Full Day Workshop with Prof Dylan Wiliam | Friday 22 August

Topic: Assessment of, for and as learning
This workshop will equip teachers with essential knowledge and practical strategies to improve their assessment practices through a focus on assessment literacy. The workshop will be organised around the idea of validity (evidence-centred design) as the central issue in assessment, and how a focus on validity highlights the limitations of high-stakes accountability testing, growth measures, diagnostic scoring, and a number of other current policy initiatives. The workshop will explore different ways that formative assessment has been defined, present a framework and strategies for effective use of formative assessment and provide participants with a number of classroom-ready practical techniques. The workshop will conclude by discussing the role of leaders in supporting the development of classroom formative assessment, and will explore ways in which leaders can monitor the development of formative assessment practices across the school.

Please note this workshop is limited to 200 participants and can be booked as a conference add-on ($200) or as a standalone workshop ($499) - book through the registration portal or if you have already registered please email us.  Register now

Student Involvement - Speaking to Country and Art submissions

Catholic school students from all across Australia are invited to contribute to the 2025 Australian Catholic Education Conference through contributions through Speaking to Country recordings and Art submissions.

1. Speaking to Country recorded submissions

Schools are invited to create a short (less than 15 seconds) Speaking to Country in collaboration with their local Traditional Owners. These contributions will be edited into a film that may be included in the Welcome to Country led by Yidinji Elders.

Recordings must be submitted by 25 July 2025.
Access criteria, submission form and media consent form here.

2. Student Art Submissions on our theme ‘hope, anchored in faith’

School communities are encouraged to support student participation in an artistic reflection on our conference theme, ‘hope, anchored in faith’. Students can submit creative works—visual art, photography, sculpture, music, or film—that explore our conference theme and key areas of focus - Faith, Excellence and Access. Selected artworks will be displayed in the conference Chapel.

Submissions must be received by 25 July 2025.
For more information download the full criteria and entry form.

Download teacher preparation/student reflection powerpoint

Enhance your experience

Catholic Education Diocese of Cairns has been partnering with Traditional Owners and Elders of the region to create Spirituality and In and On Country experiences as part of their work on Truth-telling, Healing and Reconciliation. You are invited to join one of these experiences pre or post conference to deepen your understanding of First Nations Ways, connection to country and your role in truth-telling. The experiences include:

• Encounter In Country Kaurareg (six day immersion in Torres Strait)

• Seasons of Creation Laudato Si’ Retreat Day Kuku Yalanji Country at Mossman Gorge (one day)

• Encounter Gunggandji on Fitzroy Island (one day)

• Encounter Gimuy on Country Experience in Cairns (one day)

Stay connected

Subscribe to our 2025ACEC mailing list for the latest information and notice of early bird registration.