29 November 2025
University of Western Sydney (UWS) Parramatta City Campus
This year’s theme is ‘Participate and Communicate’ because what makes a conference valuable is sharing the voice and values of our members. This event is for all P&C Associations from every part of NSW to get involved with ideas, conversations, and connections. Whether your P&C is large or small, newly formed or long-established, based in metro Sydney or further afield in the state – you’re invited, and your voice matters.
Throughout the day, you’ll have the chance to take part in interactive sessions designed to capture the different experiences of P&C Associations. We will make it easy for you to share your perspective on a wide range of topics, and to see how others feel too. We’re looking forward to hearing what matters to you!
There will also be a variety of helpful sessions and speakers, so you’ll hear from leading voices in education and meet experts in their fields. Plus, a fun and interactive trade hall will offer practical tools, useful resources, and fresh ideas to take back to your school. And maybe most importantly, you’ll meet other P&C Association members who are passionate about public education and committed to making a difference in their local community.
We’re working to ensure that this is a great day for all who attend, and we hope to see you there.
About
This year’s conference will be a fun and interactive day, with various sessions, stalls, and speakers. There are a wide range of ways for you to get involved to share your stories and priorities, or simply listen and enjoy. We have a range of partners attending also who can help support your P&C Association in the work you do, as well as sharing free samples, products and prizes with you. This is set to be a dynamic day that is well worth your time, and a great opportunity to meet and network with other P&C members across the state. We’ll be sharing more information on the sessions, speakers, and workshops. You can read more below about the various topics that will be covered. If you have any questions, we’re here to help. We’d love to see you there.
Program
The Hon. Courtney Houssos, MLC
Acting Minister for Education and Early Learning, New South Wales
Murat Dizdar
Secretary, NSW Department of Education
Expanding your Influence and Impact
This session will energise P&Cs to step into their role as strong voices for public education. Participants will learn practical strategies to advocate effectively, engage confidently with their local Members of Parliament, and empower parents within their own school communities. By sharpening advocacy skills and building representative leadership, P&Cs will be equipped to influence decisions, shape positive outcomes, and drive change – both within their school and the broader education system.
Canteen Operations Tips & Tricks with Flexischools
Join Flexischools, who are running an engaging workshop with a focus on canteen operations- covering: how to manage menus, staying profitable and healthy (without overworking volunteers), and best way to streamline operations!
Creative Reuse:
Why to & How to
Join Reverse Garbage, and explore the skills to do sustainable craft and the impacts the process can have on learning outcomes. There is an opportunity for reflection on what may already be in place at your school to encourage creative reuse, and time to plan what habits and systems can be put in place to further extend this practice. Discuss best practices, how to source materials, and the benefits for our environment and students when implementing creative reuse. Explore some of the materials that Reverse Garbage brings into the classroom.
Fundraising
for Stronger P&Cs
Past P&C Federation President and long-time P&C member, Yvonne Hilsz, brings both passion and proven experience to the fundraising stage. In this session, Yvonne will share tried-and-tested initiatives, clever ways to get the best bang for your buck, and practical tips to inspire your volunteers. with this engaging session, Yvonne will leave you motivated and equipped with tools to strengthen your P&C and create lasting impact in your school community.
Cyborgs in Schools
AI in learning and education?
This will be a hands-on exploration of AI capabilities currently available to students in our schools and in the home. We will explore the current landscape of AI, how schools and other organisations are using it, the pitfalls and potential of AI for young people, and how we might leverage AI to keep learning and student wellbeing at the centre of what we do. Our facilitator will be Matt Esterman, who has worked in schools for over 20 years, a History teacher by training and now founder of The Next Word, a Sydney-based consultancy that supports schools to build robust, ambitious and safe approaches to using AI.
Who calls the shots?
Decision Making Power
Hosted by Gemma Quinn, CEO of the P&C Federation of NSW, this session unpacks the decision-making powers that shape school communities. Learn where P&Cs fit within the public schooling system, how they work alongside the Department of Education and government, and how decisions are made within P&Cs themselves. Walk away with clarity, confidence, and practical insights to help your P&C have real impact where it counts.
P&Cs Sharing Stories of Success & Overcoming Challenges
This is your opportunity to participate & communicate. Every P&C has a story worth sharing. Join this lively, interactive session to swap real-world wins, clever ideas, and lessons learned from the tough moments too. Come ready to share your own experiences or simply listen and be inspired as we celebrate achievements and discover practical tips from fellow P&C associations. It’s all about connecting, learning, and sparking new possibilities together.
Advocacy Priorities: Changing the Face of Public Education
You’ve been inspired—now it’s your turn to shape the agenda. This interactive session invites every delegate to share the issues that matter most to their P&C and community, help identify key challenges, and vote on ideas from fellow participants. Discuss your priorities with your members before the conference and bring those insights along. Together, we’ll set the Federation’s advocacy focus for 2026 and beyond—because the future of public education is built by all of us.
P&C Federation Awards Ceremony
Raise a glass with us as we honour the outstanding people and projects that make our public schools shine. Enjoy drinks and canapés while we announce this year’s award winners—celebrating inspiring principals, dedicated volunteers, and exceptional P&C Associations from across NSW. It’s a night to connect, mingle, and applaud the hard work and collaboration that strengthen every school community.
FAQs
Getting There
Where is the conference held?
Western Sydney University, Parramatta City Campus
Level 9, Building 1- Peter Shergold Building
169 Macquarie Street, Parramatta NSW, 2150
- TRAIN: UWS Parramatta City Campus is 5 minute walk from the Parramatta Train station, and we highly encourage attendees to use public transport to arrive.
- From the train, Exit towards ‘Parramatta Square’
- LIGHT RAIL: The light rail stop ‘Parramatta Square’ and is a 2 minute walk to the building entrance on Macquarie Street
- BUS: There are a range of buses to Parramatta Station available. If you are struggling with directions you can reach out to the Member Support Team
- CAR/DRIVING: There is no parking at the campus, however there is a range of paid parking blocks within 5-10 minute walk to the campus
- Wilson
- Eat Street Parking
tickets & registration
The P&C Federation Conference 2025 tickets include:
- Full day of activities, workshops and exclusive speaker sessions
- Goodie bags for all attendees, lucky door prizes
- Access to Showroom vendors and Awards Ceremony
- Chat with the Federation Board, Delegates and have your P&C Association featured
Tickets for the event are available online here
The receipt and ticket confirmation will be sent directly via humantix to your email. If you can’t find it, check your junk or spam folder.
Tickets are sold per person attending, not for your P&C. We offer a discount on a pack of 5 tickets
Yes! We have a discounted package for members looking to purchase 5 or more tickets for the event. We highly encourage your entire Executive Community and members to join us! Get tickets here
The venue has a limited capacity. If the tickets are sold out online prior to the event, you will not be able to come.
Please keep an eye on our social media and Conference page for more updates closer to the event!
Don’t miss out, purchase tickets here
Tickets for the conference are non refundable. If you are unable to make it, we are happy if you would like to transfer the ticket and have a different member join instead
You are welcome to arrive/leave at your convenience, though you will get the most benefit from attending the entire day. There will be no discount or half day tickets available for sale.
Catering
The event will be fully catered, with morning & afternoon tea, coffee and drinks and lunch served. There will also be alcoholic and soft drinks served during the Awards Ceremony, all included in the price of your ticket.
All care and precautions will be made to have food options for all main allergies (GF, DF, nut free), as well as Vegan and Vegetarian options. If you have a food or dietary requirement, please ensure to include it within the registration form so we can have food available.
We encourage all members to participate in the event. If you anticipate and special needs to make this a comfortable and accessible event, please let us know during your ticket registration or via email to mail@pandc.org.au and add ‘Conference 2026’ in the subject line.
This years theme is ‘Participate & Communicate’, the official slogan adopted by the P&C Federation in 1979 at the Annual Conference. We want to showcase how P&Cs help public education; fundraising ventures, projects, community building. The iconic ‘school fete’, often run by the P&C is what inspired the decor and activities for today.
If you have a story you’d like to share or have showcased at the conference, let us know via the form here: Share Your Story
on the day
Registration starts from 8am, with the Welcome Presentation and opening address beginning at 9am. We hope you all to be there by 8.45 to get settled and ready to start the day
We understand that it can be hard to make the registration, especially on a weekend. Please join us at your soonest convenience and the Federation team will be happy to help catch you up
The final Awards presentation and drinks hour starts from 4.30pm, with venue close at 6pm. We hope you can stay to celebrate the achievements of P&Cs and network with like minded people
The Awards Ceremony will begin at 4pm
Absolutely! Award nomination are open online, and close October 31. 2025. You can follow the link to nominate and find out more: https://www.pandc.org.au/awards/
The categories are:
- P&C Associating of the Year
- Volunteer of the Year
- Principal of the Year
During ticket purchase you will nominate which is your preferred session. There will be some flexibility on the day depending on numbers and capacity for each breakout room.
The conference is held to facilitate conversation and discussion within P&Cs across NSW. During our Advocacy session, you will be encouraged to share your P&C experiences and stories.
If you have a project or unique experiences within your P&C Association you would like showcased, you can mention it during the ticket registration and via the form here: Share Your Story
No, this is an over 18’s event for the P&C Association and members only
thank you to our Supporters
Thank You to our Gold Sponsor Flexischools for covering half of each conference ticket. Thanks to the support of our Gold Sponsor Flexischools and P&C Federation NSW, your ticket cost is fully covered.
Supported by the NSW Government and the University of Western Sydney
