Choose from one day or two day tickets. Tickets include Arrival tea/coffee, Morning tea & Buffet lunch, Certificate of Attendance (mapped to APST), attendance at Summit Social, access to The Education Show (the offical Expo of the Summit), Knowledge Centre & Classroom of the Future

Dr Kay Oddone, Lecturer, Course Director Master of Education (Teacher Librarianship), Charles Sturt University

Constellations of Practice: Recentering the School Library with Purpose and Possibility

School libraries are constellations of practice: linking people, ideas and possibilities across the shifting landscape of education. In a time of uncertainty, where school leadership support is uneven, the pressure to do more is unrelenting, and recognition is often absent, the school library and its staff continue to bring coherence, connection and care for both students, teachers and the school community.

This presentation invites participants to recentre their professional vision—not through reinvention, but by recognising the power of what already exists. Using the Know–Do–Be model as a reflective lens, we will explore how school library professionals already hold the knowledge, lead the practices and embody the values that sustain inclusive, future-focused and community-connected learning.

Rather than calling for more effort, this session surfaces practical, achievable shifts—through thoughtful learning design, ethical technology use, and responsive programming—that build capacity without burnout. Anchored in research and real-world examples, the presentation reminds us that school library staff are stars - present, persistent, and guiding the way forward even when they go unnoticed. Attendees will leave with fresh clarity, restored energy and renewed confidence in their role—not as outliers, but as essential connectors in the learning constellation of their school.

Ela Sircelj, Library Manager, Loreto Kirribilli

Reigniting Passion, Renewing Purpose: The Power of Personal Inspiration in Building Stronger School Libraries.”

Building capacity in school libraries begins with the people who bring them to life. For many long-serving librarians, sustaining passion and purpose over decades can be both a privilege and a challenge.

This presentation explores how non-teaching librarians contribute to the heart of school life through academic support, reading advocacy, and community engagement, and how rediscovering joy in the role can revitalise both individual practice and the library’s wider impact. Drawing on real examples from my experience - including organising guest author visits with Markus Zusak, Tristan Bancks, Morris Gleitzman; hosting Breakfast with Books, Great Book Swap, and Write a Book in a Day events; supporting student wellbeing and life skills programs; and curating inclusive collections - I will illustrate how non-teaching librarians quietly build the learning capacity of entire school communities.

Participants will leave with practical strategies and reflective prompts to:

• Recognise their own role in capacity building within the school library ecosystem.

• Identify sources of inspiration and renewal to sustain long-term professional wellbeing.

• Reignite their enthusiasm for library work after many years in the same environment.

Lauren Kyte, Head of Library, Salesian College Sunbury

Building Connection and Visibility in School Libraries: The Three Cs Approach

How can school libraries build their visibility and strengthen their role within the wider learning community? This session explores one library’s journey to increase its impact through the Three Cs: Cohorts, Community, and Curriculum. Using the Ciantar Learning Common’s (CLC) work as a case study, we will share practical strategies for connecting library programs with student cohorts, building authentic community engagement, and embedding the library within the curriculum. Participants will be invited to reflect on their own contexts, analyse key approaches taken by the CLC, and exchange ideas for transformative collaborations.

Virgina Hand, Teacher Librarian, Shellharbour Anglican College

Reigniting Reading Through Student Choice and Teacher–Librarian Collaboration: Literature Circles and Socratic Seminars in a Global Issues Unit

Engaging adolescents in reading is not just about fostering literacy, it is about igniting curiosity, critical thinking, and a lifelong love of learning. Adolescent reading engagement remains a key priority in contemporary education, and recent research highlights that when students are provided with voice, choice, and authentic opportunities to connect with texts and one another, their motivation and engagement increase. Literature circles and Socratic discussions are identified as effective strategies that promote deeper comprehension, critical thinking, and intrinsic motivation—key factors that underpin engaged reading and lifelong literacy development (Webber et al., 2023). By implementing these strategies, educators can foster a culture of curiosity and enjoyment while equipping students with the skills to think critically, communicate effectively, and take ownership of their learning.

Trish Trchala, Head of Learning Resources, Xavier College

Reading Lounges and Sustained Reading

After developing two reading lounges in the past 12 months, it can be seen how a change within a Library Space can alter the reading behaviour of students. Mr Sloth's Rainforest Reading Lounge for Year 3-6 and Sunny's Storyland for K3-Year 2 are examples of a new approach. Utilising Marketplace and a tight budget students are evolving into a new way of reading for pleasure in these spaces. Hear about new ideas within Junior and Senior School Libraries where sustained reading is the priority.

Darlene Hill, Head of Department – Humanities and Library, Kepnock State High School

It Takes a Village: Building Student Capability Through Cross-Sector Library Partnerships

In an era where information literacy and community engagement are more vital than ever, collaboration between school, public, and state libraries offers a powerful catalyst for building student capability and confidence. This presentation explores a dynamic partnership between Kepnock State High School, Bundaberg Regional Council Library, and the State Library of Queensland, showcasing how cross-sector collaboration can transform teaching and learning.

This session will share case studies, student feedback, and curriculum examples that demonstrate the impact of integrated library partnerships. Attendees will gain practical strategies for initiating and sustaining similar partnerships in their own regions, with a focus on aligning library programs with curriculum goals and building enduring community connections.

Ultimately, It Takes a Village celebrates the collective power of school, public, and state libraries working together to empower the next generation of learners.

Roxanne Summer, Head of Libraries, St Bede’s College

Level Up: Using Gamification to Engage Boys in Reading

Many boys demonstrate a decline in engagement with reading, especially during high school as reading comes to represent work rather than enjoyment. This presentation will share how gamification has transformed the Reading and Research program at St Bede's College from a teacher-led battle field to a dynamic, rewarding and socially connected experience.

Integrating game design elements such as levels, challenges, leaderboards, and physical rewards, this session will illustrate how some basic principles of teenage motivation and the way research shows that boys approach reading can be harnessed to foster a culture where reading feel less like homework and more like a rewarding and enjoyable pursuit.

Attendees will leave with a toolkit of adaptable gamification techniques and examples of how competition, collaboration and choice can improve reading frequency and enthusiasm among boys.