FutureFest Sydney 2025

Conference Program

Welcome to FutureFest Sydney 2025.

This will be an an epic day of listening, learning, doing, sharing, and networking for primary and secondary educators on Friday 14 February 2025. We’re proud to be meeting the on the lands of the Cammeraygal People at Loreto Kirribilli.  

Check out the full conference program below. Every session will be packed full of energy, inspiration and – most importantly – practical tools that will empower YOU to build enterprising mindsets in your classroom.

If you haven’t registered yet, what are you waiting for? Click here to register now to secure places for you and your colleagues at FutureFest Sydney 2025.

Future Fest Sydney - PROGRAM SUMMARY

Teachers who are delivering Future Anything’s Activate program for the first time in 2025 are encouraged to attend parallel sessions marked *

TIME

SESSION

8:00am
Arrival & Registration
8:45am
OPENING SESSION - Welcome to Country & Energiser
9:30am
KEYNOTE - The Origin of Agency with Nicole Dyson, Future AnythingRead More
10:30am
MORNING TEA
11:00am
SESSION 2 (choose from 3 parallel sessions):
2a: Building Capabilities in Your ClassroomRead more
2b: Unleashing EntrepreneurshipRead more
2c: Activate Essentials *Read more
12.30pm
LUNCH
1:10pm
SESSION 3 (choose from three parallel sessions):
3a: Ideation 101: Building Divergent Thinkers In Every Classroom*Read more
3b: Building Feedback FitnessRead more
3c: Unlocking Your Students' Unique PotentialRead more
2:00pm
SESSION 4 (choose from three parallel sessions):
4a: Transforming Assessment into a Celebration*Read more
4b: Walking TourRead more
4c: A Future Full of Cyborgs?Read more
2:45pm
CLOSING SESSION - Wrap, Feed Forward & Lucky Door PrizesRead More
3pm
FUTURE FEST ENDSRead More

All sessions are subject to change.

Future Fest Sydney - DETAILED PROGRAM

Arrival & Registration | 8am - 8.45am

Opening Session | 8.45am - 10.30am

Keynote: The Origin of Agency

with Nicole Dyson, Founder & CEO, Future Anything

We’ve all heard the saying ‘Knowledge is power’, but in today’s world, it’s not what we know—it’s what we can do with what we know that truly matters.

This keynote challenges traditional thinking about education, exploring the Future of Work and unveiling how building agency through a capability-rich curriculum is the key to equipping students for a dynamic and uncertain future.

Morning Tea | 10.30am - 11am

Session 2 | 11am - 12.30pm

ROOM A

BUILDING CAPABILITIES IN YOUR CLASSROOM

with Nicole Dyson, Future Anything

We know capabilities (or 21st Century Skills, soft skills, or general capabilities) are important, but how do we teach them? And, can we measure them? Join Nic for this hands-on session as we walk through a framework to explicitly measure and build capabilities in every classroom.

ROOM B

UNLEASHING ENTREPRENEURSHIP

With Jarred Turner & Gen Firmer, Future Anything

Looking to build entrepreneurial thinkers and doers in your classroom? Learn tricks of the design thinking trade and get all the resources and tools you need to take students from picking a problem through to pitching an innovative solution. There might even be a prize or two up for grabs in this creative and collaborative session!

ROOM C

ACTIVATE ESSENTIALS*

With Dan Dempsey, Future Anything

A special session exclusively for new Future Anything Activate teachers covering everything you need to know to set up for Activate success including delivery timelines & key dates, accessing the curriculum, contextualising for your school and troubleshooting.

Lunch | 12.30pm - 1.10pm

Session 3 | 1.10pm - 1.55pm

ROOM A

IDEATION 101: BUILDING DIVERGENT THINKERS IN EVERY CLASSROOM*

with Jarred Turner, Future Anything

How can we inspire fresh ideas and creative energy in every student? This session dives into the art and science of building divergent thinking skills in the classroom. With practical strategies grounded in research, you’ll discover how to break free from stale brainstorming routines, energise idea generation, and foster an environment where creativity thrives. You’ll walk away with actionable tools and techniques to spark curiosity, encourage bold thinking, and transform your classroom into a dynamic space for innovation.

ROOM B

BUILDING FEEDBACK FITNESS

with Dan Dempsey, Future Anything

In this evidence-informed session, we’ll explore research-based strategies to create feedback-rich classrooms. Learn how to design iterative feedback loops that integrate self-assessment, peer feedback, and teacher guidance, while encouraging students to act on feedback to improve outcomes. With a focus on building student confidence and agency, this session will equip you with creative, practical approaches to transform feedback into a cornerstone of authentic learning.

ROOM C

UNLOCKING YOUR STUDENTS' UNIQUE POTENTIAL

with Kirstene Ciappara, MyDesign

Learn a simple and practical framework for knowing your students and supporting them to unlock their unique potential. This framework can be used to enhance your students’ wellbeing, elevate their learning and/or help them to design their post-school pathways.

Session 4 | 2pm - 2.45pm

ROOM A

TRANSFORMING ASSESSMENT INTO A CELEBRATION*

with Dan Dempsey, Future Anything

Assessment should be much more than a tool for measurement—it should inspire and motivate students. Drawing on evidence-based practices, this session provides a ‘cheat sheet’ of strategies to design authentic, real-world assessments that connect learning to life. Learn how to craft tasks that enhance student engagement, deepen understanding, and transform assessment into a meaningful celebration of growth and achievement.

ROOM B

WALKING TOUR - LEARNING: SPACE, TECH & PARTNERSHIPS IN ACTION

With Rachel Noonan and Dr Jonathon Mascorella, Loreto Kirribilli

Step inside Loreto Kirribilli’s Spiritus Innovation Centre and experience how dynamic, flexible spaces, cutting-edge technology, and strategic partnerships are shaping future-ready learning. This immersive walking tour will showcase how adaptable studios, immersive digital experiences, and cross-disciplinary design enhance creativity, critical thinking, and entrepreneurship. Leave with fresh ideas on how innovative environments can transform real-world curriculum in your own school.

ROOM C

A FUTURE FULL OF CYBORGS?

with Matt Estermann, The Next Word

How is AI transforming our world—and what does it mean for the future of teaching and learning? Discover cutting-edge tools, engage in hands-on testing, and leave with practical strategies to seamlessly integrate AI into your practice. Together we’ll  embrace the opportunities and tackle the challenges of teaching in an AI-augmented world.

Closing Session | 2.45pm - 3pm

Wrap up and lucky door prize winners

with Nicole Dyson, Founder & CEO, Future Anything

Meet your facilitators

Dan Dempsey

Program Director (Professional Learning), Future Anything

Jarred Tuner

Program Manager, Future Anything

Kirstene Ciappara

Founder, myDesign Education

Matt Esterman

Founder, The Next Word

Nicole Dyson

Founder & CEO, Future Anything