Adolescent Success upcoming events

2026 Online Webinar Series: Belonging – Building Middle Years Communities that Thrive (12 Jun 2026)

Fri, 12 Jun 2026 05:30:00 GMT

Webinar 1 - Laurie Barron 22 July, 7.15 am (AEST)

Creating a Middle Years Culture & Climate Where Kids Belong & Become

Abstract: If you reduce down what’s known about quality middle level education, belonging and becoming rise to the top. Schools must create a place where students feel they belong and are respected and valued and develop places where students can become, where their academic and personal potential is recognised and nurtured. This session will share practical strategies to ensure your school is a place where students can belong and become (based on AMLE Book The Successful Middle School: A Place to Belong and Become).

Webinar 2 - Luke McKenna 5 August, 7.15 am (AEST)

Building Authentic Student Leadership: A Practical Framework for Whole-School Implementation

Abstract: In this practical and thought-provoking session, educator and leadership specialist Luke McKenna, Director of Unleashing Personal Potential, will share a clear, evidence-informed framework for building authentic student leadership cultures across both primary and secondary school settings.

Drawing on years of experience working alongside school leadership teams across Australia, Luke will unpack a practical 10-step process that helps schools move beyond tokenistic approaches and toward leadership programs that are meaningful, sustainable, and deeply embedded in school culture.

Participants will explore how to: create leadership pathways for all students, not just those in formal roles; strengthen nomination and selection processes; build leadership capability before and after appointments; clarify student leadership expectations and responsibilities; develop student voice, service, and contribution across the school community; create ongoing mentoring, coaching, and reflection opportunities for young leaders

Through practical examples, school-based case studies, and interactive discussion, attendees will leave with clear ideas, tools, and strategies they can immediately apply within their own context.

This session is ideal for principals, deputy principals, student leadership coordinators, wellbeing leaders, and educators seeking to create a leadership development process that helps students — and that schools can proudly stand behind.

Webinar 3 - Dr Tom Nehmy 26 August, 4:00 pm (AEST)

Prevention of Mental Ill-Health in Middle Years Students: Fads, Fashions and Facts - what does the evidence say?

Abstract: Middle years educators play an enormously important role in the psychological development of young people. In particular, school-based interventions have the potential to impact the lifelong trajectory of an individual's mental health. Yet, despite unprecedented investment in school wellbeing, prevalence rates of anxiety, depression and eating disorders have not declined.

This presentation will outline recent developments in the area of student wellbeing as it pertains to the onset of psychological problems, with a critical review of what is currently being done in schools around Australia. Participants will leave with a clear awareness of the state of the scientific evidence for various interventions, insights from recent research into adolescent development, as well as practical and theoretical knowledge that can help schools succeed. This clear-eyed and hopeful message will conclude with a useful list of priority areas that can be applied.

Webinar 4 - Amanda Bourgeois 9 September, 4.00pm (AEST)

The Adolescent Dip: practical, evidence-informed strategies to better support our learners in the middle years.

Abstract: The middle years are often described as some of the most challenging — for both students and those who teach them. During this time, many educators observe a noticeable shift in engagement, motivation, and wellbeing, what we refer to as the Adolescent Dip.

This dip reflects a period of rapid change — emotionally, socially, and cognitively — underpinned by ongoing brain development. The systems that support planning, self‑regulation, and independent learning are still developing, even as expectations for independence and performance increase. This often creates a developmental mismatch between what we expect of our students and what they have been explicitly taught or learned.

This session is grounded in the Science of Learning, drawing on insights from neuroscience, psychology, and education to explore how educators can better support young people during this stage. We’ll begin by unpacking what we know about the adolescent dip, before moving into practical, evidence-informed strategies to better support our learners.

The goal is to focus on how we can refine and strengthen what teachers are already doing, using evidence to ensure our practice aligns with how young people learn and develop — especially during adolescence.

Webinar 5 - TBA 21 October

Webinar 6 - TBA 28 October

Middle Years School Diagnostic Tool (01 Jul 2026)

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 14:00:00 GMT

The Adolescent Success Middle Years School Improvement Diagnostic Tool is a self-audit tool used to gauge the effectiveness of middle years practices in your school, to recognise areas of strength and to target areas for improvement. Upon completion of the audit, the tool enables teams to acknowledge key areas requiring action, to create an action plan and to be able to review and reflect upon progress of that action.

The Diagnostic Tool is compilation of effective middle schooling practices as outlined in the Adolescent Success Position Paper, which is based upon an analysis and synthesis of recent and current research and evidence. School leaders are encouraged to use the Diagnostic Tool to audit their own practices when considering middle schooling reforms and directions.

WE OFFER PRICE LEVELS -

INSTITUTIONAL OR LEADER MEMBER
NON-MEMBER

There are TWO OPTIONS FOR WORKING WITH US -

Option ONE: School Diagnostic Tool and Facilitation (purchase C and D)
Option TWO: School Diagnostic Tool, Facilitation and Implementation Support (purchase E and F)

For more information view our Diagnostic tool flyer (4).pdf.

Middle Years School of Excellence (MYSOE) Initial Application (30 Aug 2026)

Sat, 29 Aug 2026 14:00:00 GMT

It's time to start thinking and preparing to become one of our next Middle Years Schools of Excellence.

The Adolescent Success Middle Years School of Excellence (MYSOE) program aims to:

Acknowledge and celebrate schools that are committed to implementing the essential attributes and characteristics of successful middle schooling practices.

Provide schools with resources (as requested) to support their continuous improvement journey.

Grow a network of schools that can learn from and support each other.

The MYSOE program is a three-year program. The requirements for each year are:

First year requirements

1. Completion of the Adolescent Success Middle Years School of Excellence application.

2. Commitment to ongoing middle years specific professional development for Middle Years' staff.

3. Institutional Adolescent Success membership.

Second and Third year Requirements

1. Commitment to ongoing middle years specific professional development for Middle Years' staff.

2. Regular attendance at scheduled networks

3. Contribution to Adolescent Success professional learning programs or events e.g. conference, journal, webinar.

4. Automatic Institutional Membership.

To become a MYSOE, please undertake this two step process:

STEP 1

Make your deposit of $600 and schools will receive access to the Application Form.

Return the detailed evidence (through the Application Form) and move to the second phase upon notification of success.

STEP 2 - FOLLOWING REVIEWS AND ACCEPTANCE

The balance of $2700 (incl GST) is due upon acceptance of your application to become a MYSOE. Complete the payment online here.

FULL COST - $3000 PLUS GST (See inclusions above)

Middle Years School of Excellence (MYSOE) Step 2 of Application (02 Nov 2026)

Sun, 01 Nov 2026 14:00:00 GMT

CONGRATULATIONS, YOU HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFUL AND ARE ONE OF OUR NEWEST MIDDLE YEARS SCHOOLS OF EXCELLENCE