Faculty of Education Leads Panel on Advancing Excellence in Every Victorian Classroom
As part of ICSEI 2025, the Faculty of Education hosted a panel discussion on The Education State – Excellence in Every Classroom. Held in the Kathleen Fitzpatrick Lecture Theatre, the session explored how various sectors in education are shaping policy, research, and practice in Victoria and beyond, while highlighting the work still to be done.
The panel was facilitated by Tony Mackay and featured:
- Dr Marcia Devlin AM, CEO, Victorian Academy of Teaching and Leadership
- Jenny Atta, Secretary of the Department of Education
- Steve Cook, Principal, Albert Park College
- James Keating, School Captain, Albert Park College
Driving Educational Innovation
A major focus was the Victorian Academy of Teaching and Leadership, a $160 million investment in professional learning. CEO Marcia Devlin emphasised the Academy’s alignment with evidence-based research, ensuring teachers receive the best support to drive excellence in schools. “The Academy provides professional learning for school teachers and schooling career pathways for exceptional educators to contribute to school and system improvement, and raising public awareness about how awesome this profession is,” she said.
Prioritising Student Wellbeing & Holistic Learning
Recognising that student success extends beyond academic achievement, the discussion highlighted the importance of integrated wellbeing into education. Secretary of the Department of Education Jenny Atta noted, “Wellbeing and learning now carry equal weight within our schools.” Student panellist, James, reflected on the direct impact of these approaches: “When teachers genuinely care about you as a person, not just as a student, you feel more engaged in learning.”
Strengthening Community & School Partnerships
Fostering partnerships between schools, educators, and communities was a focus of the discussion, as panellists recognised that strong networks enhance student outcomes. Albert Park College Principal Steve Cook spoke about his school’s collaboration with the Faculty on student-led projects and teacher professional development. “Our school was reborn in 2011, and we’ve worked hard to build a culture where students, teachers, and the wider community are deeply connected,” he said.
Preparing Students for the Future with Cutting-Edge Research
As the education landscape continues to evolve, the need to reassess how educators equip students with future-ready skills has never been more critical. Cook emphasised that creativity, adaptability, and problem-solving are essential. “We may not know what future jobs will look like, but we do know that students need to be problem-solvers, communicators, and innovators,” he said.
Leading Systemic Change in Education
The final message of the event was to continue to lead the charge in influencing systemic education reform, ensuring that policies are attuned to the requirements of schools and students. Atta reaffirmed this, stating, “Victoria’s education system has always been at the forefront of innovation. The challenge is to create a system that is adaptable, evidence-informed, and responsive to the needs of all students.”
As ICSEI 2025 wraps-up an inspiring week, the Faculty remains committed to leading conversations that redefine the future of education. The Faculty would like to extend its thanks to the Victorian Department of Education for generously funding this event.
To find out more information on ICSEI, access their website here.