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Presenter: Luke Kennedy

Luke Kennedy is one of Australia’s most in-demand motivational speakers, known for his raw, powerful, and deeply moving presentations. Now a successful business owner, state champion boxer, and mentor to troubled youth, he dedicates his life to helping others break free from self-doubt, limiting beliefs, and destructive patterns.

Luke’s ability to connect with any audience – whether corporate teams, business leaders, students, or those struggling with their past – comes from his genuine, no-fluff approach. His breathtaking and thought-provoking story challenges people to step up, take ownership, thrive through change, and push past their struggles.

More than just motivation, Luke provides real, practical tools to improve resilience, mental health, leadership, and performance. His impact goes beyond the stage, leaving audiences with a renewed sense of purpose, confidence, and clarity in both their personal and professional lives.

Building resilient communities through English language programs

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Imagine, you are forced to leave your country because it is no longer safe for you to live there. Your life and the lives of your family are in danger. You just have to get out. You only have the clothes on your back and the money in your pocket. You leave with your partner and your children to move to a new country. When you arrive in this new strange place, you don’t know anyone. You don’t know where to start to find housing, a school for your children, how to go to the doctor or anything else you need for settlement. How do you feel? You feel lost, uprooted, tired, possibly scared and worried. And you can’t speak the language, maybe you can’t even read it, and so you start with Learning English. Learning a new language as a tool for social integration.

Navitas Skilled Futures is funded by the federal government to deliver the AMEP and SEE Programs. In these programs we create learning environments that foster a sense of belonging by adapting our classroom practice and encouraging learners to develop meaningful relationships with their classmates both in and outside of class. Students attend class not only to develop their LLND skills, but also to connect with classmates and their teachers. Many students live alone or in small households, and don’t have family and friends around, so our classes become a place for them to feel they belong in a community. Excursions also help specific community classes to improve connection to the community and how learning English within the new community (English in Australia) can enhance the feelings of being part of the community, part of the society and part of culture. Our students have had opportunities to apply language skills in real world communities through programs such as our ‘English for Sewing’ ‘English for driving’ and Pathways to Work which incorporates work experience where learners develop skills for work and apply what they have learned in the classroom in a real workplace. This presentation will focus on showcasing best practice in delivering English learning with a purpose through culturally based practices to new migrants and refugees through a combination of language and life skills.

Presenter: Vlasta Gunning

A language teacher and educator since 1995, experienced in teaching a number of languages across the world. English as a second language teacher for 19 years, teaching English to CALD communities in Australia since 2006.

Highly skilled in Inter-cultural Communication, Teaching Languages other than English, English as a Second Language (ESL) and Educational Assessment and Quality Assurance.

Highly experienced in delivering curricula-based training and training packages in the CALD sector, including foundation skills programs, digital learning and vocational education. Currently working as the Lead Quality Assurance at Navitas Skilled Futures.

Presenter: Grace Nabhan

English Language teacher since 2012, experienced in teaching in Distance Learning, and face to face classes. Have taught across different levels and programs teaching English to CALD communities preparing them for settlement and employment in Australia.

Highly skilled in integrating technology in delivery with over 3 experiences working as a mentor for staff to help them integrate technology into their lessons with workshops and 1-1 training, designing learning materials and training teachers to design interactive learning materials using an LMS.

Currently working as an Academic Teal Leader at one of the colleges in South West Sydney for Navitas Skilled Futures.

Whole-person and in-community learning and support as a basis for enabling student success

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International students undertaking academic pathways tend to have lengthy and complex journeys. Moreover, these journeys are punctuated by a variety of stakeholders, providers and programs. This panel discussion will specifically deliberate on a selection of challenges faced by both students and providers in achieving student success.

With representation from the Tertiary and High School Pathways Sectors, discussion will lead participants towards models to enabling holistic student success. Participants can expect to be presented with ideas that challenge current delivery models by focussing on whole-person and in-community learning and support as a basis for enabling success. This session is relevant to anyone who is teaching, managing and supporting student to succeed in pathway programs.

Presenter: Jo Kwai

Jo Kwai is a seasoned ELT specialist with extensive experience in teaching, curriculum development and coordinating across three sectors: primary, secondary, ELICOS in private and public institutions, and has also worked in the RTO environment across compliance, training and management.  Jo’s professional journey includes working at TAFE Qld, where she had diverse roles including ELICOS teacher, AMEP case manager, and TESOL Trainer and assessor for Diploma and Certificate IV courses.

As a dedicated member of the QLD EA branch, and a member of the ASQA SLG (Stakeholder Liaison Group), Jo is a passionate advocate for professional development and life-long learning. She is the visionary founder of PD Fest, an annual event that has expanded to multiple states across Australia.

Jo is Manager, JPIC and supports the Director (David Ferguson) to oversee the Teaching and Learning in the HSP/IPP Intensive ELICOS program.  She engages on a regular basis with students and various stakeholders with all-things teaching and learning.

Presenter: Ash Moor

Ash Moor has family connections into Wakka Wakka country and grew up in Toowoomba, Queensland. Ash commenced teaching in TAFE Tasmania on the AMEP in 2003 before working for the British Council in Santiago, Chile. On his return to Australia in 2008, he taught, coordinated and managed in a number of Brisbane language colleges before moving into the pathways and enabling education space. In 2021, Ash received the ACEL Research in Educational Leadership and Management Award. As Academic Manager at UQ College, Ash has led various initiatives, including Indigenising curriculum in the Foundation and Tertiary Preparation Programs.

Presenter: Jane Roberts

Jane Roberts is the RTO Director at Sarina Russo Institute, where she oversees the Registered Training Organisation (RTO) and ELICOS operations. With an extensive background in ESL teaching and management, Jane has been instrumental in driving the institute’s mission to provide high-quality education and training services. Her leadership has been pivotal in enhancing the institute’s digital presence and improving student engagement. Jane is deeply committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive learning environment. She actively engages with industry stakeholders to ensure that the institute’s programs meet the evolving needs of students and the workforce.

A current member of the NEAS Advisory Council and a long-term QLD EA branch member, Jane is passionate about International Education in Australia and the provision of professional development to the sector.

Finding Your Place When You Don’t Belong

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What happens when you don’t belong? When you are new to the country, language, educational environment? Add to the mix living away from your support networks and friends, and this is a challenge facing many international students.

Three High School Preparation providers, all based in school contexts, share their strategies and best practice approaches for helping disengaged and/or unmotivated high school students to feel that they ‘belong’.

Presenter: Leisl Bruhn

Leisl began her teaching career in the East End of London whilst working and travelling overseas. Upon her return to Australia, she completed a Master of Education (Applied Linguistics) and has extensive teaching and leadership experience in the EAL field across primary, secondary, and adult sectors in both the state and private systems. Leisl has also worked on language proficiency in the corporate arena and has extensive experience teaching VCE EAL onshore and offshore and English Language B in the IBDP.

In Leisl’s current position as Dean of International Students at Ivanhoe Grammar School she is the Academic Manager of the School’s Intensive English Language Program and is responsible for the pastoral care of all international students across the school at any one time. Leisl believes the care and wellbeing of international school students is vital, especially given their vulnerability, and for them to fully enjoy their experience and achieve their best outcomes they must feel safe, comfortable, and well supported.

Leisl is the current President of Vision International, an association of Australian schools that enrol international school students.

Presenter: Jo Kwai

Jo Kwai is a seasoned ELT specialist with extensive experience in teaching, curriculum development and coordinating across three sectors: primary, secondary, ELICOS in private and public institutions, and has also worked in the RTO environment across compliance, training and management.  Jo’s professional journey includes working at TAFE Qld, where she had diverse roles including ELICOS teacher, AMEP case manager, and TESOL Trainer and assessor for Diploma and Certificate IV courses.

As a dedicated member of the QLD EA branch, and a member of the ASQA SLG (Stakeholder Liaison Group), Jo is a passionate advocate for professional development and life-long learning. She is the visionary founder of PD Fest, an annual event that has expanded to multiple states across Australia.

Jo is Manager, JPIC and supports the Director (David Ferguson) to oversee the Teaching and Learning in the HSP/IPP Intensive ELICOS program.  She engages on a regular basis with students and various stakeholders with all-things teaching and learning.

Presenter: Vanessa Newbery

Mrs Newbery has been teaching at Hills International College since 2012, and has been Director of Studies in Hills Language College for over eight years. She is now part of the College Executive team in her role as Head of International Programs.

Before joining Hills, Mrs Newbery worked around Australia and overseas in ELICOS, AMEP and LOTE (French) teaching roles. She has travelled extensively through Europe and Asia, enhancing her international understanding and perspective.

Transition and support were her two main objectives when joining Hills Language College, and together with her teachers and the Hills community, she is working towards achieving these goals despite global and local challenges.

Mrs Newbery also facilitates the Hills Homestay Program. She is an active member of the College Wellbeing Team, and coordinates the College’s Culture Club.

Mrs Newbery is a certified NEAS Master Practitioner and member of the NEAS High School Preparation Community of Practice. She is involved in state and national networking with other schools to ensure best practice for international students at not only Hills International College, but also Australia.