The Predictably Unpredictable

"We can't predict the future. We don’t know what will happen in the next five years. We need to educate our children for unpredictability."

These words from Sir Ken Robinson's landmark 2006 TED Talk, "Do Schools Kill Creativity?" resonate even more powerfully today. Robinson, who passed away in 2020, championed creativity over conformity in education, urging schools and school leaders to think beyond the constricts of traditional schooling which, he argued, had not fundamentally changed since the mass education movement of the 19th century. In our current era of unprecedented change, his message feels prophetic.

At last week's CAIS Heads and Chairs Conference in Halifax, educational leaders grappled with challenges that would have seemed unimaginable even a few years ago. The consensus was clear: leading schools must become catalysts for systemic change if they are to remain relevant in the years ahead. A commitment to excellence now demands that we prepare students for a future marked by unprecedented uncertainty.

Consider how little the traditional classroom has evolved since our own school days. While technology has been added and methodologies tweaked, the fundamental structure remains largely unchanged. This incrementalism – making small adjustments rather than bold transformations – stems from a natural tendency to trust what worked in the past. Yet this comfort with the familiar may be our greatest vulnerability in preparing students for tomorrow's challenges.

The luxury of optional change in education has expired. We stand at an exciting crossroads: the opportunity to reimagine learning for an unpredictable future. Guided by research and talking with experts across disciplines and different industries, we're identifying the essential skills our students will need to succeed in whatever field they choose. This isn't just about adapting to change – it's about empowering UTS students to thrive in it.

UTS students should never be mere recipients of education. We want them to be active architects of their own futures. By embracing uncertainty, cultivating creativity and developing adaptive skills, they will transform challenges into opportunities. The unpredictability that once seemed daunting now becomes their greatest strength – a canvas of infinite potential where imagination, resilience and deep thinking will paint the extraordinary landscapes of tomorrow.