Annual Conference is one of the major events on the Parents Victoria calendar.
Big issues
- Conference allows parents to explore some of the ‘big issues’ confronting education across the state and the nation.
- Each year there is a Conference theme which reflects one or more of the major challenges facing education generally or Parent Clubs in particular.
- The issues are covered in a variety of ways including keynote speakers and workshops.
Networking opportunity
- Conference is a unique opportunity for parents to meet and share experiences and ideas
- Listening to and participating in debate of policy items with parents from around the state.
Who comes to conference?
- Anyone can attend our Annual Conference.
- Conference costs are determined by the PV Board annually.
Official opening, ‘social contract’ around schools
Questions from Conference attendees
Relationships: A Constructive Focus
Panel discussion – School funding
Panel discussion – School zones
Panel discussion – Vaping
Panel discussion – Workforce shortages
Panel discussion – Students with disabilities
The facts about school funding – Trevor Cobbold
Roadworks in Progress – School funding
Discussion groups come up with solutions for “The Road Ahead”
Roadworks in Progress – Students with disability
Discussion groups come up with solutions for “The Road Ahead”
Roadworks in Progress – Bullying
Discussion groups come up with solutions for “The Road Ahead”
Conference outcomes and follow-up information
Joan Kirner Award winner: Danielle Bell
Congratulations to Danielle Bell, President of Croydon Hills Association of Parents (CHAPS) nominated by Croydon Hills Primary School principal, Christian Holdsworth. Danielle was working the
Conference Report
Proceedings of our Annual Conference on 7 October, including notes of panel discussion sessions.
The facts about school funding in Victoria
Trevor Cobbold has kindly given us permission to publish his presentation at our 2023 Conference. The presentation is titled The facts about school funding in
Photos
2022 Conference
Our 2022 E-Conference theme was Relationship based Education (RbE). The Conference was held on 24 October.
RbE is a philosophy of education that puts relationships at the centre. It was developed by John Hendry OAM based on his 50 years experience as an educator. Relationships that form in the educational environment are the bedrock for everything else that happens.
Videos
Minister Natalie Hutchins – Conference 2022
This video shows Minister for Education Natalie Hutchins speaking at our E-Conference on 24 October 2022. The Minister’s appearance was postponed slightly by urgent commitments
John Hendry – Conference 2022
In this video, John Hendry OAM gives us an introduction to Relationship based Education. This is the ‘What’ of our ‘What, Why and How’ of
Kristin Reimer – Conference 2022
In this video, Kristin Riemer PhD from Monash University discusses the philosophical principles behind RbE, and case studies and research evidence to show the effectiveness
Ocean Grove Primary School – Conference 2022
Ocean Grove Primary School has been working with John Hendry to implement the principles of Relationship based Education at the school. Scott McCumber (Principal) and
Prahran High School – Conference 2022
Relationship based Education has been an important part of Prahran High School since it opened in 2019. Principal Nathan Chisholm and Assistant Principal Shannan Roberts
‘On the Couch’ Q&A session – Conference 2022
Our panellists answered questions from Conference participants. Note: sorry, this video skips the first few minutes of the Q&A. Ross Mortimer asked the first question:
Further information: Conference 2022
Follow-up information about Relationship based Education, our speakers and RbE in schools…
Full program
Download the Conference brochure for the full program. 
Annual Report
The Conference included our AGM, during which the Annual Report was presented.
You can download the Annual Report now .
2021 Conference
Videos of presentations from the Conference are available below, as follows:
- Education Minister James Merlino’s Conference opening and announcement of the 2021 Joan Kirner Parent Participation Award.
- “Caring through Connection” – Elspeth Stephenson.
- “Collective Conversation on Consent” – Debbie Ollis, Chanel Contos, Katrina Marson.
Minister’s opening/Joan Kirner Award – Conference 2021
Our 2021 Conference was officially opened by the Minister for Education, James Merlino. In a second (pre-recorded) video, Mr Merlino also announced the winners of
Caring through Connection – Conference 2021
Elspeth Stephenson’s presentation at our 2021 Online Conference.
Collective Conversation on Consent – Conference 2021
Presentations by Debbie Ollis, Chanel Contos and Katrina Marson.
PV2021 Conference: Recipes for Great Schools
The Parents Victoria Annual Conference will take place online this year, on Monday 11 October. Our theme this year is “Recipes for Great Schools“. Program
2020 Conference
Our 2020 Conference theme was “Brave New World: Changes, challenges and opportunities for families and schools”
Opening
We thank Education Minister James Merlino for opening the conference and answering questions.
Mr Merlino presented the Joan Kirner Award and the ‘Parent Champion During Covid’ Award.
Mr Merlino also took questions – here are his answers , emailed to us after the Conference.
Joan Kirner Award
The Joan Kirner is an annual award given to a Member Parent Club, Parent, or Individual Member who has demonstrated, encouraged, or facilitated parent or family engagement in their school.
This year’s winner is Catherine Kirby (Sandringham College)
Parent Champion During Covid Award
The ‘Parent Champion During Covid’ is a new award for clubs and parents who have made a positive contribution to their school community during the ‘learning From home’ periods this year.
This year’s winner is Nikky Edwards (Croydon Hills Primary School)
Re-setting the foundations for good mental health for families post COVID
Presenter: Dr Stephen Carbone, Executive Director, Prevention United.
Download Stephen’s PowerPoint slides
Family Engagement Officers in schools
Presenter: Dori Ellington, Community Engagement Officer at Whittington Primary School.
Connected Schools Communities: The Next School Improvement Frontier
Presenter: Adam Voigt, Director, Real Schools.
Annual Report
The 2021 Parents Victoria Annual Report was presented at the Conference.
2019 Conference
