Pasi Sahlberg
A series of urgent conversations about the Australian education sector
Influential writer, practitioner and researcher of global education trends, Pasi Sahlberg presents a series of conversations with passionate national and international education thought leaders discussing the urgency for Australian education reform.
In the Utzon Room | Talks & Ideas, Creative Learning
COVID-safe and event information
The health, safety and wellbeing of everyone at the Opera House is our priority. When you return to the Opera House, you will notice some important changes that have been implemented to keep the community safe, which are regularly reviewed and updated in consideration of the Public Health Order prevailing at the time. Please follow our conditions of entry at all times:
- Face masks are strongly recommended for all patrons while inside our theatres and foyers, including during the performance. Please bring your own mask;
- As you move around the Opera House, practise physical distancing (1.5 metres whenever possible) and follow the guidance provided by our staff and signage; and
- Within venues, always take your allocated seat.
Please refer to our updated General Terms and Conditions for Tickets and Attendance at Events for detailed information about our ticketing policies. These conditions may change between the time of purchase and the event date. Ticketholders will be contacted directly regarding any changes to their event.
Please check our plan your visit page prior to attending the Opera House for the most up-to-date information.
Three events in March, May and September 2021
Tuesday, 18 May at 6.30pm - Pasi Sahlberg in conversation with Dr Chris Sarra and Fiona Kelly
Wednesday, 15 September at 6.30pm - Pasi Sahlberg in conversation with leading researchers detailing the impacts of screen time on young learners
Standard tickets from $25 | $8.50 booking fee applies per transaction
Ticket description |
Price |
Standard |
$25 |
Prices correct at the time of publication and subject to change without notice. Exact prices will be displayed with seat selection. Children aged 15 years and under must be accompanied at all times.
The authorised agencies for this event are Sydney Opera House. For more information about Authorised Agencies, see the FAQ below.
Each event runs for approximately 90 minutes, with no interval
Event duration is a guide only and may be subject to change.
In English | Wheelchair accessible
Find out more about accessibility at Sydney Opera House.
Suitable for all ages
Children aged 15 years and under must be accompanied at all times, and children under the age of 12 are not required to wear a face mask.
“If we all think the same way, none of us probably thinks very much.”
Pasi Sahlberg
A series of conversations about the Australian education sector
Influential writer, practitioner and researcher of global education trends, Pasi Sahlberg presents a series of conversations with national and international thought leaders sketching the rationale and urgency for reform of the Australian education sector.
As part of his work as Professor of Education Policy at the Gonski Institute, Pasi Sahlberg wants to initiate a conversation with the Australian community about how this can be addressed.
In these conversations, Sahlberg will lead dialogues on international standards, policy and the importance of play for children. These conversations will be directed by audience participation and will actively engage guests in thinking deeper and broader about the current problems of education.
Sydney Opera House is proud to be aligned with the Gonski Institute for Education in a new partnership to compliment and challenge our work on creativity and learning in schools.
Presented by Sydney Opera House and Gonski Institute for Education at UNSW Sydney.
The education conversation Australia has to have
Finnish educator and author Pasi Sahlberg writes on the chasm of inequality that exists in the Australian school system.
More about Pasi Sahlberg
Pasi Sahlberg is an author, scholar and educator who has worked as a mathematics and science teacher, teacher-educator, research and policy-maker in Finland. He has studied education systems and advised on education system reforms around the world, publishing over 170 academic and professional articles and 22 books on the topic. His most recent book is Let the Children Play! How more play will save our schools and help children thrive (with William Doyle, 2019). He has held numerous advisory roles in international organisations like the World Bank, the European training Foundation, and has been education policy expert to the OECD, European Commission and Finnish Governments Foreign Ministry and numerous others.
His research concludes that Australia has schools that are up there with the best in the world; but we tolerate a system where some students experience significant disadvantage. As part of his work as Professor of Education Policy at the Gonski Institute, Pasi Sahlberg, along with former NSW Minister for Education Adrian Piccoli, wants to initiate a conversation with the Australian community about how this disparity can be addressed, leading dialogues on international standards, policy and the importance of play for children.
In conversation with Dr Chris Sarra and Fiona Kelly
Tuesday 18 May, 6.30pm
Sahlberg’s second conversation is with one of Australia’s most influential Indigenous educators, Dr Chris Sarra, a Gurang Gurang / Taribelang man and the founder and Chairman of the Stronger Smarter Institute and Fiona Kelly who is a proud Barkindji/Ngiyampaa woman and Executive Principal of the thriving Menindee Central School in far western NSW on the Darling River.
Sahlberg will participate alongside these two leading practitioners offering local, national and International perspectives on education with First Nations youth. The three will discuss strategies that work, the challenges that exist and tell stories from lived experiences of many years teaching and learning.
The event includes time for audience questions and two original songs composed and performed by Menindee Central School students.
More about Dr Chris Sarra
Dr Chris Sarra is a Gurang Gurang / Taribelang man, and founder and Chairman of the Stronger Smarter Institute. He is currently the Director General of the Department of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships in Queensland. His illustrious career spans more than 30 years in positive education reform for Indigenous students from schools to universities based on the Stronger Smarter philosophy.
Dr Sarra is a highly sought-after advisor on Education, Indigenous policy reform and strategy. Prior to his role with the Queensland Government he was a Professor of Education with the University of Canberra and Co-Chair of the Prime Minister’s Indigenous Advisory Committee. Other numerous honours include NAIDOC Person of the Year 2016, Queenslander of the Year, Australian of the Year finalist, NRL Commissioner, and a 2018 New York Marathon finisher.
More about Fiona Kelly
Ms. Fiona Kelly, a proud Barkindji/Ngiyampaa woman, is currently the Executive Principal of Menindee Central School which is situated on Fiona’s traditional Barkindji country. Menindee Central School is one of the 16 dedicated schools operating under the NSW Education Department’s Connected Communities strategy.
Fiona has a long and distinguished history of involvement and leadership in Aboriginal/Indigenous education and training within the NSW education system.
Fiona is a Barkindji/Ngiyampaa woman from the Menindee community, in rural western NSW with a passion for education leadership and development, principles that are deeply rooted in her culture and identity as a First Nations woman. With over 30 years of experience as a classroom teacher, Indigenous education consultant and now as Principal, Fiona is committed to leading a team of educators who are dedicated to ensuring that the students who are enrolled with Menindee Central School have access to culturally affirming systems of knowledge and experience that also enriches the students academically.
The design and development of effective and negotiated partnerships with parents and community are fundamental to Fiona’s education leadership philosophy. Both the school’s induction and orientation programs, as well as the school’s education strategic plan, is structured to achieve and celebrate these important education and community empowerment objectives.
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Venue Information
In line with the NSW Public Health Order, venue capacity is currently limited to 75%. This includes all performances in the Joan Sutherland Theatre, Studio, Playhouse, Drama Theatre and Utzon Room. Please note that you may be seated directly alongside other patrons.
Our foyers will be open 60 minutes pre-show for Joan Sutherland Theatre performances, and two hours pre-show for Western Foyer venue performances. Refreshments will be available for purchase from our theatre bars. Please remember to maintain physical distancing whilst consuming drinks in our foyers.
All Sydney Opera House foyers are pram accessible, with lifts to the main and western foyers. The public lift to all foyers is accessible from the corridor near the escalators on the Lower Concourse and also in the Western Foyer via the corridor on the Ground Level (at the top of the escalators). Pram parking will be available outside the theatres in the Western Foyer consistent with COVID-safe rules.
Transport options
- We encourage you to use private transport options to minimise crowding on public transport (in line with NSW Government advice).
- The Sydney Opera House Car Park, operated by Wilson Parking, is open and available to use. Wilson Parking offer discounted parking if you book ahead. Please see their website for details.
- Please check the Transport NSW website for the latest advice and information on travel and COVID-19 safety measures. You can catch public transport (bus, train, ferry) to Circular Quay and enjoy a six min walk to the Opera House.
What safety measures have you implemented?
Nothing is more important to us than the health and safety of everyone on site, and we are closely following NSW Health guidelines and advice. The Sydney Opera House is registered as a COVID Safe business with the NSW Government. For detailed information about our COVID-19 safety measures and what’s required of you when visiting, please see our plan your visit page.
What am I required to do as an audience member?
Face masks are strongly recommended for all patrons while inside our theatres and foyers, including during the performance. Please bring your own mask.
As you move around the Opera House, practise physical distancing (1.5 metres whenever possible) and follow the guidance provided by our staff and signage.
Within venues, always take your allocated seat.
For detailed information about our COVID-19 safety measures and what’s required of you, please see our plan your visit page.
Do I need to be vaccinated to visit the Sydney Opera House?
The Sydney Opera House no longer requires patrons to show that they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
Am I required to wear a mask?
Face masks are strongly recommended for all patrons while inside our theatres and foyers, including during the performance. Please bring your own mask.
How are you managing contact tracing?
Contact information is required when making a booking with us and upon arrival at the Opera House, as set out in our General Terms and Conditions for Tickets and Attendance at Events and our Customer Privacy Statement.
As the ticket purchaser, you are responsible for recording the contact details of your guests. Contact information will only be used for the purposes of contact tracing, if required, and will be deleted at least 28 days after your event.
Frequently Asked Questions - Performance and Venue
What time do I need to arrive before the event?
Ticket purchases and collection at our Box Office is discouraged and eTicket or postal delivery methods should be used, wherever possible. However, if you are collecting your tickets from the Box Office, we recommend doing this at least 60 minutes before the event starts. If you have already received your tickets, the venue doors will be open 45 minutes pre-show for Joan Sutherland Theatre performances, and 30 minutes pre-show for Western Foyer venue performances. It is encouraged that you take your seats as soon as you arrive.
If you are late, we will seat you as soon as we can and, where possible, in your allocated seat. However, to reduce movement in the venue as well as minimise disruption to the performance and other patrons, ticketholders may be seated in an allocated latecomer’s seat. Please be aware that some events have lock-out periods. In these cases, latecomers will be admitted at a suitable break in the performance. On occasions, this may not be until the interval, or at all where there is no interval.
Ticketholders must comply with the directions of Opera House ushers to assist with contact tracing.
Details of our right to refuse admission can be found in our General Terms and Conditions for Tickets and Events.
Will there be bag checks, and is cloaking available?
In line with our venue security procedures, Opera House security will be scanning and checking bags under the Monumental Stairs, prior to entering the building. Bags will be scanned by an x-ray machine, and staff will wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) when handling your belongings, such as gloves. Cloaking facilities will be open 60 minutes pre-show for Joan Sutherland Theatre performances, and 60 minutes pre-show for Western Foyer venue performances. However it is strongly encouraged that you travel lightly to minimise contact and queuing. Any bags larger than an A4 piece of paper will need to be checked into the Cloak Room.
Can my baby sit on my lap?
- All audience members, including babies, are counted toward the allowable capacity and must hold a valid ticket for admission.
- A specific children’s price may be available on certain events. On others a standard ticket price may apply.
- For our Sydney Opera House Presents programming, babies aged 0-11 months at the time of a performance may be seated on a parent’s lap but they must hold a valid Babes in Arms ticket ($10) and children aged 12 months and older will need to hold a standard ticket.
- Children aged 15 years and under must be accompanied at all times.
Does my child need to wear a face mask?
Children under the age of 12 are not required to wear a face mask.
Who are the authorised ticket sellers for this event?
The authorised agencies for this event are Sydney Opera House.
If you purchase tickets from a non-authorised agency such as Ticketmaster Resale, Viagogo, Ticketbis, eBay, Gumtree, Tickets Australia or any other unauthorised seller you risk that these tickets are fake, void or have previously been cancelled. RESALE RESTRICTION APPLIES. For more details, please refer to our General Terms and Conditions for Tickets and Attendance at Events.
What if I can't come to my performance?
Please contact Box Office on 9250 7777 as soon as possible to advise if you can no longer attend. If you can no longer attend because you are unwell, or have been in contact with someone displaying COVID-19 symptoms, the Opera House has introduced flexible ticketing options to help you, find out more information here.
Will there be food and beverages available to be purchased in the venue?
- Foyers will be open 60 minutes pre-show for Joan Sutherland Theatre performances, and two hours pre-show for Western Foyer venue performances. Refreshments will be available for purchase from our theatre bars, and should be consumed while seated in designated foyers spaces.
- Drinks purchased at our theatre bars can also be taken into venues for most performances.
- The venue doors will be open 45 minutes pre-show for Joan Sutherland Theatre performances, and 30 minutes pre-show for Western Foyer venue performances. It is encouraged that you take your seats as soon as you arrive.
- Please bring a credit or debit card for any on site purchases to enable contactless payment. You’re welcome to bring your own water bottle but no other food and drinks are permitted inside our venues. Opera Bar, Opera Kitchen and Portside are also available for you to enjoy.
Will there be pram parking at kids performances?
All Sydney Opera House foyers are pram accessible, with lifts to the main and western foyers. The public lift to the foyers is accessible from the corridor near the escalators on the Lower Concourse and also in the Western Foyer via the corridor on the Ground Level (at the top of the escalators). Pram parking will be available outside the theatres in the Western Foyer adhering to COVID-safe rules.
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