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Professor Mark Scott AO
Vice Chancellor, University of Sydney
Professor Mark Scott has held roles as a senior leader across several large institutions, public service, education and the media. Professor Scott was the Secretary of the NSW Department of Education from 2016 to 2021. His contribution to education reaches back to the start of his career, as a teacher in Sydney. He was Managing Director of the ABC from 2006 to 2016, where he led the organisation’s transformation to be a public broadcaster in the digital era. In 2011, Professor Scott was named an Officer of the Order of Australia.
Emeritus Professor Bill Louden AM
Emeritus Professor of Education, University of Western Australia
Professor Bill Louden was formerly Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Dean of Education of the University of Western Australia. He has led a number of government reviews and inquiries including an investigation of high performing primary schools for the Western Australian Government and two reviews of the NAPLAN assessment program. Professor Louden was also a member of the Expert Panel for the Quality Initial Teacher Education Review. He has served as chair and board member of state and national statutory authorities responsible for curriculum, assessment and professional standards, and was a member of the panel for the landmark National Inquiry into the Teaching of Literacy.
Professor Michele Simons
President, Australian Council of Deans of Education
Professor Michele Simons is the Dean of Education at Western Sydney University. Professor Simons has extensive experience in supporting learning in the fields of adult education, vocational education and workplace learning, and secondary teacher education programs. She brings a wealth of knowledge in the design and development of programs conducive to student learning at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
Dr Jenny Donovan
CEO, Australian Education Research Organisation
Dr Jenny Donovan established and led the Centre for Education Statistics and Evaluation (CESE) as Executive Director for 8 years. Dr Donovan began her career as a high school teacher in Sydney’s western suburbs. She has worked in a number of education roles in operational and policy areas, including some years as Deputy Director of a not-for-profit education assessment agency at the University of New South Wales. She was Managing Director of the National Learning Progressions and Online Formative Assessment Initiative.
Mr Andrew Peach
General Manager – School Participation, National Rugby League.
Mr Andrew Peach was Principal of Marsden State High School for 8 years. He worked closely with industry partners to ensure quality outcomes and experiences for his students. Mr Peach was named the School Principal of the Year - Government at the Australian Education Awards 2020, with Marsden State High School also receiving multiple excellence awards. In 2019 Mr Peach received the Excellent Leadership in Teaching and Learning Award at the Queensland College of Teachers’ TEACHX awards.
Ms Rebecca West
Foundation Deputy Principal, New Yarrabilba Primary School (QLD)
Ms Rebecca West is the Foundation Deputy Principal at New Yarrabilla Primary School. She shares resources on two YouTube channels, won a 2021 Commonwealth Bank Teaching Award and was a Top 10 finalist in the 2021 Global Teacher Prize