Workshop 1 · Morning
Gavin McCormack
Montessori Australia Ambassador · The Educator’s Most Influential Educator 2021/22/23/24/25 · TEDx Speaker · LinkedIn Top Voice · Author · Filmmaker
Gavin McCormack is an internationally recognised educator, author, speaker and entrepreneur with more than 30 years of experience in education. As the Global Ambassador for Montessori Australia and Co-Founder of Upschool, he works with schools, governments and educational organisations around the world to help young people develop the skills, character and confidence needed to thrive in a rapidly changing world.
Originally from the United Kingdom and now based in Sydney, Australia, Gavin has dedicated his career to reimagining education through child-centred learning, entrepreneurship, global citizenship and real-world impact. He has built schools, libraries and teacher training centres in Nepal and has worked with educators and students across six continents.
Gavin is the best-selling author of seven books, including Raising Resilient Children, Screen Smart Children and The Potential in Every Child. His writing focuses on helping parents and educators better understand child development, resilience, well-being, and the skills children need to flourish in the modern world.
A TEDx speaker and one of the world’s most influential educators, Gavin is passionate about helping children move beyond memorisation and become capable problem-solvers, innovators and changemakers. Through Upschool, he has helped hundreds of thousands of students and teachers engage in meaningful projects that combine academic learning with positive social and environmental impact.
Known for his engaging, practical and inspiring presentations, Gavin shares evidence-based strategies that empower educators to create learning environments where curiosity flourishes, independence grows and every child is given the opportunity to realise their full potential.
His mission is simple: to help education become more relevant, purposeful and inspiring for the next generation.
Redefining School Culture Through Connection
School culture is not built through rules alone, it is shaped through relationships, trust, and the everyday experiences people have within a learning community.
This engaging workshop invites school leaders to explore how connection-led practices can transform school culture from environments driven by compliance to communities rooted in belonging, emotional safety, and meaningful relationships.
Together, we will reflect on:
What a connection-driven school looks like in practice
How relationships influence behaviour, wellbeing, and learning outcomes
Shifting from control-based approaches to connection-led leadership
Creating cultures where both children and adults feel seen, valued, and supported
Join us for a powerful conversation on building school cultures where connection becomes the foundation for growth, learning, and leadership.
