AI and Education

Embracing
a Human-Centred Future

WA Education Summit Highlights

Step into the future of education at the WA Education Summit 2025, where educators, IT leaders, and school decision-makers will explore how we can harness the power of AI to build more human-centred learning environments. This year’s theme invites us to reimagine education through the lens of empathy, ethics, and purposeful technology use.

 

Across a series of thought-provoking keynotes, expert-led workshops, and panel discussions, you’ll hear from leading educators, researchers, and industry experts on how AI can support—not replace—human connection in learning. From practical classroom strategies to big-picture leadership insights, each session will offer tools to help you use AI responsibly, creatively, and with impact.

 

Join a vibrant community of changemakers as we explore how to prepare students for an AI-driven world—while keeping humanity at the heart of education.

WA Education Summit Highlights

Optus Stadium #WAES25 WA EDUCATION SUMMIT 2025 29 July 2025 Optus Stadium #WAES25 WA EDUCATION SUMMIT 2025 29 July 2025 Optus Stadium #WAES25 WA EDUCATION SUMMIT 2025 29 July 2025 Optus Stadium #WAES25 WA EDUCATION SUMMIT 2025 29 July 2025 Optus Stadium #WAES25 WA EDUCATION SUMMIT 2025 29 July 2025

KEYNOTE
SPEAKERS

Dr. Catherine Ball

Dr. Catherine Ball is a scientific futurist, technologist, and AI thought leader shaping the future of education. As an award-winning entrepreneur, author, and champion of emerging technologies, she explores the intersection of artificial intelligence, robotics, and digital transformation in learning environments.

At the forefront of AI-driven education, Dr. Ball envisions a world where technology enhances—not replaces—human potential. She advocates for the responsible integration of AI in schools and universities, empowering educators with tools that personalise learning, foster critical thinking, and prepare students for the workforce of tomorrow. From adaptive learning platforms to AI-assisted creativity, her work challenges traditional models of education, urging institutions to embrace innovation while maintaining ethical responsibility.

A passionate advocate for STEM education, Dr. Ball works with industry leaders and policymakers to ensure that AI and emerging technologies drive positive societal impact. Her expertise spans quantum computing and ethical AI—key themes shaping the future of education. She has advised organisations globally, including the Schmidt Ocean Institute and Australia’s Robotics Advisory Council, on the responsible adoption of new technologies.

As the keynote speaker at the WA Education Summit, Dr. Ball will share insights into how AI is transforming education, the future of work, and how institutions can navigate the digital era with confidence. Her mission is clear: to empower the next generation with the knowledge, skills, and ethical framework to thrive in a rapidly evolving world.

Dr. Aidan McCarthy

Dr Aidan McCarthy is a global thought leader in education, with over 30 years of experience driving digital transformation across schools, universities, and education systems. He has led high-impact teams in both public and private sectors, holding senior roles at global technology giants including Microsoft, where he served as Worldwide General Manager for K–12, and Apple, shaping Global Digital Strategy. Recognised as one of Australia’s Top 50 Technology and Digital Chiefs, Aidan is known for his visionary approach to integrating technology, data, and AI in education.

Currently, Aidan leads the Digital Transformation Agenda for GEMS Education and serves as Chief Digital and Product Officer for a new “AI First, Learner First, Family First” platform under the Varkey Group. His doctoral research and published work focus on enabling educators to expand their digital pedagogies through mobile and emerging technologies.

At the WA Education Summit 2025, Aidan will explore a bold question: If we could start over, how would we reimagine a school or education system? In this session, he will share a transformative vision and real-world journey toward building an AI-powered, data-driven education platform, designed to personalise learning, empower educators, and connect families through intelligent, equitable, and human-centred digital experiences.

CONFERENCE SPEAKERS
and presenters

#waes25

Trent Ray

Founder of Cyber Safety Project & Collective Education Australia

Bhavneet Brar

Principal Education Officer Department of Education

Paul Reid

Co-founder of Next Learning

Kieran Bailey

Head of IT and Innovation at Great Southern Grammar

Paul Johnston

Principal Education Officer at Statewide Services

Trent Ray

Founder of Cyber Safety Project & Collective Education Australia

Bhavneet Brar

Principal Education Officer Department of Education

Paul Reid

Co-founder of Next Learning

Kieran Bailey

Head of IT and Innovation at Great Southern Grammar

Paul Johnston

Principal Education Officer at Statewide Services

Shane Parnell

Deputy Principal at Frederick Irwin Anglican School

Michael Raymond

ICT Manager, Peter Carnley Anglican Community School

Linda Pitt

Leadership and Education Strategy Lead - Apple Education ANZ

Simon Fittock

Education Consultant at the Association of Independent Schools of Western Australia

Steve Payne

Service Delivery Manager at Solutions IT

More Inspiring Speakers To Be Announced Soon!

We’re thrilled to welcome a total of 21 expert presenters to the WA Education Summit 2025, including thought leaders and trailblazers in education and technology. Additional speaker details are coming soon, each bringing fresh insights, practical strategies, and bold ideas to help shape the future of learning.

Shane Parnell

Deputy Principal at Frederick Irwin Anglican School

Michael Raymond

ICT Manager, Peter Carnley Anglican Community School

Linda Pitt

Leadership and Education Strategy Lead - Apple Education ANZ

Simon Fittock

Education Consultant at the Association of Independent Schools of Western Australia

Steve Payne

Service Delivery Manager at Solutions IT

More Inspiring Speakers To Be Announced Soon!

We’re thrilled to welcome a total of 21 expert presenters to the WA Education Summit 2025, including thought leaders and trailblazers in education and technology. Additional speaker details are coming soon, each bringing fresh insights, practical strategies, and bold ideas to help shape the future of learning.

check the

Schedule &
event details

Time AGENDA
From 7.30am Open for Registration
8:40-8:45am Opening address
Trent Ray
8:45-9:45am No One Knows a Child Like Their Teacher: The Irreplaceable Human Insight Beyond AI
Dr Catherine Ball
9:45 – 10:15am Discussion Panel
Creativity vs Security: A dynamic discussion bridging the classroom and IT perspectives on fostering innovation while protecting students in the age of AI.

Michael Raymond, Dr Catherine Ball, Shane Parnell and Simon Fittock, Jonathan Stanley
10:15 – 10.55am Morning tea
Leadership and Governance IT Management Teaching and Learning
10:55 -11:35am AI as the Smartest Teammate on your Senior Leadership Team?
Paul Reid
Unlocking the Future of IT Management: Tools and Technologies for Enhanced Efficiencies and Security
Steve Payne
Apple Intelligence for Education: A New Era of Innovation
Linda Pitt and Ashlee Dale
11:40am – 12:20pm Building Digital Capability
Bhavneet Brar and Paul Johnston
Apple Platform Security
Patrick Lawrence and Andrew Johnson
Navigating deepfakes, misinformation and the social media ban
Trent Ray
12:25pm-1:05pm WA Leadership School Case Study A
Details to be confirmed
Unleashing the power of data with Microsoft Fabric AI Hidden in the Tools You Already Have!
Paul Reid and Ashlee Dale
1:05pm – 2pm Lunch
2pm-2:40pm WA Leadership School Case Study B
Details to be confirmed
Wi-Fi 7: Faster Connections, Fewer 'The Wi-Fi Ate My Homework' Excuses
Richard Vanderwaal
Minecraft as a scaffold tool to support classroom equity
Kieran Bailey
2:45pm-3:30pm Reimagining Education: A Vision for a Learner-First, AI-Driven Future
Dr Aidan McCarthy
3:30pm-4:30pm Closing and drinks

*Times and speakers may be subject to change

Fantastic event. Great speakers. Great food. Great venue. Thank you!!

Marmion Primary

A really interesting cross-section of information about technology and school.

Rehoboth Christian College

Great day. Love this day for catching up with people and learning. Love it. Had some great information from speakers as well.

Virtual School Network

It’s awesome and worth the time away from school. I have lots of reading to do now but I’m excited to get started

Living Waters Lutheran Collge

Well organised and positive experiences, relevant content and ran on time.

CEWA

Gold Sponsors

how to reach

direction to the venue

Location

Optus Stadium

Perth,WA

333 Victoria Park Drive Burswood, Perth, Western Australia

Jeff Beckitt
The Key Steps to Roll Out Copilot Effectively and Securely

The world is excited by the promise of AI – this session will cover some of the things you can do NOW to ensure the safe and secure adoption of AI.  We will touch on some key concepts of Microsoft’s Responsible AI Framework, and give pragmatic advice on how you can gain the benefits of Microsoft Copilot while avoiding the pitfalls that can potentially slow down, or even stop, your rollout.

Warren McLeod & Luke Callier
Key Insights on Changing Your EdTech Stack

Schoolbox is an all-in-one Learning Management System, community Portal and engagement platform supporting over 300 K-12 schools across Australia and the globe. During this case study and fireside chat, we will explore how careful consideration and strategic planning has enabled a school to utilize the Schoolbox platform to connect, communicate and collaborate with staff, students and parents to enhance the learning and teaching experience of all. Join us to hear about change management considerations, the reasons behind technology choices and important decision making processes to enhance the user experience and build community.

How can we help?

Robert Dodds

Head of Innovation
Robert Dodds has led and implemented innovation and transformational change in both primary and secondary schools in the UK and Australia for over two decades. He is motivated by a passion for innovative pedagogy, an obsession with technology, and a deep loathing of the six most dangerous words in education: ‘That’s how we’ve always done it’. As Head of Innovation at Methodist Ladies’ College, he currently leads the development and implementation of pioneering future-focussed learning which not only prepares students to thrive in the future, but to actively shape it for themselves. Originally from Belfast, Northern Ireland, Robert is a teacher, author of books and interactive resources, Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert, vocal eSports advocate, and an experienced and sought after presenter.
Paul Dionysius
Preparing Students with Future Skills

The skills that employers are looking for are changing — away from passive, knowledge-based skills toward creative problem-solving, analytical thinking, design, and collaboration. In this session, educator Paul Dionysius will share how Apple technology enables their students to do real-world work with real-world tools. We will also explore ways to bring student ideas to life with design and app development.

Paul Dionysius
Leader Spotlight: Building a Thriving and Diverse Digital Technologies Program

How do we empower learners today and prepare them for a changing world? Technology is a driving force behind this change and the ability to leverage it to foster collaboration, develop problem-solving skills and create digital solutions. Paul Dionysius, an academic leader at Siena Catholic College, shares the school’s journey from just 18 students enrolled in the elective Digital Solutions course, to 137 students; with one third of these students female. Paul will share actionable techniques and tips to engage and empower students to meaningfully develop future skills in high school.

Brett Salakas
Effective Assessment With AI

Unlock the potential of AI in educational assessment with this session. This enlightening workshop delves into the latest research that supports AI-driven assessment techniques, explores the innovative P.R.I.S.M model, and offers hands-on experience with practical AI tools that every teacher can incorporate into their practice. Whether you’re looking to enhance accuracy, efficiency, or engagement in assessments, this session provides the knowledge and tools to transform your approach. Join us to explore how AI can elevate your assessment strategies and help you achieve deeper, more meaningful insights into student learning.

Brett Salakas
FREE is my Second Favourite F Word

Get ready to discover why ‘FREE’ could soon become your favourite (or 2nd favourite) F-word too! This session, ‘FREE is my 2nd Favourite F Word,’ showcases an exciting array of absolutely free AI and EDtech tools that every teacher should know about. From AI-driven resources that simplify lesson planning and grading to interactive EDtech that captivates and engages students, Brett scoured the tech landscape to bring you the best no-cost tools to enhance your teaching. Join us for a fun and informative session that will not only save your budget but also transform your classroom into a hub of innovation and learning. It’s time to elevate your educational toolkit without spending a penny!

Kylie Kingdon & Kate Kerr
Learning Accelerators to Disrupt your Teaching Learning

Join us for an exciting and hands-on workshop that delves into the revolutionising Microsoft Learning Accelerators. In this workshop, you’ll explore how Learning Accelerators facilitate foundational skills development, including reading, writing, and math. Learn how these tools can save you time as a teacher and encourage students to take control of their learning. Through real-world examples and interactive demonstrations, we’ll showcase how these tools provide personalised coaching to students, helping them catch up, keep up, and get ahead. Whether you’re an educator, administrator, or technology enthusiast, you’ll discover practical ideas to implement in your classroom immediately.

Leon Furze
Teaching AI Ethics through the Australian Framework
Teaching AI means being prepared to grapple with complex ethical concerns. All artificial intelligence systems, including GenAI like ChatGPT, are prone to bias and discriminatory output. They also carry concerns around copyright, privacy, and even the heavy environmental cost of training and developing models. The Australian Framework for Generative AI in Schools requires us to be aware of, and able to teach, these complex matters. This session explores how AI ethics can be woven throughout the existing curriculum, touching on many diverse subject areas and exploring how AI will impact all of our disciplines.
Mathew Jameson
Implementing Teams Telephony in Your School

Explore the benefits of Microsoft Teams telephony into a school environment, including its user-friendly interface, seamless communication, and virtual learning capabilities. Understand the connectivity of Teams with existing systems such as desk handsets and PA systems for efficient announcements and enhanced communication among students and staff. Learn more about traditional Teams offerings and how Solutions IT and Access4 can supercharge this with Teams Flex, our hybrid solution designed with schools in mind. Join us to understand how you can leverage superior call handling and management capabilities to deliver the solution you’ve been looking for!

William Horwood
Transforming Goal Setting: A Journey with Power Automate

This session explores the innovative use of Power Automate in redefining goal setting. This session delves into how Power Automate’s robust automation capabilities can streamline the goal-setting process, making it more efficient and effective. Attendees will learn about the practical applications of Power Automate and other Microsoft applications in setting, tracking, and achieving goals. The session also highlights real-world examples and success stories, demonstrating the transformative potential of Power Automate in personal and professional goal setting. Join us on this journey to discover how technology can revolutionize traditional goal-setting methods.

Zlatko Hristov
Protecting Education From Cyber Attacks - Practical Solutions

Navigating the crowded cyber security landscape can be daunting for the education sector. This presentation demystifies the complexity by focusing on the most relevant threats and practical solutions. Attendees will learn how to prioritise cyber security measures essential for protecting educational data and ensuring a safe learning environment.

Staale Brokvam & Louisa Kennard
Leveraging Generative AI to Supercharge Teaching and Learning in The Classroom

Join Nick Morgan (Regional Director – Australia/New Zealand, Toddle) alongside Staale Brokvam (Director of Technology) and Louisa Kennard (Primary Teacher) from the International School of Western Australia to dive into the role that generative AI can take in the classroom. Discover how Toddle AI is elevating teaching and learning, supporting student wellbeing, and giving back more time to teachers through this case study.

Dan Bowen
Curiosity in The Age of AI

AI will change everything. Dan will inspire us with what’s next but also share ideas on how we can make this real in our school tomorrow. We will look at examples and tools you already have to drive safe, rich AI experiences in your classroom starting now and how we can gear up for what’s next.

Dr Jordan Nguyen
A HUMAN'S GUIDE TO THE FUTURE
In this exciting talk, Dr Jordan Nguyen (biomedical engineer, inventor, TV Presenter and Author of A Human’s Guide to the Future) will open your mind to the big ideas globally being made possible in science and technology, and how they will impact our world. With the realms of the imagination and reality in our world slowly intertwining, extraordinary endeavours often begin with a simple idea. He will take you through advancements in Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, Virtual Reality, Space Technology and more, looking into how disruptive technologies can be used as tools to improve humanity and life on Earth. In addition to his own projects and inventions, Jordan will share his adventures around the world as a presenter with ABC and Discovery Channel, uncovering some of the most amazing creations of our time based on big dreams, leading with vision and purpose, the power of diverse collaborations and teamwork, and how collectively we can pursue the extraordinary to shape a better tomorrow.
Dr Jordan Nguyen
A HUMAN'S GUIDE TO THE FUTURE
In this exciting talk, Dr Jordan Nguyen (biomedical engineer, inventor, TV Presenter and Author of A Human’s Guide to the Future) will open your mind to the big ideas globally being made possible in science and technology, and how they will impact our world. With the realms of the imagination and reality in our world slowly intertwining, extraordinary endeavours often begin with a simple idea. He will take you through advancements in Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, Virtual Reality, Space Technology and more, looking into how disruptive technologies can be used as tools to improve humanity and life on Earth. In addition to his own projects and inventions, Jordan will share his adventures around the world as a presenter with ABC and Discovery Channel, uncovering some of the most amazing creations of our time based on big dreams, leading with vision and purpose, the power of diverse collaborations and teamwork, and how collectively we can pursue the extraordinary to shape a better tomorrow.
Linda Dawson
How Today's Technology is Influencing Tomorrow's Jobs
Rapid advancements in technology are having a huge impact on future jobs and industries in Western Australia and globally. Skills in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) are critical in preparing young people their future careers, whether they want to work in a trade, become a lawyer, or invent the latest space robot. STEM skills also underpin some of the most important challenges facing our time – from decarbonising and diversifying our economy, to combatting disease and social challenges.
Craig Tucker
Implementing Identity Management with Entra ID

Are you still juggling PowerShell scripts, Microsoft Identity Manager 2016, or perhaps some third-party identity provisioning tools to manage staff, student, and parent accounts at your school? Join me in this informative session where we explore Microsoft’s latest solution for identity provisioning—Entra ID Governance – Provisioning.

We’ll guide you through the entire process, including:

  • Extracting data from your source of truth
  • Creating accounts
  • Setting up passwords
  • Managing licenses
  • Sending welcome emails
  • Organizing groups
  • And achieving all other essential tasks within the provisioning process

 

Don’t miss this opportunity to streamline your identity management workflow and enhance your institution’s efficiency.