When : 24 September 2025
Where : MLC School, Rowley St, Burwood NSW 2134
Theme: Digital Learning / AI
Thank you to our sponsors:
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8:00 - 8:50
(50 mins)
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Coffee, Registration
Location : The Daphne Line Hall
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Morning Session
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9:00 - 9:15
(15 mins)
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Welcome, Acknowledgement of Country, Housekeeping
MLC School & MITIE
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9:15 - 9:45
(30 mins)
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Overview of ICT at School
Speaker: Steven Swarts, Head of IT, MLC School
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9:45 - 10:30
(45 mins)
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Session 1 - The Cyborgs are here. Are we listening?
ChatGPT is almost 3 years old. What’s happening in the shifting landscape of AI in education? What are the key issues we should talk about in schools? What decisions need to be made? And might we actually be the very best place for students, staff, and parents to figure it all out? This workshop will share some thoughts from the frontline, across borders, and practical strategies participants can apply right away.
Speaker: Matthew Esterman, The Next Word
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10:30 - 11:15
(45 mins)
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Morning Tea
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Middle Sessions
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11:15 - 12:00
(45 mins)
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Session 2 - Picking and Evaluating AI Tools for use in Schools
In this session Julian will share the scaffold that he uses to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of AI tools for use in schools. Julian will also discuss the benefits and challenges of rolling out both Microsoft and Google AI tools in the same environment to meet the needs of his users.
Speaker: Julian Ridden, Head of AI - The Anglican Schools Corporation
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12:00 - 12:45
(45 mins)
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Session 3 - eLearning @ MLC School
In this session, we explore how MLC School is harnessing the power of artificial intelligence to transform digital learning across K–12. From classroom/educator experimentation to strategic implementation, we’ll share how our eLearning team has approached AI integration with curiosity, caution, and creativity.
Speaker: Marianna Carlino, Director of eLearning, MLC School
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12:45 - 13:00
(45 mins)
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MITIE Update
Speaker: Lance Gierhart & Tim Griffin
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13:00 - 14:15
(75 mins)
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Lunch
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Afternoon Session
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14:15 - 15:00
(45 mins)
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Session 4 - From Risk to Resilience: How Governance Unlocks AI’s Potential in Schools
Artificial Intelligence is reshaping schools, but without strong governance, it risks creating fragmented systems, unmanaged risks, and staff uncertainty. This session will explore why governance is the foundation of successful AI adoption and management in schools, and why ICT managers are central to getting it right. Using the DecisionLine Generative AI Governance & Management Framework for Schools, we will examine practical approaches to AI readiness, risk mitigation, policy development, procurement, and change management. The focus will be on enabling innovation while safeguarding students, staff, and data. Participants will gain a clear understanding of how ICT leaders can drive the AI governance discussion in their schools. In doing so they can help establish the guardrails for safe, effective, and sustainable AI adoption and continuous improvement, ensuring AI delivers real value across the school community.
Speaker - James Field, Decision Line
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15:00-15:30
(30 mins)
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Sponsors session & Door prizes
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15:30
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Closing
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16:30 onwards
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Post Conference Get-Together @Skye Bar - Lvl 11, Crown Plaza Burwood
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Biographies
Matt Esterman
Matt Esterman has over 20 years working in schools and beyond as a leading voice in the thoughtful adoption of technology. He is a trained History teacher with two masters degrees, who has made a significant contribution to professional learning in Australia and overseas. He has been recognised with several awards, most recently as a Commonwealth Bank Teaching Fellow, provided by Australian Schools Plus. Matt has founded The Next Word, a consultancy that seeks to leverage AI and other technologies to help shape a better future. He works with schools, universities and other organisations to increase awareness and capability in using AI. He has co-authored a book titled “The Next Word: AI & Teachers” with Dr Nick Jackson, which launched in 2024. His is a regular speaker and workshop facilitator across Australia and internationally with educational and corporate organisations. Matt has been appointed an Adjunct Fellow in the School of Education at Western Sydney University, a casual academic at Macquarie University, and is a member of the HP Futures 2025: AI & Leadership Council.
Marianna Carlino
Marianna Carlino is the Director of eLearning at MLC School, where she leads the integration of technology into the curriculum to enhance digital education. With a Bachelor of Arts (languages)/ Bachelor of International Studies, Postgraduate in Education and a Master of Education (Leadership & Learning), Marianna brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her role. She collaborates closely with colleagues to drive several eLearning and Online Safety projects forward. Marianna has a rich background in education, having served as a Head of Department for a decade and as a Head of Year for a few years. She believes that her current role encompasses both academic rigor and integrity, coupled with a pastoral element. She is dedicated to reducing anxiety among teachers and mitigating burnout for both staff and students. She believes that education, communication, and collaboration are key to ensuring the effective implementation of technology in school practices.
James Field
James Field is a seasoned entrepreneur, lawyer and governance expert with over 30 years of experience in the legal, education, and technology sectors. As the founder and former CEO of CompliSpace, James has spearheaded digital solutions that revolutionised regulatory and operational processes across diverse sectors, including K-12 education.
James has now founded a new company, DecisionLine, that focuses solely on AI Governance and Leadership in the K-12 school sector. DecisionLine works closely with the Association of School Business Administrators (ASBA), as its AI Governance Content Partner and is at the forefront of generative AI transformation, guiding school leaders to develop and implement AI strategies and governance frameworks, enabling responsible innovation and sustainable growth in an AI-driven world.
James is a lawyer, accredited organisational coach with the International Coaching Federation (ICF) and a fellow of the Governance Institute of Australia.
Julian Ridden
Julian Ridden is a recognised leader in education technology with over two decades of experience driving digital transformation across schools and enterprises. Starting as an educator and then moving into IT directorship at both Monte Sant Angelo and Saint Ignatius Riverview, he has a strong understanding of the needs of ICT in educational contexts. Today, as Head of AI at the Anglican Schools Corporation, he helps schools navigate the rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence, balancing innovation with compliance, ethics, and practical classroom outcomes.
Julian has been at the forefront of launching and scaling some of the world’s most influential EdTech platforms, including Canvas LMS and Quizizz, and is widely regarded as a strategic leader in AI for education. His work focuses on empowering educators and IT leaders to make confident, informed decisions about AI adoption—transforming challenges into opportunities for meaningful impact.
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