St John’s is set to take centre stage as it prepares to host the prestigious 2023 International Conference for Adolescent Success. This much-anticipated event, organised by a not-for-profit association dedicated to young adolescents’ education in the Middle Years, promises to be a gathering of minds seeking to reimagine learning and working in this crucial stage of life.
The theme for this year’s conference, ‘Reimagining Learning and Working in the Middle Years,’ highlights the importance of this developmental phase in shaping young people’s lives. With a diverse range of keynotes and concurrent sessions, the conference will offer invaluable insights for teachers, schools, businesses, and educators invested in the growth and well-being of young adolescents.
St John’s will play a key role in the conference, with the College’s own staff stepping up to share their expertise and experiences. Mrs Elizabeth Wilson, Learning Enhancement and Support Teacher at St John’s will lead a presentation on meaningful strategies to support student well-being. Her talk will emphasise the critical connection between mindfulness and self-regulation while discussing effective prevention and intervention techniques to strengthen social-emotional learning.
Furthermore, the College has partnered with the University of Queensland Learning Lab for an exciting research journey centred on curiosity in their educational context. Head of Middle School, Mr Braydon Giles, along with Mrs Natasha Podoliak, Head of English, and Mr Andrew Landroth, Deputy Principal – Curriculum and Innovation, will present findings from this project so far. They will shed light on nurturing and harnessing students’ curiosity during the critical Middle Years period, where young individuals form their identities and discover their passions.
In an inspiring new initiative, the conference will include a ‘Students Empowering Educators’ stream, providing Middle School students with a platform to present on topics they are passionate about. St John’s Year 9 student, Izaak Chen, will take participants on a literary journey to Baker Street, sharing his success in teaching Year 7 students about Sherlock Holmes and detective fiction. Meanwhile, Year 8 student, Iestyn Rush, will captivate attendees with his journey to success in the Sleek Geeks competition, focusing on neuroplasticity and innovation.
St John’s looks forward to showcasing the immense talents of our staff and students with attendees of this international event. To find out more about this conference and/or to register visit: Adolescent Success – Conference 2023
