Ann D Clark Lecture challenges educators to build the bridge to excellence

A record crowd of more than 600 educators, leaders and staff from across Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese (CSPD) came together for the 2026 Ann D Clark Lecture, an evening of inspiration and professional learning focused on one shared mission: ensuring every student has the opportunity to thrive.

Held annually in honour of Ann D Clark, CSPD's founding Executive Director of Catholic Education, the lecture continues her legacy of championing excellence, innovation and equity across Catholic education.

Opening the 2026 event, CSPD Chief Executive Officer Jack de Groot reflected on the significance of the annual lecture, encouraging educators to embrace the opportunity to continue growing in their practice.

"Tonight is one where we pause, reflect, discern who we are as educators and who we are called to become,” Jack said. “These opportunities are an invitation to grow in our expertise, strive for excellence and recommit ourselves to the students in our care."

Pat Ellis, CSPD Executive General Manager - Learning, Quality & Performance, was the MC for the evening and warmly welcomed this year’s speaker Professor Lorraine Hammond who is one of Australia's leading experts in explicit instruction, literacy and the science of learning.

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In her keynote address titled ‘The Bridge to Excellence’, Professor Hammond explored how evidence-informed teaching can maximise learning and improve outcomes for every student.

Drawing on insights from her work leading the Kimberley Schools Project, along with decades of research and classroom experience, Professor Hammond unpacked how the brain learns and why effective teaching relies on sequenced instruction, purposeful practice and regular retrieval of knowledge. She strongly encouraged educators to embrace evidence-informed practice as the foundation for student success.

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Equity was a central message of her lecture, specifically why student outcomes should never be determined by background, language, disadvantage or disability. Instead, Professor Hammond asked educators to maintain high expectations for every learner and use evidence-informed teaching practices that give all students the best opportunity to thrive.

She explained that “there’s a time and place for both” explicit instruction and inquiry-based learning in the classroom, and the most effective teaching responds to students' learning needs rather than following a single educational philosophy.

Professor Hammond’s message strongly aligns with CSPD's new Uplift approach to teaching and learning, affirming the importance of explicit instruction and high impact teaching. She challenged educators to ensure every student has access to high quality, evidence-informed teaching, reminding the audience that "students should not have to win the instructional lottery to succeed."

In her vote of thanks at the end of the evening, Jenny Godwin, Principal of St John Vianney's Primary Doonside, reflected on the important role of education.

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"Your lecture beautifully captured the responsibility we all share as leaders, teachers and support staff," Jenny said. "Every day we have the privilege of helping children cross that bridge, ensuring every student has the opportunity to reach their potential."