Keynote Speakers – ICGS Educating Girls Symposium at Melbourne Girls Grammar

Dr. Stephen Holmes B. ED, MBA, M. ED, PhD — Principal and Founder, The 5Rs Partnership

The 5Rs Partnership was established in 2004 in Singapore, with offices internationally. Dr. Holmes leads an expert team specializing in identity, reputation development, strategy planning, marketing, and culture supporting independent and international schools in every continent with an unmatched client list. Over the three decades, Dr. Holmes has come to be widely regarded as the most experienced, credentialed consultant in the world in evidence-led strategy for the education sector that leads to both education and market success and performance. He is the only full-time practicing consultant with a PhD in the specific field of building reputation and market orientation for the education sector.

Dr. Holmes has also long been a sought-after speaker, trainer and consultant with major international school agencies across the world. In 2023-24 alone, Dr. Holmes has been commissioned for major school projects and conference keynotes extensively across the US, UK, Asia, Africa, Australia, New Zealand and Europe. Dr. Holmes also undertakes substantive published research, program development training and teaching with school audiences globally – he therefore gains the respect of Principals/Heads of Schools who engage The 5Rs Partnership who might otherwise view consultants in a different light.

Keynote: Closing Keynote: Creating a Compelling Identity in Girls’ Schools through Impactful Strategic Planning

Almost universally, the rocky times in which we live mean school leaders are finding that an increasing imperative is to repurpose and reimagine their future school identity. This requires new perspectives and tools that can impact on both education and reputational performance for girls’ schools.

The importance of impactful, and authentic strategic planning in schools is now clear to almost all. Yet, there remains so often a sameness around how schools look and sound in their strategic planning which so often reverberates in a lack of distinctive identity. More than ever, the outputs of a strategic plan need to provide compelling and cogent reasons for communities (parents, students and staff) to choose, stay and then recommend your school. To develop visionary and responsive strategic plans, schools will need wider inputs and better mindsets, processes and inputs to enthuse.

The best leaders create compelling and ambitious, big picture understandings, bring them into possibility through strategic foundations including visioning, make them live through pedagogy and curriculum and sell them through authentic marketing and communications messages. Strategic Planning can be a one-off opportunity to do all this.

This session will provide unique, internationally applied frameworks to review and develop school identity, laying the essential groundwork for more impactful strategic planning in girls’ schools. The outcome will be a road map to a strengthened school identity and tools to create a shared sense that the school is ‘on the move’ with renewed purpose and an ambitious, future-facing, cohesive community agenda.

Djapirri Mununggirritj — Yolngu Elder from Yirrkala in North East Arnhem Land

Djapirri is a Gumatj senior leader, who is widely respected for her deep understanding of culture, language, and commitment to her people. She has consistently worked to balance relationships between Yolŋu and Näpaki (non-indigenous). Djapirri is part of the Indigenous Engagement team for the Prime Minister and Cabinet and was the lead board member of Reconciliation Australia for over 20 years. Djapirri was also instrumental in establishing the Yirrkala Women’s Patrol to address domestic violence, alcohol abuse and other community safety issues. In 2011 she received the Northern Territory Australia’s Local Hero Award. Djapirri is a powerful educator advocating for Country as Teacher. She is well-known and respected for her work across the political and education arena.

Keynote: County at Teacher

Djapirri will share her personal story of stepping out of her comfort zone as a Yolŋu miyalk/woman walking in balance with the Näpaki (western) world. Djapirri’s leadership comes from listening and sharing through the loudspeaker of her heart in deep connection with her culture.

Country as Teacher creates the foundation of teaching and learning in Indigenous cultures from across the globe. Djapirri will unpack what this means through her knowledge as an Elder and leader and how the Yothu Bit Pit (new shoots) of new generations thrive through this connected way of knowing, being and doing.

When Djapirri shares she speaks like the ‘lirrtji’ the tongue of the fire, crackling and spiralling as the smoke of knowledge interacts with each individual in a different way, depending on the way you are listening and what you are ready for. Djapirri will draw on metaphors presented through Country, from a woman’s perspective on topics such as educating the young women of today who are inheriting the turbulence of our modern day culture, and the role that rites of passage, time with Country and woman’s business play in education to empower the mind, body, soul and spirit of our youth.

Djapirri will also share practical insights on ways to embody and integrate Country as Teacher pedagogies into classroom practice.

Dr Nira Rahman — Teaching Specialist, University of Melbourne

As an academic in Arts Teaching Innovation at the University of Melbourne’s Faculty of Arts, Dr Nira Rahman is working towards a more inclusive, applicable, transformative and internationalised education. Her passion for her work in education, music and community inspires her to find ways to start and continue the robust discussion around the various diverse and intersectional identities present within school community.

Her specific interests lie in co-creation, student voice and agency, connecting learning outcomes to employable skills, intercultural competencies and better communication and inclusion in diverse classrooms.

Keynote: Inspiring Young Women through Respectful, Inclusive, Diverse (RID) Classrooms

If the classroom is regarded as a true reflection of our diverse society, we need to understand and embrace cultural diversity to create respectful, inclusive and active communities within and beyond classrooms. To enhance student engagement and their academic experience, we, as teachers and practitioners need to acknowledge the diversity of student experiences, aspirations, learning strategies and abilities as well as use culturally responsive and inclusive teaching pedagogies. We also need to create safe teaching environments where all students feel like they belong and respectful, inclusive, diverse dialogue can occur.

This keynote speech aims to highlight the importance of acknowledging diversity and differences in our thought process, learning styles and strategies to create better connection and communication in our classrooms. It will also foster the discussion on how through shared understandings and collaborations, respectful, inclusive, diverse academic communities can be constructed.

Leon Furze — AI consultant and author

Leon Furze specialises in the implications of Generative Artificial Intelligence for education covering topics such as navigating ethical concerns, rethinking assessment, and policy development. He is author of ‘Practical AI Strategies: Engaging with Generative AI in Education’. With over fifteen years of experience as an educator, consultant and educational writer Leon provides professional learning and strategic planning for curriculum, literacy, and digital technologies for schools. His PhD focus is on Artificial Intelligence in education, and the impact large language models like GPT will have on writing.

Leon has taught English, Literature and Digital Technologies in Australia and the UK.

Keynote: Engaging with Generative AI in Education

This session introduces and explores Generative Artificial Intelligence in education. Participants will learn how Large Language Models like GPT work, which apps and services are recommended in education, and what is happening in national and international education contexts with GenAI. We will also explore AI ethics, the implications of AI for assessment, and discuss how to talk to students about GenAI. This session is an excellent entry point if you have no experience with GenAI, or a great refresher if you used applications like ChatGPT and Microsoft Bing (Copilot) in 2023.