Convening Concept
Our convening is intended to be a ‘boutique’ event for a group of 100 people who share a common passion or concern for what happens in the lives of those attending schools in New Zealand, and for the transformation of our education system.
We’ve called it a convening to distinguish it from a traditional conference. We’ve invited people to attend as participants to be inspired and contribute to the development of a transformation agenda for our nation’s learners.
Our convening will provide an opportunity for lifting our horizon to imagine a future where every learner thrives, and a system that supports that. We want to focus on what it might take to create ‘horizon 3’ schools and system, drawing on stories of success, both globally and nationally.
What we’re intending to achieve
Throughout our time together we want to maintain a focus on what we are fighting for – not what we’re fighting against. There are already plenty of groups criticising or voicing opposition to current reform efforts. Instead, we want to focus aspirationally, beyond the mere ‘remediation’ of what concerns us at the moment.
By exposing participants to stories of successful transformation both nationally and internationally, we hope to build the foundation for a more hopeful future and establish a movement of like-minded people who will remain connected as part of a network of transformation across Aotearoa/New Zealand.
The Changes We Want to Bring About
- CHANGING MINDS: There is wider public resolve for an approach to education that sees every learner thriving, and a commitment to designing systems and programmes where the learner is at the centre as both driver and beneficiary.
- CHANGING PRACTICE: Cross-sector, locally appropriate solutions are in place, within a framework of national priorities and resourcing. Educators are actively engaged in sharing practice across networks of expertise.
- CHANGING POLICY: There is system coherence, uniting agencies and organisations with a common, evidence-based approach to supporting innovative, learner-centred approaches to learning. Educators and learners are actively involved in shaping policy.
The Long-Term Impact We’re Aiming For:
- Collaboration within partnerships and networks that effect and sustain change.
- New forms of future-focused leadership capable of leading through change.
- A culture of agency in all dimensions of the education ecosystem, Including learners as leaders.
Programme design
Our programme combines a mix of inspirational messages and opportunity to process ideas and engage together in some futures thinking, with a view to reaching agreement on how we might create a movement that is capable of having significant impact on others – teachers, communities and government. It is designed around five themes that have been identified as key areas that are ripe for a transformational vision. Each theme will receive input from both international and national thought leaders. This is intended to achieve the following:
- Global voice – illustrating what’s possible and has been achieved elsewhere, highlighting the driving vision behind that, the conditions that made it possible and the things that are helping sustain it. The aim here is to lift horizons, inspire, and engage in some ‘bigger picture’ thinking.
- NZ voice – highlighting what’s being done in the context of Aotearoa/New Zealand, acknowledging our unique bi-cultural setting and commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and implications of this in terms of how we envisage a transformed education system. The aim here is to ground future solutions thinking in the context of Aotearoa/NZ
Each theme is allocated 90 minutes in the programme. In the first 30 minutes the theme will be introduced by two short (15 minute) inspirational talks by our international thought leaders and innovators. This will be followed by a response from two New Zealand thought leaders, after which there’ll be a ‘table-top’ session where participants will have the opportunity to discuss and respond to a set of ‘provocations’. This pattern will be followed for each of the themes.
Presenters and themes
| Theme | Global voice | NZ voice |
| Leading for equity and agency Focus on the impact of empowering individuals and collective efficacy | Carlos Moreno – Big Picture Schools Rhonda Broussard – Beloved Community | Hana O’Regan – (Ngai Tahu) Tawhiri Consulting Maxine Graham – Matauranga Iwi Leaders Group (MILG) |
| Community Led Transformation Focus on transformation led from within the community – ecosystem building etc. | Jeff Wetzler – Transcend Tony Manfiletto – Future Focused Learning (New Mexico) | Barbara Ala’atoa – Former principal and Chair of Education Council Pam O’Connell – CORE Education |
| Digital Futures Focus on the rapidly developing world of AI and the opportunities for virtual learning | Ian Zhu – (SchoolJoy) AI in education. Michael Barbour (Touro University) – Virtual Learning | Larrie Moore – CEO, N4L Frances Valintine – Academy X |
| Redefining Success Focus on redefining success to embrace recognition of a wider set of future-enabling capabilities | Sandra Milligan – New Metrics, University of Melbourne Bill Lucas – Re-thinking Assessment | Sarah Martin – Stonefields School (EdTalks) Claire Amos – Principal, Albany Senior High School |
| Leading for Transformation Emphasising the personal dispositions, strategies and theories of action required to lead change. | Martin Westwell – CE, South Australia Dept. Ed George Philhower – Superintendent, Eastern Hancock Schools,Indiana | Dale Bailey – Springboard Trust Maurie Abraham – How Might We Lead |
Programme Outline
| DAY ONE – Monday 7 July | |
| 9.00 | Mihi Whakatau Followed by cup of tea/coffee |
| 10.00 | Scene setting, overview and challenge for the convening Tony McKay Derek Wenmoth |
| 10.30 | Provocation 1 – Leading for equity and agency |
| 12.00 | Lunch |
| 1.00 | Provocation 2 – Community led transformation |
| 2.30 | Afternoon break |
| 3.00 | Provocation 3 – Digital Futures |
| 4.30 | Conclude day one |
| DAY TWO – Tuesday 8 July | |
| 8.00 | Welcome for the day – review day one |
| 8.30 | Provocation 4 – Redefining Success |
| 10.00 | Morning Tea |
| 10.30 | Student perspectives |
| 11.30 | Provocation 5 – leading for transformation |
| 12.30 | Lunch |
| 1.30 | Where to from here? Leadership panel Vision casting session Identify next steps |
| 3.30 | Afternoon tea |
| 4.00 | Concluding remarks. |
| 4.30 | Depart venue |
EdRising 