Hosted Lunch n Learn & Breakfast n Learn Sessions

You're invited to join us for exclusive Lunch n Learn & Breakfast n Learn Sessions during the 2025 Australian Catholic Education Conference.

If you are a registered delegate for the 2025 Australian Catholic Education Conference you are invited to an exclusive opportunity to attend our Lunch n Learn and Breakfast n Learn sessions - which are complimentary with your full or day delegate registration.

Lunch n Learn – Wednesday, 20 August | 1:10 PM – 1:55 PM

Crucial Conversations made easy: A journey from avoidance to mastery

Hosted by: Crucial Dimensions with Melbourne Archdiocesan Catholic Schools

Breakfast n Learn – Thursday, 21 August | 7:00 AM – 8:15 AM

Legal Compliance with Care:  Strengthening Employment Practices in Your School

Hosted by: Catholic Employment Relations

Full session details and speaker biographies are provided below.

RSVP by Friday 8 August to secure your spot. Places are limited!

SESSION DETAILS

Lunch n Learn – Wednesday, 20 August | 1:10 PM – 1:55 PM (during lunch break)

Hosted by: Crucial Dimensions with Melbourne Archdiocesan Catholic Schools

Crucial Conversations made easy: A journey from avoidance to mastery

Have you ever avoided a crucial conversation because you're uncertain how to begin or fear losing emotional control? This Lunch n Learn session will teach you the essential concept of mastering your stories. Participants will develop skills to recognise emotional triggers, distinguish facts from personal interpretations, and cultivate emotional states that foster collaboration rather than defensiveness. The session features insights demonstrating how MACS has supported school leaders to apply crucial conversation principles in their educational contexts utilising the framework and skills learned from Crucial Conversations® for Mastering Dialogue training. 

SPEAKER: Dr Daniel Groenewald is Manager, Leadership Development Programs at Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools.

With nine years’ experience specialising in leadership capability development, Daniel designs and delivers innovative programs for principals, system leaders, middle leaders, and emerging leaders across educational settings.

An experienced educator who has worked across primary, secondary, tertiary and corporate sectors, Daniel brings expertise in adult learning, experiential learning methodologies, and keynote speaking.

For more information visit www.crucialdimensions.com.au

Breakfast n Learn – Thursday, 21 August | 7:00 AM – 8:15 AM (before first session)

Hosted by: Catholic Employment Relations

Legal Compliance with Care: Strengthening Employment Practices in Your School

This practical session will explore real-world examples of how schools navigate complex employment-related challenges. Topics include managing employee conduct, addressing absenteeism, and ensuring compliance with workplace laws and policy obligations.

You’ll gain insights into current legal trends and potential risk areas for Catholic schools, and leave equipped with the knowledge and confidence to seek timely advice, while fostering fair, lawful, and mission-aligned employment practices.

SPEAKER: Chris Owens, Managing Principal

Chris Owens is the Managing Principal of Catholic Employment Relations (CER), leading a team of experienced employment lawyers. With a strong background in employment law, Chris also brings expertise in other legal areas impacting the education sector. The CER team supports Catholic schools across Australia with services including enterprise bargaining, tribunal representation, contract and policy development, and employment relations advice.

For more information visit www.cer.catholic.org.au

Lunch n Learn – Thursday, 21 August | 12:40 PM – 1:25 PM (during lunch break)

Hosted by: International Baccalaureate Organisation

IB and Catholic Education: Nurturing Faith and Global Excellence

This session explores how Catholic schools can meaningfully integrate the core values of faith, service, and moral leadership with the International Baccalaureate (IB) framework to achieve both academic excellence and global engagement. 

This session will highlight the natural alignment between Catholic education’s mission and the IB’s emphasis on inquiry, ethical action, and international mindedness. Discover how these shared values can enrich your school's identity and empower students to become compassionate, principled global citizens. 

Hear firsthand from school leaders at Merici College as they share their experiences navigating the journey toward becoming authorised IB World Schools, offering insights, challenges, and leadership strategies along the way. 

Whether you are exploring IB for your school, interested in enriching faith-based education, or simply seeking fresh insights for leadership, this session offers valuable guidance and inspiration for Catholic educational leaders.

SPEAKERS:

 Renee Taylor, Deputy Principal Teaching and Learning, Merici College Braddon   

Renee has been a teacher and leader in Australian Catholic and Independent schools for over 20 years. She has held a variety of different leadership positions in both curriculum and pastoral care. Renee is a Sociology and English teacher who is currently still in the classroom, teaching senior sociology and literacy intervention programs. She is also an IB teacher, having taught Middle Years Program and IB Diploma Literature, as well as supervises many extended essays for Diploma students. Renee is passionate about explicit teaching leading to guided inquiry and Merici College has become a leading school in modelling best practice in this space.   

Nicola McLennan, Deputy Principal Development, Merici College Braddon   

Nicola McLennan started her secondary teaching career last century in country Victoria. While many years of her teaching and educational leadership experience has been at Catholic Education in Canberra, Nicola has had the privilege of teaching in international schools in Harare and Tonga. Nicola’s introduction to the world of IB started during her tenure at Harare International School. Nicola currently teaches Diploma Program Higher Level Literature at Merici College.   

Casey Tay, Business Development Manager, Asia Pacific, International Baccalaureate

Based at the IB Global Centre in Singapore, Casey collaborates with schools in Asia Pacific, focusing on Australia, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Macao, Singapore, and Taiwan, to offer IB programs. With an MBA and a distinguished career in educational leadership, he has consistently driven academic innovation and excellence, significantly enhancing education quality and operational efficiency. Casey has also championed initiatives to expand academic partnerships, enriching educational offerings and providing a global perspective for students. 

Breakfast n Learn – Friday 22 August | 7:00 AM – 8:15 AM (before first session)

Hosted by: WTW

A Future-Led Approach to Insurance

In this session, WTW will explore the evolving landscape of the insurance market and the opportunities it presents for schools and faith-based organisations seeking a strategic, future focused approach. You will hear how challenging traditional insurance arrangements can lead to more tailored, effective solutions at a competitive cost.

This session highlights the critical role that a robust insurance partnership plays in enabling educational institutions to prioritise their core mission: providing quality education and care. By selecting a trusted insurance provider, schools can confidently focus on nurturing their students and staff, secure in the knowledge that their risks are being effectively managed. This strategic partnership allows schools to allocate their resources more efficiently, driving growth and excellence in education.

Sally and Melissa will highlight the importance of partnering with a provider who not only delivers exceptional proactive service but also possesses deep specialist knowledge in the Faith and Education sectors. Understanding the unique risks facing these industries is critical, and informed decision-making - driven by data and insights - ensures that clients remain at the heart of every strategy.

Join WTW to discover how a future-led insurance model can empower your organisation to navigate risk with confidence and clarity.

For more information visit https://www.wtwco.com/en-au/industries/education

SPEAKERS:

Sally Coulton – Account Director

Sally leads the Education portfolio for the Pacific at Willis (WTW), bringing deep expertise in both the education and faith sectors. With a strong understanding of the unique challenges and needs within the industry, Sally is dedicated to delivering insurance solutions that truly resonate with clients. Her proven track record in building long-term relationships is underpinned by a commitment to exceptional service and client advocacy. Sally consistently ensures that high-quality insurance broking and insightful professional advice are at the forefront of every client interaction, helping organisations navigate risk with confidence and clarity. Sally is a Qualified Practicing Insurance Broker of the National Insurance Brokers Association, holds a Bachelor of Business Management from The University of Queensland, has a Diploma in Financial Services (Insurance Broking) and is a Certified Insurance Professional (ANZIIF).

 Melissa Walker, NSW Manager - Commercial

Melissa joined WTW in 1998 as an Account Executive within the Professional Risk Practice then moved into the Commercial Division focusing on a portfolio of SME clients. 

In 2014 Melissa was appointed the role of NSW State Manager - Commercial Practice. As a Client Advocate, she is responsible for the day to day servicing of client needs, marketing of insurance programs, liaising with Insurer Network Partners and overseeing claims management for her clients.

Melissa has a thorough understanding of the general insurance market and works cross practice within WTW as part of a broader service team for larger SME clients. She is responsible for the management of the Sydney Commercial Team with focus given to strategic planning for growth and profitability. Melissa holds a Diploma of Financial Services (Insurance Management).