How might a school or system pivot to ensure that inclusive practices scale up as school complexity rises? 

Michael, as a cultural cartographer, loves navigating how communities and ecosystems express their identity and complexity. He is completing a PhD at the University of Technology Sydney where he leads the "Purpose Topograhy Project". He travels in the direction of the questions he asks, and hosts Vacilando, a podcast that walks alongside Principals as they navigate their preferred future.  

Michael is an award-winning educational leader and is currently in the classroom at Adelaide University, where he teaches one of Australia's most innovative courses, Igniting Change: Ideas to Action, at Australia's newest University. 

Kathleen has led a significant schoolwide transformation from a heavily segregated model to a genuinely inclusive one, ensuring that every student has the opportunity to learn alongside their age‑appropriate peers in heterogeneous classes. This shift has strengthened belonging and engagement, lifted expectations and student outcomes, and created a positive and inclusive teaching and learning environment where all members of the school community, feel confident, resilient and supported to thrive and excel.   

Her leadership is characterised by clarity, strategic alignment, and a deep commitment to ensuring that systems, curriculum, and wellbeing structures work for every learner. She is known for translating complex policy into accessible, human‑centred practice for staff and families, and for building the collective efficacy required to sustain meaningful change. 

Kathleen is a strong advocate for procedural fairness, culturally responsive practice, and community partnership. Her leadership adds to the growing body of practice guiding schools to design inclusive environments that honour diversity, strengthen relationships, and create meaningful pathways for all young people. 

Kathryn Tully is the Executive Director, Curriculum at the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA), bringing more than three decades of experience across the education sector. Beginning her career as a secondary teacher, Kathryn has held senior roles at both the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority and the Queensland Department of Education, where she led significant curriculum, assessment and digital innovation initiatives. 

Throughout her career Kathryn has had responsibilities in curriculum and assessment across Kindergarten to Year 12 shaping curriculum implementation, co-designing resources with teachers, and delivering services that strengthen teaching and learning. She led the development of Queensland’s P–10 planning app, now supporting tens of thousands of teachers to confidently implement Version 9.0 of the Australian Curriculum, and guided state-wide work in digital learning, virtual platforms and the use of generative AI to support educators. 

At ACARA, Kathryn is committed to collaboration, innovation and a clear national vision: ensuring every young Australian benefits from a world‑class curriculum. She is passionate about equity, excellence and partnering with teachers, leaders and communities to bring curriculum to life in every classroom. 

I am currently Director Inclusive Teaching and Learning, Department for Education in South Australia, living and working in beautiful Adelaide. In my former position I was the Director of the National Centre for Educational Leadership at Tui Tuia | Learning Circle | University of Auckland. I was recently the National President of the New Zealand Principals’ Federation (2020-2021) and have had a 33-year career as a teacher and principal. I was the Principal at Hastings Intermediate and Island Bay School in Wellington and was the foundation Director at the innovative Discovery 1 School in Christchurch. I launched Tawa School City Site, a satellite campus in Wellington’s CBD, and was the spokesperson of BTAC-the Boards Taking Action Coalition.

I am a founding Board member of the Primary Principals’ Collective Bargaining Union (PPCBU). I have held the position of Practice Partner Director of the Learning Schools collaboration with Te Pūtahi | Woolf Fisher Research Centre. I am a natural risk-taker and innovator. I am a passionate advocate of student-centred learning and practice-based approaches. I am a proud dad to two teenagers and I enjoy dining out, travel, indie rock and coffee!