Learning & Teaching News
Expert Teacher Practice Conference 2026
As parents, you may have wondered what the staff of St Peter’s College were up to on Friday 1 May.
We hosted the second Expert Teacher Practice Conference (ETPC) at the Clyde North Campus, giving St Peter’s teachers the opportunity to listen to keynote speakers and participate in a range of professional learning workshops.
The keynote address was presented by Ben Knight, a teacher, accomplished actor and comedian. Ben entertained staff with his unique brand of comedy while also sharing thoughtful reflections on the cultural differences between Queensland and Victoria, the importance of knowing students’ names, and the value of being SunSmart. His humour and energy provided a fantastic way to begin the day.
Staff then attended a series of presentations, including a session on inclusive education, with a particular focus on neurodivergence, delivered by the I CAN Network. This provided teachers with greater insight into an important area of student wellbeing and learning, through the perspective of a presenter with lived experience.
Staff also engaged in a thought-provoking presentation by Ben Lawless on the three cycles of learning: short, mid and long-term. This prompted valuable discussion about the role of evidence in teaching and the four stages of the assessment process. It was a challenging and reflective session that highlighted the depth of teacher skill within our school community and the many opportunities we have to learn from one another.
This was followed by a presentation from Dr Brendan Jackson and Jemma Tresise on reporting, teacher identity, and how our own experiences and perspectives influence our educational styles. Their session encouraged staff to reflect on how our practice continues to change as we learn, grow and respond to the needs of our students.
Finally, staff were able to take part in a range of workshops, allowing smaller groups to explore specific areas of interest in greater depth. I was fortunate to attend a workshop on the use of gamification to promote student engagement in VCE revision. It was an exceptional and inspiring session that offered practical strategies for making revision more active, purposeful and enjoyable for students.
Overall, the ETPC was a valuable opportunity for staff to learn, reflect and collaborate. Most importantly, it allowed us to continue strengthening our practice so that we can better support the learning, engagement and wellbeing of our students.
Many staff contributed to the success of the day, but Pam Fox was the driving force behind the 2026 ETPC and deserves special congratulations for her hard work in ensuring the event was such a great success.
David Fini
Middle Years Curriculum Leader Cranbourne Campus