Michelle Dennis | Head of Digital
Haileybury

Michelle Dennis is a distinguished leader in the field of digital learning, having dedicated the past 15 years of her career to helping schools leverage technology to enhance student learning. As a teacher at heart, Michelle's approach is rooted in finding innovative ways to use technology to improve learning experiences for students. Her expertise spans both education and technology, holding a degree in Computer Science and developing award-winning courses for K-12. As Head of Digital at Haileybury, Michelle leads the charge in overseeing technology use across multiple campuses, including Victoria's first private online school, Haileybury Pangea. Her dedication to digital learning has earned her wide recognition in the educational and technical industries, including recognition as a ACEL Fellow (Victoria) in 2024.

Appearances:

Day 1 @ 14:20

Future-ready and timeless: Addressing the digital tension in the classroom

As artificial intelligence reshapes the education landscape, schools face a growing imperative: to equip students—and staff—not only with digital and AI fluency, but also with the enduring foundational skills that empower critical thinking, ethical judgment, and deep learning. This session explores how educators can navigate the intersection of traditional and emerging literacies, starting in the classroom and scaling across whole-school strategy. We’ll examine how to build teacher capacity through targeted professional development, align digital tools with pedagogical purpose, and create leadership structures that embed AI-readiness into the fabric of the school. Grounded in real-world examples and practical frameworks, this session empowers educators and leaders to move from tech-as-tool to tech-as-strategy—ensuring schools are not only keeping up with change, but shaping it.

Michelle Dennis, Head of Digital, Haileybury

Day 1 @ 14:50

PANEL - The dangers of deepfake AI & why schools need policies now

Sarah Darcy, Assistant Director of Online Safety Education, ACT Education Directorate

Jake Turnbull, Digital Learning Leader, Pymble Ladies' College

Joanne Villis, Director of Technology Enrichment, St Dominic's Priory College

Moderator: Michelle Dennis, Head of Digital, Haileybury

Day 2 @ 10:15

Teacher AI showcase

Explore how educators are harnessing AI to enhance teaching and learning. This session showcases real-world examples of teachers using AI-driven tools to personalise instruction, streamline administrative tasks, and boost student engagement. Discover practical applications, best practices, and insights from educators leveraging AI to transform their classrooms. Whether you're new to AI or already integrating it into your practice, this session offers inspiration and strategies to maximise its impact in education.

Matt Esterman, Founder, The Next Word