Principal
Y School

Living in an ever-changing world, is it any wonder young people are feeling anxious about their futures? The pendulum of Education continues to swing between priorities, creating confusion and a lack of faith in what comes next. Creating Mastery is key to unlocking potential and self-worth, allowing young people to build futures with confidence, take sensible risks from a firm foundation, consolidating their personal power through knowledge and a clear voice communicating directly to leaders. How can we use an integrated curriculum to promote skill acquisition, skill application and skill sharing as a basis for a brighter future. In this session, we will explore how skill building for students can take place within a trauma-informed space, linking curriculum outcomes with our knowledge of neurobiology and the implementation of student voice in schools. Attendees can leave with concepts to apply in their own contexts, to help students develop confidence in the learning environment.

About the presenter:

Liz Parker has spent the last twenty years working within the education system to support the needs of Students At Educational Risk, both in Australia and the UK. Developing accessible curriculum in Engagement Programs, Behaviour Centres and most recently in the Independent Sector as a Principal in the CaRE School system, Liz hopes to assist young people in navigating their way towards success, through finding their strengths and excelling in the skills that bring them the most joy.

Pathways to Hope

Laura Thomas
Natalie Websdale
Young Carer Program – Carers WA

Pathways to Hope outlines the vital support available for vulnerable young people who provide care for family members with disability, chronic illness, mental health conditions, substance use disorder, or who are frail aged. Young carers face significant barriers to equitable opportunities in education, social inclusion, and interest exploration. The Young Carer Program offers tailored supports to these young carers, facilitating their vocational and personal development and growth. This program provides essential educational opportunities, helping schools and service providers identify and support this vulnerable cohort, ensuring they have the necessary resources and assistance to thrive and create a more inclusive and supportive environment for young carers across WA.

About the presenter:

Laura Thomas, Manager of the Young Carer Program at Carers WA, is a dedicated postgraduate qualified career practitioner. She is deeply passionate about offering high-quality career services to vulnerable young people. Laura strives to help them develop a robust understanding of how their unique likes, interests, and abilities can positively influence their vocational choices now and in the future.

Natalie Websdale is an Education and Engagement Officer for the Young Carer Program. As a qualified educator with experience in alternative schools, she possesses a deep understanding of the educational challenges faced by vulnerable young people.

Natalie is dedicated to delivering high quality health promotion across schools in the Perth Metro and Peel regions, emphasising the unique needs and vulnerabilities of young carers.

The implementation of Positive Psychology Interventions (PPI) in classrooms to promote wellbeing.

Dr John O’Rourke
Senior Lecturer
Edith Cowan University

The implementation of Positive Psychology Interventions (PPIs) in classrooms is becoming increasingly commonplace, given the concerning growth in mental health challenges for Australian youth. While the efficacy of PPIs is a source of conjecture in the academic literature (White, Uttl & Holder, 2019), given the low-level of teacher preparation required for most interventions, their value towards creating positive classroom environments is worthy of exploration. A series of PPIs developed in a post-graduate unit on positive education and wellbeing will be presented and reviewed around how they can be embedded in classrooms and supported in the broader school community

About the presenter:

Dr John O’Rourke is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Education at Edith Cowan University. He lectures predominately in diversity/disability and wellbeing in the secondary and post-graduate programs. His research interests are varied and include explorations of happiness and meaning in life for primary aged students in Western Australia

Grounded and Prepared – strategies for student wellbeing and independence readiness

Rachel Rodriguez
Peter Bolt
Ben LaHaye
Alta-1 College

Have you been dealing with the challenge of wanting to support students in their wellbeing growth while helping them gain enough knowledge and skills for future independence? Alta-1 is a CaRE school that has been operating in WA for 20 years. As we have grappled with this challenge, we have evolved into a school that offers three types of programs for students. In this collaborative session we will share about how we attempt to manage the balance between flexibility for students and meeting set goals, while also hearing from your experience in your setting. Our chaplain and engagement officer Ben, will share about how we support students in their personal recovery journey, and our VET and Careers manager Peter, will speak about strategies we have found useful to prepare students for spaces outside of school.

Attendees to this session will gain knowledge of how the 3 programs are set up at Alta-1, what staff are involved and what kind of engagement we have seen in the students.

Hearing from our engagement officer Ben about facilitating individual student support regarding wellbeing and personal progress. An interactive and collaborative group discussion will be had with attendees to discuss how we all develop and use goal setting and IEP tracking strategies, as well as what adjustments we make, to support students to make progress. We will share strategies with the group that we have used to better prepare students for spaces outside of school.

About the presenter:

Rachel Rodriguez would rather be in the tropics but is happy to be stuck in Perth for now. She has worked as a teacher in various countries and coordinated the development of literacy and early primary programs in Guinea-Bissau, West Africa. She is currently the Director of Student Outcomes at Alta-1 College.

Peter Bolt started in VET In Schools in 2005 out of a frustration of seeing students leave school with no qualifications in anything. He started and managed a Trade Training Centre providing employment focused training for disengaged students. After a stint in two mainstream schools as Head of Student Wellbeing, he is currently the VET Program Manager for Alta-1, responsible for overseeing all their VET programs for around 800 students across 26 campuses.

Ben LaHaye is part of the Engagement Team & Senior Chaplain at Alta-1 College in the South Metro Region. Ben has been working within the community sector for the past 15 years in various roles within NSW, QLD & WA. Ben has a strong focus on engaging young people on pathways that are going to assist them to be the best version of themselves.

WA Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) Intervention and Support Program

Senior Sergeant Brad Cooper Western Australia Police Force

The presentation will provide an understanding of the following.

• What is violent extremism
• Current environment and trends
• The WA Countering Violent Extremism Intervention and Support
• Program’s purpose, remit and services
• Push and pull factors
• Behavioural signs to look out for
• Referral process

About the presenter:

Brad Cooper is a Senior Sergeant and the Coordinator of the WA Police Force Countering Violent Extremism Unit since September 2023. He has over 28 years of experience in policing, predominantly in Countering terrorism since 2008.

Classroom Management

Sara Wiggins
Classroom Mastery (Knowledge Society)

Creating safe, calm and orderly classrooms by teaching expectations, rules and routines. We will look at the national climate of behaviour and unpack a consilience approach to behaviour and how having behaviour as a curriculum can improve student engagement.

About the presenter:

Sara Wiggins -Teacher and Deputy Principal in WA with experience across Pilbara, Wheatbelt and Metro schools. Experience leading PBS and CMS initiatives in schools. Instructional coach leading High Impact Teaching in schools. Now working across Australia with Knowledge Society and Dr Tim McDonald to deliver Classroom Mastery.

Empowering Youth: Key Tools for Happiness and Success

Jessica Thomson
Youth Opportunities

Locus of Control is a complete game changer for young people. This is a ‘golden thread’ throughout Youth Opportunities Personal Leadership Program as it impacts their communication, relationships, success, and ultimately their happiness. This interactive workshop will give attendees an experience of what the program involves and how we as their support network can support our young people in making huge transitional shifts in their habit building skills. We will also share the strong evidence base that supports the psychological underpinnings of the program, along with local examples of the program in WA schools.

About the presenters:

Jessica Thomson is the Program Partnerships Lead for Youth Opportunities, where she works to develop partnerships with schools and organisations across Australia.

Prior to working for Youth Opportunities, Jessica has 20+ years of working both in and with Primary Schools and High Schools. Firstly, as a Primary Teacher, and then working for the Department of Education, Sport Scotland, and her own business, designing and delivering training programs and resources to teachers, coaches, parents and students.

JSC: Empowering Youth through Collaboration, Partnerships, and Pilot Programs

Jodie Babb
Peel Jobs and Skills Centre

Martin Turnbull
JSC Rockingham Defence Team

A presentation on how the Jobs and Skills Centre is dedicated to empowering youth by providing tailored support and career guidance through on-site and outreach initiatives. We actively engage with the community, schools, and youth services, fostering strong relationships that are crucial for creating pathways and opportunities, particularly for those considered “at-risk.” Our success lies in collaboration and partnerships, which have opened doors to meaningful employment, training and education opportunities.

A key focus is on Western Australia’s Defence Industry, which plays a vital role in the state’s economic diversification and job creation. This industry offers a range of opportunities, from entry level traineeships to graduate programs, supported by local businesses that contribute to Australia’s Defence Force.

About the presenter:

Jodie Babb is the Senior Client Engagement Officer at Peel Jobs and Skills Centre. With over 20 years of experience in vocational education and training, she is deeply passionate about engaging and empowering youth, helping them discover and unlock their full potential.

Martin Turnbull is the Senior Defence Industry Schools and Community Engagement Consultant for the Defence Team, Jobs and Skills Centre Rockingham. He is dedicated to promoting career pathways and training opportunities within the dynamic Defence Industry. With a strong background in higher education and vocational education and training, Martin is committed to educating youth and the community on the long-term career opportunities available in this vital sector.

Teaching and Learning the Mooditj Way

Shania Eddy
Sexual Health Quarters

Mooditj is a comprehensive resilience, relationships and sexual health program designed for young Aboriginal people aged 10-15 years. The program’s purpose is to help build strong young Aboriginal people, who can have strong healthy relationships and make positive and informed choices about their sexual health and well-being. Although developed to be run with Aboriginal young people, all young people can learn and benefit from the Mooditj program. In this presentation, SHQ educators will run participants through one of the activities in the Mooditj program, focused on respectful relationships. Presenters will also discuss the importance of utilising culturally centred approaches to RSE.

About the presenter:

Shania Eddy (they/she) is a Gomeroi person with a Bachelor of Psychological Science and a Master of Sexology. Shania works as an Aboriginal Educator at Sexual Health Quarters (SHQ) to deliver strengths-based respectful relationships and sexual health education workshops to young people and professionals across WA and interstate. Shania is involved in SHQ’s Aboriginal Advisory Committee, Queer and Ally Group and co-leads the LGBTIQA+ Reference Group.

Strategies for reducing complex students’ resistance in accessing supports

Jodyne Greig
Anchorage Mentoring and Consultancy

The complex student facing multiple levels of disadvantage (financial or housing insecurity, family violence, alcohol and/or drug use, disability/mental health diagnosis, being a young carer, having parents with diagnoses etc) would frequently benefit from additional internal and external supports, but in many cases, will decline to consider them or access them. This presentation will unpack many of the reasons why students and/or their families may be resistant or unable to engage supports that may be of benefit and will outline practical strategies that can be implemented to address these reasons, and support and encourage positive access and engagement.

About the presenter:

Jodyne Greig, the first Disability Accredited Social Worker in Western Australia has dedicated over 20 years working in the disability sector across regional, remote and metropolitan Western Australia. With extensive experience and training in complex trauma, parents with disabilities and dual diagnosis of autism and psychosocial disability, Jodyne currently contracts to Department of Education Western Australia as well as operating a private practice in the NDIS space. Jodyne additionally contributes to the sector via publishing articles, presenting on disability topics and cofacilitating the Social Workers in Disability Practice Group.

How Virtual Reality Technology Is Changing Education & Engagement and Getting Students Future-Ready

Paulo Arroyo
Mindflight7

Attendees will have the opportunity to try out VR technology and the latest software designed for developing curriculum skills and engaging students in each lesson.

There will also be a presentation discussing the benefits of VR technology and the ways that it is currently applied in all types of learning institutions and what it may look like as we prepare students to navigate the workplaces of their futures.

Learning Areas covered include:

English, Science, Mathematics, HASS, Physical Education, Health & Wellbeing, Careers Development and more!

About the presenter:

Paulo Arroyo is a Virtual Reality Education Specialist with 5 years of experience in the Virtual Reality, E-Learning and STEM space, including running Lego and Minecraft workshops for many years.

As a Montessori alumni, Paulo understood the relationship between low-stakes exploration, play, and education from a young age. Since working with Mindflight7 (the world’s biggest network of VR empowered educators), he has been on the front lines providing innovative tech-integrated programs all over Australia and overseas.

Preparing young people to be active and productive adults.

Sharon Taylor
Deputy Principal
Yanchep SC

Hear about how Yanchep Secondary College given the context of its location and limited external local services and supports, have developed a team to provide targeted support to their students to access meaningful pathways as an alternative to school. Rather than refer students to the Participation team, the staff have worked hard to locate employment, courses, and other pathway opportunities in a targeted approach to support their students. In addition, we have identified areas to support our younger students who are disengaged from school and at risk.

About the presenter:

Sharon Taylor- Deputy Principal and foundation staff member of Yanchep SC. Currently managing Years 9 – 12 and supporting a comprehensive program (Yandjip Program) to support the students of the local area.

Transitioning from School to Work

Matt Hope-Potter
Megan Tringrove
BIZLINK

The session will focus on the pathways available through BIZLINK to transition from school to work. The session will include:

An overview of BIZLINK, our history and our values.

–  Overview of DES (Disability Employment Services).

–  Presentation of the ESL (Eligible School Leaver) Pathway.

–  Eligibility and registration requirements.

–  Funding arrangements.

–  Focus on gaining suitable and sustainable open employment.

–  Presentation of SLES (School Leaver Employment Supports)

–  ES (Employment Supports) Pathway.

–  NDIA funding.

–  Focus on capacity building.

–  Overview of individualised supports and strategies.

–  Pathway to DES for job search and placement

Pulling it all together.

Presentation of how the different pathways work together to complete the employment pathway at the correct stage.

Success stories.

About the presenter:

Matt Hope-Potter, and Megan Tringrove have both worked in employment services for the past 4 years in various roles. Both Matt and Megan now work for BIZLINK.

BIZLINK is a Disability Employment Service assisting people to secure and maintain open employment in the community.

They are both Employment Coordinators with their primary role promoting BIZLINK services to the broader community and the registration of new clients.

WA Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) Intervention and Support Program

Senior Sergeant Brad Cooper Western Australia Police Force

The presentation will provide an understanding of the following.

• What is violent extremism
• Current environment and trends
• The WA Countering Violent Extremism Intervention and Support
• Program’s purpose, remit and services
• Push and pull factors

Behavioural signs to look out for

– Referral process

About the presenters:

Brad Cooper is a Senior Sergeant and the Coordinator of the WA Police Force Countering Violent Extremism Unit since September 2023. He has over 28 years of experience in policing, predominantly in Countering terrorism since 2008.

Building Inclusive and Engaging School Environments

Marie Blackburn
Madison Heady
Activ Foundation

Activ Foundation has developed innovative and inclusive education professional development to help build disability awareness and confidence. Hear how we encourage schools to be creative and flexible when planning their learning experiences with content that has been co-designed and will be co-presented by a person living with disability. We bring lived experience into impactful and authentic, workshops and presentations, and are passionate about ensuring students with disabilities are getting their best opportunities to learn, and that schools are building capacity to become more inclusive and engaging environments for everybody. Our presentation allows educators to feel supported in doing this. We explain how building guidelines and strategies to ensure all students from a young age feel included and accepted, can lead to them being more actively engaged in their school community.

About the presenters:

Marie Blackburn is a widely experienced educator with a passion for developing inclusive cultures within schools. Across her 35-year career, she has worked in a variety of educational settings with students of all abilities, working to ensure that students with a disability feel included and engaged in their school environments and develop to their full potential. She has been working with Activ to design and develop inclusive professional development for schools, parents, and students.

Madison Heady is a vibrant young woman navigating her way through the world and living with a disability. She has had many challenges in her life and has faced them head-on with determination, strength, and a huge appetite for the outdoors and sports, while campaigning as an advocate for others. Madi won WA Young Person of the Year in 2023 and continues to play a key role in reshaping WA’s approach and education around inclusivity. Her smile and lived experience has lit up many a room around WA, and Madi draws a lot of energy from sharing her story and taking people along the journey of understanding how “if people just focus on the outside image, they’ll miss out on what’s inside, just give people a chance to show you their abilities”.

Beyond Education: The Positive Youth Development Model

Shikara Collins
Y School

John Sutcliffe
Edith Cowan University

This presentation explores the application of the Positive Youth Development (PYD) model within the CaRE school setting. By integrating principles of Freirean critical pedagogy and social pedagogy, this framework demonstrates how professional youth workers can foster holistic development and empower young people for successful transitions to adulthood. The presentation will explore the core components of the PYD model as they relate to the development of the whole person, highlighting the importance of dialogical empowerment and genuine youth participation. Grounded in social pedagogy, the PYD framework offers a promising approach to supporting young people’s aspirations and achieving positive outcomes with young people.

About the presenters:

Shikara Collins is a professional youth worker at the Y CARE School. Shikara’s experience spans diverse settings, including education, homelessness, and community engagement both nationally and internationally. Shikara is passionate about creating positive social change and committed to empowering young people to reach their full potential.

John Sutcliffe is the Course Coordinator of the Youth Work program at Edith Cowan University. With a wealth of experience in local government, homelessness, and education, he brings real-world expertise to his lecturing and research. John’s research focuses on shaping the future of professional youth work through investigations into long-term careers, practice frameworks, and digital engagement.

Youth Choices, Rapid Response program – free interactive exploration of youth issues

Matt Stewart, Arts and Constable Care Foundation
Youth Choices

Any issue, any topic, any time. Rapid Response Theatre (available for free to all WA schools) is comprised of a facilitated discussion around an audience nominated issue; a scene devised by the audience, then improvised by our professional acting team; followed by dialogue, scene replays, taking on audience suggestions, ideas and participation.

This interactive role-play workshop allows participants to safely explore solutions to issues confronting their lives and communities.

Rapid Response Theatre is one of Youth Choices many offerings available to secondary schools and youth centres in Perth and greater WA. This is an opportunity for teachers, year coordinators, youth workers to discover this unique and valuable resource.

About the presenters:

Matt Stewart, Arts and Constable Care Foundation, has decades of experience as a manager, trainer, facilitator and professional theatre practitioner. He was the co-founder and GM of Darlinghurst Theatre Company and Milk Crate theatre, Sydney and has also worked in restorative justice and change management. Professional actors x 3, Constable Care utilises the skills of young, trained, professional actors to facilitate interactive, issues-based performances with young audiences across WA.