"Sometimes I pretend to be normal....but it gets boring.
So I go back to being ME!"
Cosentino

In March this year our Executive Officer, Rachel Saliba once again attended the Victorian Association of Catholic Primary School Principals (VACPSP) Conference as a special guest. Rachel was able to network with many Principals and learn from their leadership experiences, as well as learning from some wonderful speakers, including the very talented Cosentino, the magician.

Following is a summary of the various speakers and the important messages they shared throughout the day.

Emerging trends in education (McCrindle) - Mark McCrindle

Mark was a very interesting speaker who explored in very uniquely visual ways, research undertaken to explore what the current education landscape looks like and how there is a need for adapting and changing the way we think about the workplace and our world to prepare children. Mark explored how to understand and respond to the generational changes occurring, particularly how people now work. There are many more people choosing to work as contractors or in multiple professions because it suits their lifestyle. The impact of digital devices has also profoundly changed how new business and new products are created.

Learning is now more visual with new devices and technology, apps and video have become the go-to for marketers and for online learning. There has been the introduction of digital entertainment in the home such as Netflix and the content creation trend has grown enormously over the past few years and is in no way slowing down.

Mark's research found that there are currently 3,849,225 students in Australia with emerging new generations currently in primary and secondary school - 1995-2009 Gen Z – or tech kids. These children have grown up with technology and know no other world.

Mark referred to The Education Future Report (https://educationfuture.com.au/) – during his presentation, exploring the top challenges for students who we have witnessed are experiencing high pressure in exams, online bullying, and leading more complicated lives.

Screen disruption and the busyness of the brain, with content constantly interfering and competing, is having an impact on learning engagement. What is perhaps most disturbing is people skills and communication or face to face interactions have declined – not only for children but also new teachers coming through University, as they move into the profession from this generation.

We have seen emerge the need for teachers to explore critical and creative thinking, entrepreneurial skills, people/communication skills with their students as these are in high demand in the workplace. Whilst there has been a move towards teaching using technology and learning programming, it is human based skills that are essential, particularly the understanding of building relationships and self awareness. 

The emerging generations have been called:

• Generation Alpha – 2010 – Global Generation, Multi Modals,Upagers, Generation Glass
• Gen Z – Technology has been the biggest influence (iGen)

Mark also discussed a shift in faith and beliefs in Australia with the research discovered in the Faith and Belief Report. We are seeing a change in the dynamics of families – where once they may have viewed their local Parish as their community, where they go for engagement with community now is more likely to be in a school, other community or sporting groups or online. They are seeking connection in other areas.

Mark talked about finding simplicity amongst complexity in response to change. In education, learning is changing from verbal to visual, from sit & listen to try and see and even fail and try again.

Some key areas he discussed for focus in education are:

• Culture - social needs as well as professional needs in schools, where all voices are heard, improved communication - what gets measured and effectively communicated gets done. Visualise information to keep it simple, particularly for students and parents.
• Purpose of roles
• Impact – achievements linked to purpose – not hierarchical leadership; highlighting the impacts and celebrating them with teachers can building their confidence
• Real – authenticity in collaboration, key messages and in partnerships
• Relevant – adjust, adapt to changes
• Responsive – respond to feedback
• Relational - where and how people connect.

Cosentino the Magician

Another inspiring speaker on the day was the amazing magician, Cosentino. Aside from sharing his amazing magic on stage, Cosentino shared his story. Coming from a loving family, he talked about how he struggled to read as a child. His mother was a teacher so this made him feel inadequate. He talked about how his mother took him to the library and introduced him to picture books. One of the books he found was about a magician with beautiful old style illustrations. He was instantly smitten and decided he would teach himself how to do magic tricks. His passion for magic meant he began to read and to practice reading and working on himself and his skills in magic. He discussed how he overcame challenges in his life to follow his passion and how the support and guidance of his family impacted his success. Authentic parent engagement!

He eventually completed school and was successful in entering University, but soon realised his passion was on the stage, performing illusions and magic for others.
It took him 15 years to achieve national and international success.

He emphasised that it was, and still is, a journey that he has worked passionately and tirelessly for. His show was rejected several times but he kept persevering because he knew that he had a special gift to share with others. All the trips around Australia to perform shows for very small, to medium and large crowds, eventually paid off when Cosentino was successful in reaching the final of Australia's Got Talent. Since his appearance on TV, he describes seeing doors finally open and opportunities come his way.

His perseverence and determination to follow his passion has seen him become the success he is today. However, it has been a journey and one that he believes is what we need to embrace. It's not just the success but the learning along the way that is most important, as well as keeping your integrity and being true to yourself and who you are as a person. In his words, "Sometimes I pretend to be normal....but it gets boring. So I go back to being ME!"

CSPV thank the primary principals association, VACPSP for the opportunity to attend the conference and look forward to continuing to develop partnership opportunities in future.