About the event

Want to develop student voice, but not sure where to start? Join us for the Achievements & Challenges Seminar as we dive into the current state of student voice, agency, and participation.

In 2019 there was a major international conference around Student Voice, Agency, and Participation in Melbourne. Four years on from this face-to-face event:
- What has changed?
- What is the current state of play for Student Voice?
- How are these ideas embedded in school plans and practice, going beyond the rhetoric?

Whether you're a student, teacher, school leader, academic, policy worker, or part of a support organisation, this seminar is a must-attend! It offers a valuable opportunity to hear form a diverse range of stakeholders across the divides. You can engage in discussions with like-minded individuals from schools, communities, and the broader education system.

This seminar will challenge and inspire you as you explore innovative and practical solutions and strategies. Our expert panels comprise of a diverse mix of voices from different corners of education, working to bridge gaps and stimulate discussions. Let's embark on this journey of discovering innovative solutions and strategies together. Explore our lineup of speakers below!

Meet the Speakers

We're thrilled to be joined by three members of the NSW Minister's Student Council - Doug, Porter, and Dhishana! The NSW Minister's Council's mission is to empower students to have a direct say in education and school policy, and they're making a real impact in NSW. They provide a platform for student opinions, ideas, and feedback, ensuring a diverse range of voices shape education policies. As advocates for student engagement, inclusivity, and educational improvement, the Council has already influenced policy initiatives and provided crucial insights during the return-to-school process post-COVID-19.

We'll also be joined by Dr. Keith Heggart! Dr. Heggart is an early career researcher, former high school teacher, and school leader with a diverse background in education. His focus on learning and instructional design, educational technology, and civics and citizenship education is making a real impact in Australian youth. Currently, he's exploring the potential of online learning platforms to shape active citizenship among our youth.

Finally, we'll also be joined by the Youth Accountability Project (YAP)! YAP is a new systems-change project in NSW. The project – currently called the Youth Accountability Project (YAP) until young people give it a better name. YAP’s vision is for a society that deeply values children and young people, and creates the conditions for them to thrive in childhood and life. YAP contributes to this vision by increasing young people’s influence and ability to shape their own lives and the society they will inherit. YAP’s work is to enable young people aged 7 – 15 years to say what ‘good’ looks like, and then to support institutions of society move towards that.

Getting to the event

We recommend that you travel by Public Transport to this event. Paddy's Market Light Rail stop is just around the corner, with close connections to Central Station. Use TfNSW's Trip Planner to plan your journey. There is limited metered street parking available nearby and none within the immediate vicinity of the venue. If you want to travel to this event via a private bus, please reach out to discuss your plans. Local roads may not be suitable, and parking may not be available. 

We are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible event. If you require accommodations to allow you to participate in this event, please contact us via email to have confidential discussion. This event is wheelchair accessible and will be held on the second floor of the Community Hub at The Dock. Access to the building is flat, and there is a lift to the second floor. Toilets are also located on both floors. Any documents or handouts can be made available in alternative formats, please contact us for more information.  

What to expect

Light refreshments will be provided. Please ensure to advise of any dietary requirements, via the ticket form, at least 36 hours prior to the event. Requirements received after this deadline may not be able to be accommodated. We are committed to the continual improvement of our environmental performance, and to reduce our environmental impact we will only provide a limited number of single use items in our catering. To join us in this commitment, we strongly recommend that you bring a keep cup and a water bottle to this event. 

This is a paid event, and your ticket will be scanned upon entry. If you're able to do so, we'd greatly appreciate if you'd also purchase an ACSV Lanyard alongside your ticket to contribute to the running costs of the ACSV. Tickets will not be sold at the event itself.

This event will be recorded. To allow for the continual sharing of knowledge, we’ll be recording this event and making it available to our community. Video and still photography will be captured, and this media will also be used in the promotion of the ACSV. If you do not wish to be photographed, please contact us prior to the event. 

Safety

Getting to the Event 

The ACSV is a child safe organisation. We have adopted the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations, and are committed to empowering young people through enjoyable and enriching experiences. The ACSV has a responsibility to protect all children and young people from potential harm that might arise during their engagement with us and in spaces which we provide. We share this responsibility with parents, guardians, and the child or young person. The ACSV will take particular care to minimise risks of exposure to unsuitable content, experiences, and inappropriate contact. To uphold this commitment, alongside other measures, all volunteers and ACSV Staff have a valid working with children's check. 

Information you submit through the Ticket purchasing process, such as your name and email address, when made available to us are governed by our Digital Platform’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. We strongly encourage you to take a moment to familiarise yourself with this policy. As the tickets are available for sale only on Humanitix’s website, we strongly recommend that you take time to read through their Ticketing Terms and Privacy Policy

The full terms and conditions of entry are available on our website. Visit studentvoice.org.au/seminar for more info.