• Upcoming Event:
  • The Leading Edge: Women in Education Conference – 7 & 8 Aug

The Leading Edge: Women in Education Conference

Inspiration, insight, and practical strategies for women ready to take the next step in their career.

Join a powerful, transformative two-day conference designed specifically for women in education who are ready to lead with clarity, confidence, and impact.

The Leading Edge: Women in Education Conference

Inspiration, insight, and practical strategies for women ready to take the next step in their career.

Join a powerful, transformative two-day conference designed specifically for women in education who are ready to lead with clarity, confidence, and impact.

Recognised for her impact on school leadership and coaching, Janine Stratford continues to shape the future of education across Australia.

Inspiration | Insight | Practical Strategies

Designed for Women Ready to Lead

This conference is ideal if you’re a woman in education who wants to:

Gain practical strategies to advance your leadership journey

Learn more about the type of leader you can become

Discover your unique leadership style

Be better prepared for future leadership opportunities

Learn directly from inspiring female leaders

Build confidence in your leadership capabilities

2025 Conference Dates & Locations

Brisbane

  • Thu 7 & Fri 8 August
  • Victoria Park Golf Club, Herston, Brisbane, QLD
  • 9am – 4pm (both days)

Registrations close: Monday 28 July

Virtual (Online)

  • Thu 11 & Fri 12 September
  • Live & interactive, online. Join us from work or home
  • 9am – 4pm (both days)

Registrations close: Monday 1 September

New Zealand – Christchurch

  • Thu 25 & Fri 26 September
  • Rangi Ruru Girls’ School, Christchurch
  • 9am – 4pm (both days)

Registrations close: Monday 15 September

Melbourne

  • Dates for 2026 to be announced
  • Brighton Beach Hotel, Brighton, VIC
  • 9am – 4pm (both days)

Ticket Options & Pricing

Brisbane
$1,320 – $1,580 AUD (plus GST)

Virtual (Online)
$1,120 – $1,380 AUD (plus GST)

New Zealand – Christchurch
$1,120 – $1,380 NZD

Six Powerful Reasons to Join

Advance Your Career

Learn strategic steps and build a personal action plan to move forward confidently.

Know Your Leadership Style

Gain deep insights through your DISC & Driving Forces profile to lead authentically.

Stand Out in Applications

Get resume templates and expert feedback to elevate your leadership brand.

Interview with Confidence

Practise with experienced leaders and walk in prepared for your next big role.

Build Strong Networks

Connect with like-minded women and create a support system for your journey.

Walk Away Empowered

Receive practical tools, coaching kits, and a certificate aligned with AITSL standards.

What is the Private Accelerator Session?

The Leading Edge Conference – Private Accelerator Session
Unpack and explore the learnings from the conference and the insights from the DISC and Driving Forces Profile report in a one hour private and confidential coaching session with Janine Stratford – Leadership Coach and Conference Feature Presenter.

Through coaching you will develop an action plan and your next steps to accelerate your leadership success. The coaching session will take place over video conference or telephone.

Meet Your Facilitator: Janine Stratford

Leadership Coach, Coach-Trainer & Career Strategist
BSc GradDipEd, GradDipAdHlth&Wlfar, MEd(EdMgt), PCC, MACE, MACEL

Janine Stratford is the owner and founder of Coaching Focus, the company developing leaders in schools to be role models for those around them.

She designed The Leading Edge: Women in Education Conference, and has been delivering it, as the Feature Presenter since 2016. A former Deputy Principal, Janine is an internationally qualified Leadership Coach, facilitator and coach-trainer.

She is a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) with the International Coach Federation, Master Coach Practitioner and a Certified Professional Behavioural Analyst. Janine now delivers leadership development programs across Australia.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What do you mean by an Independent School?

We mean, any school that is a non-government school.

Q2: If I am at a Government School, can I still attend?

Yes of course you can. The interview process in government and non-government schools is quite different. So the questions we explore during the conference may not be the same ones that you might experience when you apply for a role in a Government school setting.

Q3: What is the Psychometric Profile – DISC and Driving Forces?

This is a report about you, how you behave and communicate and what motivates you. It is a form of the DISC profile, but even better because it includes a second science – your motivators or Driving Forces. Its a detailed 40-page report about you. You will be amazed how accurate it is and how much information is produced from a 20minute online questionnaire.

Q4: If I can’t attend one of the days, can I receive the recording?

The conference is not recorded. So the answer is fairly short, no.

Q5: Can I read my Talent Insights Profile Report before the conference?

Yes you can. We understand that it can be really daunting (some might even say confronting) to read your Profile Report so we do email the report to you, just two days prior to the conference. Why only 2 days before I hear you ask? Because we don’t want you to give it too much time before we have had a chance to explain the DISC Model to you, to help you understand the report and the information it contains. We will encourage you to read only a few specific pages before the conference starts. The rest you can read across the conference and after the conference.

Q6: For the online conference, how do I get access to the Resources?

Online conference participants will have their Resource Packs Express Posted to them in the week prior to the conference.

Q7: What should I wear?

At the conference, you will meet educators from across Australia and New Zealand. It is a wonderful networking opportunity. So consider how you want to show up to an event like this. How do you want people to remember you? What is the best first impression you want to make? Once you have answered those questions, you will know how you want to dress for an event this like. It is likely to be professional and make you feel confident about who you are and what you want for your leadership and career.

What Educators Are Saying

  • “More than just an understanding of theory or what your strengths are, the conference provides an opportunity to network, ask questions and learn from women, who are working at the top of their game.”

    Melissa Avery,
    Westbourne Grammar School, VIC
  • “Fabulous experience, inspiring and insightful. Best professional learning conference I’ve attended. Highly recommend!”

    Kirsten Shipsides,
    Ivanhoe Grammar School, VIC
  • “I learned a great deal about myself – personally and professionally, all of which can support me to be the leader I would like to be. Thank you, Janine, for the insights, wisdom and toolkit that I am taking with me.”

    Camilla Gaff,
    Mentone Girls’ Grammar School, VIC
  • “The conference is a powerful and intensive two days where knowledge that would individually take me years to accumulate was packaged and presented clearly in a way that made it manageable and achievable.”

    Zoe Franks,
    Coomera Anglican College, QLD
  • “Janine was able to help me authentically explore what it means to be a woman seeking leadership in the field of education. So often, we take a tokenistic approach to “women in leadership”; it was refreshing to engage with such depth, honesty and reflection.”

    Cate Park-Ballay,
    St Hilda’s School, Gold Coast, QLD
  • “The value in learning about how I lead is in learning more about how I act. The DISC provided this insight.”

    Helen Close,
    Daramalan College, ACT
  • “This event was one of the most engaging and powerful professional developments I have ever done. I did not want the two days to end. So many inspirational women.”

    Eleni Kyritsis,
    Strathcona Girls Grammar School, VIC

    Explore Our Leadership Blogs

    Monday Motivation – Recognition – We All Li…

    One of the most important things to understand about people, especially as a leader, is that ever…

    Monday Motivation – Take Control of Your Message

    At the start of a new year there is a lot of change that needs to be implemented. Staff will have…

    Monday Motivation – Culture Eats Strategy For Bre…

    I have spent the weekend thinking and writing about leadership, particularly about how leaders in…

    Monday Motivation – Help them to feel Known Value…

    Every person in your team wants to feel KNOWN, VALUED and BELONG. It’s your job as their leader t…

    Ready to Transform Your Leadership?

    Let’s connect and explore the best program or coaching fit for your goals.
    Take the first step toward confident, effective leadership.

    Monday Motivation - weekly insights to inspire, lead and grow - straight to your Inbox.

    ×
    Your Cart
    Cart is empty.
    Fill your cart with amazing items
    Shop Now
    $0.00
    $0.00