This is not another wellbeing webinar.
A national conversation grounded in what young people are experiencing now — and what it means for schools, systems and decision-makers.
This flagship National Check-In Week webinar launches Life Skills GO’s first 15 Million Student Check-In Report and brings together real-time student wellbeing data, expert insight and leadership perspective in one national opening session.
This is where the data, the issues and the experts come together to explore the major themes emerging from 15 million student check-ins and what they reveal about the pressures shaping young people’s lives today — from mental health and bullying to loneliness, disengagement, school refusal and screen-related challenges.
Grounded in contemporary evidence and real-world relevance, this session will examine how real-time student wellbeing data can help schools move beyond delayed and labour-intensive approaches to wellbeing measurement. It will explore how clearer, more timely insight can reduce administration, strengthen decision-making, identify trends earlier and support schools to track the impact of their strategies over time.
What attendees will gain
insight into the major themes emerging from the 15 Million Student Check-In Report
a clearer understanding of how real-time student wellbeing data can support school and leadership decision-making
stronger awareness of why traditional measurement approaches are no longer enough for the issues young people are facing today
practical insight into how schools can reduce workload, respond earlier and measure continuous improvement more effectively
A national opening session on what young people are telling us now — and what schools can do with clearer insight.
Dr Mark’s new book “The Connected Species” is a #1 Best Seller. Mathew Green, the host of The Art of Teaching Podcast recently wrote “Mark’s book was one of the best books I have ever read.” Dr Mark has worked with thousands of students, teachers, health professionals, and company directors keen to understand how their brain works, how to perform optimally and maintain a healthy brain. He runs programs on the neuroscience of learning, the neuroscience of emotions, how our brains create our reality, and the impact of modern technologies on our brains. Dr Mark has an extensive academic background in brain research and teaching. He is a professor of cognitive neuroscience, with over 25 years experience conducting behavioural and brain imaging research focusing on our social skills. Mark has received numerous awards for his teaching and research. He has taught the fundamentals of neuroscience to a wide range of students, as well as publishing more than 70 scientific articles and worked at MIT in the USA and multiple universities in Australia. Dr Mark now draws on his extensive scientific background to work with schools, companies and the public to develop evidence-based practices using neuroscience to enhance our education, work and personal lives. His work has been highlighted in the media both locally [e.g., The Project & Mirror Mirror (Channel Ten), The Role of a Lifetime, Our Brain, Magic and the Brain, Music and the Brain & Making Australia Happy (ABC), Sunrise (Channel 7), SkyNews, The Sydney Morning herald, The Herald Sun, The Age, The Courier Mail, The Australian] and internationally [e.g., The Guardian & Telegraph (UK), New York Times (USA), Forbes, The Economist, New Scientist,].
Dianne has worked in education in both paid and unpaid capacity for the past 32 years. Di has a passion for education, in particular public education, and the opportunities it affords young people. She has led the ACSSO secretariat since 2011 but has been a significant player in parent activism since 1984 when her eldest child commenced school. She is proud of her four children’s achievements – all successes of public education. She has held various volunteer roles in the parent movement finishing her P&C career as President of the Federation of Parents and Citizens Associations of NSW. Di was a founding Director of Public Education Foundation whose board position she held for six years; a founding Director of Primary Ethics Board and also a founding Director of The Parenthood board. She worked in a paid capacity for the NSW education department in a number of roles across a large area of Sydney. Her roles were all in the area of parent engagement and home-school partnerships including school based community officer, across district Community Development Officer and regional Partnership Officer – all through the Priority Schools Program. Recognition of her work saw her commended for Meritorious Service to Public Education and Training in 2010. In 2012 Dianne was admitted as a Member in the General Division of the Order of Australia for her service to public education and the community.
Nikki Bonus is an Australian founder, educator, keynote speaker and wellbeing innovator who has spent more than two decades building purpose-driven work that helps people thrive. As the Founder and CEO of Life Skills GO, she is helping redefine how schools understand, measure and respond to student wellbeing — shifting education from outdated, reactive models to real-time, evidence-based support.
Gayle Walters brings over twenty-five years’ experience in public policy, strategic leadership and corporate governance roles across from across state government and two decades of experience in the Not-for-Profit human services sector. Having worked in Ministerial Offices and in senior government roles across many agencies, Gayle brings a strong passion for education, child protection and supporting families and children to make our communities stronger and safer. Having been Chief of Staff to the Minister for Education and Minister for Youth Justice, Gayle brings experience and knowledge of the critical issues facing the youth justice and child protection system and the critical intersect with education in this space. Having also led P&Cs Qld for four years as President and eight years as a Board director, Gayle knows first-hand the importance education is for our community. Leading the Strategic Vision for P&Cs Qld to provide Every Child Every Chance was introduced under Gayle’s leadership. Having Chaired the K-10 Curriculum Committee for the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority as well for four years, Gayle knows how important the impact of access to early education is for every family. Gayle’s personal motto is “education is the pathway from poverty to prosperity”. As the Senior Policy Advisor to the Minister for Child Safety Youth and Women and the Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence in 2020, Gayle led the first ever national virtual summit on Domestic and Family Violence.