2 March 2026
The Sydney Morning Herald Schools Summit
A premier gathering of Australia’s foremost educators, thought leaders, and policymakers for insightful conversations.
March 2 2026 | Sofitel Sydney Wentworth
Uniting the State's Leading Educators
The Sydney Morning Herald Schools Summit is back on March 2, 2026, at the Sofitel Sydney Wentworth, inviting Australia’s top educators, school leaders, policymakers, and education professionals. This premier event for Australian education will feature insightful discussions on challenges in today’s classrooms and proven strategies for enhancing student learning and teaching practices across the nation.
The SMH Schools Summit 2026 is designed for teachers, school principals, and education sector leaders to explore cutting-edge policies and evidence-based approaches. Discover new insights to address student engagement, teacher support, and academic performance through actionable policy and innovative grassroots solutions.
SMH Schools Summit in Focus
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Attendees
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Schools
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Expert Speakers
SMH Schools Summit Recaps
The 2026 program is currently in development. Discover the voices and visions that have made the summit unforgettable:
2025 Speaker Snapshot
2025 Event Partner
2026 Sponsors
Latest Interviews + News
Read exclusive interviews with our expert speakers.
Former ACARA CEO gives his take on 3 teaching controversies
From this year, the Australian government will expect states to meet clearly-defined standards for school performance, under the new Better and Fairer Schools Agreement aimed at optimising educational outcomes.
Can great teaching be scripted?
Can great teaching be scripted? It’s a question Jocelyn Seamer, former principal and education consultant, has been asked a great deal – and one which she believes has a nuanced answer.
Maths marvel Eddie Woo on the future of teaching
Prof Eddie Woo – an award winning maths teacher whose YouTube tutorials have earned him global fame and a dedicated fan-base of almost 2 million followers – believes the world of teaching as we know it is about to become radically different.
The structure of Australian schooling needs to change – Prof. Adrian Piccoli
Former NSW Education Minister and Director of the Gonski Institute for Education, Professor Adrian Piccoli, is challenging the status quo of Australia’s school system, in a bid to achieve greater equity for students.