In Conversation with Prof. Donna Pendergast AM

We invite parents of Middle Years students, to join us for In Conversation with Prof. Donna Pendergast AM. 

Engage in an insightful session on how to effectively support your middle years learners in preparation for exams.

FREE EVENT | CLICK TO REGISTER
In Conversation with Prof. Donna Pendergast AM

Thursday 10 October

5.30pm: Canapés and Refreshments in the Terry Herbert Foyer

6.00pm to 7.00pm: The Suzanne Roberts Performing Arts Centre

Creating an encouraging atmosphere, helping with time management, and guiding stress management techniques are some of the areas where parents can make a real contribution. Focusing on your child’s well-being rather than just exam outcomes, helps adolescents to stay focused, confident, and less anxious, leading to better performance and a healthier mindset.

This session will be presented by Professor Donna Pendergast AM, who is an expert in adolescent learning. She will share practical strategies, explaining their links to research about adolescent learners, to support your child to be both academically prepared and emotionally supported, with the aim of making their exam journey smoother and more successful.

About the Speaker

Professor Donna Pendergast, Director of Engagement at Griffith University, has had a remarkable career marked by transformative contributions to education. Serving as the Dean and Head of the School of Education and Professional Studies from 2009 to 2023, Donna began her journey as a secondary school teacher, quickly emerging as an expert in student engagement, teacher professional learning, and school transformation, particularly in the adolescent years.

As a dedicated advocate for middle years education, Donna is a Council member of the National Council for Be You, the school-based well-being initiative by Beyond Blue, since 2021. She also serves as an ambassador for the Adolescent Success professional association. She has played a lead role in establishing two schools that are changing the lives of hundreds of young people as they engage in learning that was not possible for them in traditional schooling models.

Her leadership and contributions have earned her numerous accolades, including the Griffith University Vice Chancellor’s Research Supervision Award for Excellence, the Australian Council for Educational Leadership Miller-Grassie Award for Outstanding Leadership in Education, and the Australian Council of Deans of Education Award for Outstanding Service to Education and the Council. In 2024 Donna was invested as a Member of the Order of Australia in the first King Charles Australia Day Awards, recognizing her significant contributions to education.

FREE EVENT | CLICK TO REGISTER