Atelier Experiences, Masterclasses & the Sharing of Practice

Thursday’s program will include Educational Encounters (departing approximately 9:30am), Atelier Sessions in both the morning and afternoon, a Leadership Masterclass and the Sharing of Practice.  Please ensure to check back soon and keep an eye on your email and social media for more details, including how to book these wonderful Conference offerings.

REGISTRATIONS WILL OPEN TUESDAY 22 APRIL 2025

REAIE thanks our partners and venues for their support with this exciting Pre- conference offering.

MASTER CLASSES

Dr Amie Fabry
Dr Susan Sharpe

Session Details:

How can leadership transform learning communities into spaces of connection, democracy and active participation in the early years of school? This presentation invites you to explore pedagogical leadership as a relational and responsive practice that honours multiple voices and diverse perspectives to nurture a culture of collective responsibility. 

At its heart, pedagogical leadership is an act of listening—not just to hear the voices of others, but to understand, learn from and grow alongside them. Through deep listening, leaders empower educators, families, and children as active contributors and creators of children’s educational experience. Pedagogical leaders play a deliberate role in fostering connection with and between people. They make space and time for reflective dialogue, to co-construct knowledge and cultivate democratic cultures where collective thinking and action transpire into shared accountability. 

Through practical insights and real-life examples, this interactive session will illuminate how pedagogical leadership as a relational and responsive practice fosters authentic relationships, honour the voices of educators and empower them as leaders in their own right. Based on a PhD research study this presentation offers a model of leadership grounded in deep listening, to support educators and leaders at all levels to consider the role they play in cultivating a collective responsibility for the education of all children. 

Presenter Bio:

Dr Amie Fabry has multifaceted experience as an early childhood educator, academic, researcher, policy consultant and professional development facilitator. Her PhD research revealed the critical role early childhood leaders play in school settings to support educators to embed quality practices for children as they transition into and through the early years of school. As Director of Early Childhood at The Learning future, Amie uses a strengths-based approach to build the confidence, knowledge and skills of early childhood educators, teachers and leaders to create responsive and trusting cultures in which educators and children can thrive. She is the author of Lead with Intention, the first framework for leading the early years of school. 

Session Details:

The Reggio Emilia approach champions collaborative leadership as fundamental to creating thriving learning communities in early childhood education. Recognizing that traditional leadership models often miss the unique dynamics of early childhood settings, this workshop introduces meta-strategic leadership as an innovative approach to fostering collaboration, shared decision-making, and collective accountability. 

Drawing from doctoral research conducted across four excellent-rated Australian childcare centres, this presentation shares insights gained from twelve education leaders. The study used multiple data collection methods including interviews, observations, and document analysis to understand how knowledge transforms into practice after professional development. 

The research identified that meta-strategic leadership enables three key outcomes: 

  1. Deeper staff engagement and commitment  
  2. Shared ownership of improvement initiatives  
  3. Genuine collaborative practice  

Participants will explore a practical framework for implementing meta-strategic leadership in their own settings. This interactive workshop offers tangible tools and strategies for sustainable change, making it valuable for all early childhood professionals – from centre directors to room leaders. 

Aligning with the conference theme of Leadership and Collective Responsibility, this session bridges Reggio Emilia principles with contemporary leadership approaches to help create vibrant learning communities. 

Presenter Bio:

Dr Susan Sharpe serves as Education and Research Advisor at C&K, bringing over 30 years of experience in Early Childhood Education and Care. Her diverse career includes roles as a teacher, trainer, regulatory officer, and education consultant across Australia and the Middle East. She has worked with multiple universities as a casual academic, the Queensland Department of Education, and Early Childhood Australia. Her expertise spans teaching in international schools, education reform projects in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, and specialisations in assessment, educator wellbeing, and professional development. Beyond her professional life, she values her roles as mother, wife, sister, and colleague. 

Kelly Boucher

Session Details:

Education is an ethical and political project—one that invites a reimagining of pedagogical relationships grounded in democracy, equity, and collective care. The Reggio Emilia educational project continuously challenges us to view education as a dynamic, situated response to the complexities of the present, grounded in dialogue, community, and the co-creation of shared meaning. 

This masterclass shares transformational stories from practice that tune us into the everyday as sites for ‘radical collaboration’. During our time together, delegates will engage in hands-on ‘doings’ to unpack and critically examine the notion of ‘radical collaboration’ as everyday practice alongside children, Place, materials and the more-than-human. Through speculative processes, we will tease out ideas and find entry points into pedagogical spaces where we might ‘think otherwise’ and embrace (dis)orientation and complexity.  

This is courageous work and calls for a radical reimagining of our educational and social paradigms—shifting away from systems that prioritise certainty and control and towards practice/s grounded in equity, ecological thinking, and relational care. By envisioning a future where learning is decentered, inclusive, and fundamentally collaborative, this masterclass attunes us to pedagog(ies) as hope-full, active and ethical commitments to creating spaces for collective flourishing within educational settings and beyond. 

Presenter Bio:

Kelly Boucher is an Independent Scholar and Education Consultant and Early Years Art Specialist. Kelly supports research culture within education settings by facilitating robust exchanges within theory and practice. This helps teachers (re)conceptualise what teaching and learning could be as they bring joy into practice through art, play and a deep curiosity (with) the world.

STORY OF PRACTICE

Leanne Mits OAM

Session Details:

Join Leanne Mits, representing Pope Road Kindergarten, to encounter stories of daily practice. Participants are invited to consider one learning community’s engagement and journey, over many years, with the principles of the Reggio Emilia Approach ©. 

Leanne will share examples of research projects and discuss drawing on the documentation of children’s learning to inform curriculum design and learning projects, for research, to deepen educator’s understanding of children’s learning processes, and for the professional learning of educators.   

Spanning a 40 year career in teaching, Leanne will share examples of change, challenge, growth and transformation of thinking and practice, since encountering the educational project of Reggio Emilia close to 30 years ago. Leanne will share what continues to bring inspiration and influence to her thinking and practice, from ongoing learning from the ever-evolving educational project of Reggio Emilia. 

Presenter Bio:

Leanne is an experienced, practising Early Childhood Teacher and an advocate for children, families, educators and education. She has 40 years teaching experience in regional Victoria and Melbourne, including long day care, community kindergarten, TAFE and playgroups. In volunteer roles, to defend, promote and progress childhood, and early childhood education, Leanne is a Board Member of the Reggio Emilia Australia Information Exchange (REAIE), convener of a local early childhood network group, Early Childhood Australia (ECA) Vic Committee Member and recent co-convener of an ECA Special Interest Group on Reconciliation. Leanne has participated in and co-lead numerous REAIE Study Groups to Reggio Emilia and New Zealand and has worked with the principals of Reggio Emilia for over 2 decades. Her teaching is anchored in learning through relationships, collaboration and participation, and using documentation as a tool for listening, research and professional learning. 

 

ATELIER EXPERIENCES

Sally Chance
Stephen Noonan
Anne-Marie Shin

Session Details:

Many educators are becoming familiar with collaborating with children in visual arts, as this has been widely documented through reference to atelier experiences (Vecchi, 2010). However, the embodied art forms of dance and movement are an aspect of co-constructed meaning-making which appear less familiar.  These areas are therefore at risk of either being taught in a didactic manner or left to chance.  

This workshop will engage participants in co-creative collaboration with dance artists to experience strategies which open possibilities for exploring movement, harnessing ideas and generating “us-ness” through shared affective and energetic exchange. The workshop will harness the fundamentals of movement for self and group-expression rather than specialised or technical dance styles.  

Through participating in the workshop, the relational potential of shared, embodied, aesthetic experiences will be made visible and palpable. This workshop is designed for educators working with children and young people who are keen to expand their pedagogical repertoire of co-construction in movement and dance. 

Presenter Bio:

Sally, Stephen and Anne-Marie share a deep interest in how the arts enable children’s cultural contribution. Both Sally and Stephen are dance/theatre artists, motivated by the power of collaborating with children, families and educators. Since 2007, Sally’s performance work has been dedicated to children aged three years and younger and Stephen’s recent image-based performance work for 4-year-olds was based on his research with a group of pre-school children. Anne-Marie’s experience of how arts-based pedagogies enabled democratic participation during her career as an early childhood teacher/leader led her to investigate the pedagogical possibilities of artists’ processes. 

Aunty Elaine

Session Details:

“Walk with me & learn the lessons my ancestors left. Coming together, working together, belonging together”  

Join Aunty Elaine in an immersive weaving experience, learning traditional weaving techniques to develop profound understanding and appreciation of Aboriginal Culture. 

“Culture never stops, its continuous learning and sharing”. 

Presenter Bio:

Elaine is a proud Kaurna /Nurungga woman, with bloodline connections to Ngadjuri and Ngarrindjeri peoples, she also has Mongolian/Chinese, Scottish & English heritage. Elaine is a direct descendant Kudnarto an apical ancestor of Kaurna people, from Skillogalee Creek in the Clare Valley. Elaine worked in the Department of Education for 13 years supporting and advocating for Aboriginal/ Torres Strait islander students and families in primary schools. Elaine is passionate advocate for teaching Aboriginal histories and cultures across all areas of the curriculum.  

Elaine is a member of the: 

  • KWK (Kaurna Warra Karrpanthi) Kaurna Language Committee. 
  • Warringa Committee, supporting indigenous plant re-vegetation. 

Elaine completed the first Traditional Ecological Knowledge course with highly respected Kaurna Nurungga elder, Dr Kevin O’Loughlin OAM (Uncle Dookie) and has a Certificate 4 in Community Development. 

Elaine is a stakeholder at: 

  • Association of Independent Schools of South Australia (AISSA) 
  • CSIRO’s Young Indigenous Women’s Stem Academy 

Elaine provides: 

  • Cultural Identity though Art workshops for students 
  • Weaving workshops for groups and schools 

Awards: 

  • Unley Council: People’s Choice Art award 2022 
  • City of West Torrens: Emerging Artist Award 2019 

Elaine has presented Welcome to Country in both Government and the private sector and at numerous Citizenship ceremonies. In addition, she has presented a deputation to council members on Closing the Gap, 2023. Elaine regularly facilitates Weaving workshops with groups including at the Nature Festival creating a safe and respectful environment for all. 

PJ Edwards

Session Details:

Discover the transformative journey of reconciliation in education through an engaging, hands-on atelier. This workshop empowers educators to embrace reconciliation through the lens of their heads, hearts, and hands, championing the inherent rights of children to belonging and justice. 

Head: Begin your journey with a thought-provoking video provocation that illuminates the concept of reconciliation in education. Dive into Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) actions, exploring ways to recognize and respect rights, foster relationships with communities, and align these principles with Reggio Emilia pedagogies. 

Heart: Through meaningful circle discussions and a symbolic ball of yarn activity, you’ll connect deeply with fellow participants, reflecting on the interconnectedness between equity, participation, listening, and democracy. Together, we’ll uncover how these elements nurture a sense of belonging and justice for every child. 

Hand: Conclude your experience by co-creating a community installation that serves as a powerful reconciliation message. This hands-on activity is designed to spark personal reflection and inspire educators to take tangible steps towards reconciliation in their own practices. 

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to explore reconciliation with fresh perspectives and practical strategies. Join us and take your next step toward fostering belonging, justice and reconciliation in education.

Presenter Bio:

PJ Edwards is a non-Indigenous woman born and raised on Barngarla and Adnyamathanha Lands, now living and working on Kaurna Country. She is a teacher and librarian with 30 years’ experience in a wide range of education settings and has most recently been a Lecturer in Aboriginal Education for Initial Teacher Education. 

She has expertise in leading professional teacher education programs and advising on curriculum resourcing. PJ is passionate about reconciliation in education and is dedicated to building educator confidence in sustainable curriculum planning with authentic resources. 

Session Details:

This workshop offers a unique opportunity to explore how early years teachers can embrace playfulness and curiosity as key drivers in reimagining classroom life. Over the past three years, early years educators at Plympton International College have collaborated to build a culture that fosters learning through consistent instructional routines, such as shared reading practices. As a team, they began to ask, “What comes next? How else might we engage children in learning that invites wonder, challenges thinking, and promotes playful exploration?”. 

Drawing inspiration from the principles of Reggio Emilia, the team embarked on a journey to rethink their approaches to teaching, learning, and assessment. This workshop provides insight into their journey—offering a “window” into their evolving practices, innovative experiments, and the challenges they encountered along the way. Together, we will reflect on our image of the child, consider how to make learning environments more playful, and share practical examples of how to integrate curiosity and creativity into everyday teaching. 

Join us to think alongside this early years team as we delve into the possibilities of becoming more playful and intentional in our teaching, learning from trials, testing ideas, and embracing the joyful complexities of early childhood education.

Presenter Bio:

Roslyn holds a Master of Teaching in Early Childhood from the University of South Australia. In her current role as an early years teacher at Plympton International College she is collaborating with colleagues to think about and implement playful approaches to learning inspired by the Reggio Emilia Approach.  She is passionate about promoting child-led learning with a strong conviction that by nurturing a child’s voice and agency, we empower them to become active participants in their own learning journey. 

Roslyn will be joined by Nadia Tropiano, Head of Early Years at the College and their critical friend Adam Christie (Education Consultant) who has recently travelled to Reggio Emilia. Together they represent the reception to Year 1 collective sharing insights into getting started and their progress so far. 

Mairead Furlong
Max Loik

Session Details:

Bold Park Community School (BPCS) was established in 1998 with the mission of promoting a joyful and playful approach to education. 

In the primary school classes, students spend time in dedicated outdoor spaces that emphasize play and connection to nature. They have the freedom to climb trees, build huts, and work with tools and fire. Our outdoor specialist teacher collaborates with the students, skilfully integrating play with learning. 

Collaboration has always been and continues to be a fundamental aspect of our identity. The story of our Camouflage project demonstrates the power of collegial collaboration to bridge disciplines and spaces, enabling the design of a curriculum that connects the outdoors with the classroom. This project centered around the children’s interests, transforming the game of hide-and-seek into a year-long multidisciplinary project for our Year 3 and 4 primary classes. 

Delegates also have the opportunity to engage in hands-on experiences engaging in the outdoors that provide them with practical tools and ideas to implement meaningful projects in their own contexts. 

Presenter Bio:

Mairead has had a diverse career before becoming a teacher, with experiences in recruitment in London, graphic design in Sydney, and as a childbirth educator and breastfeeding counsellor in Singapore and Bali, all while raising three children. After moving to Perth in 2015, she completed her Masters of Teaching and was inspired to work at BPCS. Mairead is passionate about making learning accessible to all and has experience across all Primary Year levels, in addition to being a certified Leap Languages Teacher. Her interests include languages, literacy, Indigenous culture, and in her spare time, she enjoys SUP, kayaking, reading, traveling, and sharing meals with loved ones. 

Max has a Master of Teaching and is passionate about making learning hands-on and authentic. At university, Max wrote his research essay on developing algebraic reasoning in the primary years. Before teaching, Max completed a Fine Arts degree specialising in jewellery. Since commencing at Bold Park Community School, Max enjoys integrating learning into the outdoors.

Principal Partners: