Pedagogy in Practice: Early Education Conference NEWCASTLE
Description
Pedagogy in Practice: Early Education Conference
Dates: Friday 26th & Saturday 27th February 2027
Location: Newcastle, NSW
Join us for an inspiring two-day conference designed to bridge the gap between pedagogical theory and the implementation of high-quality teaching and learning practices for early childhood educators and sector leaders. Moving beyond simply discussing what good practice looks like, this event focuses on how educators can embed quality, evidence-based pedagogical approaches into their daily work with young children.
Our conference features a comprehensive, optional two-day program:
🔸 Day 1: Connecting to Country Cultural Immersion Day
Date & Time: Friday 26th February 2027 | 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Location: Yamuloong, 71 Prospect Rd, Garden Suburb, NSW
Capacity: Limited to 40 places only
Hosted by First Nations cultural guides—including Tim Selwyn from Girra Girra Aboriginal Cultural Experiences and the team at Yamuloong—this immersive day provides participants with a meaningful, hands-on opportunity to engage with local Indigenous perspectives and culture on Country.
Day 1 Aboriginal cultural experiences include:
Traditional Smoking Ceremony
Guided Bush Tucker walk
Ochre grinding & painting
Storytelling & weaving
Native-inspired morning tea & lunch
🔸 Day 2: Main Conference Day
Date & Time: Saturday 27th February 2027 | 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Location: Rydges, Newcastle, NSW
A full-day program dedicated to inspiring pedagogy, practical teaching and learning ideas, and evidence-based early education practices. Each of the five presenter sessions follows a dynamic two-part structure:
Expert presentation: Insights from an inspirational ECEC sector leader.
Interactive workshop: A hands-on component giving you the opportunity to explore, play, and create!
Day 2 Conference Agenda:
8:00 – 8:45: Registration and exhibits
8:45 – 9:00: Welcome to Country — Tim Selwyn
9:00 – 9:10: Opening Address — Simone Brand (Learn Play Thrive)
9:10 – 10:20: Media Literacy in Playful Learning — Laura Stone (ABC Kids Early Education)
10:20 – 10:40: Morning tea & exhibits
10:40 – 11:50: Leading STEAM Pedagogy — Dr Kate Highfield (University of Canberra)
11:50 – 13:00: The Intelligence of Things: Materials, Environments and the Possibilities of Play — Clare Comedoy (Think Again, See Again)
13:00 – 13:50: Lunch & exhibits
13:50 – 15:00: Art, Storytelling & Embedding Aboriginal Perspectives — Jessica Staines (Koori Curriculum)
15:00 – 16:10: Shifting out of the YouTube era: Creating Meaningful, Child-centred Musical Experiences — Amelia Scarf (Rhymey)
16:10 – 16:30: Afternoon tea & exhibits
16:30 – 16:50: Learn Play Thrive Early Education Podcast Panel — We close the day with a thought-provoking panel dissecting the core theme of 'Pedagogy in Practice', recorded LIVE for the Learn Play Thrive Podcast!
16:50 – 17:00: Lucky door prizes and closing remarks — Simone Brand (Learn Play Thrive)
Secure your ticket now and leave the conference with a toolkit full of practical ideas ready to implement in your early years classroom!
Gallery
Agenda
- 8:00 am - 8:45 am
Registration and exhibits
- 8:45 am - 9:00 am
Welcome to Country, Tim Selwyn
- 9:00 am - 9:10 am
Opening address, Simone Brand (Learn Play Thrive)
Simone will set the stage and explore why robust pedagogy is the heart of impactful early education.
- 9:10 am - 10:20 am
Media Literacy in Playful Learning, Laura Stone (ABC Kids Early Education)
Long before they can read, young children are making sense of the stories, songs and characters around them. The early years lay the foundations for how and why we engage with media throughout our lives, and for the joy, connection and meaning it can bring. This interactive session explores how media literacy is already part of children’s everyday play. Drawing on ABC Kids Early Education’s Exploring Media Together resources, we’ll unpack the key concepts of media literacy, their links to the Early Years Learning Framework, and the thinking behind quality children’s media, from Play School to the News Time podcast on ABC Kids listen. These media experiences don’t sit apart from play. They’re woven through the layered web of talk, movement, drawing, building, song and pretend that is sometimes described as multimodal. In the hands-on component, you’ll step into that web yourself, playing with ideas the way children do: retelling familiar stories, taking on characters and reimagining them with puppets and loose parts. Along the way, you’ll see how these everyday experiences lay the foundations for children’s understanding of media. You’ll leave with: - A practical understanding of media literacy in the early years. - Simple, open questions to spark children’s thinking about media. - Play-based ideas, with or without screens.
- 10:20 am - 10:40 am
Morning tea and exhibits
- 10:40 am - 11:50 am
Leading STEAM Pedagogy, Dr Kate Highfield (University of Canberra)
This dynamic presentation will demystify exactly what we mean by STEAM in pedagogy in early education. It explores the power of sustained shared thinking, unpacks how to intentionally "complicate the play" to stretch children's critical thinking and problem-solving skills, while defining the vital role of the teacher as a co-investigator. This session features an interactive hands-on component with digital technological devices, natural materials and craft items to construct, engineer and experiment!
- 11:50 am - 1:00 pm
The Intelligence of Things: Materials, Environments and the Possibilities of Play, Clare Comedoy (Think Again, See Again)
What if the materials we offer children are not simply resources for play, but active participants in thinking, learning and meaning-making? This workshop invites educators to reconsider the intelligence of materials and the pedagogical possibilities of thoughtfully designed environments. Drawing on the hundred languages of children, material encounters and stories of practice, we will explore how materials provoke curiosity, resist our intentions, invite experimentation and make children's theories visible. Through reflection and hands-on exploration, educators will be challenged to look beyond the arrangement of beautiful spaces and consider how environments can become places of research, relationship and possibility.
- 1:00 pm - 1:50 pm
Lunch and exhibits
- 1:50 pm - 3:00 pm
Art, Storytelling & Embedding Aboriginal Perspectives, Jessica Staines (Koori Curriculum)
We know we should, but we don’t know how!” is a common statement from well-meaning educators who want to include Aboriginal perspectives but worry about being offensive, tokenistic or stereotypical. This workshop builds educators’ cultural confidence and capacity to embed Aboriginal perspectives throughout their curriculum, every day of the year. Jessica will share practical ideas for meaningful inclusion, with a particular focus on the possibilities of art and storytelling. Moving beyond collaged flags and cotton bud dot paintings, educators will explore traditional and contemporary Aboriginal art practices, children’s literature and resources that support respectful, engaging learning experiences. Participants will leave with inspiration and practical strategies to facilitate Aboriginal-inspired art experiences and weave Aboriginal perspectives into their everyday programs, well beyond NAIDOC Week. Practical component: More Than a Story – Bringing First Nations Children’s Books to Life In this hands-on, collaborative experience, educators will explore how First Nations children’s literature can become a meaningful provocation and springboard for deeper learning, beyond a story shared at group time. Working in small groups, educators will critically review a selection of First Nations children’s books, identifying key themes, cultural perspectives, messages and opportunities for learning. They will consider how these themes connect with the lived experiences, interests, identities and everyday worlds of the children in their care. Through collaborative discussion and creative brainstorming, educators will workshop practical ways to extend learning beyond the pages of the book, exploring opportunities for inquiry, play, connection with Country, creative expression and community engagement. The activity will challenge educators to think beyond traditional book-related craft activities and consider how First Nations literature can inspire authentic, child-led investigations that weave Aboriginal perspectives throughout the curriculum. Educators will leave with practical, adaptable ideas to take back to their services, along with greater confidence in using First Nations literature as a catalyst for meaningful, sustained learning.
- 3:00 pm - 4:10 pm
Shifting out of the YouTube Era: Creating Meaningful, Child- centred Musical Experiences, Amelia Scarf (Rhymey)
Join Amelia Scarf for an engaging, hands-on presentation exploring how we can shift out of the “YouTube” era and begin to create meaningful, child-centred musical experiences rooted in self-regulation. Combining neuroscience with practical tools, this session explores how intentional music and movement can support children’s self-regulation, strengthen relationships, reduce challenging behaviours and create calmer learning environments. Explore how we can move beyond music as entertainment, background noise or a "tick box" exercise, and instead use it as a meaningful way to connect with children and respond to their needs. Discover how to weave music into everyday routines, interests and interactions, creating experiences that are intentional, child-centred and authentic. Through practical, hands-on experiences, you’ll explore fresh repertoire and strategies you can take straight back to your setting, with a renewed understanding of how music can connect the brain and body, support regulation and deepen learning. No musical experience is needed. Just curiosity and a willingness to rethink the role of music in early childhood.
- 4:10 pm - 4:30 pm
Afternoon tea and exhibits
- 4:30 pm - 5:00 pm
Learn Play Thrive Early Education podcast panel - LIVE recording
- 5:00 pm - 5:15 pm
Lucky door prizes and closing remarks, Simone Brand (Learn Play Thrive)
To close out the day, Simone will steer a thought-provoking panel alongside our expert conference presenters for a deep dive into our core theme Pedagogy in Practice. This dynamic closing session will be recorded LIVE for the Learn Play Thrive Podcast, giving you a front-row seat to an unforgettable conversation.
Lineup
Tim Selwyn, Girra Girra Aboriginal Cultural Experiences
Tim is a proud Aboriginal man dedicated to honouring the ancient lore of his people and the spirits of his ancestors through art, storytelling and cultural education. His ancestral line comes from the Wongaibon people of Central West NSW, while his Mother was born on Wiradjuri country in Dubbo. Tim himself was born on Wailwan country in Gilgandra, carrying with him the wisdom and traditions of his ancestors.
Simone Brand, Learn Play Thrive
Simone Brand is a transformative leader committed to elevating the profession and the lives of young children. With over 20 years of experience in the Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) sector, she has built an extensive wealth of knowledge as an educator, room leader, Educational Leader, Nominated Supervisor, and primary school teacher. As the founder of Learn Play Thrive Australia, Simone has channeled her industry insight into building a dynamic community of early childhood professionals. She serves as the creator and main host of the Learn Play Thrive Early Education Podcast, a platform born from a vision to bridge the gap between day-to-day operations and high-level sector expertise, sharing practical tools and interviewing leading figures to empower educators nationwide. In addition to her advocacy work, Simone operates two 120-place long day care centres on the NSW Central Coast. Under her exceptional leadership, she has steered both services to achieve an 'Exceeding' rating across all seven National Quality Standard (NQS) areas. She has cultivated a organisational culture where excellence is the baseline, ensuring her pedagogical depth translates directly into positive outcomes through a tireless advocacy for quality play-based learning. Simone’s career is underpinned by a robust academic foundation, holding a Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood-Primary) and currently completing a Master of Neuroscience and Education. This unique blend of academic rigor and hands-on experience drives her deep commitment to equity and the creation of inclusive environments where every child can thrive.
Laura Stone, ABC Kids Early Education
Laura Stone is the Early Childhood Education Producer at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). Laura manages ABC Kids Early Education, a free online hub offering curriculum-aligned resources for Australia's early education and care sector. She orchestrates collaborative initiatives, leveraging top-notch ABC children's video and audio content, accompanied by teaching materials. Drawing on her background as an early childhood teacher and consultant, Laura infuses valuable early childhood insights into ABC Kids programming, prioritising partnerships and research collaborations to embed quality messages across all ABC Kids media.
Dr Kate Highfield, University of Canberra
Dr Kate Highfield is an educator and researcher – exploring young children’s engagement with technology, play and learning. Kate works as an Associate Professor and in the role as Head of School in Teacher Education at the University of Canberra and she is particularly interested in how healthy technology use can enhance learning. Kate’s PhD examined affordances of robotics in learning and metacognition, with more recent work examining technology and media use. She has explored research and evaluations in many forms and is currently presenting on effective professional learning; child-led and play-based pedagogies; finding the T in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) and reminding us of the A in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics). Kate has an incredible wealth of experience looking at how technology intersects with learning, pedagogy, and play - and she was also one of the co-authors behind Early Childhood Australia's recently updated Statement on Young Children and Digital Technologies.
Clare Comedoy, Think Again, See Again
Clare Comedoy is an inspiring leader and consultant in the world of early childhood education. As the Pedagogical Leader for Excellence in Education, Clare supports and inspires seven long daycare services across New South Wales and Queensland, guiding them in the practice of ‘pedagogical companionship.’ What makes Clare’s work distinctive is her model of pedagogical companionship, an approach that welcomes professional tension and encourages robust reflective thinking, helping educators to continually grow, reimagine what’s possible, and evolve both personally and professionally in their work with children. At the heart of Clare’s work is a deep belief in the capability, resourcefulness, and intelligence of both children and educators. She finds joy in the collaborative dance that emerges when educators and children learn together, delighting in relationships, shared discovery, and the learning process itself.
Jessica Staines, Koori Curriculum
Jessica Staines is an early childhood educator, advocate and professional speaker, with more than fifteen years of experience working with providers in both urban and regional communities. As the founder of the multiple award-winning Koori Curriculum, Jessica’s commitment to social justice, reconciliation and anti-bias practices drives her to empower educators to be more culturally aware and inclusive. She facilitates a range of professional development programs, resources and workshops for educators that help guide the inclusion of Aboriginal perspectives in early childhood curriculums. Jessica has played many significant roles nationally and internationally in building cultural understanding, reconciliation and harmony, including as an Indigenous advisor to ABC’s Playschool and as the National Representative for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People at the World Forum Foundations Global Leaders Program. Her work has been published in industry journals, and she has previously been a part of the AIATSIS Education Advisory Committee and HIPPY Reference group, contributing to the development of resources and programs that support Aboriginal children and families in the early years. Jessica’s family are Wiradjuri and have lived off Country with Gadigal and Wangal Clans of the Dharug Nation for four generations. Her family originally came from Cowra, Molong, Parkes and Wellington, but due to displacement, they were disconnected from their family and communities. Today, Jessica lives on Darkinjung Country with her two children on a peaceful bush block, and is proud to identify as a Wiradjuri woman, with connections to her local Darkinjung community.
Amelia Scarf, Rhymey
Amelia Scarf is an early childhood teacher and music specialist with extensive experience using music to support children’s learning, wellbeing and self-regulation. She holds a Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood) from the University of Sydney and has worked across a range of early learning contexts, including community preschools, long day cares and independent schools. Amelia previously served as the Early Learning Music Specialist at International Grammar School, where she developed and delivered music programs for children aged three to five. Through this work, Amelia observed the powerful role of intentional music in fostering calm, focus, emotional expression and positive connections. In 2024, Amelia created Rhymey; hands-on professional development workshops that deliver practical, research-informed musical opportunities for educators all over. Her work centres on the belief that when music is used with intention and authenticity, it plays an integral part of what makes children happy, healthy and whole.
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