PETAA 2026 Leading with Literacy Conference

A knowledge-rich curriculum: Strengthening literacy and unlocking knowledge

Explore how knowledge-building through the curriculum strengthens students’ reading, writing and talk — and how this relationship can be enacted through text selection, sequencing of learning and purposeful classroom practice.

29–30 October 2025
Royal Randwick Sydney NSW + Online
Keynotes and practical sessions
About the theme

Knowledge and literacy strengthen each other

This year’s conference focuses on the vital role of knowledge-building through the curriculum, exploring the reciprocal relationship between knowledge and literacy.

When students engage in content-rich learning that builds conceptual understanding, their literacy skills — reading, writing and speaking — are deepened and enriched.

Across two days, the conference will unpack evidence-based pedagogy that foregrounds:

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background knowledge and comprehension
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vocabulary and conceptual understanding
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engaging and challenging texts
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writing and purposeful classroom talk

Why this matters for classroom practice

Literacy develops alongside the ideas, texts and curriculum content students encounter. The conference examines how reading, writing and talk support knowledge-building — and how knowledge-building, in turn, strengthens literacy.

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Comprehension depends on knowledge

Students draw on background and domain knowledge to make meaning from increasingly complex texts and ideas.

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Curriculum shapes literacy growth

Sequenced, content-rich learning helps students build conceptual understanding, not just isolated facts.

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Language makes learning visible

Reading, writing and talk give students ways to process, clarify, consolidate and demonstrate their understanding.

What the conference explores

From knowledge-building to literacy practice

Sessions will show how the relationship between knowledge and literacy is enacted through text selection, sequencing of learning, and the deliberate integration of reading, writing and talk across learning areas.

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Build deep reading comprehension through background and domain knowledge, including vocabulary.

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Use writing to consolidate learning, deepen thinking and demonstrate understanding.

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Design purposeful classroom talk that supports knowledge-building and clarifies thinking.

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Select and use rich, challenging texts across English and other learning areas.

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Sequence learning to build conceptual knowledge, not just isolated facts.

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Integrate reading, writing and talk to strengthen learning across the curriculum.

Conference experience

A national conversation about literacy, curriculum and knowledge

The conference brings together internationally recognised experts, educators, researchers and school leaders to examine how knowledge-rich learning strengthens students’ literacy development.

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Keynotes

Hear from leading researchers and experts on literacy, writing and knowledge-rich curriculum.

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Practical sessions

Connect research and theory with classroom practice, planning and curriculum implementation.

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Online access

Participate online and revisit recorded sessions to extend the learning beyond the conference dates.

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Shared learning

Use the conference as a common professional learning experience for teams and school leaders.

Access and participation

Professional learning should be accessible

PETAA believes teachers and school leaders should be able to participate in high-quality professional learning regardless of location, travel budgets or staffing constraints.

That is why the Leading with Literacy Conference continues to offer in-person, livestream and on-demand participation options, helping educators across Australia engage with the conference in ways that suit their context.

Choose the access pathway that fits your context

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Attend in person in Sydney
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Join through livestream or on-demand access
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Use conference learning across a school team or whole staff
Featured speakers include

International and Australian expertise

Professor Nell K. Duke

Internationally recognised expert in literacy research and instruction.

Professor Steve Graham

Internationally recognised expert in writing research and instruction.

Dr Deslea Konza

Leading Australian literacy expert and educator.

Who should participate?

The conference is designed for educators and leaders working to strengthen literacy, curriculum and classroom practice across primary school contexts.

Teachers F–8
Literacy leaders and instructional coaches
Principals and school leaders
Heads of Teaching and Learning
Heads of Curriculum and Instruction
Teacher librarians
EAL/D coordinators
Exclusive member benefits

Get the most out of your Conference

PETAA members receive significantly discounted rates, plus exclusive access to the whole-school digital pass — making it easier to bring the conference to your teaching team. Membership also provides ongoing access to evidence-based resources, professional learning and classroom materials.

PETAA 2026 Leading with Literacy Conference

Explore the program and choose how you’ll attend

Attend in person in Sydney or online, and engage with professional learning that connects literacy, curriculum and knowledge-building across the primary years.