Panel discussion: Equipping Today’s Students for Tomorrow’s Workforce
Tracks
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Thursday, June 19, 2025 |
9:45 AM - 10:30 AM |
Boulevard rooms B1-B3 (plenary) |
Speaker
Mr Stephen Anderson
Cleveland District State High School
Panel moderator
Biography
Stephen Anderson is a Design and Technology teacher with a trade background, currently teaching at Cleveland District State High School in Queensland. A dedicated member of the Design and Technology Teachers Association of Queensland (DATTA Qld), Stephen serves as treasurer on the committee, while also producing and hosting the association’s podcast, and acting as MC for the annual conference. He is a committee member of the Queensland Pedal Prix Super-Series and event coordinator for the Ipswich race, promoting hands-on learning and community involvement. As the 2024 Queensland-Cooper Hewitt Fellow, Stephen has collaborated with design professionals and educators worldwide.
Carol-Anne Durkin
President
DATTA Qld
Panellist
Biography
Carol-Anne has been deeply involved in Design & Technologies (D&T) education for over 20 years across two continents. After starting her teaching career in Glasgow in 2002, she took on a Head of Department role in Oban, Scotland before relocating to Australia in 2013.
Her first Australian posting was at Holy Spirit College in Mackay before moving to Ferny Grove State High School in Brisbane in 2020. After a distinguished classroom teaching career, Carol-Anne recently joined the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority in 2023 as a Principal Education Officer for Technologies.
Since 2016, Carol-Anne has been an active leader within the DATTA Queensland community. As the current President, she leads strategy and operations for DATTA Queensland. Her key responsibilities include facilitating discussions, promoting educators' well-being, liaising with stakeholders like the Education Department, and promoting professional development initiatives to support teaching excellence state-wide.
Dr Natasha Arthars
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Queensland University of Technology
Panellist
Biography
Dr Natasha Arthars is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the School of Education at Queensland University of Technology. Her work focuses on design for learning that supports student engagement and skills development in vocational and applied learning contexts.
Brett Dascombe
Senior Experienced Teacher
Wavell State High School
Panellist
Biography
Brett Dascombe is a geography teacher at Wavell State High School in Brisbane, Queensland. He has taught geography in Queensland for over 20 years and has worked in a range of roles for the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority. Brett supports teachers around Queensland with Professional Development opportunities, assistance with project development and geospatial and STEM resources for their classrooms.
Brett and his students have been recognised nationally and globally for their innovative use of industry standard geospatial tools and data in projects ranging from designing a sustainable train station and line for the Brisbane Olympic Games Village to finding high levels of Faecal coliforms on one of Southeast Queensland favourite beaches. Brett and his students use technology on field trips including drones, interactive mapping, 360 degree camera footage and Generative Ai in class teaching using interactive assessment platform has seen the QCAA accept new modes of field work and investigative assignments.
Mr. Rashan Senanayake
Director
Inspired Education Australia
Panellist
Biography
Rashan is inspiring innovation & emerging technologies around Australia as the founder and CEO of Australia’s leading professional development for 21st century education & industry: Inspired Education Australia.
In addition to this, Rashan is also the Design Director for Inspired Design Australia, servicing and helping other entrepreneurs, start-ups and small to medium businesses with ‘Design for Business’.
https://rashansenanayake.com/about
Ms Georgi Tomlinson
Industry Engagement Manager, Schools
Manufacturing Skills Queensland
Panellist
Biography
