Chris Higgins FICDA MA MEd DipGov

As Director at The MacKillop Institute, I am fortunate every day to work with a dedicated team committed to advancing sharing professional learning and practices with other organisations, businesses and schools across education, community, government, corporate and care sectors. Our mission is to empower organisations to foster environments that prioritise safety, wellbeing, and equity for all individuals - leveraging evidence and practical tools to create whole organisations of people who can create safety and support wellbeing for each other and the people they serve. Drawing upon over 170 years of experience from MacKillop Family Services, The Institute delivers evidence-informed programs such as ReLATE, Power to Kids, and the Sanctuary Model. These initiatives are designed to support whole-organisation cultural transformation, enhance child safety, and promote inclusive education. We collaborate closely with schools, government agencies, and community organisations to co-design solutions tailored to their unique contexts. Our approach is grounded in rigorous research and continuous independent evaluation with university partners ensuring that our programs effectively address the complex challenges faced. By fostering genuine partnerships and promoting best practices, we aim to create lasting, positive change. For more information about our work and programs, please visit www.mackillopinstitute.org.au

The MacKillop Institute is the knowledge sharing hub of over 100 years of real-world practice, wisdom and expertise from MacKillop Family Services. MacKillop Family Services is a national organisation working everyday with some of our must vulnerable people, children, families and communities. We know what works from our practice in diverse and unique contexts including schools, workplaces, community organisations and directly with children, families and community services. The MacKillop Institute is our beacon of collaboration with others, drawing together over a century of our collective organisational knowledge and practical, evidence-based, frontline expertise to share what works with others. We know real, lasting, transformational change only happens when we work together to nurture growth, foster resilience, and promote wellbeing for all of us. In this role as Director of Development and Innovation I collaborate across the organisation to bring our expertise and initiatives out to the wider community and share transformative knowledge and practices with others for the benefit of our wider communities.

Asia Education Foundation (AEF) is Australia's leading centre for promoting engagement between Australia's educators and young people with peers across the Asia-Pacific. AEF designs and delivers educator professional learning and youth learning programs across the region to build intercultural understanding, connections and networks and young people who are equipped to build a harmonious prosperous future together. As Director - Education I lead the strategic vision of the Education programs within the organisation and work with stakeholders across government, industry and education.

Shaping the strategic vision for all Humanities and Social Sciences lessons on the Education Perfect learning platform. Planning, implementation and execution of all curriculum resources for millions of students using EP globally.

Providing consultancy on: student needs assessment, positive behavioural support, school-wide positive behaviour support, culture, policy advice, curriculum development, pedagogy and continuing professional development.

I have held multiple roles of responsibility at Carey over my 5 years here, including; Year 7 to 12 Learning Area Coordinator for Religious Education, Year 7 to 12 Learning Area Coordinator of Community Service, Head of House in the Middle School pastoral system Year 7 to 9, Year 7 classroom teacher and Middle School Special Education Teacher. I have been instrumental in piloting and pioneering multiple programs including a school-wide community service program, a Year 9 course which uses the most modern student-centred pedagogies to explicitly teach students about transferrable skills. The course also provides students with opportunities to practice and hone these skills. In conjunction with colleagues we were nominated for an Australian Education Award in Curriculum Innovation for our innovative program.

Virtual Exchange (VE) is a pedagogical approach to connecting individuals internationally and across borders for transformational learning. Traditionally implemented in Language learning classrooms its implementation has broadened to other disciplines and cross-curricular content. There has been an increasing prevalence of VE use in the northern hemisphere and in secondary schools to explore cross-curricular content such as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, reducing prejudice and racism and enhancing intercultural understanding. Yet, there is little known about the Australian context. This research explores the extent of VE in Australian secondary schools and teachers' perceptions of VE to support the development of global competence.

The diploma is a comprehensive and practical program designed to equip participants with the skills and knowledge to excel in governance roles within not-for-profit and community organisations. Delivered over 12 months, it combines in-depth modules with engaging live tutorials. The program covers a wide range of critical governance topics, including: • Undertaking the Roles and Responsibilities of a Board Member • Reviewing and Applying the Organisation’s Constitution • Maintaining and Protecting Cultural Values in the Organisation • Communicating with Community Stakeholders • Conducting Organisational Strategic Planning • Monitoring Organisational Finances • Seeking and Applying for Funding Opportunities • Leading and Managing Organisational Change • Managing Recruitment, Selection, and Induction Processes • Communicating with Influence • Managing Board or Committee and Organisational Conflict • Undertaking Negotiations