panel WEBINAR_May14th_2025 (1)

 

ABOUT THE EVENT

 

In this pivotal webinar, we bring together visionary leaders from the education sector to discuss the urgent need for systemic reform in our schools. The session will focus on how leaders can collaborate to bridge the gaps in student wellbeing, academic outcomes, and teacher support, ensuring that every child receives the opportunity to thrive.

Never judge a book by its cover. Hear the real, authentic, and honest stories from five leaders who have made it their mission to make a difference in the world.

These leaders will share their personal journeys—how they’ve navigated through the gaps in education, what motivated them to do what they do today, and the personal pledge they made to ensure no child ever falls through the gaps again.

Past, Present, and Future Gaps
We were all let down by the education system in the past. Yet, today, as leaders, we have the power and opportunity to raise awareness about these current issues. We, as a society, now have the technology, tools, and science to gather real-time data, facilitating additional resources and support where they are most needed.

We were all let down during our schooling experience, but that was the past. Our journeys have shaped who we are today, and now, young people are confronting challenges we never even imagined. As leaders, we have the opportunity to champion the contemporary issues students face today. Together, we can drive systemic change and ensure that the support today’s youth need becomes a top priority.

Let’s unite to elevate education and create a brighter future for every student. Together, we can make a lasting impact and lead the way in transforming the educational landscape for the better.

Key Topics Covered:

  1. 1. The Current State of Education: Challenges and Opportunities

      • Understanding the evolving needs of students, teachers, and school communities.

    • The impact of current educational systems on student wellbeing and engagement.

  2. 2. Building a Collaborative Framework for Change

    • How leadership teams across schools, districts, and government agencies can come together to create impactful reforms.

    • Strategies for breaking down silos and fostering cross-collaboration between educational leaders.

  3. 3. Innovative Approaches to Student Wellbeing

    • Implementing proactive, data-driven approaches to identify and address student needs in real-time.

    • Building stronger support systems for mental health, resilience, and emotional regulation.

  4. 4. The Role of Technology in Driving Systemic Change

    • Leveraging EdTech solutions to streamline processes, collect actionable data, and provide timely interventions.

    • How data-driven insights can inform policies and classroom practices that support every student.

  5. 5. The Importance of Empathy and Ethical Leadership

    • Leaders making a personal commitment to reform and ensuring no child is left behind.

    • The importance of listening to students’ voices and incorporating their experiences into educational strategies.

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Why Attend?

This webinar offers a unique opportunity for education leaders to come together, share insights, and align on a shared vision for the future of education. Participants will walk away with actionable strategies, a deeper understanding of the challenges ahead, and practical tools to drive systemic change that supports the whole child.

We were all let down during our schooling experience, but that was the past. Now, as leaders, we have the opportunity to advocate for the contemporary issues that students are facing today. Together, we can ensure system change happens and that the support needed for today’s youth is made a priority.

Join us as we unite to elevate education and shape a brighter future for every student. Together, we can make a lasting impact and lead the charge in transforming the educational landscape for the better.

Register Here

ABOUT OUR EXPERTS
 
  • Nikki Bonus, CEO & Founder of Life Skills GO, brings over 20 years of experience in social-emotional literacy programs and real-time wellbeing data solutions. Life Skills GO platform helps schools detect patterns, deploy interventions, and enhance student wellbeing. 

Gayle Walters has a background of over 25 years in the Queensland Public Sector and the Not-for-Profit space and is currently the Executive Director Strategy and Communications for PeakCare the preeminent peak body for the child and family sector in Queensland.  Gayle has also previously held the position of Chief of Staff to a Queensland Government Minister for the Education, Youth Justice and Training and Skills portfolios and a Senior Policy Advisor to the Minister for Child Safety Youth and Women and the Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence. Gayle has a strong background in social justice and human services working with and to improve the lives of children and families in Queensland, knowing the importance of early intervention programs and supports that keep families together and children in education so that they are on a pathway to prosperity.

Gayle has also held the position of President and Chair of P&Cs Qld, representing 1260 Parent and Citizens Associations across Queensland and advocating for the best possible educational outcomes for all students.  Gayle has been acknowledged and recognised for her long-term commitment to ensuring every child has every chance in education across Queensland.

Gems McLean is a passionate advocate for student wellbeing, equity, and the power of technology in education. As the Regional Director for K-12 across APAC at Instructure, she is dedicated to ensuring no learner is left behind.

Her journey has been anything but traditional. Despite being told she would never amount to anything and facing significant challenges in her school years—including an undiagnosed neurodivergence and growing up in a household affected by mental health struggles—she has built a career that proves otherwise. Without finishing high school or attending university, she has navigated a path that led her from the world of EdTech to Amazon Web Services and back to Instructure, where she now champions the role of technology in shaping better educational outcomes.

More than just a leader in edtech, she is a mentor, a champion for diversity and inclusion, and someone who deeply believes in the power of kindness and community. She sees people for who they are and strives to elevate, encourage, and empower them to recognise their own strengths. Her personal story fuels her mission: to ensure that no student slips through the cracks and that every young person is seen, supported, and given the opportunities they deserve.

Her superpower? Using her lived experience to help others uncover theirs.

Gavin McCormack is a Montessori educator, author, and co-founder of Upschool.co – a platform delivering free, purposeful education to children worldwide. Recognised globally for his work in education reform, Gavin has built schools, trained teachers, and developed impactful courses rooted in values-based, real-world learning. His latest book, Raising Resilient Children: 7 Steps to Raising Lifelong Learners, is a powerful guide for parents and educators navigating the modern world of childhood, resilience, and education with purpose.