The Chalk Dust podcast
Episode 2: The Art and Science of Phonics Instruction
With special guest, Principal Manisha Gazula of Marsden Road Public School
Episode 1: From CfU to CfQ
Listen now | Checking for Quality of Student Responses
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Past events
Upcoming events
Teaching Matters
Catholic Education Tasmania
This conference, tailored for teaching professionals, leaders and educators, showcases innovative pedagogical approaches founded in the Science of Learning.
The Science of Learning in English - Blended Learning Experience
AIS NSW
This course is aimed at English teachers wanting to upskill so that they can deliver the new English syllabus in a way that maximises student learning.
Delivered in three sessions, online and in-person.
AATE/ALEA National Conference 2024
Australian Association for the Teaching of English / Australian Literacy Educators’ Association
Your next chapter awaits with possibility, aplenty.
Inspired by Kirli Saunders' poem, our National Conference theme looks towards the future with hope and optimism.
researchED Newcastle
researchED
Connect with leading researchers, academics, classroom practitioners and school leaders in Newcastle, Australia’s best kept secret.
A Matter of Translation Conference 2024
Anglican Church Grammar School (Churchie)
A Matter of Translation allows teachers to share their practice with their colleagues. The goal is to assist teachers in connecting key advancements in current learning and behaviour research with their daily classroom practices.
Educating Girls Symposium 2024
International Coalition of Girls Schools
Join colleagues from girls’ schools from around the globe at Westlake Girls High School in Auckland, NZ to network and share best practices.
Sharing Best Practice Sydney 2024
Sharing Best Practice
A full day of premium evidence-based professional development and an opportunity to share insights on explicit teaching.
AIS NSW Education Research Symposium 2024
AIS NSW
A must-attend event for educators looking to stay at the forefront of educational innovation and enhance their school's evidence-enriched culture.
16th International Cognitive Load Theory Conference 2024
The University of Sydney, School of Education and Social Work
As researchers increasingly combine coginitive load theory with other theories of learning and instruction, it has evolved into an interdisciplinary theory. The conference will reflect this growing diversity of topics and research directions.
Schools Summit 2025
The Sydney Morning Herald
A premier gathering of Australia’s foremost educators, thought leaders, and policymakers for insightful conversations.
Sharing Best Practice Sydney 2025
Sharing Best Practice
A full day of premium evidence-based professional development and an opportunity to share insights on explicit teaching.
Science of Learning Conference 2025
Matthew Flinders Anglican College
This exclusive conference is crafted for educators who are passionate about leveraging the latest research to enhance their teaching practices.
Educating Girls Symposium 2025
International Coalition of Girls Schools
Join colleagues from girls’ schools from around the globe to network and share best practices. The program includes engaging keynotes, interactive breakout sessions, and hands-on workshops.
Advancing Effective Education 2025
MultiLit
Join a host of national and international speakers over this two-day conference focusing on research, leadership and theory to practice in delivering effective instruction.
The Science of Learning in English - Blended Learning Experience
AIS NSW
This course is aimed at English teachers wanting to upskill so that they can deliver the new English syllabus in a way that maximises student learning.
Delivered in two sessions, online and in-person.
Research Conference 2025
The Teachers Guild of NSW
Exploring innovative research partnerships between Schools and Universities.
The conference will include focus sessions to showcase best practices in School-University partnerships in educational research and workshops on how to work with different stakeholders.
A Matter of Translation Conference 2025
The Churchie Research Centre and researchED
Bringing together classroom teachers, researchers, and education leaders for a day of thought-provoking discussion on education, evidence-based practice, and research.
Latest Substack articles
On the cycle of avoidance
How schools are inadvertently setting students up to fail
On the myths and truths about how girls learn
Knowledge is (girl) power
On explicit teaching and student behaviour
There are some pretty convincing links!
On following the golden thread
A chat with Professor Haili Hughes about Standards
On things that are better together
The amplifying power of autonomy and structure
On building moats
How progressive education defends its ivory tower
About Rebecca
Rebecca Birch is a teacher of English and Academic in Residence at a top 40 independent school in Sydney, Australia. After a successful career in advertising and fashion, she transitioned into education, working as a learning support officer in diverse settings while completing her teacher training.
She is a founding member of the Centre for Research in Schools at UNSW and a recipient of The Educator Magazine’s Most Influential Educator Award 2024. Rebecca has consulted for Ochre Education and presented on literacy nation-wide. She has presented at researchED and represented the profession at the Gonski Institute for Education.
Her research explores the link between explicit instruction and student wellbeing. She publishes widely, including a newsletter read by 4,000 subscribers across 83 countries.
Publications and media
- PublicationTeaching study skills with load reduction instructionMeeting student wellbeing needs through structure and autonomyProfessional Teachers’ Council of NSW
- NewsExplicit teaching’s ‛robotic’ tag cast aside as new podcast showcases great practiceEducationHQ
- OpinionTransactional teaching: When paid on the clock our professional status is at riskEducationHQ
- OpinionPuppy patting and mindfulness: whole-school programs have hidden costsEducationHQ
- CommentThis Sydney school ditched screens for a week. Here’s what happenedSydney Morning Herald