PLANNING FOR PLAY 2027 | PLAY IN & AROUND EDUCATION
What happens when we put play at the heart of education?
Join The Outsiders: Play Advocates for the fifth annual Planning for Play event, bringing together an inspiring collection of speakers, practitioners, educators and play advocates to explore the relationship between play and education.
From early learning and schools to OSHC and beyond, we'll explore the opportunities, tensions, challenges and possibilities of creating environments where children's play is genuinely valued, protected and championed.
Expect fresh perspectives, challenging conversations, practical inspiration and plenty of opportunities to connect with others who believe that play deserves a bigger place in our educational landscape.
Let's challenge assumptions, share ideas and rethink what education can look like when we make room for play.
14 AUGUST 2027
Hosted by The Outsiders: Play Advocates
planning for play speakers
More speakers being announced regularly on our FACEBOOK page…
Nicola Larmore is the founder of ShiftEd and an experienced education leader, teacher and specialist in student engagement, behaviour support, inclusion and trauma-aware practice.
Across more than two decades in education, Nicola has worked in classrooms, school leadership, complex case management and regional service delivery. She has supported students, families, educators, school leaders and government agencies to respond to complex needs, bringing a grounded understanding of how strategy, systems and everyday practice intersect.
Nicola holds a Master of Education specialising in Trauma-Aware Education, completed with Distinction. Her work combines contemporary evidence with extensive professional experience, translating complex ideas into clear, practical approaches that educators can use in their own settings.
Nicola founded ShiftEd after repeatedly seeing frontline educators asked to navigate increasing complexity without the practical tools and supportive systems needed to sustain change. Through ShiftEd, she helps educators and leaders translate research into everyday practice and strengthen the systems that support it.
Known for building trust and positive relationships, Nicola works with curiosity, respect and a strong interest in each organisation’s context. She understands the realities of busy schools and helps teams develop practical, sustainable pathways for change.
Lauren is the Outdoor Play and Learning Teacher at Berrinba East State School where she works with classes from Prep through to Year 6 as a specialist teacher. She has a background in Early Childhood Education, Inclusive Education and has a strong commitment to advocating for children's success.
A fierce advocate for children, Lauren believes every child deserves to be seen, heard, valued and given opportunities to succeed. Her practice places children at the centre of their learning, recognising their strengths, interests, ideas and capabilities as the starting point for meaningful learning experiences.
Grounded in play pedagogy, child-led inquiry and inclusive practice, Lauren explores how play can be a powerful vehicle for delivering the Australian Curriculum from Prep to Year 6. Through loose parts, outdoor environments, imaginative play and student-led projects, she creates opportunities for children to follow their curiosity, take risks, solve problems, collaborate and shape their own learning.
Lauren is passionate about challenging traditional assumptions about where play belongs in schools and championing the possibilities that emerge when we trust children, make space for their ideas and recognise them as active participants in their learning.
Hannah Powell has a Bachelor in Early Childhood and 15 years teaching experience in kindergartens, schools, bush kindy and early years environments. She co founded the Australian Forest School Association and has established four ongoing forest schools as well as facilitates training around the country with Bush Kindy Australia. Hannah is passionate about advocating for children’s right to play and to have an authentic childhood full of freedom, autonomy and adventure.
Mathilda Element is an educator who loves play, and spends a lot of time playing and supporting others in play. She has degrees in both early childhood education and theatre studies. As a teacher, she has worked for over 20 years at Pine Community School in Brisbane as an early years teacher, learning support and curriculum co-ordinator as well as various leadership roles. For the past six years she has also worked at Humanitas High School in Brisbane as a teacher, director and co-founder. Both schools are democratic, community schools run with parent, student and teacher input, and both are places of joy, student engagement and play.
