• The annual NSW Secondary Principals’ Council (SPC) Conference at Charles Sturt University in Bathurst offers principals’ insights and motivation to advance key societal issues
• Principals engage in professional reference group discussions, an Annual General Meeting of the SPC, trade exhibits and tours of the University campus and facilities
• Keynote addresses by leaders in a range of fields and masterclasses by experts share insights and tools to bolster school executives’ capacities

More than 250 secondary school principals from across NSW are attending the annual NSW Secondary Principals’ Council (SPC) Conference at Charles Sturt University in Bathurst from Tuesday 10 to Thursday 12 June.

The conference offers motivational keynote addresses and practical masterclasses and showcases Charles Sturt’s academic leadership, courses and campus facilities.

Charles Sturt Provost and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) Professor Graham Brown (pictured left) said the conference comes at an important time with the conference program and setting offering principals the opportunity to gain insights and tools to grapple with abiding and near-future issues confronting the education system.

“Masterclasses by Charles Sturt University experts will address issues such as the shortage of teachers, racism, the impact of artificial intelligence and gender inequality in mathematics and science education,” Professor Brown said.

“Keynote addresses by leaders in a range of fields will motivate principals to bring fresh insights and practical initiatives to their schools and communities.

“Among keynote speakers are Adjunct Professor Murat Dizdar, PSM, Secretary of the NSW Department of Education, and Ms Sharan Burrow, a former Bathurst resident and teacher who became President of the Australian Council of Trade Unions (2000-2010) and General Secretary of the International Trade Union Confederation (2010-2022) based in Brussels, Belgium.”

The Deputy Premier of NSW and Minister for Education Ms Prue Car, MP, will address the conference by video, and principals will engage in professional reference group discussions, an Annual General Meeting of the SPC, trade exhibits and tours of the University campus and facilities.

The conference program features several other keynote addresses by leading authorities including:

• Ms Matina Jewell, a decorated 15-year Australian Army veteran and founding ambassador for Project Thankful, a movement partnered with the UN to help empower women and children globally
• Associate Professor Stephen Gapps, a public historian working to bring Frontier War histories into broader recognition as Australia’s First Wars
• Mr Matt Church, founder and creator of Thought Leaders
• Ms Jodie Lowinger, founder of The Anxiety Clinic and the Mind Strength Methodology

President of the NSW Secondary Principals’ Council Ms Denise Lofts (pictured left) said thriving school leadership is at the heart of a world class public education system.

“This conference is a pivotal event, in the Council’s role to enhance and elevate the effectiveness of NSW public secondary principals, through support, advocacy, professional learning and collegial networks,” Ms Lofts said. “It’s a role that leads to improved learning outcomes for students in NSW public schools.

“The 2025 conference is also a vital part of the Council’s continuing advocacy for solutions in response to the national data of the accumulated negative impact of the principal role and its complexities on the health and wellbeing of principals to ensure successful schools, positive student outcomes for students, and prosperity for the community more broadly.

“By working together at this conference, confronting the challenges and leveraging the opportunities we face, we aim to ensure the NSW public education system is one of the most highly regarded education systems both nationally and internationally.”

Among 18 Masterclasses available for principals at the conference, Program Lead for the Collaborative Teacher’s Aide Pathway (CTAP) Associate Professor Libbey Murray in the Charles Sturt School of Education will present ‘Strategic solutions for strengthening the teaching workforce: Building pathways from support roles to classroom leadership’.

Professor Murray said the University is working hard to guide existing school support staff to become qualified Primary and Secondary teachers to improve the supply of high-quality teachers across Australia.

“By valuing their current contributions to the profession, allowing them to study online while continuing to work in schools, and supporting their skill development to become qualified teachers, we are seeing outstanding results in this area,” Professor Murray said.

“Since launching in 2022, CTAP has more than 800 school support staff across Australia studying online to become Primary and Secondary school teachers.

“With an 85 per cent retention rate, this highly successful program will have over 40 graduates in 2025, all of whom are already dedicated to children, schools, communities and the profession.”

As well as the CTAP program, the University offers the Grow Your Own Teacher Training and Local Teacher Pipeline programs which have another 350 students, and a new Aspire to Teach program with another 50 students.

Other masterclasses delivered by Charles Sturt academics include:

• Wiradyuri Elders Aunty Leanna Carr and Uncle Jade Flynn will discuss the Charles Sturt University First Nations Cultural Awareness Journey and why it is seen as such an impactful and important professional learning opportunity for educators.

• Dr Natalie Thompson, School of Education: ‘Practical AI for school leaders: Navigating the digital shift’. The masterclass will explore how school leaders can harness the potential of AI to streamline administrative processes, improve decision-making and enhance teaching and learning outcomes. It will provide practical and ethical tools and strategies to lead schools confidently in the age of AI.

• Dr Ryan Al-Natour, School of Education: ‘Anti-racist starting points in education systems: What should principals consider?’. In an era where one in five students across Australian schools have experienced racism, it is urgent that educators think about anti-racist initiatives. This seminar encourages principals to think about how they can approach anti-racism in schools today.

• Dr Janelle Hill, School of Education: ‘Addressing gender inequality in mathematics and science education: The role of leadership’. Recent data shows gender differences in mathematics and science learning outcomes continue to widen among Australian students. In this masterclass, principals will be encouraged to challenge gender inequities in educational contexts and will be provided with strategies and resources that can be used to support girls to benefit in maths and science learning.

The annual 2025 NSW Secondary Principals’ Council (SPC) Conference is on Tuesday 10 to Thursday 12 June at Charles Sturt University in Bathurst.