School Preparation Conference 2026: Strong Starts, Successful Journeys
More than 50 educators from 40 schools and organisations joined us at John Paul College on Wednesday 30 September 2026.
On Wednesday 30 September 2026, more than 50 educators from 40 schools and organisations came to John Paul College in Brisbane. They travelled from Sydney, Melbourne and across Brisbane for one shared purpose: to help international students build a strong foundation in their preparation program, so they are ready to succeed in mainstream classes.
The School Preparation Conference was a free professional development day for teachers, student support staff and international education leaders. This article shares what happened on the day, what delegates told us, and how to register your interest for our next conference.
Why a school preparation conference matters
School preparation is not one week or one term. It is a journey. From the day a student arrives to the day they join mainstream classes, every step builds their foundation: English for learning, study skills, confidence, wellbeing and a sense of belonging.
When that foundation is strong, a student moves into mainstream school ready to keep up, take part and reach their goals.
Many schools in Australia welcome international students. Yet the people who support them, from EAL/D teachers to homestay coordinators, rarely have a day to learn from each other. Our theme, Strong Starts, Successful Journeys, asked one practical question: how do we prepare each student, step by step, for success in mainstream school?
In our 30th anniversary year, we wanted to share what three decades of preparing students for mainstream learning have taught us, and to learn from colleagues across the sector. Read about our 30 years of welcoming international students.
One day, two streams
Delegates chose the stream that matched their role. Keynote and plenary sessions brought everyone together, and the two streams ran side by side in between.
Academic
- Teaching and Learning
- Pastoral Care
Who it suited: EAL/D and preparation program teachers, and academic leaders.
Student Support Services
- Admissions and Marketing
- Homestay and Boarding
Who it suited: international coordinators, and admissions, welfare and homestay staff.
Delegates told us they valued the two-stream format. As one delegate wrote in their feedback:
“I liked the two streams.”
Conference delegate
See the full School Preparation Conference program.
Highlights from the presenters
Our presenters came from schools, assessment bodies, English language programs and the wider international education industry. Each one brought a different piece of the same question.
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WelcomeRebecca Gallagher
Head of John Paul International College
Rebecca welcomed delegates to the conference and shared the housekeeping for the day.
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Opening plenaryDavid Ferguson
Deputy Principal, International and Accommodation, John Paul College
David gave the opening plenary and welcomed delegates to campus.
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KeynoteAdam Kilburn
Chief Executive Officer, NEAS (opens in a new tab)
Beyond the Classroom: Homestay as Quality Assurance
Adam reminded us that a student adjusts to a new culture as much at the homestay dinner table as at school. He introduced the new NEAS Homestay Association and its standards for host vetting, child safety screening, critical incident procedures and 24 hour crisis support.
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KeynoteAndrew Palmer
Director, Operations, Testing and Courses, AEAS (opens in a new tab)
Beyond the Score
Andrew showed how independent English assessment helps schools make fair decisions at admission, track progress, and plan support. The final part of the session was presented with John Paul International College and looked at student outcomes after students move into mainstream classes.
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Academic streamKristen Boddy Magri
Citipointe Christian College International
Understanding and Addressing Language Attrition in EAL/D Learners
Kristen explained that language loss is a normal part of learning a second language, and shared practical ways to slow it down.
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Academic streamNatalya Londy
Charlton Brown (The NIET Group)
The Onboarding Architecture
Natalya shared a clear framework for designing a student’s first week on purpose, from readiness testing to parent communication and informal check ins.
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Student Support Services streamSamantha Sequeira
StudyTravel
Building Agent Partnerships That Support Student Success
Samantha explained how to find, assess and work well with quality education agents, often the first contact a family has with a school.
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Closing plenaryMarcela Lapertosa
Co-founder and Director of Education, Value Learning, Intercultural Specialists
Marcela closed the day. She is a child psychologist and intercultural trainer who has worked with students, host families and educators around the world.
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Recorded sessionNatasha Tereshchenko
Founder, Global Adapt
Beyond Day One: Support Through the Six-Month Wall of International Education
Natasha recorded a session on the dip many students feel near the end of their first term, and how schools can build support that lasts. Watch the recorded session now on the conference page.
Keynotes filled the lecture theatre, and stream sessions ran in smaller rooms.
What delegates told us
We asked delegates for feedback. Here is what some of them said, in their own words.
I thought the conference was very well organised and all speakers were really good!
Conference delegate, 2026
That was a FABULOUS conference. So not boring, such great vibes, very friendly people. I had such a good time.
Conference delegate
Delegates also told us what they want to explore next. Their ideas included:
- Curriculum design for transition. How to design a preparation program that partly aligns with mainstream subjects, so students move into class more easily.
- A question and answer panel. A session where delegates can put questions to the presenters together.
Every comment is helping us plan our next conference. Learn how our own High School Preparation Program prepares international students for mainstream classes.
The day in pictures
Scenes from the day
What we learned
Three clear themes came out of the day.
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Preparation is a whole journey
A strong start matters, but the real goal is a student who is ready for mainstream classes. Every stage of a preparation program should build towards that.
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The foundation is more than English
Academic language, study skills, wellbeing and belonging all need steady attention, from arrival until well after the move into mainstream.
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Partnerships matter
Agents, homestay families, assessment bodies and schools all share one student journey. When they work together, students do better.
These are the same principles that guide our own Primary Preparation Program, our High School Preparation Program and our care for students in Homestay at John Paul College.
Register your interest for 2027
Would you like to attend our next School Preparation Conference? Register your interest and we will contact you first when details are confirmed.
Register your interest if you:
- teach international or EAL/D students in a primary or secondary school
- work in student support, welfare, homestay or boarding
- lead an international program, preparation course or English language centre
Register your interest for 2027 (opens in a new tab)
Interested in presenting? Send us a short session idea.
Common questions
About the conference
What is the School Preparation Conference?
It is a free professional development day hosted by John Paul College in Brisbane. It helps educators and support staff build a strong foundation for international primary and high school students, so they are ready for mainstream classes in Australian schools.
Who should attend the School Preparation Conference?
Teachers, EAL/D specialists, international coordinators, admissions staff, homestay and boarding staff, and international education leaders. In 2026, delegates came from 40 schools and organisations in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.
Is the conference free?
Yes. The 2026 conference was free to attend, with morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea and on-site parking provided.
When is the next conference?
Details have not been announced yet. Register your interest using our online form (opens in a new tab) and we will contact you first.
Can I present at the conference?
We welcome interest from presenters. Send us your name, organisation and a short idea for your session.
Where is the conference held?
The 2026 conference was held at John Paul College, John Paul Drive, Daisy Hill, Queensland 4127, about 25 km south of the Brisbane CBD.
Be the first to hear about our next conference
Register your interest and we will contact you first when details are confirmed.