When : 1 July 2025
Where : St Catherine’s School, NSW
Theme: ICT Project and Change Management
Arrival:
Please arrive via Gate 6, Macpherson Street,
or the pedestrian gates at Gate 3, Albion Street.
St Catherine's School Map
For more details, see Getting There below.
Thank you to our sponsors:
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8:00 - 8:50
(50 mins)
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Coffee, Registration
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Morning Session
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9:00 - 9:15
(15 mins)
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Welcome, Acknowledgement of Country, Housekeeping
MITIE and St Catherine's School
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9:15 - 9:45
(30 mins)
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Overview of ICT at School
David Beattie - Change Management with Management Change
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9:45 - 10:30
(45 mins)
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Session 1 - Covert Change Management: Leading from the Middle
How can change be meaningfully driven from the middle leadership of a school? This session explores the implementation of a whole-school LMS as a catalyst for cultural and operational improvement. In the context of evolving leadership and entrenched practices, we’ll examine how clear vision, strong communication, and small wins can build momentum and foster long-term change. With a focus on refining processes, engaging staff, and sustaining motivation, this session offers practical strategies for creating scalable, reflective, and future-focused systems in dynamic school environments.
Speaker: Liam Curd
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10:30 - 11:15
(45 mins)
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Morning Tea
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Middle Sessions
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11:15 - 12:00
(45 mins)
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Session 2 - Navigating Change: A Blueprint for School-Based Project Success
Discover how schools of all sizes can deliver effective change without dedicated project teams. Drawing from the real-world journey of St Philip’s Christian Education, this session offers practical habits, stakeholder strategies, and governance tips that work in education. Hear about methods to empower your ICT team, engage sponsors, and build shared ownership for lasting impact.
Speaker: Hayden Shaw & Ton Dijkgraaf
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12:00 - 12:45
(45 mins)
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Session 3 - Empowering School Leaders: Driving Change with Strategic IT Support
In today’s independent schools, transformational change isn’t just a tech initiative—it’s a leadership imperative.
What we will discuss:
- How non-IT leaders can drive change aligned with school vision and values
- The role of IT governance in enabling secure, scalable transformation
- Practical tools for collaboration, communication, and change planning
Why It Matters:
Change is no longer optional—and it’s no longer just the IT department’s job. This session will show you how to lead it, shape it, and sustain it.
Speakers: Damien Lumby & Graeme Kachel
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12:45 - 13:00
(15 mins)
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MITIE Update
Speaker: MITIE Committee
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13:00 - 14:15
(75 mins)
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Lunch
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Afternoon Session
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14:15 - 15:00
(45 mins)
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Session 4 - What do Teachers want from IT Support?
Among school IT managers we often talk about providing secure and stable systems. However, without a strong understanding of what teachers expect from IT, relationships between IT support staff and teachers can become siloed and confrontational. I proposed an understanding of what teachers want and refined it with several teachers at various levels of responsibility. This presentation will share the results, so you might build better relationships and progress further with your IT improvement journey.
Speaker: Michael de Raadt
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15:00-15:30
(30 mins)
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Sponsors session & Door prizes
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15:30
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Closing
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Biographies
David Beattie - Director of ICT, St Catherine’s School, Sydney
David has been the Director of ICT at St Catherine’s for 1.5 years. Previously coming from a live event/broadcast and AV background, working in corporate, hotels and Education in Australia and the UK, he brings 25 years of experience in managing teams and providing technical solutions in high pressure environments.
Liam Curd – K–12 Lead ICT Integrator, St Catherine’s School, Sydney
Liam Curd is an experienced educator with a background in psychology, cognitive science, and primary teaching. He began his career in London before moving to Sydney in 2015. At St Catherine’s School, Liam introduced STEM to the K–6 curriculum and led staff development in educational technology as ICT Integrator. Now as K–12 Lead ICT Integrator, he works with school leadership to implement systems and technologies that enhance teaching, learning, and operational efficiency across the whole school.
Connect on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/liam-curd-928b18352
Damien Lumby - Education and Government Practice Lead - Leaders Consulting, Leaders IT
Damien is passionate about helping schools embrace change—not just manage it.
With a career rooted in multiple sectors, in particular education and corporate, Damien has guided countless institutions through the evolving landscape of policy, technology, and community expectations.
From rethinking how schools’ approach digital transformation to navigating the human side of reform, Damien brings clarity, empathy, and a touch of humour to every challenge.
He’s known for turning resistance into readiness, and for making change feel less like a disruption and more like a shared journey. Whether working with Tech or Non-Tech Leaders and frontline staff within Independent Education, Damien’s approach is grounded in collaboration and driven by impact.
Join Damien at this MITIE Conference to explore how schools can lead change with confidence, creativity, and purpose.
https://www.leaders.com.au/lcs
https://www.linkedin.com/in/damienlumby/
Graeme Kachel - Manager, Technology Advisory Service – AISNSW
Graeme Kachel is known as a strategic compass for IT Directors across Independent Education navigating the ever-evolving terrain of school technology governance.
As Manager of the Technology Advisory Service at AISNSW, Graeme partners with all levels of school leadership to ensure that digital impacts are not just visionary—but secure, compliant, and sustainable.
From identity management and data protection to vendor selection and infrastructure strategy, Graeme brings a wealth of experience in aligning IT operations with educational outcomes. He’s known for translating governance frameworks into practical roadmaps, and for helping IT Directors turn complexity into clarity—without losing sight of the classroom.
Join Graeme at this MITIE Conference to explore how strong IT governance can empower schools to innovate with confidence, protect what matters, and lead change that lasts.
https://www.aisnsw.edu.au/school-leaders/technology-services
https://www.linkedin.com/in/graemekachel/
Dr Michael de Raadt - Director of IT at St Mary MacKillop College, Canberra
Michael has experience in government, schools and the university sector and has numerous publications in the areas of educational technology and computing education. Michael holds postgraduate qualifications in computing and education. Formerly, Michael was the Research Director for Moodle and a Senior Director at ACT Education. In his free time he loves being with his family and enjoys swimming, jogging and hiking.
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