Session Outline
Let’s celebrate and learn from the creative learning that is happening in our schools – locally and globally.
Dr Geoff Gates, winner of The NSW 2025 Premier Award for Education, shares insights from a global study tour exploring how schools and universities cultivate creativity across disciplines. Funded by the NSW Premier’s Creativity Across the Curriculum Scholarship, the research spans twelve schools, four universities, and the OECD, highlighting five key approaches: Connected Curriculum, Creative Leadership, Pedagogies for Creativity, Deep Disciplinary Knowledge, and Learning Labs.
Speaker Profile
Dr Geoff Gates | Director of Learning and Teaching at Hills Grammar
As the Director of Learning and Teaching Pre K to 12, Geoff works closely with the Heads of ECEC, Junior School and Senior School, to ensure a high quality curriculum is in place across the School. He also works closely with both curriculum leaders and teachers on projects such as Cultures of Thinking and Deep Learning, where the aim is to develop innovative, 21st century approaches to learning and teaching. Geoff started teaching at Hills Grammar in 2004. Prior to Hills, he worked in Sydney, London and Hamburg and has taught HSC, GCSE, IGCSE and IB Diploma courses. His past leadership roles have included Literacy Coordinator, Student Services Coordinator, and Head of English. Geoff has presented at education and university conferences on pedagogy, literature and creative writing practice. Geoff completed a Master of Arts (Creative Writing) in 2007, and a Master of Education (Leadership) in 2013 and a Doctor of Creative Arts degree in 2023. He is the author of two novels, and has written for both professional publications and literary journals. Geoff completed the AIS Flagship Leadership Program in 2023 and awarded a Premier’s Teacher Scholarship for 2025 (Creativity Across the Curriculum).
Event Details
Event |Creativity is Booming! Lessons from a Premier Award Journey
Date | Tuesday 12 May 2026
Time |4pm – 5pm
Location | The Learning Centre at Hills Grammar or Online
Register | Click here to register by 5 May